Skip to main content

Frequently Asked
Tattoo Questions

Use the menus below for further information about your question. If you have an urgent enquiry or are unsure about the information below please contact your artist directly or through the links below.

Contact us
Click to phone us directly

Tattoo Booking Information

How Do I Make A Booking?
  • The best way to make an enquiry or booking is by visiting the studio for a chat in person.
  • If you’re not able to do this you can either fill out our enquiry form HERE or contact us via our Facebook page HERE.
  • Alternatively, if you know which artist you’d like to work with, you can contact them directly. Individual contact details can be found on the artist pages.
  • When you contact us online, be sure to include as much information as possible regarding the design, size and placement. This will speed up the consult period for you and give us a clear idea of what you would like.
  • We may still ask you to visit the studio for a consultation in person before booking you in. Consultations usually take around 20 minutes and are free of charge.
Can I Book An Appointment Over The Phone?
  • We do take enquiries and bookings over the phone however, you may still be asked to either send over images, more information or pop in for a consultation.
  • Bookings for small tattoos/ walk-ins can be taken by phone.
Do You Take Walk Ins?
  • We predominantly run by appointment however there are times that we are able to take walk ins.
  • We suggest calling the studio or popping in to speak to an artist.
  • As well as taking walk ins, our artists also have a number of pre drawn flash designs available to chose from. These are available continuously as well as being featured on our regular “FLASH DAYS”
Do You Require A Deposit?
  • Yes we do. We have two different structures for deposits.
  • For a single session tattoo our deposit rate is £20 per hour booked. On the day of your tattoo, the deposit will be deducted from the total.
  • For a tattoo which will take multiple day sessions we use “rolling deposits”. This deposit will cover all of your sessions and be deducted from the last appointment. The deposit amount will be agreed between you and the artist during the consultation. (Rolling deposits are subject to the same terms as regular deposits)
  • No deposit is necessary for walk in or flash day bookings though you are welcome to leave one if you would prefer.
Deposit Policy
  • A deposit is required in order to confirm your appointment.
  • Deposits are non refundable as it secures the booked time slot. Leading up to the day, artists also spend a great deal of time researching and drawing for appointments, while we do not charge for this service, your deposit also secures this time within your artists diary.
  • Although deposits are non refundable, they are transferable. We will move your deposit over to a rescheduled appointment once providing you have given a minimum of 48 hours notice. –
  • Deposit will be lost if rescheduled more than once.
  • Any less than 48 hours notice that you are unable to attend your appointment will result in the loss of your deposit.
  • If your appointment is rescheduled by the artist, your deposit will be protected and carried over in full to the next appointment or transferred to a gift voucher.
  • Should you arrive to the studio after your appointment time without prior notice, your appointment and deposit will be forfeit. Please let us know if you are running late, we can usually make arrangements to accommodate it, however, this is not guaranteed. If we are unable to accommodate your late arrival, your appointment and deposit will be forfeit.
  • On the day, if we suspect you may be intoxicated, in ill health, pregnant, breast feeding or under age we reserve the right to refuse service to protect both your health and ourselves legally. In this case, your deposit and appointment will be forfeit.
  • On the day, if you have used a numbing cream or self tanning product on the area to be tattooed we again reserve the right to refuse service to protect both your health and ourselves legally. In this case, your deposit and appointment will be forfeit.
  • Please see “preparation for your tattoo” to see our policy on the use of numbing creams.)
How Much Do You Charge?
  • We have a shop minimum of £40.
  • Our artists set their own rates, we each have an hourly rate and discounted day rate.
  • Pre drawn flash designs usually have a set piece price.
  • Please contact us or the artist directly for information on pricing.

Preparation For Your Appointment

Health

Please consult with both your doctor and artist if any of the following apply to you:

  • If you suffer from any long term illness or injury (whether it requires medication or not)
  • If you have recently been unwell.
  • If you take any regular medication
  • If you have recently finished a course of medication
  • If you have any allergies.

Please be aware that if any of the above do apply to you, it can in some cases significantly affect the way your body reacts to being tattooed.

  • We will not tattoo you if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
In The Week Leading Up To Your Appointment

Please do:

  • keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Eat well and make sure you are rested.
  • Moisturise the area daily with a gentle cream.( palmers cocoa butter is ideal)
  • Be sure to wash regularly and make sure your skin is clean on the day of the appointment.

Please avoid:

  • Use of self/fake tanning products
  • Use of hair removal products and procedures.
  • Heavy alcohol consumption (especially within the 48 hours leading up to appointment)
  • Coming straight from work without rest in between.
  • Heavy exercise within 24 hours of appointment date
On The Day
  • Make sure you are well rested and have fuelled your body with a nutritious meal.
  • Ensure your skin is clean
  • You are welcome to bring snacks and a drink along with you. This is a particularly good idea if you have a long session booked.
  • If you would like to bring someone with you for support, please speak to your artist prior to the appointment. This is usually absolutely fine, however there may be times when we are unable to accommodate them sitting within the treatment area with you. In this case, they are welcome to wait in the next room.
  • If you have any worries about the procedure please don’t hesitate to speak to your artist who will be happy to go through everything with you.
Use of Numbing Creams

If you intend to use a numbing cream, please discuss this with your artist during the consultation period. This will give us the opportunity to inform you of all risks involved with numbing creams, the effect it will have on the procedure and book you in for a patch test.

