Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tattoos Hurt?
I mean, yes. It’s a bunch of needles going through a couple of layers of skin. That being said, it’s probably not as painful as you think! I’ve done so many first tattoos; at least 96% of them said it wasn’t as bad as they thought.
What’s Worse, Lining or Shading?
Everyone is completely different. I’ve had people tell me different things! It all depends on the part of the body, pain tolerance, type of shading, size of needle, amount of time that has passed, etc. There are a lot of variables. Don’t worry too much about it; get that dope tattoo exactly how you want it.
Best/Worst Are of the Body to get a first tattoo?
I always recommend arms, legs or deltoids for first tattoos! The most painful spots usually include the sternum, ribs, hands, elbows, and knees, close to the armpit or in the elbow/knee ditch.
I will usually steer people away from ribs or sternum for their first, but if that’s literally the only place you want it that’s fine! Just be prepared for it to be a littler spicier.
Why don’t you tattoo hands or fingers?
Long story short: they fade!! Really fast!! I’ve had way too many people complain about fading even after I told them VERY clearly that they fade VERY fast. Not only do I want not unhappy clients, but I also don’t want to book up my entire schedule with touchups!
Also, I will not tattoo someone’s hands unless they are heavily tattooed and have a secure job! Unfortunately, we still live in a society where people think it is unprofessional to have visible tattoos, so I do not want to feel responsible for that.
How much does a tattoo cost?
Most reputable artists in Chicago charge between $100-$200 an hour. It is really hard to price a tattoo based on size alone! The amount of details, color, shading, etc. has a lot to do with the price as well! If you are worried about cost, you can absolutely express a budget to you artist and we will design your tattoo around that budget if possible!
How specific should I be with my design ideas?
Personally, I love when people have a clear general idea but will allow a bit of artistic freedom. Tattoo artists are not mind readers. What you might have in your head is not what we will have in ours. If you want something very specific, you can always send references and even do a rough sketch of what you want so we have a better idea! That being said, we may refuse a project or ask you to have some design flexibility because of how it may flow in ideas/with the body. If we reviews an idea, it doesn't mean it's a bad idea! It just might not be right for our style. Also, I do not speak for every artist here so it's always best to ask but generally, I feel if you have a clear cohesive idea with openness to design flexibility that's your best bet.
What should I include in my email for a custom before I book?
Please include this info: what you want where you want it a few reference photos of the style you were looking for a budget if you have one color or black and gray and approximate size in inches.
How long will my tattoo last?
Tattoos are forever! However, tattoos expand and may fade overtime, depending on placement design and colors. That being said, I will often steer people away from going too small with their design because in 5 to 10 years, it will expand and some of those tiny negative spaces will disappear full color with minimal to no outline and light shading will fade faster than a big bold traditional outline with heavy shading and packed in color that being said, it won't just go away it will just lighten up overtime. I will absolutely touch up your tattoo effort after it is completely healed if you are not satisfied with it saturation this is why healed pics are so important us artists need to know what we are doing/what we can do to make that tattoo last.
Can I get a color tattoo if I have dark skin?
Yes. If an artist immediately says no go to someone else who actually knows how to tattoo your skin is never harder to tattoo because of its tone the undertones of anyone skin will affect how color will heal on them if you are worried about how it will heal, find an artist who has examples of healed colored, tattoos on darker skin or ask an artist about colors that might heal more accurately based on your undertones.
Why do I have to pay a deposit/why can't I get my deposit back?
Making a deposit will secure your spot with an artist if you don't leave one there's a much higher chance of you not showing up to your appointment which is a huge loss for the artist because in the time they could be doing $150-$300.tattoo, they are sitting around waiting for their next appointment. It is extremely disrespectful of our time and effort drying your design deposits are nonrefundable because again that spot is reserved for you and if we cannot fill it in the time that you canceled it will not only waste our time, but takes away time that another client could've gotten tattooed. Please do not ask for your deposit back. It goes towards reserved time, but also the time it takes to draw up your design respecting your artists time means giving them at least 48 hours notice before needing to reschedule if you canceled the deposit is lost.
