Client Etiquette and What To Expect

Remember, We’re On The Same Team as You

Just like you, we want your tattoo to turn out amazing. Professional and considerate communication with your artist goes a long way. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your 100th tattoo, these tips on client etiquette will help you and us have an amazing tattoo session together. 

Communicating Your Tattoo Ideas

Due to Covid-19, the best way to discuss your next tattoo with us is to start by calling or sending us an email with your reference/inspiration pics, specifying where you want it on your body, colour scheme (black and grey/colour) and the approximate size in inches. With this information, we can discuss with you how best to prepare for your session. Along with knowing what you want, be open to new ideas. In some cases, the reference image needs to be altered in order to properly translate it to your skin so be open to your artist’s suggestions. 

Have your designs finalized with the artist or studio before coming in for your appointment. In some cases, last-minute changes are acceptable but complete redesigns delay not only your tattoo but those waiting to be tattooed after you. 

Getting Ready to Start Your Session

Plan to come alone and/or sit alone during your tattoo or piercing. We do not permit guests to sit with you while getting your tattoo or piercing because it leads to too many distractions for both the client and the artist. Be courteous of your artist and give them every opportunity to concentrate on you and you alone.

Clients can spend an hour to days in a row with an artist and it’s important to get comfortable with each other quickly. Start by wearing comfortable clothing and dress accordingly if your tattoo is in a more intimate area. Please consider shaving the area where your tattoo will be going before your appointment as this will save time and we will appreciate it. If you have long hair, bring a hair tie and some clips in case we need to move your hair out of the way (the same goes for long beards). 

If we’re being honest, nothing is worse for an artist than getting distracted by the smells coming off a client. Please consider your hygiene before coming in for your session. If you smoke, we request that you wash your hands and use some mouthwash before starting. 

Don’t be self-conscious of your body. Artists do not care what you look like. We’re here to help you adorn yourself with jewelry and works of art, and that is all we care about.

PLEASE. BE. SOBER.* The last thing any of us wants is to babysit an intoxicated client. Not only that, the substances you take can impact the process. Alcohol thins your blood and causes you to bleed more than normal during tattoos and piercings. Marijuana can cause you to be hypersensitive and result in you experiencing higher than normal pain.

*We have the right to refuse service to intoxicated clients for health and safety. 

What to do While Getting a Tattoo

Get comfortable, you might be sitting for a while. The best client is one who can sit still and allow us to correctly execute the tattoo. We understand that tattoos can be painful and everyone has different levels of pain tolerance and make every effort to not cause you any more pain than we have to. That being said, be prepared to manage your pain respectfully. Refrain from loud outbursts of swearing or screaming as it distracts the artists and makes other clients uncomfortable. 

Patience is a virtue, the absolute last thing you want to do is rush your artist. We advise you to not make plans immediately following your tattoo. A rushed tattoo is never a good tattoo, no matter what the circumstances are. 

Refrain from micro-managing your artist as they work. Each artist has their own unique method of tattooing. Don’t overwhelm your artist with details or ask them to go over an area multiple times until you think it’s perfect. If you researched your artist and trust their ability, trust their process. With all being said, don’t be afraid to communicate with your artist. We want to know if you need to take a break, stretch or shift positions. The same goes for speaking up about any flaws you see in the initial design. We are more than happy to work with you and have a great collaborative experience. 

Small talk is great and we love getting to know our clients and the inspirations behind their tattoos. During this intimate process, we know we’re getting close, but we ask that you refrain from making any romantic or physical advances towards our artists. 

The Money Talk

The last person you want to be is the one who starts haggling the price of a tattoo. Not only does it shift the mood in the whole studio, but it discredits the time and effort the artist put into developing their craft. When it comes to quotes or payment, it’s only awkward if you make it awkward so let’s break it down by our most frequently asked questions.

Can we negotiate the cost?

We price based on the piece and not by the hour. A tattoo is a permanent investment, if you are not ready to financially commit to that investment, we advise you to hold off until you are ready. If you have a budget, be upfront in your initial inquiry and we can let you know what we can do for you (within reason). The cost of a tattoo is based on the skill level required to execute the tattoo. Friends and family are not entitled to discounted rates.

Should I Tip?

Tattoo artists and piercers do not earn 100% of the profit. A percentage of the cost goes towards the shop and the cost of operations. If you’re not sure how much to tip, tip as you would at a restaurant (between 15%-20% of the price before tax). Tipping is not mandatory but it is very much appreciated.

How should I pay?

We accept cash, debit, Visa and Mastercard. 

I’m not happy with my tattoo/piercing, now what?

When piercing or tattooing, we make every effort to confirm that you are happy with the placement, spelling, and design. Only once you have confirmed that you are happy and give us verbal consent to proceed do we complete the tattoo or piercing. If you believe that something went fundamentally wrong during the procedure, we encourage you to make yourself heard in a calm and respectful manner and we will do what we can to rectify the issue. 

We do not respond to abusive or threatening complaints and you will be asked to leave and not return to our studio, regardless of the situation. Like any business, we do what is necessary to protect our staff, patrons, and property. 

We love any client who leaves us smiling after the session is over. It makes you more memorable and we will look forward to working with you again in the future.