George
Getting tattoos with sleeves is a great commitment that requires more planning and time than a typical body art work. You cannot impulsively choose an image from a folder or the Internet and paste it on your arm. 
If you want a decent-looking design that doesn't make you regret it later, then you need to do thorough research on this topic, think carefully about the subject and style, look for renowned artists and then sit down with the artist chosen to design the tattoo.
Good planning is decisive for the success of any company. And sleeve tattoos are something that one should do with a lot of responsibility and prior knowledge. It is not that we want to say that he does not do it at all, but that he thinks it before doing so, so that he then feels satisfied and happy with his decision.
With this article we will try to inform you about everything you need to know before tattooing the sleeves, how the tattoo process occurs (it cannot be done in a single session) and what you should do next to take care of it.
Types of tattoo sleeves.
There are 4 types of sleeve tattoos:
Quarter: It covers the area from the top of the shoulder to the middle of the arm.
Half: be extends from the top of the shoulder to the elbow.
Full sleeve: from shoulder to wrist. 
Hikae: This is a Japanese-style sleeve tattoo that covers the chest area and extends to the elbow or wrist.
How to plan a sleeve tattoo
The hardest part of getting a tattoo is to plan the theme, the motive and the design. Planning is even more important when it comes to sleeve tattoos because they are elaborate works of art that require a lot of time to draw. He does not want to spend hours in pain and then not be satisfied with the end result. Work closely with your artist to obtain the exact image and colors.
One very important thing to remember is that you must work closely with the tattoo artist you have decided to trust, but at the same time leave you the freedom you need to design it. Getting a good sleeve tattoo is like commissioning the construction of a mural. Tell the artist your vision and let him turn your concept into a professional work of art. 
To not choose blindly and establish a better relationship with the artist, ask him to show you some of his works. Surely you will have photos in your workshop. This way you will know your work style and your artistic vision better. And don't be afraid to look for another if there is something you don't like or instinctively feel that this is not yours. This first step is very important, if you choose the right artist for you, you have already passed half the way to the realization of your perfect sleeve tattoo. 
The biggest mistake that some people make is to design their own tattoo only instead of choosing an artist. That design will change because there will not be two artists who draw the same object in the same way. Each artist has their own style and way of drawing. Choose one that you like according to your style and work with it to visualize your ideas.
If you want a shark tattoo, and the artist doesn't have a shark in his wallet, it doesn't matter. All artists can draw a shark.
What matters is his way of drawing. Once you choose an artist that you like, investigate what a good tattoo artist does and see if it meets all the requirements on the list. In addition to style, professionalism and personality are equally important factors.
Look at the different styles and choose the one you like best (tribal, new school, traditional, watercolor, Japanese, Celtic, etc.) 
Decide what the general theme of your tattoo will be. Do you want it to be gothic? Maybe you like something that looks like a scene from a fairy tale or a science fiction movie. Maybe you want a manga with a religious theme or one that shows your love for music. 
Choose the symbols. Once you have erased the style, theme and message in your mind, you must select some symbols to add meaning to the overall design.
For example, if you love the ocean and want to get a tribal-style tattoo that represents love, you can think of incorporating symbols such as hearts, roses, a boat, an anchor, waves that crash against a heart-shaped rock. , etc.
Think about the color and place of the tattoo.
Discuss the placement with your tattoo artist. If you have poor tolerance for pain, you will want to avoid the armpits, elbows, folds of the elbows and wrists.
Discuss and plan with your tattoo artist. Never enter into this with too strict vision. You should talk to him about what you like and what you don't like and tell him exactly what he wants to convey with the sleeve tattoos.
He will sit with you and plan several designs that will incorporate your ideas. Allow him some freedom of art. But do not forget that you will have the last word on what will be painted forever on your skin. Never consent to something if you are not totally convinced.
Tips on sleeve tattoos.
Do not worry if you do not go to the workshop of the chosen tattoo artist with a design drawn and colored. However, compile some paintings and images that inspire you, they even tell you what music you like and which of the tattoos of your acquaintances and celebrities are wonderful, etc.
Some people plan their sleeve tattoos for years, and then put everything in a series of sessions. Others create a vague theme so they can add different symbols and pieces over the years as they find inspiration. The choice is yours. 
Never compare prices, just compare quality. Your tattoo will last forever, so make a good investment without regrets. If you can not spend more money to erase it or live with a skin failure for the rest of your life. 
Do not be greedy. Do not try to save money by asking for a smaller tattoo if the main idea was of some kind of manga. The proportions will look ugly! 
Do not try to put many meanings and symbols in a design. This makes it seem cheap.
How long does it take to get tattoo sleeves?
The average time required for a sleeve tattoo is 10 to 15 hours, but some take 80 hours or more. These are several sessions that can take weeks, months or even years to complete. The time it takes will depend on how elaborate the design is and how much time your body will need to recover between sessions.
How long is each session?
This will depend entirely on the artist and you. Each session usually lasts three to six hours. If he cannot remain seated for so long, the artist must be flexible and space the ink, increasing the number of sessions. One of the longest sessions that tattoo artist Bret Baumgart once did was 16 hours! Crazy!
How often should the sessions be?
Normally, two weeks pass between two sessions, but if your body needs more time to recover, one session can be done every three or even four weeks.
Is the pain tolerable?
It all depends on your personal level of pain tolerance, but, in general, tattoo sleeves hurt because you have to hold the needle for several hours per session and have to return for more sessions over the course of a few weeks. . Your arm may become numb for some time!
Most people report that they feel more pain around the elbow, elbow crease, wrist and armpit area. Before committing to a tattoo, learn where your body will hurt the most and learn to minimize pain.
The stages of the process.
After deciding on a design The second or third session will involve shading or drawing in details.
This process can take several months, with sessions every two to three weeks. Each session lasts an average of three or five hours, but this will depend on how long you and your tattoo artist can sit and concentrate.
Recovery process
It is very important that you take care of the tattooed area to avoid infections. This is especially important to make a manga because several sessions are required and interrupting your tattoo for longer before it is completed, it will be more difficult to finish drawing the design, which means it will take longer and cost more.
