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Frequently Asked Questions
here you will find answers to some of the most asked questions about the tattoo process
How do I prepare for my tattoo appointment?
You will need to be well rested, so get a good night's sleep the night prior to your appointment. Do not consume alcohol at least 24 hours before the appointment.
It is very important to eat before you get a tattoo. Sometimes with the nerves and circumstances of getting a new tattoo, people feel sick or pass out. This is usually preventable, and making sure you have eaten a substantial meal and are hydrated makes sure this does not happen.
What should I bring with me to my appointment?
I always recommend bringing a snack, or a meal if you have a longer session. I always make time to take breaks, so just let me know whenever you need one. You should also bring water with you, it is very important to stay hydrated.
You will need a photo ID (Driver's License, State ID, etc.) for paperwork.
Bring whatever makes you most comfortable! Some people choose to bring blankets and pillows, or fidget toys.
As for entertainment, you may bring a book, laptop, or device to listen to music or watch your favorite show or movie on. If you plan on watching something or listening to music, please also bring headphones with you.
Can I bring guests with me?
You may bring guests with you to your appointment. Due to the size of our shop and my tattoo station, we please ask that you only bring one guest to sit alongside you as you get your tattoo. You are welcome to bring more than one guest, but they will need to sit in our waiting area.
I'm not sure what I want yet-
Can I still book an appointment?
If you aren't sure exactly what you want yet, we can set up a consultation to discuss your ideas and placements. Tattoos are a permanent commitment, so it is important to be sure of what you want to get before moving forward. I want to make sure you love your tattoo forever.
I would highly recommend waiting until you have a clear idea in mind before booking an appointment. I would also consider future placement plans when deciding where you'd like to get it, to ensure you have adequate room for other ideas.
If you have an idea in mind and are unsure about some details or looks, let's set up a consultation and we can talk it through together.
If you're open to different ideas, I have a folder of pre-drawn designs you can choose from!
Where is a good place to get my first tattoo?
I recommend getting your first tattoo somewhere on your arms or legs. Each person's pain tolerance differs, so it is not something we can accurately predict. Through most of my experience, my clients usually have an easier time with the arms or legs than anywhere on the torso. Some placements I would recommend for beginners would be inner/outer forearm, bicep, side of calf or ankle, and top of thigh.
What if I really want my first tattoo on the torso?
I am happy to do this for you if you've done research and decided on this placement. The chest, collarbone, ribs, back and stomach are generally known as more painful spots to get tattooed.
Something I might consider is using a numbing cream to minimize the pain during this tattoo, because the first tattoo is always nerve-wracking, and taking a bit of fear out of it can be helpful. Numbing creams are not all created equal, and I have a few brands I know and trust that you can purchase. If you plan on using numbing cream, please let me know prior to the appointment so I can plan accordingly.
I want to use numbing cream. What kind do you recommend?
I have used these three brands on numerous occasions, and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to try numbing cream.
They are Painless Tattoo Co., Dr. Numb, and Ebanel 520. I do not provide numbing cream, and you will need to purchase any of these yourself. Most of these brands can be found on Amazon. I would purchase them as soon as you decide on using them, so you have enough time for shipping and to do a patch test.
Everyone reacts differently to numbing creams, due to differences in ingredients and chemicals. I have never had an issue with allergic reactions from any clients who have used these brands. It is recommended to do a patch test before using it the day of your tattoo. To test the cream and your body's reaction to it, apply a small amount to a piece of skin you do not intend on getting tattooed on at least a day before your tattoo. Make sure that the area you are wanting to numb has a thick opaque layer on it, and wrap it with saran wrap. The heat under the wrap will allow the numbing agents to set in, and you will be able to see how your skin reacts to the cream. It usually takes about an hour to fully set in. If there is no redness/ change in skin texture, you should be good to use it to get tattooed.
When the time comes to use the numbing cream before your tattoo, I recommend applying it about an hour before your appointment. Use a thick opaque layer, and apply it all over the area where you are getting your tattoo. Wrap it with saran wrap, and come in to the shop. I'll take the wrap off for you, and then we can do the tattoo.
Please note that numbing cream does not necessarily remove all of the pain that will occur during your tattoo. The Lidocane used in numbing creams makes the tattoo application more bearable for a period of time, which is usually anywhere from 1-3 hours. After the effects of the numbing cream have worn off, I have a Lidocane-based spray called Bactine that can be used after the skin is broken. Numbing cream cannot be re-applied after the tattoo has been started.
