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Frequently asked Questions
How much do tattoos cost?
Generally, how much money did you say you had? Tattoos
are priced by the piece not by the hour, really, this varies
based on a number of factors, like the size of the tattoo, the
placement on the body, and plenty of other things.
We freely admit WE ARE NOT THE CHEAPEST! Remember,
you get what you pay for and only have one chance to get
one tattoo on that one spot on yourbody. Do it right! Go to
a pro! When the artist quotes you a price,
Remember …..A good tattoo isn’t cheap and a cheap tattoo
isn’t good!
Does it Hurt?!?!
YES! Receiving a tattoo is a painful process. It requires the
application of pigment under the first epidermal layer of the
skin. The larger the tattoo the longer it will take to do, so
small tattoos hurt less than large ones! But remember, people
wouldn't get a second tattoo if the first one hurt that bad.
Don't be a sissy!
How long can I expect the colors to last?
A good long time if you use discretion in picking out who will
tattoo you, as well as taking care of your tattoo after you get
it, mainly protecting it from
the sun.
What are the different styles of tattoos?
There are lots of them, Tribal, Fineline, Classic, Realist, East
Coast, West Coast, blah, blah, blah. Don't feel restricted by
styles -- do what you want. Go to a tattooist who can do
what you want, regardless of style.
How can I tell if a shop is clean?
Run your finger along the top of the door jamb. If it gets
stuck, it's dirty. Look for sterilization equipment. All
equipment should be bagged against cross contamination ,
everything should be single service and disposable If
anything is touched with bloody gloves and not thrown out,
run.
What?s an autoclave? How is it used in tattooing?
An autoclave is a sterilizer which uses heat and pressure to
kill any microbes and/or pathogens on equipment. If a tattoo
shop doesn't have one, run.
How can I tell that the needles being used
are new and clean?
Ask your tattooist to show you sterilization equipment. Watch
them take your needles and tubes out of sterilization pouches
with indicators on them. Watch them put together their
machines. Don't assume anything when your health is on the
line.
I have an idea in my head.
Will a tattooist work with me on a design?
Find a tattooist whose style you like, talk to them about your
idea and let them draw it for you (or draw it yourself). Don't
be afraid to voice your ideas or opinions You are more than
welcome to bring in your own design or pick one of our
hundreds of thousands of designs that line our walls. If you
already know what you want, great, it is very simple to
convey your idea to our artists. The easiest way is with a
picture. It doesn't matter what the picture is on (key chain, t-
shirt, book, drawing...etc.). Even if you can't draw, our staff
still love to do the custom work. Just describe it well or even
bring in a stick drawing. We can turn it into your dream tattoo
on paper right before your eyes!
How long does a tattoo take?
Anywhere from 30 seconds to your whole life. How much
money did you say you had?
How can I spot a good tattoo/tattooist?
Good tattoos should have clean, even lines and smooth, solid
colors. Always look at photographs of a tattooist's work
before getting tattooed by that person. Check to see that
figures are drawn in proper proportion and that the tattooist
is willing to spend time communicating with you and finding
out what you want.
How can I see examples of a tattooists work?
Most tattooists have photo portfolios. Look through them.
Make sure its their work,not another artist that works there.
Do they let anyone in tattoo parlors?
No drunks or druggies, and we prefer that people bathe
regularly. We don't get hazard pay!
It’s four days after my tattoo and my skin is peeling.
Is this normal
?Yes. The top layers of skin at this point are dead and will fall
off. Like when a sunburn peels. It will itch for a few days --
just put some lotion on and don't
scratch it! You may find that there is some pigment in the
skin that peels off -- since pigment has been deposited at
every layer of the epidermis, it is only natural that some of it
will come off the top layers.
Should I pick the colors?
or should I leave that up to the artist?
It's a good idea to suggest colors to the artist and work with
them to decide which colors would be best for your tattoo.
Will you tattoo people?s faces? How about hands?
Only in extreme circumstances, such as to cover up a gang
insignia, etc. Tattooed faces and hands are not for everyone.
Who gets more tattoos in your shop, men or women?
Roughly equal numbers of men and women get tattooed,
although far greater numbers of men get large custom
tattoos. We wish more women would, though, because
heavily tattooed women are cool.
I’m 15 years old and I've been saving my money.
Will you tattoo me?
The law requires that you be 18, or you must have signed
parental consent, and then its up to the artists discretion
Isn't it true that only rebels
and nonconformists have tattoos?
You can bet you sweet ass it is.
Should I get drunk before getting tattooed to kill the
pain of the needle?
Drinking might make you somewhat braver but it only hinders
your body from dealing with the pain. Besides, we won?t
tattoo you if you've been drinking. One because it thins the
blood, making you possibly bleed more, and second, because
drunks rarely sit still.
What can I do to keep my tattoo from fading?
What if my tattoo fades over the years?
I recommend using a strong sunblock whenever you are
exposed to the sun, and generally taking good care of your
skin. It is possible to get it redone, and then just take really
good care of it.
I have an old discolored tattoo.
What can I do to make it look better?
Come by, let us take a look, and the chances are we will be
able to fix it up and make it look brand new again.
Do you do cover-up work on old tattoos?
Yes, all the time. People are always coming in with a poor
tattoo that they want fixed up.
Do you do piercings in your shop?
No we don’t.
What should I consider before getting a tattoo?
