FAQs

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY TATTOO SESSION?

Make sure you are showered, well rested, well hydrated, and have eaten shortly prior to your appointment. Make sure you are on time. Give yourself time after the tattoo session to properly care for the tattoo and rest. Bring a fully charged phone or tablet and earbuds. Relax. You are now ready to sit or lay around for a while.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR MY TATTOO SESSION?

Clean, comfortable and accessible are most important. Wear clothing that will allow the area to be reached easily.

HOW SHOULD I PLAN FOR A LARGE TATTOO?

The best large pieces always BEGIN with a cohesive plan, and aren’t typically done “on the spot”. Preparing your references and planning your healing with larger tattoos ensures optimal results.

Along those same lines, it’s going to take multiple sessions and cost you $1,000 or more dollars to even come close to doing a sleeve. Plan your budget so that you can tackle these large pieces, as they are investments and commitments.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I MAY NOT THINK OF BEFORE I COME IN?

Take a shower. Seriously. Bathe. Please do not schedule your appointment immediately following a work shift. Be clean and well rested.

Do not bring all of your friends. You may have up to 2 guests accompany you, so long as they are not disruptive to the process. Tattoos are FUN! They’re also comparable to outpatient surgical procedures and largely boring as a spectator event.

Do not bring children. Children are not allowed in the studio. You must be 16 to enter. Children under 16 are not allowed in the studio. Only those 16 and older with ID are permitted in the studio.

Bring the required valid State or Federal photo identification. Expired IDs and “paper IDs” are not valid.

Eat before you come in!

WHEN SHOULD I NOT GET TATTOOED?

You will not be tattooed when you are:

• Drunk. Not even a little bit.

• High. No, it won’t make getting the tattoo any easier.

• Pregnant.

• Pre-Surgery.

• Post-Surgery.

• When you don’t know what you want.

• When you can’t afford it.

• When you’re sunburned, bruised, have abrasion or otherwise damaged skin.

• When you haven’t showered.

• When you have your kids with you. No one under 16 is allowed inside the studio.

WILL IT HURT?

A tattoo is moderately uncomfortable, more obnoxious than excruciating. There are many ways to describe the sensation; a light shock, a ball-point pen doodling on a sunburn, a mild cat scratch. Tattoos only affect the top layers of skin, and are closer the discomfort often felt during pedicures and the like than a shot. I do have Painless Tattoo numbing cream available for purchase in studio (you must purchase prior to your appointment, as it must be applied 30-45 minutes before your appointment).

HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO HEAL?

Mostly, your new tattoo will be done flaking within the first two weeks. However, the healing protective layer of skin takes 4-6 weeks to recover completely. Much like scrapes, after the flaking is done, the “pink shiny” skin takes a few more weeks to heal. The tattoo will not be pink, but may be shiny or slightly milky in spots during this time. It is important to protect your healing tattoo from sun exposure for the entire 4-6 weeks. You can begin to use sunblock after the flaking has subsided.

PRICING QUESTIONS

DO YOU REQUIRE DEPOSITS?

Absolutely. I require a $100 deposit for all clients to book tattoo appointments. Aside from a $5 online consultation scheduling fee, I do not charge any additional fees and the entire deposit is applied toward your total price for the scheduled appointment. Deposits are payment for preparation for an agreed upon piece, at the agreed upon date and time. Although the deposit is applied to your appointment total, any major changes or reschedules will result in a forfeit. All deposits are non-refundable (that’s the whole point). Your appointment time begins at the scheduled time. If you are late, your appointment may be cancelled.

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR TATTOOS?

In short, it varies. Differing techniques, styles, placement and size are all factors that go into pricing a tattoo. Some tattoos are quick little doodles, others are many hours over several sessions. I do not provide finite online pricing. You will be given an estimate upon consultation/scheduling. Tattoos are life long purchases, and with that perspective, very affordable. A small name could be as little as the $100 minimum, but also make sure you are prepared to hear that your sleeve will cost much more than a couple hundred dollars, and take several sessions over a few months to complete.

SHOULD I TIP?

We believe in rewarding excellent service. Most tattoo artists are only charging for the time that you are receiving the work. There are often hours of personal time given to prepare your artwork. There is additional effort to stock, clean and prepare a safe and sterile environment for your tattoo. There are years of technical development of a highly specified skill going into your purchase that will be with you for the rest of your life. Not to mention the overhead. If all that doesn’t inspire you to tip, we are literally cleaning up your blood and fluids for your cosmetic purposes. We graciously accept appreciation.

POLICY QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR GETTING A TATTOO?

Arkansas State Law prohibits tattooing minors under the age of 16. For minors ages 16-17, we do offer tattoo services. Clients aged 16-17 may NOT enter the studio without a parent or legal guardian present. The parent or legal guardian must be present for the entire duration of the consultation and the tattoo appointment. State or Federal issued ID is required for both the minor aged 16-17 and the parent, along with a birth certificate and/or writ of custody proving legal guardianship.

WALK IN OR BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

It is generally best to require a consultation for all initial appointments. I do consultations before I begin tattooing for the day or online as I can respond to them. I do take walk-ins when possible, but typically have a few weeks wait time for appointments.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M LATE TO MY APPOINTMENT?

DON’T. Arrive about 5-10 minutes early, prepared for your appointment. Please do NOT arrive 30 minutes early or late for your tattoo appointment. Late arrival could result in loss of deposit.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANCEL OR NO-SHOW MY APPOINTMENT?

The previously mentioned deposit will be forfeit and you will need to put down a new deposit to reschedule an appointment. Your deposit is assessed to secure the time and preparation for your tattoo appointment. The amount will be applied to the total cost of your scheduled appointment of the agreed tattoo on the day and time scheduled.

WHY A $5 CONSULTATION BOOKING FEE?

Primarily, free consultation booking results in a lot of no show consultations that could’ve been times for folks that would’ve showed, or consultations that show up late, during other people’s appointments. I assume that by consulting with me, you’ve already decided to have a tattoo done by me, and we are now on to working out the particulars. A $5 fee helps support the site, the convenience of scheduling an in-person meeting. The $5 consultation fee can be used for a $5 discount on either a t-shirt or a Painless Tattoo numbing cream with your appointment.

DO I BOOK A CONSULTATION IF WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON MULTIPLE SESSIONS?

No, you do not need to book a new consultation if we already have a piece in progress. You will still need contact me before booking, and schedule using the online booking feature, but you will not need a new consultation.

WHEN DO YOU HAVE MY TATTOO READY?

With 30-50 projects in my pipeline at any given time, I do not complete final drawings until 1-3 days prior to your appointment. Although I am likely working on drafts of your piece, I do not publish or share any drafts. I will have a final design ready for your appointment, and can make adjustments/alterations then if necessary.