Clients Can't Read Your Mind

If you want them to know something, you have to tell them

A lot of the “miscommunication” that happens in the studio is over little things. Clients not knowing what to say. Artists assuming the client already understands the plan. Both sides trying to be polite and accidentally making it harder than it needs to be.

Most clients have no idea what you expect from them. They may just not know how tattoo appointments work the way you do. They don’t know what’s normal, what’s helpful, or when they’re allowed to speak up. A client might think they’re being respectful by staying silent even when the stencil placement feels slightly off. Someone might not ask for water because they don’t want to “interrupt.” People don’t know if it’s okay to request a size change after seeing it on their body. They don’t know if adjusting a pose is annoying. They don’t know if you prefer they talk, or stay quiet, or tell you when something feels wrong.

They’re sitting there trying to be “easy,” and meanwhile, you’re trying to read their body language and hoping they’ll tell you if something feels off. That back-and-forth guessing is why things sometimes feel weird in the room. A client might stiffen up because they’re nervous, and you might assume they’re in pain. They might think you’re upset because you’re quiet, when you’re just focused. No one is doing anything wrong, they just don’t know each other yet.

It’s not personal or a “bad client”. It just might be two people who don’t want to bother each other.

Being clear before anyone has to guess is what helps!

Let people know what the plan is. Tell them when you’re starting, when something will feel spicy, when they can ask for a break, how much talking you’re up for, what’s helpful for you, and what isn’t. It can be as simple as saying: “If you need water, just tell me,” or “If you want to move this a little to the left, we can adjust it until it feels right,” or “This part might feel spicy, but that’s normal.” These little things take pressure off both sides. Most clients aren’t trying to be passive; they just don’t want to annoy you.

Just give people enough to understand how to be in the room with you without overexplaining. A quick rundown of the session, a clear “here’s what I need from you,” or even acknowledging that they might have questions is usually enough.

Most clients relax immediately when they know what’s going on. The session feels smoother, they trust you faster, and you’re not stuck trying to tattoo and also guess what they’re thinking at the same time. If they understand it’s okay to ask for a break, they won’t push past their limits and get faint. If they know it’s normal for artists to resize a stencil, they won’t feel embarrassed asking for a change. All of this makes the appointment easier for both of you.

They want to do it right, but they just need to know what “right” looks like.

Good communication makes the whole experience feel better for you and them. And people book again, not just because they like the tattoo, but because they liked being around you. Clients come back to the artists who make them feel safe, informed, and comfortable — not the ones who leave them guessing.

Clients can’t read your mind, but they’re almost always willing to meet you halfway if you help them get there.

Sign Up For The TPC Newsletter!