FAQ

+ How do I book an appointment?

Please send the studio an email with the following information:

• Who is your preferred artist?
• Do you prefer color or black-and-grey?
• What is the ideal size of your design (in inches)?
• What is the preferred body location? Please upload a photo of the designated area for drafting.
• Please upload several high resolution photo references (including inspiration images, drawings, photographs, and other tattoos)
• Do you have any particular style preferences? (please upload a photo(s) of one of the artist’s previous works)
• Where are you traveling from?
• Are you 18 or older?

In order to book an appointment, a non-refundable deposit is required. Once a date and time is selected, we will process the deposit as a means of confirmation. In certain cases, clients can make an appeal for a refund (subject to artist and manager review).

+ How do I prepare for my appointment?

Recommendations before an appointment:

• Eat a healthy meal at least 3 hours in advance
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure: dry or burnt/peeling skin can seriously interfere with the tattooing process
• Moisturize your skin a few days in advance
• Do not take blood thinners, antibiotics, or steroids
• Do not consume alcohol or drugs
• Limit your caffeine intake (no more than one cup of coffee on the day of tattooing)
• Shower before the appointment: dirty/dry skin can affect the tattooing process

You cannot be tattooed if:

• You are currently taking antibiotics or cortisone
• You are pregnant or have been recently
• You’ve received a vaccination in the past 48 hours
• You will be going on a vacation that involves prolonged exposure to direct sunlight/water
• You have atopic dermatitis at the location of the tattoo
• You are under the age of 18
• You are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
• You do not provide government issued identification

+ How much will my tattoo cost?

The pricing of a tattoo depends on the size, location and complexity of the design. Inidvidual artists determine their own pricing and estimates. Artists will estimate a general price range for your consideration. Unless there are significant changes to a design or unforeseen circumstances, you will not be billed more than the highest amount of the estimated range. In order to book an appointment, artists require a non-refundable deposit to secure a date and time.

+ What is the minimum age to be tattooed?

While this may differ between states/countries, it is a violation of Section 260.21 of New York State Penal Law to tattoo minors under the age of 18.

+ Can I bring my friends & family?

We kindly request that you attend your appointment independently. Due to sanitary and liability concerns, only the client is allowed within the tattooing area.

On a discretionary basis, guests of clients may wait in our lounge and seating areas during the session. We are also conveniently located nearby amazing cafés and shopping!

+ What if I am unsure of which artist to choose, or what artwork best represents my vision?

If you are uncertain of artist selection or artwork, consultation appointments are available, where we will happily provide our recommendation.

+ Can I see a preview of my design?

At the start of your session, your tattoo design will be seen in person. Most artists will not provide design(s) before an appointment date due to copyright infringement and the inability to discuss the artwork in person. However, our artists allocate time in their quote to allow any changes or alterations.

+ How does tattooing work?

The procedure of tattooing consists of the puncturing of skin with a miniscule needle, wherein the motion carries ink from the capsule in the machine into your dermal layer. It’s important to make sure that the procedure is placed neither too shallow or deep. If it’s too shallow, the ink will only be placed in the cellular layers of the epidermis. Over time, your body’s natural shedding of cellular layers would result in the eventual washing out/shedding of ink. If it’s too deep, it can lead to ink bleeding out and blurring under your epidermal layers. The ink placed in the dermal layer is permanently durable and stored between cells (called fibroblasts).

+ How long has tattooing existed?

Tattoos have always been an important part of human history. It’s presumed that every cultural community has practiced and known the craft at some point in their history.

The origin of the word “tattoo” is derived from the Tahitian word “tattau”. The word stems from “ta” meaning drawing, while the full word means drawing in skin. Captain Cook’s diary from 1769 contains the following entry about the natives: “Both sexes paint tattau on their bodies as it is called in their language; this is done by inserting black color under the skin in such a way that it is indelible. Some have horrible looking pictures of male birds or dogs... In short, in applying these pictures they show such variety that their quantity as well as their position seem to depend on the mood of the individual. Men and women show it with great pleasure”.

Since the invention of the electric tattoo machine in 1890, the art has continued to expand. In times of war, soldiers would be tattooed so that their bodies could be identified. During World War II, prisoners of war were tattooed as a means of identification as well. In the 1960s, the tattoo culture experienced a resurgence. The fad of tattooing penetrated into the world of urban youth culture alongside the “flower children”.

Nowadays, tattoos have reached all levels of society and culture. Many celebrities have striking tattoos that influence a broad range of followings. Modern studios have also broken down the facade that all studios are grimey and unwelcoming by being clean and welcoming.

+ How does ink stay in your skin?

The reason tattoo ink stays in skin forever has to do with the immune system. When you get a tattoo, the ink flows down the tattooing needle into the middle layer of your skin, called the dermis.That creates a wound, which your body tries to heal by sending macrophages (a type of white blood cell) to the area. The macrophages swallow the ink in an effort to take the foreign particle away from the wound, but the pigment in the ink is too large for the macrophages to remove, so the macrophages (with the ink inside) end up suspended in the dermis.

+ What machine do artists use to tattoo?

The most common method of tattooing today is done using an electric tattoo machine. For example, a coil machine uses an electromagnetic field to generate motion between the coils and needle bar, where the needle moves up and down. There are also rotary machines, which use a cyclical motor to drive the needed up and down in a precise manner. The speed depends on the machine and power supply, as well as the technique and desired effect (lines, dotwork, or shading). A needle generally produces 800 to 7,500 movements per minute.

