POLICIES & FAQ
When booking an appointment, you agree to the following
POLICIES
TATTOO QUOTES
Quotes expire within 30 days and should be considered a general idea of the pricing after that point.
TATTOO DEPOSITS
A nonrefundable, cash deposit of half your total is required for all appointments. This deposit secures your appointment date, time and tattoo design and will be deducted from the final cost of your tattoo.
PIERCING DEPOSITS
I do not require a deposit to schedule piercings at this time; See Rescheduling Appointments & Cancellation/Late Policy below.
RESCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
As a business, part of my success depends on mutual respect of time. Remembering and respecting the appointment date + time is your responsibility.
Please give adequate notice of at least 48 hours if you need to reschedule for any reason. With adequate notice you may be able to carry your deposit with you to your rescheduled date in the event that you need to move your appointment.
Any no-shows, cancellations or last-minute reschedules will result in the loss of your deposit.
PIERCINGS: Any no-shows, cancellations or last-minute reschedules will result in a $25 inconvenience fee when scheduling the next appointment.
CANCELLATION/LATE POLICY
As a business, part of my success depends on a mutual respect of time. We require adequate notice with a minimum of 48 hours to reschedule an appointment. Any no-shows, cancellations or last-minute reschedules will result in the loss of your deposit.
If you are more than 5 minutes late to your appointment with giving me prior notice, there will be a $25 inconvenience fee applied to your balance.
If you are more than 20 minutes late, the above applies, as well as the need to reschedule your appointment due to my strict schedule.
If you do not show up or contact me at all on the day of your appointment, you FORFEIT YOUR DEPOSIT and will need to start the scheduling process over again.
MISSED APPOINTMENTS
Remembering and respecting the appointment time is your responsibility. I reserve the right to retain the deposit of clients who fail to show up to their scheduled appointments. This compensates the time I spent consulting with you, drawing your design, suppies used when setting up for your appointment and the open space in my day that results from your no show.
Not showing up to your scheduled appointment will result in the loss of your deposit.
SERVICE REFUSAL
I may refuse to perform our services on clients that we deem unfit for undergoing the tattooing process for safety reasons. This includes all clients who are pregnant, under the influence, or minors. The state of New York prohibits tattooing a person under 18 years of age, regardless of parental consent.
A valid I.D. is always required for proof of age at your tattoo appointment.
PAYMENT
Generally, deposits should be paid via cash unless you live 25+ miles from the studio, in which case I can accept Cashapp, but it is asked that you please bring cash for the remaining balance of the tattoo.
CASH IS KING
TATTOO MINIMUM
My minimum is $80
GUEST POLICY
We ask that our clients please do not bring any guests with them to their appointment but, if needed, you may bring one guest for support. Tattoo appointments can last for hours and can actually be very boring for those who accompany you. For safety and liability purposes, please leave small children at home. Children and those under the age of 18 are not allowed into the tattoo studio.
DESIGN PROCESS
For privacy purposes and to avoid pressuring the client with too much to think about, drawings/designs are not revealed until the day of the appointment unless previously agreed upon between artist and client.
CUSTOM JEWELRY ORDERS
You have 10 days to pickup your jewelry after you've been notified of it's delivery. After that, the jewelry may be resold to reduce backstock.
CLIENT CONDUCT & EXPECTATIONS
Clients are expected to arrive showered and clean and to be polite, respectful, and communicative with their artist, and to listen to the artist's advice. They are expected to follow proper aftercare procedures and ask questions if they are confused. It is the artists responsibility to do the tattoo correctly, and client's responsibility to heal the tattoo correctly.
SPECIAL ADVICE
In order for our artists to work at their best, they need you to be at your best. The top 10 most important tips that will help you with your session:
- Get a full nights rest the night before.
- Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol the night prior.
- Eat some food before your session.
- Bring snacks and water for stretch breaks.
- Dress appropriately for your artist to be able to access the area that you will have tattooed.
- If you are prone to being cold, bring an extra layer of clothing or a blanket you don’t mind potentially getting a bit dirty (with ink or blood).
- Be cautious of your caffeine consumption the morning of your appointment.
- If you like to listen to your own music please bring headphones.