We require a patch test to be carried out a week before to ensure there are no reactions.

  • We will ask you to visit the studio with your chosen cream.
  • The artist will then check the ingredients to ensure it is of safe quality.
  • Once satisfied that the cream is safe to use during the procedure, the artist will apply a small amount to your skin and wrap with cling film.
  • We will then ask you to send us photographs of the area 24 and 48 hours later.
  • If no reaction is present, we are happy for you to use the cream on the day of the tattoo.

If a patch test is not carried out and you have used numbing cream on the day of the tattoo, service will be refused and your deposit and appointment will be forfeit. This is to ensure that you are receiving the highest standard of service and care possible.

Aftercare

Immediately After The Procedure
  • Once your tattoo is complete, your artist will clean the area and wrap with cling film.
  • This should be left on the skin for no more than 4 hours and is predominantly used to keep your skin safe from any bacteria, dirt or clothing fibres whilst still very fresh.
  • It prevents any blood or plasma drying on the skin causing heavier scabbing as well as preventing your tattoo sticking to clothing.
Removal Of Cling Film And Fresh Wound Cleaning
  • Once removed, discard the cling film into a bin.
  • Immediately clean the area with either water alone or a very mild, antibacterial, non perfumed soap.
  • Use clean hands or wet kitchen roll to clean.
  • Do not use a flannel, loofah or similar on the tattooed area until fully healed as this can cause irritation.
  • Once cleaned, pat dry with kitchen roll gently.
  • While cleaning your fresh tattoo, it is important to remove any blood, plasma or ink from the skin fully. This will prevent severe/heavy early scabbing.
  • Do not use a regular towel as this can leave behind fibres, cause irritation or possibly contaminate the tattoo with bacteria.
Recovering With Cling Film
  • You may wish to re cover the tattoo with cling film on the first night as it is common that it will weep. Re covering with cling film keeps any fluids from drying out on the skin (causing deeper scabbing) and will prevent any fabrics from clothes or bedding from sticking to the tattoo.
  • This is the only time that we recommend re covering. – Doing so after this point can significantly affect the healing of the tattoo and increase your risk of infection in the wound.
  • Should you re cover the area with cling film on the first night, it is imperative that you repeat the fresh wound cleaning procedure when you remove the cling film in the morning.
  • Please first consult with your artist before following this step. They will let you know if it is needed for your tattoo and make sure you are fully informed on the process.
During The First Week
  • Allow your tattoo to settle and “breathe” for at least 24 hours before first application of cream.
  • The aim of using cream during the healing process is simply to keep the skin hydrated.
  • Please use sparingly as needed. A small amount used once or twice daily as a moisturiser is recommended.
  • Any more than this or heavy application will suffocate the skin, can significantly affect the healing process and put you at higher risk of infection.
  • Cream should be rubbed into the skin rather than smothered on the surface.
  • There are a variety of creams which can be used during the healing process. We particularly advise palmers cocoa butter(non perfumed if possible) or YAYO aftercare butter.
  • Bapanthen can be used but please be aware that is is a very heavy barrier cream which leaves a sticky residue on the skin.
  • It is important to use extremely sparingly as too much of this cream on the skin will suffocate the skin and cause irritation.
  • Due to the sticky residue, it is also very easy for dirt, dust, fibres etc to stick to the skin and cause irritation.
  • Please contact your artist if you plan to use a different cream. We will be happy to advise of its safety.
  • Avoid using vaceline, savlon or sudo cream as they are particularly detrimental to the healing of your tattoo.
  • If your job requires you to get dirty or dusty, be sure to keep the area covered with lose clothing. Do not recover with cling film.
  • Continue to wash your skin regularly as usual, using a mild soap.
Things To Avoid During The Healing Process

Please avoid the following during the healing process

  • Submerging the tattoo in water/prolonged water exposure. This includes baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, ocean etc.
  • Direct sun exposure
  • Perfumed creams, soaps or sun cream.
  • Self tanning or hair removal products
  • Wearing tight clothing
  • Touching, picking, scratching or rubbing the tattoo.
  • Shaving or waxing the tattooed area
  • Over treating the tattoo I.e: using too much cream or constant washing.
  • Activities which cause excessive sweating.
Extra Information
  • While most of the healing of your tattoo is completed within the first two weeks, it actually takes your body around 4-6 weeks to completely repair the skin both externally and internally after the procedure. This can be longer if proper aftercare is not observed.
  • It is important to be gentle with the affected area and continue to moisturise the skin during the full 4-6 week period.
  • If during the healing process, you experience any reactions or suspect there is an issue with how your tattoo is healing, please consult both with your doctor and your artist. We will give as much advice and guidance as possible but in some cases, you may need to speak to a medical professional.

Latest Tattoo News

All our news