Can I get a tattoo if I have diabetes?
If you have diabetes and no other tattoos, it is absolutely necessary for you to ask your doctor if it is OK for you to get a tattoo if your doctor approves please bring a note. I would be more than happy and able to give you a tattoo it is only for your own safety that we take this precaution. This also applies if you have hemophilia or are on antibiotics.
Can I get a tattoo if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?
I will not tattoo a person who is pregnant to the risks associated with being pregnant and getting a tattoo are too high, and at the worst could result in complications or even a miscarriage. I will potentially tattoo someone who is breast-feeding as long as they accept the risks if an infection or complication with healing occurs it is absolutely necessary to stop breast-feeding your baby.
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?
18+ no exceptions! It is illegal in the state of Illinois for anyone under 18 to get a tattoo, yes even with parental consent just wait it is worth it and trust me the shit you want when you are 14 to 17 you are going to hate when you are 18
What should I do to prepare for my appointment?
Drink water eat a good meal up to two hours before and be sure to bring your ID and a mask to your appointment!
Will I get to see my design before my appointment?
Nope! If you don't trust me enough to be your artist maybe it is best to choose someone else that being said if we need to make any changes to your design, I would be happy to do so in the day of your appointment when you come in, we can work on it together! Reasons being some people will bring the design to a cheaper artist or will ask to make a ton of changes the night before I've been up till 3 AM working on a design and I need to respect to my own time to sleep.
How long will my tattoo take to heal/how do I know it is healed?
Most tattoos take between 3 to 6 weeks to fully heal, although some may take longer! It is so important to follow your artists aftercare instructions. You will be able to tell when it's healed when the skin looks consistent all around there is no shiny next to the ink part and it is not at all raised if you have any questions, you can always send a picture to your ar. Do not pick/scratch submerge in water (baths, swimming) or get pet hair all over it.
I'm going to the beach tomorrow can I get tattooed today?
Not unless you promise not to go anywhere near the water and cover yourself 100% from all sunrays! It's not a good idea to go to the beach until your tattoo is completely healed.
I went to the beach yesterday and my skin is burnt. Can I still get a tattoo today?
No. It will mess up your skin and the tattoo will not heal well not to mention it will hurt like hell I will not tattoo sunburn skin and will require a new deposit to reschedule your appointment.
What should I look for in a tattoo artist?
Clean lines
Examples on dark skin tone/diverse clientele
A style your resonate with
Smooth and even shading
Clean lines
Someone who primarily tattoos their own artwork
Clean lines
Can I get a tattoo over a scar?
Any scar must be at least 2+ years old/have no discoloration to it to be sure it is completely healed to be tattooed so it does not further damage your skin. Avoid designs with a lot of big geometric shapes because they will not look clean or straight over scars. I usually recommend something organic so that the shape will blend and work with the skin. It is easy to overwork already scarred skin so it is best to take it slow and work in sessions. If need be this isn't always necessary but is always a good idea to have an in person consultation with an artist about scar coverups so they can see the area they are working with.
Do you have to be laying down to be tattooed or can you be sitting up? What is the weight capacity of the table?
It depends on the placement. I usually have people lying down for comfort reasons, but if your tattoo is on a spot that is doable in a sitting position or if you have accessibility needs that require you to be in a certain position I am sure that we can find a way that will be comfortable for both of us. I have had clients of many varying weights and have had no issues with the table. If this concerns you there is a section on the booking form that allows you to express any accessibility needs or concerns. You may have my biggest priority is your comfort, consent and satisfaction however that needs to happen. Communication is key.
Do the general rules of tattooing over scars apply to stretch marks too?
Good question stretch marks aren't necessary wounds so they don't have to be a specific age to tattoo over them and it isn't as easy to overwork those areas but in the terms of design I feel like similar ideas apply go with something more organic shapes if you are looking to cover them important to note that you should never feel like your body is harder to tattoo because of how it looks or it's qualities that is not the case at all.
