Frequently Asked Questions
Booking
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The first step to booking an appointment with me is to contact me via my contact page and tell me about your design idea!
Also Include:
-where you are wanting to get tattooed
- roughly how large or small
- whether you want it in color or grayscale.
- And lastly some inspirational images and tell me what you like about them.
If you have a budget in mind don’t be shy about letting me know either. That way I can give you realistic options that fit both your idea AND your financial requirements.
I may ask a few follow up questions.Then I will book you in for a FREE consultation for us to talk, sketch together, and make sure I’m the right artist for your project before putting down a deposit and booking the appointment (See the next Q+A for more information about consultations!).
PLEASE NOTE:
Once you have made contact it may take me up to a week to get back to you as I answer all of my emails personally! I do my primary admin work on TUESDAYS so if you don't hear back from me by Tuesday feel free to contact me again! Thank you for your understanding!
I truly try to make every tattoo between myself and my clients as collaborative as possible and want you to feel listened to and comfortable with the process.
I look forward to working with you!
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Yes! I require a free hour consultation for all new projects in order to book an appointment!
(I also offer video consultations for out of town clients!)
During the consultation we will sit down together in person, talk about your idea, sketch together on my ipad, and talk about realistic options to fit both your budget and needs. As well as making sure you are comfortable and I am the right artist for your project before you pay the booking fee/deposit.
At the end of the consultation you will then have the option to pay a booking fee/deposit to secure your appointment slot!
OR if you need more time to make an informed decision, save money, etc…you can then contact me via email whenever you are ready to book.
I truly try to make every tattoo between myself and my clients as collaborative as possible and want you to feel listened to and comfortable with the process.
I look forward to working with you!
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The answer is yes if:
-Your tattoo idea is larger than a couple inches
-You have a lot of thoughts and things you want to include in a design but aren’t entirely sure what you want
-You have multiple ideas
-This will be your first tattoo
-You have an idea but aren’t sure how big or where you want it.
-You have ideas but just CANT picture it and/or find examples of what you want.
-You have already worked with me before and have an idea for a new project/ tattoo!
-You just want to make sure that I’m the right atrtist for you and talk about any concerns you might have
All of these things and more will be covered in you consultation as well as rough sketching together so you can actually see what your unique design might look like and how much it will cost all BEFORE putting down a deposit. I will also offer options that will help you stay in a budget range you are comfortable with.
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Yes, all tattoos require a booking fee (deposit) be put down prior to scheduling an appointment. Booking fees/deposits are non-refundable, and are taken off from the total cost of your tattoo (they are NOT in addition to the total cost).
Deposits and rescheduling: Deposits are transferable with notice emailed BEFORE 72 hours of your appointment if you reschedule within 72 hours of your appointment you will need to place a new deposit to secure your time slot.
Rescheduling BEFORE 72 hours of your appointment will result in your deposit being transferred to the new appointment date.
This amount of time allows me the opportunity to potentially fill the time slot that you have vacated so that my income is not affected by your transfer.
Thank you for your understanding!
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Tattoo pricing varies based on size and level of detail. All of which affects how long a design takes to tattoo.
The best way to get an accurate quote for your project is to contact me and get booked in for a free consultation!
Minimum Cost: I have a $100 tattoo minimum per person per set up.
This ensures that all my set up/ material, shop space, and cleaning costs are covered every time I set up for a client.
Small Tattoo price TIP! : If you are coming in for a small tattoo I recommend considering coming in for multiple small tattoos at the same time. Because the minimum cost is already covering your materials for that session you will get more for your money and your quote will only increase in small increments per additional piece/detail done during the same session.
Why per person? Because every person getting tattooed requires a clean set up and new needles! Trust me you, you want to share an experience NOT blood.
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I accept cash, credit/debit,(PayPal for booking fees/deposits only).
I HIGHLY recommend bringing cash as ALL credit/ debit transactions will have an added 5% fee. To cover processing costs.
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Due to legal and insurance concerns I am unable to tattoo minors. Even with parental or guardian consent. Thank you for your understanding!
Your Tattoo
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How long the tattoo takes varies greatly based on size, placement and level of detail. This in combination with how your skin takes ink and how well you heal the tattoo determines a lot of how long a piece will take to complete. Another thing to consider is the size of your body and limbs.
Tattooing a whole sleeve on my arm will take a different amount of time than doing a whole sleeve on your arm or the arm of the person next to you. Everything really is custom down to the length of time it takes!
The best way to get an accurate idea of how long your particular tattoo will take is to contact me and get booked in for a free consultation!
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The short answer is no.
The long answer is there are many reasons I no longer send out designs before the appointment.
I also spend many hours designing your tattoo for you and because I have multiple clients I am often working right up to the night before your appointment to make sure everything is as perfect as I can make it!
That being said, have no fear! I always leave time for us to look over the design and make any changes/adjustments you need on the day of your appointment! I promise I want you to be happy and will never push anyone to go for a design they don't like or feel comfortable with!
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Yes, there is always some pain involved with the tattoo process. The pain is only temporary & far from unbearable. Where it hurts more or less varies from person to person.
Making sure to eat some food and hydrate before your appointment will help. I do not usually recommend the use of numbing creams, as these can interfere with the tattooing process, and healing.
