DO consider a small tattoo. Small means small, about the size of a thumbnail or a little larger. These shapes look great on just about everyone. They require simplicity and can be placed just about anywhere, unlike most tattoos. Trying out this approach will force you to think of a less complex design and allow you to place more importance of placement rather than the elaborate tattoo.

DO think twice about that Asian design you love so much. Chinese characters and kanji are very neat looking but they are a gamble as a design choice. As someone who can read Chinese characters, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen someone walking around with something they think says "friend" but really means "left." You may think that since your character was found online that you have a veritable source, but if you can check with someone who is fluent in Chinese or Japanese to confirm the character’s design. Never take the word of someone who just "knows" a few characters (such as the tattoo artist). Also keep in mind that if you are traveling to Asia (perhaps you want to show off your asian tattoo there) that in most Asian countries the only people who get tattoos are gangsters and criminals. Having a character that says "power" on the back of your neck in Japan is going to scare people.