FAQ

TATTOO

Q: How much do you charge for tattoos?

A: We charge by the piece so it’s hard to say until I know exactly what you want. There are many variables to consider when pricing a tattoo, such as: size, color, detail, and placement.

Q: How can I get a consultation for pricing?

A: We can schedule time for you to come in for a consultation 

Q: How much is your shop minimum for tattoos? 

A: Our shop minimum is $100. We go through nearly the same amount of very expensive supplies to do a tattoo the size of a quarter as we do for a tattoo the size of a softball. Everything has to be sterilized, before and after. This is why a shop minimum is in place. 

Q: How much is the deposit for a tattoo? 

A: $60-100. Often we will have hours of work in drawing and preparing for a tattoo before you sit down in our chair. Deposits help to ensure you show up for your appointment and provide payment for us for the hours we spend, preparing for your appointment 

Q: How should I prepare for my tattoo appointment?

A: Make sure you are well rested, well hydrated, and have eaten recently. Aside from that, take a shower and charge your phone or tablet up to full.

Q: What is the pain level for a tattoo?

A: A tattoo has a pain level of approximately 3/10. The best comparison would be to getting a scratch on a sunburn or to having someone draw on you with a ball-point pen on a sunburn. It doesn’t feel good, but it’s more of an intermittent irritation than a constant pain. Remember, a tattoo has more in common with an abrasion than it does with a hypodermic needle shot from the doctor.

Q: How long does it take to heal after a tattoo?

A: The majority of your tattoos healing process will be done within the first three weeks. However, the skin is still working to heal and rejuvenate and you need to plan on a 6-8 weeks for your skin to be back to its previous state.

Q: Why do tattoos start to itch while healing?

A: As the skin rejuvenates itself, usually about a week after the tattoo was done, the itch sets in. This is 100% normal. Good moisturizers will help immensely with this but DO NOT SCRATCH IT!  If lotion isn’t helping, run it under cold water for a few moments and you should be itch free.

Q: What happens if I’m late to my appointment?

A: Don’t be. Seriously, if you’re late to your appointment it will throw our schedule off for the day.

Q: What happens if I no-show for my appointment?

A: We’ve only ever had a few people do this and it’s a terrible idea.  If you no-show we will keep your deposit.

Q:Should I tip?

A: You should ALWAYS tip those who provide services for you. Whether it’s your barber/hairstylist, waiter, or the kids with a lemonade stand down the street, if they provide you a service you should tip them. This includes your tattoo artist. With that being said tips are appreciated but not expected.

PIERCING

Q: How much does a piercing cost?

A: The cost is broken into two parts: the fee for the procedure and the cost of the jewelry. Prices usually range from $30-$100 depending on the placement of piercing and the jewelry.

Q: Why do your piercings cost more than some other shops?

A: We have made a commitment to using only the top-of-the-line, American-made, implant-grade jewelry. Our jewelry is all manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities by trained and compensated adult workers. It is a matter of health and safety and a support of the local economy. We want your piercing to heal with as little risk to you as possible. Cheaply made jewelry, bargain-priced services and lack of professional expertise often results in the following problems: poor/impossible healing, hyper-pigmented scars, allergic reactions, excessive scarring, migration, rejection, irritation, infection, etc. After years of experience in the industry, we have found that the cost of cheap jewelry/piercings is a short-term saving with a heavier price to pay in the end.

Q: Do you use a piercing gun?

A: NO, Piercing guns can cause significant tissue damage. and can put clients in direct contact with the blood and body fluids of previous clients. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as "blunt force trauma." At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement.

Q: What is the pain level for a piercing?

A: With tattoos being a 3/10, piercings are probably 7-9/10.  Piercings are far more painful than tattoos, but only for a very short period of time. This is why people pass out WAY more often with piercings than with tattoos. But, that doesn’t mean you will, so make sure you have eaten within the past 2 hours.

Q: Can I start with a ring?

A: Yes and No. Whatever your ultimate jewelry choice is, your piercer can discuss any and all questions you have regarding proper jewelry size and placement. It is important you let them know what your goals are and then trust them to guide you on the best way to get there. Even if we are telling you something you don’t want to hear, it will always be based on our professional experience with your best interests in mind. Some facts to consider are, rings are more likely to get bumped and snagged. Physical injuries set back healing and can create some unsightly scarring. Initial piercings require jewelry that will allow your body to swell. Barbell posts are just slightly longer – with rings the entire diameter gets bigger.  This creates a look that is not as snug as current American fashion prefers.

Q: How long does a piercing take to heal?

A: Different individuals and different piercings have different heal times. Most basic piercing can take from 6-8 weeks. These times represent an average first stage of healing; actual healing can take well over a year. Even if your piercing is no longer swollen or tender, it is not necessarily healed. Most of what people consider healed is far from it. Not even Superman could heal a piercing in two weeks.

Q: Can I go swimming?

A: Sorry but NO.  Lakes, rivers, oceans, bays, streams, creeks, pools, puddles hot tubs and even bathtubs (but not showers! Please shower!) are all to be avoided. Chemicals in treated waters can irritate piercings and still leave them open to infection. The many and varied bacterial strains in our untreated water sources, can make infections imminent and difficult to treat. Even baths are suspect as they are often shared with other dirty humans and soap or cleaning chemical residue can be irritating. We suggest not swimming or soaking until you are healed.  Waterproof bandages may provide some level of protection if swimming is unavoidable. Bandages are not infallible, use at your discretion.