Before Your Tattoo
Consultation
-We typically require a consultation before a tattoo appointment is booked!
-Your artist will meet you in person or over the phone if you are out of town.
-We will ensure size, placement and the tattoo idea make sense, and that the artist and client are on the same page. This is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have of your artist, and really communicate what you are hoping for out of the tattoo!
-Your artist may charge a drawing fee, depending on the piece. Our drawings often take hours to complete, please keep this in mind! Usually the drawing fee is between $20 - $200, depending on the design complexity. If you need a re-draw, you may be asked for an additional fee.
The Week Before
-exfoliate and moisturize the area that is to be tattooed
-drink extra water, as hydrated skin tattoos much better than dehydrated skin!
-apply sunscreen/avoid sun exposure, as any sun damage on the skin will affect the tattoo application
-ensure you are in good health, and not taking any antibiotics. Call your artist to reschedule if this applies to you!
Drugs & Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours before your tattoo appointment. Take all your normal medications, but please let your artist know if you are taking any blood thinners or any other medications that may affect the skin/tattooing process. Recreational and pain management drugs are not recommended, as they do not help the pain enough to make a noticeable difference, and in some cases, can make tattooing more sensitive. Additionally, the side effects from many drugs outweigh any benefits, and create a poor tattooing experience.
The Night Before & The Day Of
-Ensure you are well rested, and consider going to bed early the night before your appointment!
-Eat a hearty, protein and carb-rich breakfast. Sometimes anxiety might make you want to skip eating before your tattoo, but it significantly helps blood sugar and endurance through the process.
-Pack snacks and a lunch to have during the appointment, as well as a water bottle! We have a fridge and microwave that we are happy to share.
-Bring a blanket, pillow, comfy sweater, and warm socks. You may not need them, but many of our clients love bringing these items to be as comfortable as possible! Especially for long sessions!
-Dress appropriately for your appointment so the artist can access the area. Bring shorts, a bathing suit bottom, dresses, etc if you need to change into them! Even a robe can be a great idea for access to tricky spots while keeping you warm and cozy.
-Headphones, audiobooks, handheld or mobile games, music, etc are always a great distraction while getting tattooed. Make sure they are all ready to go if you need them.
-Shower before your appointment. Avoid moisturizer or skin care on the area to be tattooed the morning of your appointment, as this can affect how the stencil sticks, or how the tattoo application goes. I don’t recommend make-up if you are going to be laying down face-first unless you want that classic post-tattoo ‘morning after’ look for your photos!
-Make sure you communicate with your artist! Please let us know if you have any illnesses, allergies, etc that could affect the tattoo. If you feel faint, ill, nervous, happy, or excited, we want to know! We want to make sure you get the best experience possible, and it’s important that we are on the same page before, during, and after the appointment. We promise we are ready for all feelings, whether positive or negative, and we have your back!