Consider who you will be in 20 years, consider who you are
now -- the tattoo that all of your friends have may not be the
right one for you. Don't be afraid to step away from the
typical tattoo imagery. Consider the use of metaphor
and subtle meaning -- don't limit or disservice yourself by
sticking with what's been done or said with tattooing in the
past. Also consider what a tattoo means to you, don't get
something just because it's wild and crazy and outlandish, or
will shock your family. Be dignified in your decisions and
consider the rich history behind tattooing and Fine Art in
general. Educate yourself and know your motivations. If a
Tazmanian Devil is what will enrich your life, and you have
made this decision intelligently, then by all means
that's the tattoo for you. Be open to tattooists suggestions.
They know more than you think.
I just got a new tattoo and I'm afraid to show my
parents. What advice do you have for me?
If you still live under their roof, keep the damn thing hidden
or you might end up homeless! If you're fully independent,
then show it off -- they'll get over the shock eventually. It
does help if you have a really nice tattoo.
I want a tattoo, but my boyfriend doesn't want me to
get one. What should I do?
It's your body not his, and he needs to let you live your life
and make your own decisions. If he really loves you, he'll get
over it, and if he doesn't get over it, kick the no good bum
out.
I just had my girlfriend?s name tattooed on my arm
and
now we broke up. What can I do?
Get it covered with a new, larger tattoo, and swear to never,
ever, ever get your girlfriend's name tattooed on you again.
Don't people look weird when they're 90-years old
and they're tattooed?
Sure, but won't we all look somewhat weird when we're 90
anyways.
My girlfriend wants me to get a tattoo, but I'm not
sure.
What should I do?
It's your body and your life, not hers, and you should only get
a tattoo if you feel really positive and sure about it ? They are
forever, unlike your girlfriend. And please, please, please
don't get her name or initials on you.
Will I be able to get a job with a tattoo?
Depends on the tattoo and the job, I suppose. As long as
your face, neck, and hands are bare, you can easily cover
just about anything else. Unfortunately, we still live in a world
where people make negative associations with tattoos, and
that rose on your hand can cost you a job.
Has anyone ever died from blood poisoning from
getting
tattooed?
Not that I am aware of.
Can I get AIDS from getting tattooed?
The chances are miniscule, and as of yet, there are no known
cases of HIV transmission through tattooing in a professional
tattoo studio.
Can I get an allergic reaction to the ink?
What do I do if I get an allergic reaction?
A few people do in fact have allergic reactions, usually to red
pigment in particular, and in the worst cases I've personally
seen, the skin just did not heal or recover until it had pushed
that pigment out. Anyway, it won't kill you, and it's not
common. If you do get an allergic reaction, show it to your
tattooist first, and then, if necessary, to a dermatologist.
What diseases can be transmitted while tattooing? How
can they be prevented?
The big one is hepatitis, which can survive outside of the
body for a fairly long time and is easily transmitted. To
prevent this, a tattooist will cover any surface that they're
going to touch with disposable plastic -- including bags on
spray bottles. We autoclave our needles and tubes and open
them from sealed sterilization pouches in front of each
customer. Needles are for single use only. Everything gets
sprayed down with a surface disinfectant
afterwards.
How do I care for my tattoo during healing?
All tattoo artists ideas on how to heal a tattoo, you should
follow the care instructions given to you by your artist.
Our recommended care instructions are to:Remove the
bandage after 5 hours. Do not re-bandage.Wash your tattoo
with luke warm water and a mild soap.Don't scrub it, dab it.
Gently pat dry with a clean towel . Keep it as dry as you can
until fully healed.Apply a small amount of cream(we
recommend polysporin cream,not ointment!)lightly rubbed in
once a day... wash your damn hands first! Do not compress
the fresh tattoo with tight clothing or belts, etc...
Do not touch or let others touch your new tattoo unless their
hands are freshly washed thoroughly...
Do not let unqualified people tell you what to do, if you have a
question, refer to the care instructions that came with your
tattoo, or contact your tattoo
artist...Do not soak, swim, or sauna for at least two weeks...
Do not expose to sun for at least three weeks...
Do not pick at or otherwise traumatize your fresh tattoo...
Scabbing phase 3-7 days, Dry flaky skin phase 8-14 days
Will it fade?
We use the highest quality pigments found in the industry.
These pigmennot cheap and not easy to find. The reason we
have been able to stay in business for so long (26 years!) is
because we use nothing but the best. Our work is guaranteed
to stay bright and sharp forever.
Is it safe?
Our tattoos are put on under the strictest of sanitary
conditions. We use a totally disposable tattoo system! Every
instrument is new before going into a high pressure, high
temperature autoclave for approximately one hour.
Everything is disposed of after every tattoo, and the entire
area sanitized. Our procedure consists of individually wrapped
instruments that are only opened in front of you. (If you
choose to go somewhere else, insist on this
same procedure.)
Can I bring in my own design?
Yes, it can be anything you like, but it will need to be
converted into a tattoo design. Some styles of artwork do not
work well as a tattoo, but we use our years of experience to
guide you with the selection of the artwork and style.
Do not forget we have literally thousands of tattoo designs for
you to choose from. We have been in business for over 24
years, and we are habitual
collectors.
If I am pregnant, can I still get a tattoo?
Pregnant women, should get the advice of their doctor before
getting a tattoo. We feel it is not safe to tattoo anyone after
the first trimester and while breast-feeding. Any infection
incurred during these times carries
through to the child.
Where is the least (most) painful spot?
Probably the upper arm, yet it is more important to get your
tattoo where you want it as opposed to getting it where it
might hurt 10 % less. If you never had a tattoo, how would
you know the difference ? The most important fact is your
tattoo should be fun, and part of the fun is getting it where it
will work the best for you. I have never had anyone stop in
the middle of a tattoo, (although everyone thinks about
stopping), because the pain was
unbearable.
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