Frequently Asked Questions

If you need a custom drawing done, you'll need to schedule a consultation. This is a free, 30-minute appointment where you'll meet with the artist of your choice and discuss your ideas and plans for your tattoo. It is a good idea to bring drawings, sketches, photographs, notes, etc. to help illustrate your ideas. Don't worry if you can't draw! Even stick-figures help us visualize what you want for your tattoo.

At the end of your consult there is no obligation to continue, but if you and the artist both decide to go forward and start working on a drawing, you will be required to pay a draw fee and/or a deposit. These fees are non-refundable. The draw fee pays for the time the artist takes to complete your drawing, and ranges from $20-$100 depending on the size and complexity of the drawing. Sometimes if the artist determines your drawing is small and/or easy enough they may waive the draw fee.

The Deposit holds your appointment and is applied to your bill for tattoo time. You only lose the deposit if you decide not to do the tattoo, or if you don't show up or are more than 30 minutes late for your appointment. As long as you call to reschedule 24 hours in advance we will still honor your deposit.

The artist will then add you to their draw schedule, and give you an estimate as to how long it might take to do the drawing. It's important to remember that your artist may have up to 20 other clients that they are drawing for, so you may have to wait a while to see your artwork. After some time your artist will contact you to let you know your artwork is finished. You can work with the artist to change your drawing until it's perfect for you. Once the drawing is done you can schedule your tattoo appointment.

The shop minimum is $60. Ruby, Suzy, and Alexis charge an hourly rate of $150. Tarah charges $100 per hour. For specific pricing, we need to know exactly what you want before we can provide an estimate. If you would like to email us for a quote, please provide the following information:
Brief description of the subject matter, or attach photos if you have them
If there's lettering involved, describe the font (typewriter, script, etc.)
Will it be in color or black & gray?
Approximate size - either use inches or compare to a common object (ie: palm-sized, quarter-sized, etc.)
Where is it going to be placed?

Aftercare products and a years worth of free touch-ups are included in all pricing (except for hand & foot tattoos).

Walk-ins are welcome when we are available. If you need a custom drawing, it's best to schedule a consult first.

You must call us on the phone in order to schedule an appointment. We get lots of emails every day asking for appointments and we are just unable to schedule this way because it requires too much "back-and-forth" emailing. Just call us at 206-297-6005 and we will be happy to find the time that works best.

You should have some kind of artwork ready when you come to see us. When you come in to get your tattoo, be sure to dress appropriately: be comfortable (not fashionable), and wear something that gives easy access to the area to be tattooed. Be well-rested, fed, and hydrated. Feel free to bring in some sort of entertainment: an MP3 player, a good book, etc. to help pass the time. Before you start, you will fill out a release form (you'll need your ID), and your artist will make a stencil of your design. Your artist will place the stencil on you and you'll get to decide exactly where and how big it will be. Then the tattoo will begin! If you're in for a longer session, you may want to consider getting a ride from a friend afterwards because of the endorphine rush you will experience. After your tattoo session is done, the artist will send you home with instructions and a TAT Care Kit that will contain everything you need to take care of your tattoo.

Well of course, but how much it hurts really depends on the tattoo and placement and your own tolerance level. The important thing to remember is, the pain is usually very minor (not as bad as you'd think) and the pain is only temporary. The tattoo is forever.

In general, over-the-counter pain medications do little to help with the pain you might experience while getting a tattoo, plus Aspirin and other NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc, have at least some blood-thinning qualities to them. Aspirin is most effective at thinning blood so we reccommended you not take aspirin at least 1 day before your tattoo. It is generally considered ok to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve pain or swelling from the tattoo AFTER the tattoo is done - However it is important for us to mention that we are not medically trained and cannot legally prescribe any medicines or diagnose health concerns. Please consult your doctor for advice if you're concerned about this.

So what about prescription drugs? Some prescription pain medications can technically intoxicate you to the point where you will not be as alert or in control of your body as you would normally be, so we don't advocate their use. Also, we cannot tattoo someone who is intoxicated, so drinking alcohol or partaking in other drugs before your tattoo is not a good idea.

Day 1: Remove the bandage provided after about 2 hours. With clean hands, wash with mild soap and water (or use TAT wipes provided). Your new tattoo will continue to seep fluids for the next 24-48 hours. Cover your tattoo the first night with a thin layer of antibacterial ointment and a new bandage (or a piece of saran wrap). Do this only for the first night - after that no more bandages. The purpose for this is to protect your seeping tattoo from your bedding. If you experience clothes or sheets sticking to your tattoo, simply wet the fabric with lots of water before attempting to remove it.

Days 2-4: Continue to clean tattoo with TAT Wipes or soap & water 3-5 times a day for the next 3 days. Do not use any ointments, lotions or balms for the first 3 days. During this time you should treat your tattoo like an open wound - keep it clean and do not get sweat or dirt in it. Don't over exert the skin around it (so that means avoid the gym and lots of exercise for a week). Don't tub soak (short showers are OK).

Days 4-14: After 3-4 days the tattoo will start to get dry and flaky. You may start moisturizing it with the TAT Balm provided or a water-based fragrance free lotion (Aveeno, Lubriderm, Cetaphyl cream are all acceptable). Don't oversaturate -use only what your skin will absorb. For the next 2 weeks or so your tattoo will be dry, flaky, and itchy and may have small scabs attached to it. Do not scratch or pick at the scabs or soak them in water (short showers are OK). If the tattoo itches, it's a sign it needs moisture. It's okay to slap or pat the tattoo to relieve the itching as well. Also do not let constrictive clothing rub against or irritate the tattoo. Do not expose it to sunlight, tanning beds, or chlorine water for 3 weeks.

We guarantee one free touch up within the first year of your tattoo. Touch-ups are for correcting imperfections that might happen during the healing process. It's not unusual for some people to have a little bit of color come out of their tattoo during healing and we will always fix that sort of thing for free, as long as the aftercare instructions were followed. We want every client to be completely happy with their tattoo.

Things that are not considered a free touch up would be: additions, color changes, or refreshing colors that have faded due to sun exposure. You are expected to care for your tattoo in the long-term by keeping it out of the sun, and applying sunblock whenever necessary to keep it from fading.

Cash, & debit, Visa or Mastercard:

We do not take: checks, American Express, or Discover.

There are absolutely no refunds on deposits or draw fees. Please make sure you are absolutely certain that you want to get your tattoo and that you are able to get one before making a deposit on a tattoo appointment.

We love animals, but we absolutely cannot allow them inside the shop, for sanitary reasons.

We strongly advise not bringing young children or infants into a tattoo shop. We are constantly cleaning here, but one never knows what a child can pick up by crawling around the floor, or just being near someone getting a tattoo. Also, young children tend to get very bored and its extremely disruptive to other clients if children are running around the studio. As long as they are with a parent or guardian, minors between the ages of 12-18 may be allowed to watch or sit quietly during your session.

You can certainly bring a friend to your tattoo appointment. Sometimes it helps to have a friend to chat with during the tattoo. But when you bring 3 or more people with you, it gets too crowded in the tattoo artist's area, and can be very distracting to your tattoo artist. Please be respectful of other clients and the artists by not bringing a crowd of people with you.