- We appreciate you being mindful of your artist and the shop by taking phone calls on breaks and not during the actual tattoo process.
- The less you move and the less you talk, the quicker your tattoo process will be and the more efficiently your artist will be able to tattoo their best possible work on you!
APPOINTMENTS
Appointments are required for ALL services, including consultations and deposits.
frequently asked questions
FAQ's
Do you do piercings?
Yes, you can find a list of the piercings I perform on my Facebook page. I do not perform dermal anchor or surface piercings.
Do you take walk-ins?
No. I am a singular artist that works by appointment only and am typically booked out at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Sometimes cancellations occur and appointment slots open up and you may be able to claim that opening. However, I recommend contacting me to schedule an appointment in advance.
Can I get a tattoo under 18?
No. The state of TN prohibits tattooing a person under 18 years of age, regardless of parental consent.
A valid I.D. is always required for proof of age at your tattoo appointment.
Do you do piercings on minors?
I do not pierce under the age of 7.
Can I get a piercing under 18 if my parent calls and says its okay?
No. In the state of Tennessee, a parent or legal guardian has to be present at the time of the piercing. The parent has to provide their ID and the child's birth certificate. If you are legal guardian, I am required to obtain proof of legal guardianship.
Can I get a tattoo if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, we will not tattoo you if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding due to increased risk of infection.
Do tattoos hurt?
Yes it hurts. During the tattoo process, needles are used to permanently insert pigments into your skin. The pain varies from person to person but is similar to a cat scratch or a hair pull.
How long does it take to heal?
It typically takes about 10-14 days for your tattoo to appear healed. However, it may take about 4-8 weeks for your skin to be fully healed. This is why your touch up session, if needed, is recommended no earlier than 4 weeks after your initial session.
Do I need to schedule a consultation?
I highly recommend scheduling a consultation for larger pieces, or if you are new to getting tattooed. During your consultation, we will discuss the full details of your desired tattoo and placement. I may recommend changing the placement of your desired tattoo if I believe it may be in your best interest as certain parts of the body are harder to tattoo. Smaller areas with thicker skin (ex: elbow) will hold less detail that other areas of the body.
Please do not be afraid to ask questions. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have so don’t hesitate to bring up any concerns. I want to make sure you love your tattoo forever, so I've got your back!
How much do your tattoos cost?
My prices are based on my experience, training, and skillset along with the size, placement, style, color, detail, etc. of the design itself.
Are there any pre-appointment restrictions?
- To ensure your skin is in the best possible condition for tattooing, please avoid heavy sunlight and especially sunburn 3 days before your tattoo appointment. Your skin should not be in the process of healing before your appointment.
- Please do not come in intoxicated or under the influence for your tattoo appointment. It is our right to refuse service if you show up intoxicated or under the influence.
- If you are currently on antibiotics, it is best not to get tattooed. This is because your body is already healing from something so your body does not need additional stress and the antibiotics may impact the healing process of your new tattoo. The same goes for acne medications.
- You should not have had any surgeries or have any surgeries scheduled within 2 weeks of getting tattooed. Your body needs time to heal and getting tattooed is an additional and unnecessary stress that should be avoided.
- If you are on blood thinners, please consult with your artist and doctor to come up with a plan for getting tattooed. Being on blood thinners can make you bleed more throughout the tattoo process, making it harder to tattoo and may impact healing causing delayed and/or rough healing and a higher risk of infection.
- If you have diabetes, an autoimmune disease, heart disease, etc. please consult with your doctor before getting tattooed and make sure to communicate with your tattoo artist about your health and any necessary accommodations that may need to be made for you.
If you are on any prescribed medications, please consult with your doctor before getting tattooed. It is not your tattoo artists job to decide if you can or should get tattooed while taking any medications as they are not a doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any questions about these restrictions, please do not hesitate to contact your artist.
Is the tattoo equipment safe?
My tattoo services are completed at the highest standard of safety and cleanliness in accordance with the health department. All equipment is single-use and disposable, and a new 'set-up' is used for each client. All tattoo stations are disinfected daily and cleaned between each client appointment.
My tattoo is flaking, is this normal?
Yes, this is a normal part of the healing process. Your tattoo will start to scab around day 3 of healing. Flaking and peeling is normal.
