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I want to get a tattoo, a dragonfly specifically. My question is: should I get a special, by appointment only tattoo atrist, or just any run-of-the-mill artist and parlor? Also, how much do you think it"ll cost, it"ll have a 7 inch wingspan and be on my back left shoulder, all black. I dont know what to expect so any help would be great!
By the way, here's the exact design I want.

I don't think you'd need a special appointment. It's a fairly simple design, so you'd be fine.

What about the ink splotches around the edges? I want them on it, if I can. Can any tattoo artist do them well?

Dude, I'm of the opinion that if you are going to get something on your body for the rest of your life, you need to spend the cash to get it done right. I've seen fouled up tats before and it gets kinda nutty.

Go for the gusto, and when the tat artist sees what you want, they may be able ot make suggestions that appeal to you. I mean, you seem to know exactly what you want, but looking at the style they may be able to suggest imptovements. Thats the big differance between a tatoo artist and some hack with a ink needle in hand. Spend the cash, dude. We're not talking about a fething Space Marine model here, this is your skin.

EDIT: filter FAIL. And, dont listen to people who dont even have tatoos (Cheese Elemental), listen to the people who DO ( I believe FITZZ has some ink).

I agree 100% with grizgrin,you don't want to go cheap on ink.
I have ALOT of tattoos and some of my first ones were done by "backyard butchers",so now I'm having to spend alot more to have them properly coverd then I would have had to had I had them done properly in the first place.
If I were you I'd deffenitly check out a few shops,find one your comfortable with and were they have a reputation for quality work,then talk to the artist about your expectations concerning the piece you want .
Just offhand,looking at the picture you posted,and taking into account a 7" wing span,all black,done well,I'd estimate the cost at around $150.00 to $200.00

EDIT: On cost

Go find a 'reputable' parlour.
Ask the tattooist for advice. They'll know how long it should take.

Where I got mine (first 4 bars of Beethoven's 5th on my right upper arm) anything over an hour required an appointment (so they were only working on you with no disturbances). Mine is only blacked (no other colours), so took less than an hour.
I supplied them with the template which they made the transfer from and inked over it.

150-200 by a reputable artist? If I couldnt throw that down without a second thought on a tat, then I'd know I was NOT ready. I would ONLY get inked by a reputable inkslinger whose work I'd seen a lot of.

Okay, thank you guys. But you think they will be able to do the 'ink splatters' if the thing is 7 inches? I don't know how precise tattoos can get...

Other than that, you guys answered all of my questions! Oh, and I'll be getting it on Friday, so if the thread is still alive I'll post pics!

Pics would be awesome. And yeah, I've seen some really detailed tats with finelines. If you're artist bats an eyelash at doing it down to the nth degree of detail, I'd be gone and quick. Good luck and I hope it comes out perfection. Really interested in seeing the pics.

Do not ever get a tattoo from a walk in place...walk in means they have no clients..which means crappy work. I have 18 tattoos. Do some research about the best tattoo places in your area. It might even be worth driving an hour or so to go to the best one.

Depending on the amount of detail your looking at...and if you want realistic style...at least $200 by a real professional. My last bit of advice. Dont ever get a tattoo.

Even the smallest/simplest tattoos should be done by a serious professional. Do some research online, you can usually Google the parlors in your area and find reviews about the service, cleanliness, etc.

Good luck with it, look forward to seeing how the ink turns out

- Salvage