How much does it really hurt to get a tattoo?

You know how some people have phobias of heights or spiders? That’s how much I’m afraid of needles. The sound of someone putting on a latex glove gives me an unpleasant shiver.

I’d like to finally face my fears! One of my friends suggested that we go together, and now seems like a good time. After a lot of thought, I want to get the pulsar map from the Pioneer plaque on my inner forearm. Not the WHOLE inner arm- maybe an area the size of a deck of a cards, or a little less.

That’s a pretty squishy part of my arm. People say getting tattooed somewhere soft hurts less. Is that true?