Frequently Asked Tattoo Questions

How much do you charge? 

• Tattoo prices can vary widely and are dependent on a lot of factors including location, size, complexity, and the time it will take to complete.  Because of this, I charge by the hour in an effort to be fair to both you and myself.  I charge $160/hr for all tattoo work. Large multi-session pieces have a reduced rate for all sessions beyond the third. 

Is this going to hurt?

• Yes.  While some areas hurt more than others and everyone handles pain differently, the fact is you are getting rapidly poked by a needle.  The nice thing is that the pain is often forgotten within time and you are left with a beautiful work of art that will literally last your lifetime.  

What should I bring to the consultation?

• Anything that could pertain to your tattoo.  I'm an artist and I usually understand pictures better than words.  Bring anything that represents the style or direction you want to go.  Pictures of tattoos I have done help a lot in letting me know what style I should head in.  If you have pictures you can print out and leave with me for your file, that'd be great, otherwise I will likely ask that you text them to me.  Consultations usually take 10-30 minutes.  

I heard you charge a deposit.  How much and how does it work?

• I charge a $100 deposit before we can make an appointment.  Your deposit covers several things, including the time I spend preparing for your tattoo as well as securing your appointment time.  Deposits go toward the cost of your tattoo and are applied to the final sitting.  Deposits are not refundable.  Should you need to reschedule an appointment, please give me 24 hours notice so that I may try to fill your appointment time.  If you give less that 24 hours notice, you forfeit 50% of the deposit, and no-call/no-shows forfeit the entire deposit.  In order to make a new appointment, you will have to make up any difference to get back to a $100 deposit.  

Can I take anything before the tattoo?

• Pain killers do not usually help during a tattoo and I do not recommend them.  I will never recommend taking prescription pain medications before a tattoo unless you have been directed by a doctor.  My experience is that they don't help anyway.  

What should I do to prepare for my tattoo session?

• Make sure you eat a good meal before coming in to get your tattoo.  We usually have snacks and drinks available here, but feel free to bring anything with you that you might like.  Candy is usually a good option in addition to power bars or trail mix.  If you want to bring headphones and listen to music or watch a film, feel free. If we are tattooing a particularly hairy part of your body, you may want to pre-shave the area, I bet your razor is way better than my 10 cent razor.  Pay special attention when outdoors leading up to your session, as I can not tattoo you if you have a sunburn.  

My tattoo hurts or is swelling, can I take anything?

• It is not uncommon for swelling to occur after a tattoo, even for a few days.  Ibuprofen will help, as will rinsing your tattoo under cold water after washing it. I will usually take a wet wash cloth, put it into the freezer for about 5 minutes so it's cold but not frozen, and lay it over the tattoo.  I've found this helps a lot with irritation and swelling, and also helps to cut down on excess plasma seepage.

My tattoo is scabbing, what should I do?

• While it's not uncommon for a few small spots of scabbing to occur, excess scabbing most often occurs when the tattoo is not cared for properly.  To prevent scabbing, wash and lotion the tattoo as directed on the Tattoo Aftercare page.  Scabbing often occurs when the tattoo is too moist, either because it isn't getting washed enough to remove plasma build-up or because too much lotion is being applied.  Should your tattoo scab, continue to wash as normal, and lotion around the scab.  Do NOT pick it or try to remove the scab.  

My friends just dry heal their tattoo/use A&D/dip their tattoo into molten asphalt/etc.

• There are many different aftercare methods out there and over the years I have tried out many of them (except the asphalt, don't do that, I was making a joke).  My aftercare is what I have found to be most successful with the methods I use to complete your tattoo and that's why I recommend them.  

Are you from Jersey?

• Nope.  Almost moved there once though, right about the time I set up my business line, and I never got around to changing it.  

I have other questions not covered here.

• Please, if you ever have any questions, call or text me.  My number's at the top of this page.