I really want my hands/ fingers/ face tattooed but I don't have any tattoos yet.
Will you do this?
I do not recommend getting your hands, fingers, or face tattooed before knowing what life is like as a tattooed person. As tattoos grow in popularity, it can be shocking that some people and places still hold judgement towards tattoos. Though most workplaces are friendly towards tattoos and piercings, the hands and face are still very stigmatized.
I always recommend getting visible tattoos before going for those placements. When you have arm tattoos, and people see you with them every day, it can become easier to get comfortable with the judgement that comes along with having tattoos (negative or positive). We are lucky to live in a time where most jobs are supportive of most placements, and hands and faces are sometimes still known as 'job-stoppers'. Be sure to discuss your plans with a potential employer or do research into the career path you are in and whether they are allowed or not before making this decision.
What is the healing process like?
You can find my aftercare page here, where I discuss what you'll need to purchase for your heal, and what to expect from the first couple days to months and years.
When can I see my tattoo design?
I understand that you will be anxious to see your design, as it is going to be on you for the rest of your life, and you are excited to see what it will look like. However, I am not able to send a design before our appointment date. During my work schedule, I am tattooing all day during business hours, and I spend a considerable amount of time outside those hours working on designs, answering emails/ inquiries, keeping my social media up to date, and working on other business things. I usually am able to start working on designs no sooner than a week before the appointment date, and sometimes finish the night before the appointment. This does not mean that I do not put lots of care and effort into each design. Giving my clients a custom piece that they adore for the rest of my life is my top priority. That is why when you send your references and tattoo information in the booking form, it is important to be as detailed as possible.
I will have your design ready for you to see and approve the day of our appointment. When you come in, we will discuss any changes you'd like to make to the design, and work on producing the best possible final product together. It is on you forever, and I want to make sure you are in love with what I come up with. If there are major changes that need to be made to the design, taking a couple hours to re-draw, you may be asked to reschedule. I would rather wait and give you exactly what you want than have you unsatisfied with the final product.
How do you accept payment?
For deposits, I accept payments either via PayPal or with cash in person at the shop.
For the final payment after our appointment, I require cash only at this time. Please plan accordingly and take out money from an ATM beforehand. We have one in our shop, but it has limits on how much can be taken out of it at once.
I do not accept pre-payment (other than the deposit) for tattoos. Please put the money aside until our appointment.
I have concerns about how color will heal on me because of my skin tone, or allergies. Can you tell me what I can do?
I am more than happy to offer free color tests to individuals who are worried about how certain colors will heal on them, either due to their skin tone or allergies.
For people of color, certain undertones in the skin may play into what colors will look best and heal well in the skin. If there are certain colors you're interested in getting, please let me know and we can test certain tones of each to make sure you get something that will heal beautifully.
For those concerned about allergies, we can also do a color test to see which pigments or brands will work best for you. It is rare to have an allergy to ink, as all of the products I use are vegan. When tattooing first came about, heavy metals were used in ink pigments, and caused a lot of healing complications over the years. Tattooing has come a long way since then, and most products are hypoallergenic. However, there are rare circumstances where someone may have had an allergic reaction to the pigments or dyes used in an ink color. If there is a color that you've gotten in the past that has caused such a reaction, please let me know and we can test different tones or brands, to see what the issue is and move forward. The most common pigment that causes irritation tends to be red.
Once we have discussed the circumstances of your color test, we will set you up with a free appointment. We can do the tattoo in a series of dots or smaller shapes such as hearts, usually in a line so we can compare each. We will wait for it to heal at least a month and determine what to do from there. Sometimes clients decide to cover the test with a tattoo, and others like to keep it visible for reference to other artists.
I saw this design and fell in love with it. I want it exactly the same, will you do it?
I do not copy other artist's designs. Each artist has a unique art style and if you see another artist's work that you want replicated, I would recommend making the journey to see them! No one is going to be able to replicate exactly how they do their work and have a good end result, not to mention that stealing art is never okay. It is important to find an artist whose style you love and fits well with what you want. If that's not me, that's okay!
I am happy to create pieces of art that are completely custom and unique to the individual you are. If you see something you really love the subject matter of, and would like me to draw my own rendition of that theme, I would be happy to. There are so many ways of drawing the same thing, and taking ideas and inspiration from someone else is perfectly fine, just not taking a design completely.
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