Prepare for Tattoo
Find out what you can do to make your tattoo experience the best it can be. How to prepare a week before (or more), a day before and the day of your tattoo.
How to prepare for a tattoo.
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A week before (or more):
Moisturize the area to be tattooed daily and keep that part out of the sun. If you have a sunburn in the area to be tattooed on the day of, you will need to reschedule.
Don’t shave the area to be tattooed (a few days before, we don’t want open cuts). Your tattoo artist will do that for you, on the day of.
Be mindful, if you have open sores or cuts in the area to be tattooed, on the day of, you will have to reschedule.
If you have any type of skin anomaly in the area to be tattooed (including visible veins, large birthmarks, or discolorations) check with your doctor to ensure it is safe to tattoo over those.
Have several options of clean, loose clothing ready for the day of your tattoo appointment and for several days after. Clothing for the day of needs to allow your tattoo artist to get to the body part that will be tattooed (depending on the area getting tattooed you might want to wear shorts, a bikini top, tank tops, skirts, etc.). You will never be required to remove more clothing than is absolutely necessary. It is best to wear clothing you are ok getting tattoo ink on.
Make sure you have aftercare products ready to use after your tattoo appointment, including paper towels, unscented liquid soap and a gentle, unscented lotion.
Keep yourself healthy, please don’t come in sick. Drinking plenty of water is always good for the body and skin.
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A day before:
Don’t use drugs or alcohol at least 8 hours before your tattoo, preferably more. Depending on the drug and especially alcohol can make the process more difficult, more painful and raise the risk of complications.
Have zero or minimal caffeine at least 6 hours before, preferably more.
Skip exercising the day of and the day before your tattoo appointment. You want all of your endorphins.
Don’t take blood-thinning medication prior to your appointment unless directed to by a doctor.
Put clean sheets on your bed.
Continue hydrating, drink water! And get good sleep.
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The day of:
Skip exercising and any caffeine and don’t use drugs or alcohol.
Shower and wear clean clothes (infection prevention starts here). Avoid wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances for tattoo artists with sensitivities. Don’t shave the area to be tattooed (the tattoo artist will do that for you at the shop). Don‘t apply any numbing options (this is very important- talk to your tattoo artist).
Don’t take blood-thinning medication prior to your appointment unless directed to by a doctor.
Wear clean, loose clothing that allows your tattoo artist to get to the body part that will be tattooed and that will be loose on your tattoo after (depending on the area getting tattooed you might want to wear shorts, a swimsuit top, tank tops, skirts, etc.). You will never be required to remove more clothing than is absolutely necessary. It is best to wear clothing you are ok getting tattoo ink on.
Come in well rested, hydrated and having eaten. You don’t want to be starving or stuffed and bring snacks and a water bottle. We have fresh water and sugar boosting options on hand. Snacks can be eaten in lobby area or outside on our porch.
Bring your ID, water bottle, and headphones (if you want to use your own device while getting tattooed) and/or noise reducing earplugs (we have music playing and conversations going), sunglasses for light sensitivity (and especially if you are getting a tattoo that requires you to lay down and look up) and a method of payment. If you have a gift card make sure to know the number of it and the dollar amount on it.
Don’t bring young children or pets. We love children (and pets) but make other arrangements for them during your tattoo appointment. We want you and your tattoo artist to be fully focused on the job at hand.
More about the day of the tattoo.
Our online waiver needs to be filled out the day of your appointment (QR code for access is up in the tattoo shop). If you scheduled your tattoo appointment online an auto email reminder with the waiver link will be sent to you.
We check ID (a valid state or government issued picture ID or a valid passport with a picture), you must be 18. No exceptions (not even with parent’s permission). Our tattoo artists will not tattoo you if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Everything is better when you are well rested, have eaten and are hydrated. Please make sure you shower and wear clean clothes the day of and don’t put on fragrances (deodorant is good, perfume and cologne is not). At the tattoo shop, your tattoo artists will shave the area for you.
We want you to be as comfortable as possible and understand that a support person might be important for this reason, please be mindful of people with you and don’t bring a crowd (unless everyone wants to get tattooed!) talk with your tattoo artist if you are unsure about bringing anyone to your appointment. We love children but please make other arrangements for them during your tattoo appointment. We want you and your tattoo artist to be fully able to focus on the tattoo process.
Depending on the placement of your tattoo, you may be asked to remove certain items of clothing. To make things more comfortable bring other clothing items such as a bathing suit top or shorts. We are an open tattoo shop, though we do have dividers if more privacy is your preference.
If your tattoo is priced by the hour, your price quote is given based on the assumption you sit still during the tattoo. Your tattoo artist can work faster and more efficiently if you are still. If an hourly rate appointment is longer than expected your price may be higher. Be sure you understand how much you are being quoted for your tattoo and be prepared to pay more, should it become necessary. Do not try to barter the price. If you have a budget, let your tattoo artist know in the consultation or before your tattoo appointment.
In general all the tattoo artists use all vegan inks that we feel are the best (safest and brightest) tattoo pigments in the industry and disposable needles (so cleanliness is never an issue). If you want to confirm any tattoo ink or info of other items used in the tattoo process, we welcome questions.
What to bring to get a tattoo:
Identification (a valid ID with picture).
Water bottle.
Headphones (if you want to use your own device while getting tattooed).
Noise reducing headphones or earplugs (if preferred).
Sunglasses (if preferred -especially if you are getting a tattoo that requires you to lay down and look up).
Depending on tattoo placement other clothing options are good to have (shorts, swimsuit top, tank tops, etc.).
Payment. If you have a gift card make sure to know the number of it and the dollar amount on it.
What not to bring to get a tattoo:
Pet’s.
Children.
A large group who are not getting tattooed.
After Tattoo
Now what, what’s next? Find out what comes after the tattoo including: tattoo after care, healing and touch ups.