Afterwards you can expect to feel stingy, possibly tender, and/or a little bruised. Often it feels very much like a bad sunburn.
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Yes! I actually find cover ups to be challenging and interesting!
Some things to know going in to a cover up:
- Blacking out is not your only option most of the time!
-All cover up tattoos take multiple sessions.
Tattoo cover ups: - Most tattoo cover ups need to be double the size of whatever we are covering or MORE to be effective.
Scars: While scar cover ups can be smaller than tattoo cover ups they can be tricky. Scar tissue can vary widely on how well the ink stays after healing. Because of that definitely expect multiple sessions, particularly directly on the scar tissue.
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Maybe. That very much depends on you!
Following proper aftercare and practical protective measures will help to prevent fading. A good sunblock should always be placed over a tattoo when exposed to the sun. Consider breathable sun resistant clothing and stay hydrated. Healthy skin keeps a healthy tattoo longer.
Many years after getting the tattoo, there will always likely be some wear & fading; however, keep in mind that the skin you have without tattoos will also look different in years down the road as your body ages.
While we all will wrinkle eventually the tattooed parts will at least be interesting and full of stories! Or that's how I like to think of it for myself :)
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You absolutely do not HAVE to BUT I highly recommend that you do. The more your tattoo is exposed to the sun without some form of protection the faster it will fade and age.
If you have ever seen a poster that has been sitting in the window for years then you have some idea of how that will look.
Appointment Guide
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-Hydrate. If you can be well hydrated the week leading up to your session that's even better!
-Stay out of the sun
-Eat a hearty meal before your appointment! Low blood sugar can lead to you passing out and ending your session before you meant it to. It can also just make it harder to sit for your session.
-Get as much solid rest as possible. Being well rested also helps you sit through your session
-If you are on a consistent gym regiment make sure to go to the gym BEFORE your session. Going directly after exposes you to potential infection or worse. Not to mention getting tattooed is fatiguing!
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-Try to avoid getting a sunburn and stay out of the sun as much as possible before your appointment.
Damaged skin will make the experience both more painful and more difficult to heal!
-Avoid sodium heavy foods
-Avoid drinking heavily before your appointment or at all as this dehydrates you and also affects your skin and your ability to sit through your tattoo session
-Second guess your whole design and panic. I promise you are in good hands as we can make any changes you need on the day of the appointment!
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Required: A legal State issued, government ID, drivers license, or passport
(Unfortunately I can not accept school IDs) Without this I legally can not tattoo you! So DO NOT FORGET THIS!
Optional:
-Headphones and entertainment devices are encouraged! Don’t forget your chargers :)
-Water! Staying hydrated helps you sit longer!
-Bring snacks! It helps keep your blood sugar up and allows you to sit longer!
-Comfy clothes!
-Cash, if you can! While I accept cards, every credit or debit transaction will have a 4% fee tacked on top to cover processing costs :(
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Wear something comfortable and elastic that allows easy access to the area you will be getting tattooed that day. Especially for large pieces , you are often sitting there all day and the last thing you need is a waist band poking and pinching you the whole time!
Also make sure it's something you don't mind possibly getting blood and ink on! Tattooing can get a little messy and ink can be a bit of a challenge to get out of clothing.
If you are someone who gets cold easily, consider bringing a clean sweatshirt or small blanket!
Tips:
-Zip front hoodies are great for staying warm with one arm out for arm tattoos and excellent for modesty if you flip it around for back tattoos!
- For hip and thighs, side-tie bikinis are useful. If you would like a more modest option, sacrificing a pair of leggings and cutting off one leg works great to keep the rest of you covered and warm!
- Slippers or slides are useful for getting comfy and keeping your feet off the floors!
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Your artist is going to work very hard to make a tattoo for you that will look good and last forever. Showing some appreciation for this is definitely recommended. Tattoo artists rarely get to keep the total amount that they charge you for your tattoo. The lion’s share may go to paying the rent for the shop or booth they work out of, and for the materials they use to actually make your tattoo. Tipping shows your artist that you appreciate the work they do for you, and helps them to be able to continue doing business and tattooing to the best of their ability.
Additionally it is customary to tip after each session rather than at the completion of a project.
I know it can be awkward to ask about, so I hope this helps!
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While the answer is a tentative yes, it's important to keep in mind a couple things.
Being tattooed is fatiguing and you will probably want food and a long nap afterwards.
Being out and about with a fresh tattoo could potentially expose you to infection risks. You could also potentially leak plasma and ink wherever you go.
Mostly just use your common sense and listen to your body!
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Wifi, water, a small selection of snacks, and access to outlets for your devices will be available throughout your session. Bringing headphones and entertainment is encouraged!
There will also be a clean unisex restroom available for all clients
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I am also more than happy to provide as chatty or as quite a tattoo session as you would like. Don't be afraid to tell me what you need to make your session more comfortable.
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You are welcome to bring one quiet calm friend or family member. However space is limited so use your discretion. If your company is disruptive they may be asked to leave.
After the Appointment
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My personal healing guide can be found here
Please note that these are general tattoo healing guidelines and do not constitute advice by a medical professional!
Stay healthy and stay safe!
If you have any other questions regarding healing your tattoo you can email me here.