IMG_1241.jpg

Frequently Asked questions

Do you require a deposit?

Yes.

Because I am now appointment only, I ask an $100 non-refundable deposit for all tattoos, which comes off the total cost of your tattoo. If you cancel, or if you need to reschedule within one week, the deposit will be forfeit to cover my time. If your tattoo will take multiple sessions, there will be a $100 deposit due for each session.

The deposit will be due when we confirm an appointment date, at which point I will send you an invoice via email which is payable by any major card, or you can stop by the shop with cash if you prefer.

Please be sure that you can make your appointment when you book.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

If you cancel or don’t show up for your appointment, your deposit is forfeit.

COVID SPECIFIC- If you have contracted COVID-19, PLEASE contact me. I will work with your specific situation.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RESCHEDULE?

If you reschedule a week or more in advance of your appointment, I will apply your deposit to the new appointment. Within one week, the entire deposit would be forfeit to cover my time, as it’s unlikely I will be able to fill the slot. In either case, you would need to put down a new one to secure the new appointment.

COVID SPECIFIC- these parameters are in place to make allowances for those who contract COVID-19 prior to their appointment. However, I am aware that it’s hard to know if you have it, and if you email me about your situation, I will work with you. PLEASE cancel if you are afraid that you are getting sick.

Can you tattoo dark skin tones? What about color?

Yes and yes!

I have examples in my portfolio of both color and black and grey work on a whole variety of skin tones. If you email me, I am happy to send them to you directly. You can also check out instagrams like @darkskinbodyart @inkthediaspora and @shades _ tattoo _ initiative to look at hundreds more examples, and get a better idea of what might work for you.

Color tattoos are 100% possible on darker skin tones. Melanin acts like a filter over the color, so very bright colors may appear softer and more muted, and muted colors may not have a strong impact. Yellows and oranges often don’t show up well, but pastels, white, and neons have great contrast and are great choices for deeper skin tones. If you’re ready to book a tattoo and put down a deposit, but unsure about what colors will work for you, contact me to set up a free color test, which is a tiny tattoo of a series of rainbow dots. Once that heals, you’ll have a guide to which colors suit your skin best.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask for a consultation, or just send them to my email!

How much will it cost?

Tattoo pricing is based on the size, complexity, and location of the design.

I charge $200 an hour, and I will give you an estimate of how many hours to expect when booking. This is only an estimate, and the actual cost of the tattoo may be more or less than this amount.

I also offer full day sessions, running 4-6 hours, for $1000. These sessions are generally enough to complete a larger piece like a thigh or upper arm elbow to shoulder.

The cost of the tattoo includes the drawing, and one free follow up as needed if you should have any trouble while healing.

Can you send me a drawing?

Yes! I will send you a design for approval at least the day before you are due to come in. At that point, if there are minor changes you need to make, such as adjusting the size of an element, or moving something slightly, you can let me know and I can have that ready for your appointment.

For major changes, such as adding a new element or exchanging an existing one for something else, or anything else that requires a major redraw, please note that I would need to reschedule your appointment to a later date so I have time to draw a new design, and you would need to put down a new deposit. Because of this, it’s important to be as clear with your idea as possible when booking.

CAN I SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION? HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED ONE?

Not all tattoos require an in person consultation. If it’s a single session piece with a straight forward concept, most of the time we can schedule an appointment without meeting in person first.

For large, multi-session work, or cover-ups (including scar cover-ups), or unusual/difficult placements, I offer an in person consultation so that I can ensure that the tattoo is possible, get a tracing of the area, and discuss your ideas with you. Consultations are free, and generally take 15 to 30 minutes.

CAN I REPLICATE A TATTOO I FOUND/A TATTOO YOU HAVE DONE PREVIOUSLY?

As a custom tattoo artist, I would not be able to replicate the designs of another tattoo artist. Tattoo designs are often a personal concept commissioned from a particular artist to be unique and custom for that person, and replicating it exactly would be unfair to the original artist and client. I also draw my designs custom for each person, so you would be the only person in the world with your exact tattoo, which is why I would not be able to directly replicate a design I have done before. However, we can always use an existing tattoo as a jumping off point for designing something similar but unique for you. I encourage you to send tattoos and artwork as examples to help me envision the style and content you are interested in, at which point I can create something new.

There are some exceptions to this rule, such as recreating a classic fine art piece, but in general I prefer to do original designs.

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE?

  • You can arrive 10-15 minutes before to fill out paperwork

  • BRING YOUR ID. This is very important! You must have a valid, government issue photo ID with you or I cannot legally tattoo you.

  • Eat a good meal beforehand, and feel free to bring water and/or a small snack

  • Wear something that allows me access to the area. For a back tattoo, a button up shirt worn backwards is good. For a hip, a tie bikini or very stretchy shorts/boxers.

  • Feel free to bring a book or music. If you’d like to listen to music or use sound on your phone, please bring headphones.

  • Try to relax! The anticipation is the worst part.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE APPOINTMENT?

A day or so before your appointment, I will send you an email with an outline of your design. I do not send fully rendered design in color or black and grey, although we can discuss color options during your appointment. At this point you can request any minor changes you may need, although I may advise against them if I believe it will be a detriment to the composition.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING GOVERNMENT ISSUE PHOTO ID such as a driver’s license or passport. When you arrive I will ask you to fill out a consent form, at which point I will need to make a copy of your ID. I am not legally able to do the tattoo without the ID, so this is vital! You must be 18 or older to be tattooed by me.

I will then apply a washable stencil of the outline of your design. You will have the opportunity to look in the mirror and request placement adjustments. Please don’t be afraid to be picky at this point- the placement of the stencil will be the placement of the tattoo for the rest of your life, and we want to make sure it’s right! At this point you should also double check any lettering for spelling and accuracy (don’t worry, I’ll remind you). Once you are satisfied with the stencil, it’s tattoo time!

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT AFTERCARE?

We will go over aftercare in depth during your appointment, and I will send you home written instructions for your reference, but these are some good things to know in advance:

  • You should keep your tattoo CLEAN and MOISTURIZED for two weeks

  • You will need to use unscented, plain products, such as Aquaphor or A&D ointment, unscented anti-bacterial soap like Dial, and unscented plain lotion like Lubriderm

  • You CANNOT go swimming or tanning within two weeks of getting tattooed (showers are okay)

  • You CAN exercise any time after getting tattooed, but you’ll need to protect your tattoo from any shared vinyl surfaces at the gym (floor mats, pads on machines, etc)

  • PICKING AND SCRATCHING can cause damage to your tattoo during the healing process, and should be avoided

  • DO NOT listen to the advice of friends- there are lots of ways to heal a tattoo, but you should only get your information from a licensed tattoo artist