Questions and Tips
How much does a tattoo cost
I charge about $200/hr and take a non-refundable/non-transferable deposit of $100 - if you have a budget for your tattoo or are trying to budget for your tattoo I will do my best to guestimate how much time it will take me to accomplish your desired project. I do not charge for drawing time or stenciling, that is wrapped up in the price of the tattoo and is why I cannot refund the deposit, but instead I do take that deposit from the cost of the final session on the project.
How long does a tattoo take
For larger pieces I will generally schedule each client three appointments, each a month apart to allow for healing. this should also help with budgeting for each session. The appointments I schedule are usually around 3 hours max. I work fairly quickly, especially when it comes to outlining.
Tattooing is very physically demanding and so I break up my sessions to help with pain management, both mine and my client's. I usually have drawing/stenciling/outline session, followed by one or two sessions of color, and a touch up which I don't charge for unless my client wants to add something.
Tattooing is very physically demanding and so I break up my sessions to help with pain management, both mine and my client's. I usually have drawing/stenciling/outline session, followed by one or two sessions of color, and a touch up which I don't charge for unless my client wants to add something.
I don't show art in advance | Deposit questions
- I know this worries a lot of people and I always schedule extra time to make changes or edit the drawing.
- The reason I do not show art in advance is because I often do not have time to draw more than a day or two in advance. And/or also because I draw on a lot of my clients pieces to fit and flow with their bodies (freehanding -with sharpies), so there is not much to show prior to the actual outline appointment.
- It does not hurt my feelings for clients to ask for changes to their design. I do not rush the art process, and if I feel like my client is unsure at any point it is my priority to ensure their happiness with their permanent art. I understand that I am not the person that will live with the art, and that tattoos are both expensive, time-consuming and painful and therefor I will make any correction within my wheelhouse to ensure the best outcome for my clients. I take the word client seriously and understand that you have hired me to work for you.
- Unless you completely change your tattoo idea or decide not to get tattooed altogether- your deposit will still apply toward your tattoo. If you want to change your tattoo placement on your body or would like to add things I would just like to be informed at least one week prior to your tattoo appointment.
- The last reason I don't show art in advance is because I have had people take my art to other tattooers and getting the deposit without doing the actual tattoo is not enough compensation for the time I spend creating the art, scheduling and consulting with clients and therefor is not sustainable for me. If you absolutely need to see your art in advance we can make a separate appointment for you to come visit your art in prior to your tattoo appointment(s) where you can bring anyone you'd like the opinions of. I ask for no photos of the art be taken at this time.
Afraid you wont like the design?
This rarely happens because my clients have chosen me based on my portfolio and already like the style of tattooing that I do. We then consult together and I'm very good at using reference images to pick up on what my clients are wanting and make sure I understand prior to proceeding. More often I just need to edit the drawing to suit my client's vision. I do compensate timewise with scheduling for the fact that I do not show client's their drawing in advance.
Cover Ups
If you like flowers and are open to the type of flowers you like and what color they are then I can likely do a cover up for you. Please include an image of your existing tattoo in your booking form, and be aware that a successful coverup more often then not will need to be a colored piece that is bigger and in some cases, darker than your original design. I will always schedule one free touch up for cover ups to see how the new piece has settled over the original tattoo and make some final touches to ensure it's success as a cover-up without going too dark.
Scar Cover Ups
I love doing this for clients who want it, anyway I can help you love your body more! Sometimes the scars in question will require a little extra healing prior to me considering covering them, but am always down to have a consultation regarding this and answer any questions clients may have.
Opening my books
I work four days a week and have abbreviated my schedule a bit to make my life a little more relaxed and pain free. I teach tattooing, manage the shop, maintain the shops website, draw, and answer emails on my days off. I have also been tattooing for 15 years and it has taken a toll on my body. My books aren't usually open for very often or very long because of this but I do my best to fit pieces big and small into my schedule when my books are open. It may take a month or more between consultation and first appointment and often a few months after that to complete the project. If you are looking for getting your project done before a certain date like, a wedding or a vacation, please let me know in your booking form and I will let you know if I think I can accomplish that or not and then do my best to accommodate you.
Trauma/Body Issues/Disabilities
I believe strongly in consent and care during any interaction I have with clients. I follow the client bill of rights created by Tamara Santibañez & K. Lenore Siner stated here:
- The right to a clean and comfortable environment that follows best practices for health and safety.
- The right to equal treatment and service regardless of size, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, or health status
- The right to respectful communication, including the right to be addressed by your preferred name and correct pronouns, and the right to be in an environment free of hate speech or verbal harassment.
- The right to an artist technically and stylistically suited to your tattoo request, or a reference to someone who is.
- The right to ask clarifying questions about the tattoo process and technical decisions that go into a design or placement limitation, and to have them answered with patience and respect.
- The right to be asked for approval as to your final design, and regarding changes your artist may consider during your tattoo session.
- The right to be asked for consent about physical contact and touch needed to perform your tattoo, including the adjustment or removal of clothing.
- The right to request and be provided with provisions toward your personal privacy and comfort to the best ability of the artist and shop.
- The right to have your accessibility needs met to the extent that the shop and artist are able to provide them, or a referral to a shop or artist who can best meet those needs.
- The right to confidentiality around personal and private information, including the right to be asked for consent before photos of you are taken or posted.
- The right to self-advocacy: to speak up and be heard if anything during your session or in regards to your overall shop experience does not feel right.
Here's some things I can provide for clients who want it:
- Talk-free tattoo sessions
- Extra pillows or accommodations for comfort with body positioning
- Bariatric massage tables and chairs
- Privacy screens
- Pasties
- Drape sheets
- We also have a private room I can schedule to use for clients who do not want to be in the main part of the shop while they get tattooed.
- Free color swatch tattoos
- I can schedule you at a less busy time of the day
- Vegan/Sensitive skin/Allergy accommodations when it comes to bandaging or products used that contain by-products of animals in your tattoo. Please let me know if you are vegan, the experience is overall the same except the petrolatum used on your tattoo will be lanolin free.
- Photos of the tattoo shop
- Overall great customer care and customer service including referring to you by the name and pronoun(s) you give me
My overall goal is to not only provide you with a tattoo you will love, but the best and most comfortable experience possible while getting it. if there is anything I can do for you to aid in your comfort please feel free to include it on your booking form. I am very chatty with my clients during their session. If you prefer not to chat with me while I tattoo you, it will not hurt my feelings for you to say so. I, myself don't like to talk while getting tattooed. I want you to feel good about yourself, unembarrassed, comfortable, safe and happy while you're getting tattooed by me.