INFORMATION ON TATTOO CONSULTS, STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Firstly: You cannot be tattooed unless you are 18 years or over. This is law and regardless of parental consent any person who tattoos another person under the age of 18 years can be convicted of a criminal offence.

Secondly: If you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, are on blood thinning medication or have a skin disorder or condition, including pregnancy and breast-feeding, please tell us at your initial consultation.

This is important for your health and safety.

Ok, so you’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while now, you may have some artwork [digital image, paper art, photo, drawing or sketch] that you like, or you might have some ideas and want to expand on those by looking at some in-house designs at our studio. If you are at the stage where a consult is the next step to designing your new tattoo, three important things to think about first are:-

 Where on your body is your tattoo going to go?
 What are the dimensions? [in millimetres or centimetres please]
 Will your tattoo be full colour, solid black or black and grey shade?

Consults can be either in-store or online, they are complimentary and no appointment is needed. If you have a detailed piece that requires more time to discuss, a phone call or email to set up an appointment is recommended.

Please note that we do not tattoo negative slogans, political symbols, partners’ names [unless together for some time] or imagery that is generally offensive. This is our artists’ choice.

Most of the time we can give you a fairly firm quote for a tattoo, but if it is a tattoo that requires more than one session, it is difficult to give you an exact figure. Tattoos are quoted depending on time, linear detail, anatomical positioning, colour content and amount of sessions to complete. Often for large pieces, we will charge an amount to complete the outline and then charge by the hour to colour/shade/fill the tattoo.

Regardless of the size of your tattoo, when you make a booking to either a) view artwork or b) have your tattoo we will require a deposit. Depending on the quote, deposits start at $50. Artwork to be viewed are linear drawings only so don’t expect them to be shaded or coloured. Deposits are subtracted from the total cost and the balance owing is paid for on completion of your tattoo. Deposits are only refundable if you give us 24 hours notice of an appointment cancellation and we have not commenced any artwork preparation.  All appointments are confirmed via SMS 24 hours in advance which is an ideal opportunity to contact the studio if you cannot make it. You can defer tattoo appointments for whatever reason as long as you give us 24 hours notice.

Proof of age will be required if you are under the age of 25 years so please make sure you have a current drivers license or similar photo ID when making a tattoo appointment.

On the day of your tattoo, it is advised to wear loose, comfortable clean clothing. Stay away from wearing white T/shirt's or light coloured clothing and have a shower beforehand. Eat within two hours of getting tattooed and bring a sugar drink [coke or orange juice] if you are feeling anxious. Getting a tattoo is no more painful than getting waxed and it is often the fear of the unknown that causes anxiety. You can bring a friend with you but please ask your artist beforehand if your friend can sit with you when the tattoo is being done.

Also please ask your artist if you can take a photo/live-stream with your mobile of any part of the tattoo process BEFORE you go ahead – it is only common courtesy.

Do not drink alcohol before a tattoo appointment as you will not be tattooed. You can re-schedule but if artwork has been prepared your deposit will not be refunded. If you are sick, please call the studio to re-schedule - this is for your well being as well as ours.

If during the process of getting a tattoo you are moving around and fidgeting we will stop the tattoo. Moving is detrimental to the integrity of the linework in a tattoo. You can re-schedule and may be offered EMLA numbing cream for your next appointment.

Tattoo Procedure:

On the day of your appointment you will need to verbally approve your artwork [this may have been done prior via email or viewing in the studio]. Please check the artwork, spelling, size, linear detail. This is the time to discuss colours, application and the finished process i.e., how it will look when it is finished.

A stencil will be prepared and you will be prepped for the tattoo process. The stencil is applied which is linear only. If you are having a re-work or cover-up tattoo your artist may draw as well as applying a stencil. This is the time to check and make totally sure you are happy with design content and placement.

On completion of your tattoo, it will be covered and you will be supplied with written aftercare information. The balance of your tattoo is then paid for. Do not leave your covering on for more than three hours and if it is stuck to the tattooed skin when you do try to remove it, get in the shower and gently wash the covering off.

Aftercare cream is available for purchase from the studio. Don’t swim or soak a new tattoo or expose the tattoo to direct sunlight. Your tattoo will take between 7-14 days to heal and you need to apply aftercare cream after showering daily. It will heal like a mild case of sunburn and itchiness is a natural occurrence. Do not scratch or pick the tattoo – this can affect the artwork!

When a tattoo is healed, it is recommended to use a good sun protection SPF15+ in the hotter months [as you should for non-tattooed skin] – this will protect from harmful UV rays and stop your tattoo fading.

A touch-up of your tattoo is complimentary and is valid for three months from the date of your appointment. Bookings are essential for this and you may be asked to come in and let an artist view the tattoo so we can allocate time.