Knowing what you want, and being sure of it, comes long before an appointment. We recommend researching tattoo information to help inform you. You must be 18 years old with a valid photo ID at the time of your appointment. If you fail to meet these requirements you will be turned away. We also recommend reading the aftercare section beforehand so you know what will be required of you.
The Tattoo Process
- Find your ideaDiscover your concept and narrow it to the tastes you like and dislike. Reference pictures help artists understand your direction, but don't expect an exact copy. Purely copying isn't fair to the original wearer, and artists will often suggest changes that make the whole tattoo work better for its size and placement.
- Research artists & shopsLook at portfolios, the best way to judge what an artist does and how well they do it. Make sure a shop is a legitimate business with proper medical practices. Ask how they sterilize. Autoclaving kills bacteria, fungi, viruses and endospores; spraying alcohol on something cleans it but does not make it sterile.
- Make contactReach out about your tattoo. Cover the main points: size, style, what you want included, and the placement. We'll let you know if it's something we're interested in doing and a possible price range.
- Book itIf you're serious, set up an appointment and leave a deposit. Most shops won't draw something without an appointment and a deposit first. Tattoo artists create art for a living. Depending on the project, we may design in advance or finish it up when you come in. Some work has to be drawn right on the skin the day of.
- Prepare for the dayCome having eaten and properly hydrated. Low blood sugar can make you pass out and makes the tattoo hurt more. Be well rested. Wear comfortable clothing that exposes the area, and nothing you'd be upset to get ink on. For large work, you can pack a small snack, just ask first. Don't be in a time crunch.
- Check inYou'll fill out a release form and we'll photocopy your ID. We'll show you the design and our plan for it. Major changes may mean rescheduling, which is why being clear up front matters. We then clean and shave the area and apply the stencil. Stand up straight and relaxed so placement stays true.
- The tattooOnce the stencil's a go, we let it dry and begin. Stay as still and relaxed as possible. Tensing makes muscles twitch and can cause permanent mistakes. A tattoo can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours. On longer sessions we take small breaks; ask if you need one.
- Aftercare briefWhen it's finished, you'll check out your new piece, we'll cover it and brief you on aftercare. Listen closely. The quality of your tattoo depends on it. Ask questions rather than guessing. A copy of our instructions lives on this site.
- Settle upPay for the tattoo if you haven't already. Tipping isn't required but is common. Many give a little extra for work they love. Don't forget aftercare to protect your investment.
Things to Remember
Timeline
Creating your ideal tattoo takes time. From first contact to drawing it up to finally getting it can take months. If you find an artist you love, it's worth the wait. You've lived this long without it.
Placement
Placement is as important as the tattoo itself. Your body is the frame to the painting. Some pieces look better on a flat canvas like a back or chest; others are built to wrap an arm or leg. Talk to your artist about where it should live.
Size
We work with skin, not paper. Tattoo artists aren't Xerox machines. Some designs need to be sized up to hold detail. A traditional skull can go small; a hyper-realistic one must be larger to carry the detail. Listen to your artist on size limitations.
Sleeves & Big Work
Large tattoos are a major commitment. Most full sleeves take 20-60 hours across multiple 3-7 hour sessions, spanning 3 to 12 months. Back pieces can take even longer; half sleeves and chest pieces run 10-20 hours. Incredible artwork, but not for everyone. You have to be patient and willing to walk around with unfinished work. Rome wasn't built in a day.
"Draw Me Something Up, Man!"
We don't draw tattoo designs unless we're the ones doing the tattoo, for a client who already has an appointment booked with us. We don't design tattoos for you to take to another artist or shop.
Tattoo Conventions
Conventions are a real experience. Hundreds of top artists under one roof. For a small entry fee you can browse work, gain information, enter your tattoos in contests, catch live shows, grab cards and stickers, buy merch, and even get tattooed by a favorite artist. There are conventions year-round all over the world.
More Resources
- Beyond the Ink, tattoo education
- World Tattoo Events, universal conventions calendar
- Villain Arts, tattoo conventions
Relax. We handle the rest.
Come rested, fed and hydrated, and wear something that exposes the area. Once the stencil is set, the best thing you can do is sit back and stay still. Sessions run anywhere from thirty minutes to four hours, with breaks on the longer ones.
Every piece is custom and drawn for you. The more clearly you share your idea up front, the smoother the day goes.
What you are signing up for.
A look at the level of work that comes out of the chair. Tap any piece to view it full size.
