So you want to become a master sleuth when it comes to finding tattoos for yourself or for others eh?

First I will define what a tattoo is, because understanding what it is on a technical/medical level is helpful in deciding on where to place the tattoo once you find it.

A tattoo is a marking that is made by inserting a needle (usually) into the second (dermis) layer of your skin.

The dermis layer ranges in thickness from .3 mm to 3 mm in thickness. When you are searching for a tattoo, keep in mind the area you are considering for the tattoo because the location may change your options for available tattoos. Your eyelids are very thin and the skin on your back is much thicker, hence one of the reasons why you see so many people with tattoos on the back.

Now that you understand the science behind the tattoo, you should consider the type of tattoo you are looking to design. There are several different types to choose from, especially from a cultural or religious perspective. Some of the more popular types are:

• Celtic Tattoos - Typically a knotwork design with religious meanings. Crosses and symbolisms of the number 3 are popular choices. The knotwork designs are the choice of many who are interested in arm tattoos that encircle the entire arm.
• Kanji Tattoos - Kanji is one of the symbol sets that make up the four Japanese "alphabets". They are complex symbols called pictograms with origins based in China. They are the root of the language and for the nouns, adjectives, and verbs, form the core meanings of the language. You can identify this style by large, wide strokes that slim down to a sharp point at the other end.
• Tribal Tattoos - The types of tattoos go back to the beginning peoples of the earth where small communities of people banded together in "tribes". This is a very broad category that can cover and overlap many of the other types of tattoos out there. Some of the more popular tribal-style tattoos out there are American Indian, Samoan, and Polynesian are some of the more popular tattoos you see today. Many of these types can be seen on both men and women who usually enjoy displaying their body art.
• Octopus Tattoos - There are many different meanings for the symbolism of an octopus. Some see it as graceful and mysterious, so see it as flexible and intelligent. There are others who see it as wise and complex. These are just a few of the descriptions people think of when they are considering a tattoo of this type. The design of this type of tattoo is usually complex and you should do your homework settling on a particular artist. As to see examples of their octopus work specifically.

There are many more categories out there, but in consideration of size for this article, these seem to be the most popular type out there in general and should be enough to get you started in your research.

So how do you research? The major search engines are one place to start. You can consider the type of tattoo you would like to have and then begin to narrow your search down by placement on the body, and complexity of the art work. There are many tattoo websites out there that showcase and display different tattoos and usually have them categorized very well. There are other websites on the Internet that will let you design a tattoo as well, though those are usually fee-based if you want to make a copy of it. However, it may be well worth it to get the specific design that fits you like a glove. After all, tattoos are extremely difficult and painful to remove, so the upfront costs are very-well worth the price.

After you find the perfect design, it's time to do homework on your artists. Many shops have web pages where they showcase their artwork and designs. You can also get additional information about the business as well before you even walk in the door. Look for review sites and use a search engine to see if the artist has other references (good or bad) online. Again, you have come this far in picking out the perfect tattoo design, don't choose your artist any less carefully.

Good luck, and posts some pictures of your awesome new art!