+ What is tattoo ink made of?

The pigments used in the inks are color additives, which are subject to premarket approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, alongside State Authorities. Inks are generally composed of a carrier and a colorant. Carriers are generally composed of glycerin, water, isopropyl alcohol or witch hazel. Colorants are generally composed of mineral compounds. Many inks are vegan/cruelty free.

+ Can I include cremated remains in my ink?

It's difficult to tattoo with cremains as it can dry out and alter the ink. However, it may be a possibility, depending on the artist. We recommend exploring the options of ink from this company: engraveink.com.

+ Is a white ink tattoo a good choice?

Over time, white ink will turn yellow under skin. This is because the skin is not completely transparent (it has a hue dependent on skin tone). Because of this, artists will strongly discourage exclusively white ink tattoos.

+ Do concerns exist around the use of fine line or single needle techniques?

As far as how fine lined, single needle tattoos age, there are many variables which affect the tattoo over time. Skin type, aftercare, and regular maintenance are all things to consider. However, so long as you take care of the tattoo, it will continue to look beautiful. Touch ups are always a possibility as well.

+ Is a finger tattoo a good choice?

We strongly recommend doing thorough research before booking an appointment for a finger tattoo. As fingers/hands are a high-motion area, it is very possible the tattoo will fade in a short period of time (sometimes 3 weeks to a month). Our artists will likely encourage a different location for longevity. In the event of a touch-up, you may be subject to a fee.

+ Do you perform cover-up designs?

While many of our artists are willing and capable of creating cover-up tattoos, it is ultimately a case-by-case basis. Our artists will always give you their honest opinion, which in many cases may be laser removal sessions to lighten the existing tattoo to a point that it’s possible to work over.It is a general rule of thumb that a cover-up design must be twice as large and twice as dark to successfully cover the previous tattoo. It is also likely that the previous tattoo may still be visible to some degree.

+ Is it possible to tattoo over scars?

It is possible, but subject to the condition of the scar and the surrounding skin. It’s important that the scar is healed, has minimal variances in pigmentation and is generally flush or level with the rest of your skin. As scars are generally a tougher surface, there is no guarantee that the tattoo will completely obscure the scar (the difference in skin texture may still be visible/not hold ink as well). We strongly recommend consulting with a dermatologist beforehand, as certain skin conditions can worsen through the tattooing process (for example, keloids).

+ Potential Risks

Below are the important concerns to address before getting a tattoo, however unlikely:

• Infection: Unsterile tattoo equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") and other bacteria. Tattoos received at facilities not regulated by your state or at facilities that use unsterile equipment (or re-use ink) may prevent you from being accepted as a blood or plasma donor for twelve months. Infections also have resulted from contaminated tattoo inks, even when the tattoo artist has followed hygienic procedures. These infections can require prolonged treatment with antibiotics.
• Laser Removal Complications: Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments at a considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.
• Allergic Reactions: Although uncommon, reports of allergic reactions to tattoo pigments have been known to occur. When they do occur, the reaction may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people may develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years. It’s strongly recommended to consult with a dermatologist before an appointment.
• Granulomas: These are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment. They can cause discomfort and irritation and may appear unsightly.
• Keloids: If you are prone to developing keloids (potentially painful scars that grow beyond normal boundaries) you are at risk of additional formation from the tattoo process. Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.
• MRI Complications: There have been reports of people with tattoos or permanent makeup who have experienced swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects. There have also been reports of tattoo pigments interfering with the quality of the MRI image. This seems to occur mainly when a person with permanent eyeliner undergoes MRI of the eyes. However, the risks of avoiding an MRI when your doctor has recommended one are likely to be much greater than the risks of complications from an interaction between the MRI and tattoo or permanent makeup. Instead of avoiding an MRI, individuals who have tattoos or permanent makeup should inform the radiologist or radiologic technologist.

+ What areas hurt most during the tattoo process?

Everybody’s perception of pain is different. Additionally, pain comes from prolonged sessions and technique, where tattoos may require multiple pass throughs or saturated color or black-and-gray work. However, the head, armpit, forearm ditch, inner bicep, ribcage, hand/finger, inner thigh, calf, and foot are generally the more painful locations.

+ Can pain medication or anaesthetic be used?

We don't recommend the use of pain medication or anesthetic cream. Medication can thin your blood, causing increased bleeding alongside various side effects. Anesthetic cream can interfere with the stencil (used during the tattoo process) and affect the skin's ability to receive ink, oversaturating the skin and blowing out pores. That aside, there's no need to fret over pain - expect a mild irritation similar to a cat scratch.

+ How will my tattoo look over time?

Do your research on the tattoo aging process, possible skin conditions, or any other concerns you may have. We are happy to provide as much information as we can, but it’s important to be well-informed before your appointment. We recommend consulting with your dermatologist if you have extensive questions and/or medical concerns.

+ Aftercare

At the end of your appointment, the artist will provide a detailed description for their preferred aftercare process. We offer complimentary touch-ups within a 6 month period. Afterwards, a small fee–up to the artist’s discretion–may be necessary.

Check here for additional information about tattoo aftercare.