You can have a good idea of what you want—black and gray roses—but yeah, don't go in saying, "I want it exactly like this." You will find yourself out on your ear because most accomplished tattoo artists aren't going to copy something exactly. Why would you want them to? Let him do his own take on it, and you'll end up with something much better.
Custom just means they have designed something for you, and you aren't getting a piece of flash off the wall. Many use stencil transfers (my artist almost always does, but he sketches in other stuff around it, too), but it depends on the tattoo.
Of course. But we are not talking about a person. We are talking about two styles of tattoos. It looks weird to ME, but if the guy wants to do it, he should go to town.
Also, it shouldn't be where you can read it—that's upside down (as someone else said).
You'll cover this up eventually if you decide to do it. It really doesn't look right next to your atom.
Bless your heart. Just noticed that you started four threads here and four threads on another tattoo board. I have a job where I'm in front of computer all day. You see, we all have different kinds of jobs. NEAT!
I enjoyed the show a lot. I couldn't stop snickering at the dicks who got so mad at Oliver when he dismissed them before they'd even finished. Made themselves look like total assholes.
What he said. One thread is all that is necessary for the subject of one tattoo.
P.S. She's started three threads on the same tattoo over at Big Planet! Good times.
My artist was the first to tell me that putting a bunch of words is a waste of good real estate. If you feel like you have to have the words, I highly recommend you get an image to go with them and get some old school banners with the text. But as everyone says, go to an artist and tell them your ideas. Then let them run away with it.
AT works really well on my legs, and I want to fill out some smaller spaces. Love American traditional SO MUCH. Can't wait to see your upcoming pieces, @Dan!