Well stuff, such as gaining weight or losing weight affect a tattoo? Gaining or losing muscles?
I'll speak for my own experience. I have a lower stomach tattoo and a big front thigh, color tattoo, and after gaining a good amount of weight, the tattoo is not distorted at all however, the skin stretches the pigment will stretch with it and the colors I have now appear to be a bit lighter, but honestly, I don't feel like it will affect the look of the tattoo to be an desirable amount. I don't like this the ankle expand with your skin as it is fixed in the spot, it is tattooed in you however, if you are worried about distortion, I wouldn't be.
* undesirable as in the tattoo, not looking to your own standard. This word has nothing to do with the weight you gain or lose! Weight fluctuation is normal and is nothing to be ashamed of.
How long should I wait to work out/sweat profusely after getting a tattoo?
This occasionally depends on the method of healing you/your artist decide on I usually say working out is totally fine during the healing process as long as you keep your tattoo, clean and wash it with antibacterial soap immediately after a workout. When using cider or the likes the bandage is antibacterial, however sweating underneath can cause it to come off quicker so I usually say working out is totally fine but try not to sweat too too much if you do it's not the end of the world.
Do all tattoos eventually need some level of touchup?
Not always I've seen some tattoos healed 10+ years that are still holding up beautifully. It really depends on the artist/style/level of experience they have with healed tattoos first touchups are usually free at least with me within three months after that time. It should be healed and settled nicely so if you notice something doesn't heal as solid or as dark as you would like, please let me know before the three month. Otherwise, I may have to charge my reason for doing a free touchup within three months is if the tattoo ends up not healing up to your complete satisfaction if some lines didn't take well or if some color falls out, I want to look as close to the day you got your tattoo as possible, but after that, it is all up to time. The reason is the tattoos will usually inevitably get lighter overtime, and that is not necessarily the fault of the artist or the client. It is just time.
Finding a good cover-up artist/if a tattoo can be covered?
Coverups are meant to hide the pre-existing tattoo enough to where you can't really tell it's there. You can always ask an artist about their own comfort levels covering something up. There are artists who specialize in coverups and artists who don't ever do them if you see a post that says cover-up and can't tell what was there previously at all it's usually a good sign cover-up differ from blast overs, and that they use the new design to hide the previous design as opposed to just blasting a design over the previous one both are cool ways of covering. It depends on how you want to look coverups are like a puzzle so when looking for an artist, it is best to have a consultation to see what can be done with the previous piece? Some artist will recommend sessions of laser if the tattoo is super dark.
Is it appropriate to ask another artist to touch up another artist's work?
It is always OK to ask, but some artists don't touch other artists work. It usually depends on the reason. For example, I am more likely to accept an efficient piece if it is clean to begin with, but they don't want to go back to the original artist because they felt uncomfortable. I will occasionally accept rework. If I feel I can do something with the peace. I can be proud of otherwise, if it's just a convenience thing I feel I would be disrespectful to the original artist by finishing their own artwork. I can't put my name on it because it's not mine.
Tattooing over freckles/moles
Tattooing over surface-level freckles is totally fine. I would not recommend tattooing over a mole because it will bleed a lot and potentially interfere with the design and healing. You can always adjust the stencil to work around body marks if need be.
How does a tattoo turn out when someone didn't take care of it? What are the signs?
Picking or scratching at your tattoo can leave huge gaps or spots in the tattoo where it'll look like the ink is just really light or not there sun exposure will cause early feeding, especially with lighter colors submerging in water can cause infection or occasionally cause the ink to spread or drift more than normal using too much ointment can also pull out the color and a attract bacterial to the tattoo that can eventually cause an infection. A lot of people think they may have an infection when they don't infection will be red, hot and painful to touch and have pus or discharge if your tattoo is just red it could just be irritated from too much ointment or just because it is big wet, open wound, keeping it as clean as possible in letting it do. Its thing may be a little lotion, but rub it in so it's not goopy or shiny is your best bet.