Frequently Asked Questions
What tattoo should I get and where?
It's all about personal choice as to what sort of tattoo you want, and the placement of this! However, our artists will always advise if they think there are adjustments to your idea, the size, style or space, if they think it will make for an overall better piece! Some clients go to specific artists for their style and some let artists have free reign of their design.
Where are the best places to look for tattoo inspiration?
We’d always suggest finding an artist whose style you like, and then looking through their previous work and any designs they have available (usually found on their social media pages). This will give the artist a good idea of what you like. You can also send across other reference images you’ve found. Just be aware that a good tattoo artist will never copy another’s tattoo, art or even a previous tattoo they’ve made themselves. They will endeavour to follow the clients brief, but will always make each design unique to the client.
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What level of pain can I expect from my tattoo?
All tattoos do cause some level of pain or discomfort. Usually, the longer the session the more painful the tattoo tends to be. Certain body parts typically hurt more than others, however each individual has different pain thresholds. Therefore what may be painful for others could be less so for you, so it’s important to be prepared for some discomfort but not get yourself too worked up as it may be a lot less painful than you’ve anticipated.
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How much will my tattoo cost?
This is the most difficult question for a tattoo artist to answer! Usually prices reflect the time taken for each piece. Time taken can depend on different factors, like final design, size of the piece, style of work, how well the client is able to sit etc. Each artist will also have their own pricing structure; some will charge hourly, some will have a day rate and some may charge per piece. Our artists always give you a rough guide to time and cost dependant on the design you have asked for, but be aware this is usually an estimate (see below “How long does a tattoo take?” for more info).
How long does a tattoo take?
Tattoo sessions can vary for a number of reasons. This is usually largely be down to the design that has been requested and made. More detailed, larger pieces can take a number of day sittings each being anywhere between 5-7 hours, where as smaller pieces can take less time. Your artist will always provide an estimate for how long the piece will take, but in reality it is impossible to exactly pre-empt how long a tattoo will take. This is due to many variables; size, colour, placement, details, how well your skin reacts to being tattooed etc.
​ How can I prepare for a tattoo?
· Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the tattoo
· It’s advisable to avoid shaving the placement area yourself too soon before the session (this can cause cuts, razor burn etc) – your artist will usually be happy to do this!
· Have a good, balanced meal at least an hour before your tattoo session begins. If it’s a longer session, make sure you’ve brought some food/plan to buy some during any breaks.
· Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration before and during the tattoo session
· Wear comfortable clothing for sitting in. Make sure the clothing comfortably exposes the part of the body that you want to have tattooed if possible, and that it is something that is not sentimental/expensive – should any ink transfer.
· Bring some music and earphones if you like
· Your tattoo will be similar to a minor medical procedure so go easy on your body afterwards
Can I have a tattoo over a mole?
Tattoo artists generally avoid tattooing over raised moles. One of the first indicators of skin cancer is a change in size/shape/colour of a mole. If it has been tattooed over with pigment, it may hinder your ability to spot any colour differences. Therefore, if the mole is in a place that the design has to pass through, artists will usually tattoo around it – leaving a small gap so that you’re able to notice any changes. It’s advisable to speak to your doctor if you have any medical concerns before having a tattoo done.
What can prevent me from having a tattoo?
If you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases, infections or recent/heavy sun damage in the area, there are very few medical reasons why you can't have a tattoo. If you are pregnant, it is recommend to delay having a tattoo, and if you chose/are able to breastfeed, it’s also advised to wait until after weaning. Please inform your tattoo artist of any medication you are taking, or any medical reasons you think could affect you being tattooed. If in doubt, seek medical advice.
​24It is strongly recommend that you do not have a tattoo at least 3 weeks before you go on holiday, or are due to expose the area to the sun. The sun can cause your tattoo to blister, peel, swell and discolour and can be incredibly damaging. You should leave a minimum of 3 weeks between a fresh tattoo and a holiday. Similarly, artists will not tattoo burnt or heavily sun damaged skin, as this can cause further damage. It’s therefore suggested to allow at least 3 weeks after a sunny holiday/sun exposure before having a fresh tattoo. Swimming in the sea or a pool, or submerging your tattoo in water at all are also not advised, as this can let very harmful bacteria in and can lead to needing serious medical attention.
What is the best aftercare advice after having a tattoo?
Your tattoo artist will always go over the aftercare steps that they think are best! Most artists have their own methods that they’ve found work best for their work, so it’s recommended purchasing the creams they advise and following their advice. Keep in mind what to avoid for the coming weeks after the tattoo; exercise, sun exposure, submerging the tattoo (see ‘Can I have a tattoo before/after I go on holiday?’ for more, above). In the long term, it’s always advisable to keep your healed tattoos well protected from the sun with SPF50, and caring for your skin generally will see your tattoo continues to look as good as possible!