first tattoo- any advice?

[mysterycolor]

so i am thinking about getting my first tattoo soon, to commemorate my 20yr anniversary of being diagnosed Epileptic. I am thinking about getting the Epilepsy awareness ribbon with "93" underneath.
Now ever since i started talking about this people have been giving their two sense- what locations are best, what colors arent good (i keep hearing purple is not good- which sucks because the ribbon is purple, is this true Donatello fans?)
since so many of you have tattoos (tmnt and otherwise) i thought maybe i could pick your brains for advice, personal experiences, what to expect... and then others can also check it out when they are feeling like i am... thanks in advance!

[Mr.Turtle]

where do u want the tattoo to be done?

[mysterycolor]

not sure what exactly you are asking, if you literally mean "where do i want to get it done" i havent picked a tattoo shop yet- looking around pittsburgh for someone awesome... if you mean "where on my body do i want it placed" i am considering my left shoulder blade.

[Zarana-X]

The tattoo sounds simple enough, all I can offer for advice on tattoos, and surgery, is its not the time to look for bargains. With the new inks, color shouldn't be an issue.

[mysterycolor]

The tattoo sounds simple enough, all I can offer for advice on tattoos, and surgery, is its not the time to look for bargains. With the new inks, color shouldn't be an issue.
glad to hear about the inks- since purple is basically the only color that i need i was really nervous hearing it might be trouble.

[DonatelloFan]

Yes, don't try to go cheap.
Don't let the tattooist intimidate you into doing ANYTHING. You're the boss.
If you don't like a design, let the artist know.
I've only heard of white not doing good in the long run (that's why the artist who did my Tanooki Mario tattoo didn't use much white)


And lastly, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!! My wife got a bad tattoo just because she couldn't wait to get it, and she regrets it all the time. She's going to get it covered up when she figures out what she wants.

RESEARCH!!!

[Scud]

And lastly, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!! My wife got a bad tattoo just because she couldn't wait to get it, and she regrets it all the time. She's going to get it covered up when she figures out what she wants.
RESEARCH!!!

I will echo this comment. RESEARCH!!!
First the design. Make sure every line is what you want. My first tattoo, I designed 10 years before actually getting it - and I love it. The second was a little rushed - happy with most of it though.
As for a shop, get recommendations from friends, go in to book an appointment and ask questions while your there. Make sure everything is sterile.
RESEARCH - DON'T RUSH!

[mysterycolor]

thanks guys- i definitely will not rush it- friends have started making recommendations and i have sort of been checking out their tattoos (the quality seems to differ greatly) and will check out more than one shop before deciding