DO NOT PICK AT OR ITCH YOUR HEALING TATTOO.
How can I prepare for my tattoo appointment?
My biggest tip to best prepare yourself for your tattoo appointment is to
1. make sure to get a full nights sleep,
2. eat a meal before coming to your appointment and
3. make sure to stay hydrated and to moisturize your skin daily. Most people are chronically dehydrated and this effects the skin as it is our body’s largest organ…so the better hydrated you are before your appointment, the healthier your skin will be which will be extremely beneficial for not only the tattoo process itself, but how well your skin will heal afterwards.
I also highly recommend making sure to eat healthy and take any vitamins or supplements that will help boost your immune system. When you get tattooed, your body is undergoing trauma and will have to heal from this. The healthier you are, the better you will heal.
What should I wear to my tattoo appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing. Inks may stain so darker clothing is recommended. You’ll be sitting still for a while depending on the size of your tattoo so dress comfortably.
If you’re getting a tattoo on your arm, bring a zip up hoodie or cardigan so you can cover up the other side of your body and stay warm (you may feel cold throughout your tattoo appointment so be prepared).
LADIES: if you are getting a tattoo on your upper leg or hip, please make sure to wear comfortable clothing and if you have a bikini that ties on the side, that is extremely helpful so you can keep your intimate parts covered during your tattoo. We also recommend bringing a towel you don’t mind getting dirty to cover up with for comfort during your tattoo.
If you are getting your sternum, chest, ribs, or back tattooed, please wear the appropriate clothing. You don’t want to wear a tight bra with an underwire that will rub on your fresh tattoo - ouch! We recommend a bralette or no bra for a day or two to avoid irritation on or around your fresh tattoo.
Shower first (please). Getting a tattoo does require your artist to be in your personal space so please make it a pleasant experience for everyone all around. Please keep colognes and perfumes to a minimum as courtesy to not only your artist but those around you in the tattoo space. This ensures a pleasant experience for everyone all around. Ensuring that you are clean is important to the tattoo healing process as well. As always, we will return the favor and make sure we’re not smelling funky either.
What should I bring to my tattoo appointment?
I recommend eating 1-2 hours before your appointment to avoid any blood sugar crashes during your appointment which may cause you to feel light headed and unable to finish the tattoo. We encourage you to bring snacks make sure to bring water to stay hydrated as your tattoo may take quite some time.
You’re welcome to bring your own headphones to listen to your own music or to binge watch your favorite Netflix show while you get tattooed.
If you need a break during your tattoo appointment, just ask! It may seem like a pain to take a break, but we would prefer that to you passing out! If we are in a position where taking a break may be difficult, we can know to give you some time at the next possible stopping point.
Can my friends or family come to my appointment?
Due to the limited space in our private studio and we ask that our clients please do not bring any guests with them to their appointment. Tattoo appointments can last for hours and can actually be very boring for those who accompany you. For safety and liability purposes, please leave small children at home. Children and those under the age of 18 are not allowed into the tattoo studio.
How much should I tip? Do I need to tip?
I often get asked this a lot and it can be awkward on both ends.
There is a lot of great advice when it comes to tipping but what is the standard?
Like other services, 20% is the standard (most average between 20-30%), but there is wiggle room. This 20% guideline is typically used when paying an artist an hourly rate. When paying larger transactions (ie: paying a full day rate), a 20% tip may be quite a bit extra money — in these cases, tips usually range from about $50-$200.
Tattooers are not relying on tips for their income — generally they are charging what they expect to make in order to run their business and make a living.
Tipping is appreciated in other forms outside of money. Sometimes clients enjoy tipping in other forms such as gifting handmade items/art, plants, coffee, etc.
All in all, a tip is a great way to show your appreciation for excellent service, especially when your artist goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable throughout the tattoo process. Tipping is not required and is not always expected but definitely valued! It really comes down to what you feel is an adequate tip for your overall experience with your artist and your tattoo.
How long will it take?
I can give a general estimate of time the tattoo will take, but frankly it takes as long as it takes for the tattoo to look beautiful forever.
What is your style?
I specialize in linework, black and gray, fine line, stipping, lettering and ornamental.
What if I am early?
Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early to your appointment.