There are two basic ways of approaching tattoos

1. Flash: which are already drawn images which anyone can pick from the wall of a shop and have tattooed onto them.
2. Custom work: you and your tattoo artist discuss your desire, and then working from sources you have provided or from their own library, (s)he prepares a piece especially for you which only goes onto your body.

Here is a basic list of tattooing styles. You can often find most of these approaches in flash, however custom work can accomodate the specifics of your needs in a way that flash rarely can.

• Traditional (Old School) (hearts and roses, anchors, birds and hula girls for example)
• New School (bold bright colors strong graphics often combining modern and traditional images and themes)
• Tribal (usually blackwork, designs, symbols, not usually figurative)
• Celtic (knotwork, zoomorphs, traditional celtic imagery)
• Traditional Japanese (sleeves & body suits usually using imagery from Japanese mythology)
• Black & Grey (any kind of tattoo style can be done as a black and grey piece, it is charecterized by its soft washes of shading and generally fine detail)
• Nature
• Native American
• Nautical
• Bio-Mechanical
• Pin-ups
• Floral
• Decorative
• Cosmetic (such as eyeliner, lipliner, eyebrows)
• Restorative (such as nipple reconstruction, skin repigmentation...)
• Fantasy
• Polynesian
• Religious & Spiritual
• Anime' Cartoons (starting to become its own category tattoos based on Japanese Anime, Comic book characters or other cartoons)
• Custom fineline color work (what ever you want within reason, drawing from all kinds of imagery)

Here are a few suggestions to prepare for the reality of your next tattoo.

1. Get a note book or large envelope/folder and start to search for images for the particular theme you have chosen. Collect and save the copies of the ones you like.Notice the ones you like.Notice the ones you do not like. Try to clairfy what works about the ones you like and what does not with the ones you don't.
   You can look anywhere for reference materials, children's books, artbooks, magazines, catalogs, photographs of the subject, posters, paintings, Cd's, DVD's even designs on clothes or other objects that you like. The web is a wonderful place to start. Don't worry about finding a tattoo image, just look for a good representation of the subject you want your tattoo to be about. For example: instead of searching for "dragonfly tattoos" search for illustrations and photos of real dragonflies. A good tattoo artist can take the reference materials you provide and design a wonderful tattoo for you. Google Image Search is a great resource for all kinds of pictures
   
2. Start looking through tattoo magazines for examples of work that you especially like, copy or save the ones that especially appeal to you.
   Note who the artists you like are.
   And also note if there are particular styles you are especially drawn to.
3. Take your time to find the best artist for you. There are three primary issues to take into consideration.
   1. The quality & style of their work.
   2. The safety protocals of their studio
   3. Their attitude and philosophy.
4. Save some money and plan to budget for your piece.
   Obviously smaller tattoos are going to cost you less than a larger one, however in tattooing the most important thing is that the size of the piece should be proportiate to the placement on your body as well as the degree of detail you desire. In tattooing size does matter. The larger a piece is, the more detail will read well, and the better it will hold up over time.
   Most artists prices range between $80--$250 an hour (average is anywhere between $100-$150)
   Most artists have a minimum rate ($50 and up)
   Small pieces usually take between 1/2-1-1/2 hours
   medium pieces between 2-6 hours
   Large pieces usually take mutliple 4-8 hour sittings.

So, as you anticipate your next tattoo, remember the three P's of tattooing. . .
Planning
Preparation
Patience

By making the effort to plan and prepare for the design of your next tattoo and by having the patience to wait for the right time with the right artist, you will be well on your way to assuring yourself a piece of art you can happily wear on your body for the rest of your life.