FAQS AND DISCLAIMERS
Q. What is the legal age to get a tattoo?
A. You must be eighteen years of age to get a tattoo.
Q. What type of artwork do your artists do?
A. Our artists are well-rounded and are very experienced in all types of artwork, including both custom work and flash. “Flash” is the term used to describe the design sheets that you see on the walls and in racks at tattoo studios. To check out each artist’s individual style we suggest looking at their portfolios either on this site.
Q. What is a consultation appointment?
A. A consultation is a free-of-charge, scheduled, 15-minute meeting with a tattoo artist. You can discuss your ideas, bring in any reference art you may have, get a price and time estimation, and ask any questions you may have about your tattoo or the tattoo process in general. From there, if you’d like to go forward, the artist and/or counter will talk to you about booking an appointment.
Q. I have a picture of what I would like done, how do I get booked with an appointment?
A. First, we will need to see the art/image you have. You can either stop by the shop to show it to us or you can email to us. In your email be sure to include: approximately what size you want the tattoo (ex: “3 inches by 4 inches,” not “medium” or “large”) where on your body you want the tattoo, and if there are any changes you’d like to have made to the image. Keep in mind that not all tattoos can be booked without a consultation. If we take a look at your image(s) and decide that you will need a consultation first, we’ll let you know.
Once we receive your email or see it in person we will give you a price and time estimation, and let you know the next available appointment time.
Q. I know what I would like to have done but I need you guys to design/draw it for me.
A. Just fill in the contact page and we will set you up with a consultation with one of our artists.
Q. Do I need to schedule the consultation with the same artist that I want to do my tattoo?
A. Yes. Each artist’s style, pace, questions, and note-taking is different, so make sure to book your consultation with the artist you want to do your tattoo. This ensures that your artist knows exactly what you want and that you guys are on the same page.
Q. Can I book my appointment by email?
A. Yes you can, however it is much better to fill in the appointment sheet as it will give us the information we need. We may then ask you to come for a consultation.
Q. I am from out of town, need a custom piece, and would like to do a consultation via email or phone.
A. It is often very challenging and sometimes not possible to do consultation appointments via email or phone, but you can go ahead and send us pictures and/or a description of your ideas and we will have one of our artists take a look at them to see if this is something that would be possible to book without an in-person consultation.
Q. Do you take walk-ins for tattoos?
A. We do take walk-ins if we have the time available. However, due to the busy nature of our shop it is always best to check with us first to assure that your trip to the shop is not in vain.
Q. Is there anything I need to bring with me for my tattoo appointment?
A. Make sure to bring all reference artwork pertaining to your tattoo. Also, make sure that you’re well fed and hydrated beforehand, and if not, bring food or water with you. Make sure your clothing will allow access to the area to be tattooed.
Q. Does it hurt?
A. Everyone’s definition of “hurt” is different because everyone feels pain differently. Unfortunately, there is no real gauge for pain that we can give you without being disingenuous. Some people say that it feels like a cat scratch, and afterwards like a sun burn. Different parts of your body will be more sensitive than others, especially bony parts or areas with thin skin.
Q. How much does a tattoo cost?
A. For this one there is no easy answer. It depends on the size of the piece, how long you can sit for, colour etc and many other factors. Get in touch first with the details and we can give you a price.
Q. Can my friends sit with me while I get tattooed?
A. We generally allow one friend back. However, it depends on the day and the amount of people in the shop. Usually on the weekends we have a number of clients being tattooed and most of our artists here, so it tends to get a little crowded. Also, when massage tables are in use, we ask that clients refrain from having a guest back with them; due to limited space. If there are too many people to have a friend back with you, they can always wait in the gallery and take a look every once in a while.
Q. What happens if I need to reschedule my tattoo appointment?
A. As long as we get at least 24 hours notice in advance we will simply roll your deposit and set you up with another tattoo appointment. But if you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment, or simply dont show up, the deposit is non-refundable.
Q. What’s in the tattoo ink?
A. Alcohol, distilled water, glycerin, and color numbers.
Q. Is it possible to be allergic to the ink?
A. On very rare occasions people experience adverse reactions to the ink. Most commonly people get a little itchier from reds and magentas. The reaction can be similar to that of someone allergic to hair dye and should dissipate over time.
Q. Are all of your artists always booked out really, really far?
A. No, we often have openings the same day or within a few days and take walk-in appointments when we have time. But it is always best to call or email first.
Q. I want an existing tattoo covered up or reworked. What should I do?
A. We require that you come in for a consultaion for any cover-up/rework.
Q. I want a scar or stretch marks covered with a tattoo. What should I do?
A. We require that you come in for a consultaion for any tattoos that will be going over scars or stretch marks. Many scars can be covered up, but some can not.
Q. I need a tattoo touched-up but it was not done at your shop.
A. No problem, but we require that you come in a for a consultaiton first! At your consultation the artist will take a look at your tattoo, give you a quote and then you can book an appointment.
Q. Will your artists do completely white tattoos?
A. Most of our artists refrain from doing all white tattoos. This is due to the unpredictability of the healed outcome; which can vary greatly from person to person.
Q. Do you guys do tattoos with ultraviolet/blacklight or “glow in the dark” ink?
A. No, none of our artists use the ultraviolet/blacklight pigments because their safety has not been determined.
Q. Is it customary to tip my artist?
A. Tips are not expected but always appreciated!
TATTOO AFTERCARE
Q. What should I expect while the tattoo is healing?
A. There are several reactions your skin may have to your new adornment. Your new tattoo will be red, irritated, swollen, warm-to-the-touch, and possibly bruised; this is all normal. It is also normal that some of the ink collects under the bandage or blots off onto your towel after a shower. About the 4th or 5th day into the healing process your tattoo will begin to flake and peel. It is very important that you do not pick or scratch at it; this can truly harm your new tattoo, a light slap will suffice when itching occurs. After the flaking is done the skin will look very shiny for a few weeks.
Q. How do I take care of my tattoo?
A. We suggest that you remove the bandage after several hours, wash area with a mild, unscented liquid soap and warm water, pat and air dry the tattoo, apply a thin coat of ointment several times a day, and after 48 hours replace ointment with a water based fragrance free lotion. Continue applying lotion several times a day until skin stops flaking. Discard ointment and lotion once tattoo is healed!
Q. During the healing of the tattoo DO NOT do any of the following:
A. Expose the tattoo to direct sunlight, re-bandage the tattoo (this can suffocate the tattoo, it needs air to help heal), go swimming, go in hot tubs, pools, lakes, rivers, or the ocean, expose the tattoo to excessive steam, submerge the tattoo in water including baths, shave the area, pick or scratch at the tattoo until it is fully healed. Healing time varies from person to person, but most tattoos are healed after two weeks.
Q. What should I do during the healing of the tattoo?
A. Keep your tattoo clean! Use mild liquid soap and warm water and gently wash the tattoo with your hand (no loofahs, this can scratch and harm the tattoo). Showers are a great way to do this but do not aim the spray directly on the tattoo. Some ink may come off the surface of your skin; this is completely normal and does not mean that ink is leaking or falling out of your tattoo.
Q. After I get tattooed can I still work out?
A. Absolutely! Just make sure to wear loose fitting clothing over the tattoo (rubbing can cause damage to a fresh tattoo). Also make sure that you are especially careful if you work out at a gym. New tattoos are susceptible to infection and contacting your fresh tattoo to sweaty gym equipment used by numerous people presents a definite risk of infection.
