Turn a smelly, greasy feline into a work of art. Here's how.
First shave the cat in reverse using a #10 blade, leaving a patch of unshaved hair in whatever area you want to leave a design. Then bathe and blow dry the cat, making sure to get all of the grease, mats, tangles, etc out. The finish should be smooth, clean, and free of shedding undercoat.
Neaten up leg, neck and tail lines so that the lion cut finish is ultra smooth and velvety.
Use a 3/8" Wahl stainless steel snap-on comb on either the 5 in 1 blade or the Wahl KM2 with a #30 blade (if using suction, which really is best. I use the Bravura when working on a small area, but prefer suction with a Clipper Vac when working on a larger area.)
If color is to be applied, use a stencil or apply free-hand using a Sprayza or Blo-Pen. Using the Bravura or a smaller trimmer (My fav - the Wahl Pro LT) to etch out the excess longer hair around the sprayed on design.
If no color is to be applied, simply carve out whatever design is desired. Stick to basic shapes with straight lines or curves. Anything really intricate will be difficult or impossible to complete.
I did circles on this cat just to demonstrate the procedure. A polka dotted cat can be a very fun look indeed.
Of course, not all cats are candidates for a creative design due to temperament, health, etc. Being creative is a great add-on service that generates some buzz for you and your business.
For more on creative cat grooming, check out the NAPCG and sign up for the CGQ: Creative Groomers Quarterly magazine. I write a cat grooming article in each issue.