First Tattoo in Hyderabad: What to Expect at a Kondapur Studio
Most people who walk into our studio for their first tattoo have been thinking about it for months, sometimes years. They have a folder of screenshots, a rough idea of where it should go, and one big question they are slightly embarrassed to ask: what is actually going to happen once I'm in the chair? This post answers that, step by step, based on how we work at Guns and Inks in Kothaguda, Kondapur.
Before you come in
You don't need a finished design. You need an idea. That might be a word in your mother's handwriting, a symbol that means something to your family, a fine line flower, or a portrait of someone you have lost. Bring whatever references you have, but don't worry if they don't quite match what is in your head. Turning a rough idea into something that works on skin is our job, not yours.
It helps to think about placement too. A design that looks great on your forearm may not sit well on your wrist or behind your ear. If you're not sure, that's fine. Placement is one of the things we talk through properly at the consultation.
On the day itself, eat a proper meal beforehand, get a decent night's sleep and wear clothes that make the area easy to reach. Our tattoo and piercing preparation page has a fuller checklist if you like to be organised.
The consultation: where most of the work happens
Every tattoo at Guns and Inks starts with a consultation. You sit down with an artist, explain what you want and why, and they ask a lot of questions: how big, how detailed, which style, how it should age, and whether you might add to it later. A good consultation often changes the design for the better. Lettering might need to be a little larger so it stays readable for years. A detailed piece might need more room than you first imagined.
The consultation costs ₹500, and that amount is adjusted in the final price of your tattoo. So if you go ahead, it isn't an extra cost. It simply makes sure both of us are serious about getting it right.
There is no pressure to decide on the spot. One of our first-time clients wrote in her review that there was 'no rush of any kind - you can think calmly and decide what goes on your skin'. We even have it written on the wall: Think & Ink. If you want to go home and sleep on it, do.
Your design, drawn for you
We don't rely only on ready-made templates. Designs are hand-drawn and customised around your idea, your placement and the style you've chosen, whether that's fine line, black and grey, realism, calligraphy, spiritual work or a portrait. Customisation isn't charged as an extra. You'll see the design, and it's adjusted until you're happy with it before any needle comes near your skin.
What it costs
People are often surprised that we put our prices on the website. Here is our current guide:
Small tattoos start from ₹1,700
Medium tattoos are usually ₹3,000 to ₹8,000
Larger and more detailed pieces are priced individually, depending on size and design
Your artist will give you a clear price at the consultation, so you know where you stand before you commit.
In the chair
Before we start, your artist sets up a clean station with fresh needles and good quality inks, then places a stencil of the design on your skin so you can check the size and position in the mirror. If it's even slightly off, say so. Moving a stencil takes a minute. Moving a tattoo is a very different conversation.
Then the tattooing begins. Everyone feels it differently, and it depends a lot on where the tattoo is. Most first-timers tell us it was more manageable than they expected. You can ask for a break whenever you need one, ask questions as you go, or just put your headphones on and let the artist work. The studio is well lit, there's music in the background, and our clients often mention that it feels relaxed rather than clinical.
Aftercare: the part people forget
How your tattoo looks in a year depends a lot on how you look after it in the first few weeks. Before you leave, your artist will explain exactly how to clean it, what to put on it and what to avoid while it heals. You'll also find the full instructions on our aftercare page. If anything worries you during healing, contact the studio. Our team will talk you through it.
Choosing where to get it done
Whichever studio you choose, look past the star rating. Read what reviewers say about hygiene, how well the artist listened, and whether they felt rushed. Look at healed work, not just fresh photos. Ask to see the studio before you book. A good studio will be happy to show you around.
Ready when you are
Guns and Inks is at 105, First Floor, Sri Mytri Square, opposite Sarath City Capital Mall and above Barbeque Nation in Kothaguda, a short ride from Gachibowli, Hitech City and Madhapur. We're open every day from 11am to 9pm. When you're ready, book your consultation online or call us on +91 8886886600. Bring your idea, and we'll take it from there.
Comments