Pro Tips

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When it comes to choosing your artist, be sure that you are seeing good examples of the type of work you are looking for in their portfolio. If you are looking for a portrait or some fine line black work for your collection, make sure you see a portrait in the portfolio of the artist you like. Looking for something freehand and totally original? 

Ask your artist if it’s something they’re comfortable doing for you.

If you need to cancel or change your appointment, let your artist know ASAP. 

24 hours notice is the LEAST amount of time you should try to give them.

Your artist is looking forward to your session as much as you are, give them a heads up if you think you might not make it, so that they can potentially schedule a client who is on their wait list. 

Your artist will thank you for respecting their time.

Eat something.

Like seriously, we cannot stress this enough. It is not a super idea to get tattooed on 

coffee/energy drinks, or worse, alcohol- and no food. Your body will need real nutrition to assist you in managing discomfort during the application process. 

Avoid the spins, passing out, and puking by having some real damn food first. 

Arrive for your session clean, rested, and fed, and you will have a much better experience.

Or you could always opt for the smelling salts…

Drinking alcohol before a tattoo is never recommended. 

You want to be well rested, hydrated, and have had a meal for the energy you will need to make it through your procedure with the least amount of discomfort.

If you’re going to be in the chair for several hours, taking an ibuprofen about an hour before your 

appointment will help to keep the swelling down and keep you in the chair a little longer before you tap out. You can ask your artist if they use any pain creams- but the good stuff costs extra- just like everything else in life ;)

DO NOT come to your tattoo appointment under the influence of any chemicals. If you are visibly "high" or not in the right state of mind, your artist will ask you to come back when you are.

Some tattoo spots are more painful than others. If you have extensive work, you have experienced this. A good trick to manage the discomfort is to try to match the length of the inhale and exhale to one another. Focus on that evenly matched exchange of breath, and it will help you focus less on the pain you’re experiencing.

Our shop does not have private rooms, and to be respectful to your artist and other clients, there are some simple tricks for wardrobe alteration that will help everyone stay comfortable. While it's true that the client ready to complete a body suit or the client looking for the classic "underboob" tattoo has probably made peace with their level of required nudity during their tattoo procedure, the client coming in for a memorial tattoo might not be fully prepared to stare down a dude's junk or a chick's chest. We simply want everyone to have the best experience they can in our very shared space.

We have outlets for your phone to charge, but it won't be right by the chair- so if you want to use your phone for a distraction, or to snap an image of your fresh tattoo, make sure you have the power. 

If you know you're going to be in session for a few hours, a good idea is to bring a little snack with you. Something that can help bump your blood sugar back to normal after your body has been burning through everything you've got to manage your discomfort.

For some people, getting tattooed is a form of therapy. It's a time for you to go to a place, sit still, and endure something for a positive result that you get to keep- forever. Everyone has their own formula for sitting for a tattoo. Some people like to put headphones in, and disappear into their music. Some people like to be in their phones- most people actually, so please remember to charge that thing. Some people talk, some people meditate, they might bring a blanket or pillow from home- especially if they're sitting for a large piece- to keep warm while they have a large area of exposed skin. Go ahead an bring whatever makes you comfortable- we've seen just about everything. Oh, also, make sure any blanket or pillow you bring is washable- travel size stuff works great and can be thrown in the washer in most cases. 

It is not your tattoo's friend!!! 

Absolutely nothing goes on your fresh tattoo except for Saniderm. We will provide you with it, and explain the healing process when that time comes, but while your tattoo is healing you will want to avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Once it is healed- it's going to be SPF One Million for you from then on unless you keep those tattoos out of the sun! It's most painful AND damaging when your tattoo is fresh. It's also a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way. UV light is not good for ANY works of art, especially those on your skin. If you're going to have them exposed, remember that sunblock! 

Wherever you're about to get tattooed, you're also about to get shaved. Yes, even if you have fine/blonde hair that you can barely see. So if you already know you're getting your arm tattooed that day- give it a shave as well. Your artist will typically do it if you didn't with some alcohol to get the oils off of the surface of your skin and the area cleared away of any hair that might misdirect or prevent the application of the ink. Most do it with a little spray bottle and a disposable razor- it's cold. It's not the best part of getting tattooed- and it takes a few minutes for your artist to do it, so to get in that chair quicker, a little prep work will help you and your artist get right into the fun stuff...and remember- no lotion before the tattoo.