Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt?

Yes, all tattoos hurt! Some parts of the body are more painful than others & everyone has a different tolerance to pain. If you want a tattoo, get one! Don’t worry about the pain, it's temporary but a tattoo lasts a lifetime.

 

I’m worried about the pain, can I use numbing cream?

Numbing creams that can be bought from the Chemist are NOT recommended as it tends to make your skin quite hard, which makes it difficult to tattoo & more often than not, results in a poorly healed tattoo. Also, these creams usually only last for a short period of time. So for a large tattoo, they won’t provide much relief anyway. The artist reserves the right to refuse to tattoo anyone who has used a numbing agent as it is their reputation that will be damaged if your tattoo heals poorly due to the use of these products.

 

How do I book an appointment?

You can call into the shop in person, which is preferred, although you can also phone or email for an appointment.

 

I live out of town, how do I make an appointment?

The best way is to phone the shop to discuss your idea or email us if that is not convenient. You may have to pay a deposit prior to the appointment being booked. If this is the case, you will be advised of the process.

 

Do you do walk ins or is it strictly appointment only?

We do walk ins wherever possible, however, it does depend on the day if there is time available. An appointment is the best way to avoid disappointment.

 

Do you have a waiting period?

We try not to book more than 2 weeks in advance so everyone has a chance at getting an appointment relatively quickly. The longest waiting period is for design draw ups, but that does depend on the design.

 

Do you have a minimum fee?

Yes, the minimum fee for the shop is $90.

 

How do I pay?

Each tattoo needs to be paid in full upon completion. For large ongoing work, each session must be paid for on completion of the session. NO EXCEPTIONS. We do not have eftpos facilities so cash is required.

 

Do you do piercing?

No, not at all.

 

Do you tattoo under 18s?

We DO NOT tattoo people under 18 under any circumstances. Not even with parental consent. It is illegal.

 

Do I need to pay a deposit for an appointment?

You will need to pay a deposit to secure an appointment (usually $50). This money comes off the price of the tattoo.

 

Can I change or cancel my appointment?

Changing or cancelling your appointment with less than 48 hours notice MAY result in the loss of your deposit. In this case, a new deposit would need to be paid before a new appointment can be made.

 

How do I change or cancel my appointment?

You MUST phone the shop & talk to us about changing or cancelling your appointment. Cancelling or changing appointments CANNOT be done via social networks, email or by leaving messages on phones etc.

 

Do you charge a fee to draw up a design?

It does depend on the design but usually, for custom drawn designs & any other designs that require drawing time to get it ready to tattoo, there is a draw up fee. Draw up fees vary but are usually $50 (depending on the complexity of the design)

 

Can I bring my own design?

Yes you can bring your own design. If you have a specific image in mind or you require a particular font or translation etc, you must print it out ON PAPER & bring it into the shop with you at the time you book your appointment. Please DO NOT bring a photo of a tattoo that someone else has and ask us to copy it.

 

How do you charge?

Most single session tattoos are priced per job. Large custom work is charged as a quote for the first sitting, then as an hourly rate thereafter. Please talk to your artist about the cost of your tattoo.

 

How long will it take?

Every tattoo is different. A tattoo takes as long as it takes for the artist to be satisfied with the work he/she has done. A tattoo should not be rushed to meet a deadline so please allow ample time in your schedule for the artist to do what needs to be done.

 

Can I come in to discuss my idea at any time?

Yes you can come in to talk over your idea at any time. Obviously, sometimes we are very busy, however we always try to discuss your ideas when you come in.

 

Do you need reference material for my tattoo idea?

Not always, although coming in with good quality reference material is always helpful to get the idea across to the artist of what you want. It is always beneficial to bring images that are similar to what you want. Sometimes, an exact copy of what you want is needed (eg. Family crest). The more reference material you bring, the better (within reason). It is OK to bring photos of other peoples tattoos to show us what style of tattoo you want, but please DON’T ask us to copy it exactly. That won’t happen. We will however, use those references to draw you your own custom tattoo, unlike any other!!

 

Do you do cover ups, reworks or finish off old tattoos?

Yes, sometimes. Depending on what needs to be done. You would need to come into the shop so we could discuss your options.

 

I’m nervous about my tattoo, can I bring a friend?

In most situations you can bring a friend, although they must adhere to strict guidelines or they will be asked to leave.

 

I’ve made my appointment but I want to change the design.

If you want to change the design, this must be done BEFORE your appointment day. You can’t just turn up & expect changes to be made to the design on the spot. Quite often, a lot of time has been dedicated to getting your design finalised & changes cannot be made without altering the whole design.

 

Do you do all styles?

We do try to accommodate a broad & varied range of styles, however, we don’t do everything!! If we think that a particular design would be better suited to another artist, we will say so.

 

Are there any tattoos you don’t do?

We don’t usually tattoo hands or necks unless you have already got quite a few tattoos. These tattoos are impossible to cover with clothing- they don’t call them job stoppers for nothing!!!

We don’t do white ink tattoos or UV ink tattoos.

We don’t do offensive tattoos.

 

How do I care for my tattoo?

You will be given a detailed description (both verbal & written) of aftercare by your artist on completion of your tattoo.

 

Is there anything I should do prior to getting tattooed?

You should have eaten a substantial meal & be well rested prior to being tattooed. Being ill or suffering from a hangover is not the best preparation for being tattooed!! DO NOT drink the night prior as alcohol thins your blood, which can result in excessive bleeding during the tattoo process. Persons affected by drugs &/or alcohol will definitely NOT be tattooed.

 

Where can I park when getting tattooed?

Please take notice of the time restrictions for street parking & car parks as the council regularly patrol the areas surrounding the shop. The best place is probably the 2 hour car park off Fitzharding Street (behind the Victoria Hotel). If you need to move your car during the tattoo, please let the artist know. We don’t mind & would rather you didn’t get a fine as well as a tattoo!!