FAQ

HOW DO I BOOK A TATTOO?

Submit a booking request form on the studio website.  If we have a continued working relationship, this is still required for any new piece. 

Please allow up to a week for initial response after submitting a booking request. Thank you for your patience - I'm very focused on my art and you will receive the very same focus on your tattoo when it is your turn!

If you are having an accessibility issue please reach out to me at synapseartistry@gmail.com. An appointment is only finalized with the payment of deposit (details on that below)

HOW LONG IS THE WAIT?

Appointments are scheduled ahead only 3 months or so and usually theres about a month wait to get in. Of course appointments depend on your own availbility and what preperation your tattoo  requires. Weekends are in higher demand so there is typically a longer wait for these days. Please be very clear about your schedule when booking - if we have to bounce around in email then there can be a delay in booking your tattoo. If your tattoo takes more than one session to complete, you can expect between 3-6 weeks in between appointments to allow for healing (these are biology rules not mine!) Some tattoos require some layering and healing in between for detail but we will go over all of this based on individual needs.

HOW CAN I CONTACT MY ARTIST? 

Any inquiries about booking, scheduling, pricing, design is done through email. Anything sent via social media or text may not be seen. Design references must be sent via email, or be attached to the booking form. When it is time to compose your design, it’s important that all of the details are in one place and can easily be found. Once you are booked, you'll be emailed and texted an appointment link so you can add to your calendars - you can then respond directly to these automated texts to reach me directly.

Be kind. There is zero tolerance for demands, rudeness, price-shoppers and overly fussy individuals. Mutual respect. It’s nice to be nice! If you’re seeking a more typical tattoo experience in a loud rude cheap shop, here is not for you. 

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WHAT ABOUT A CONSULTATION?

Consultations are by appointment only if required. Most tattoos do not need a in-person meeting and will be done through email or Zoom, but large tattoos, coverups, or custom conceptual pieces do (at artist discretion). If you are requesting an appointment for a consultation outside of what I need to create your tattoo, theres a $20 fee for this time as studio hours are appointment only. In-person consultations are available 10am Friday through Monday only.

During the consultation, please bring (or email ahead) any references that would be helpful for the design process. Showing me what you like out of the tattoos in my portfolio is the most helpful to show the style you like most. I take lots of notes to refer to later. I will likely ask to take a photo or tracing of the part of your body where the tattoo is going, so wear something that can allow for this. 

While I’m a super good sport in putting concepts that are important to you into a design, please limit the things you want included in your tattoo idea to allow for an aesthetic design. Flexibility is required in any custom work. If I don't think I can do the best job on your tattoo within your requirements then I will respectfully pass on the project. 

WHAT ARE THE SHOP RULES?

-You must come alone to your appointment unless it has been planned ahead or they are getting tattooed with you.

-This is a shoes free studio, so you will be asked to remove your shoes in the entrance and place your shoes in the tray by the door. You can wear clean socks or bring them with you. (There are disposable shoe covers available as well!)

-Take a break from your phone if at all possible. Do not take photos or videos of me tattooing without consent. It's fine if you need your phone for a distraction but please bring headphones if you need phone audio. Focus is very important when marking your body!

-You may bring something to drink but they must have a lid. A sugary snack or drink helps get through longer sessions! A snack is great, but please don’t bring hot/fast/greasy/messy/smelly food with you. 

WHAT IS YOUR DEPOSIT POLICY?

A deposit of at least $60 is required for every new tattoo and is not refundable or transferable. This fee is applied to the cost of your tattoo. If your tattoo is a multi-session project, we may require a working contract and separate deposit agreement tailored to the project. Any deposit credit will be applied to the final session of the tattoo.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RESCHEDULE?

You may reschedule once without losing your deposit if the change is made 24 hours prior to your appointment time - no exceptions. I love my clients but I must keep my policies fair across the board no matter our relationship in order to maintain my business. Filling last minute spots  is additional work and generally results in lost income for the day. Showing up the day of your appointment with sunburned skin, or any symptom of illness will result in a reschedule and loss of deposit. Likewise, I respect your health and will notify/reschedule you if I have some kind of illness.

Mutual respect is important in any relationship so if there is a pattern of reschedules, poor communication or disrespect you will be dropped as a client. If you no-show no-contact for a consultation or appointment, I reserve the right to deny taking you on as a client in the future. If you are dropped as a client because you are abusive or disrespectful, you will be blocked and any deposit will be forfeit and donated to a charity of my choosing. 

WHAT ARE YOUR RATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS?

Hourly charges are determined by active tattoo time - these rates are non-negotiable as theres a huge amount of love and time that goes into the design and setup process before you arrive. As with anything in life, you get what you pay for!

Studio Minimum: $120

Deposit- $60

Hourly Rate: $120        Coverup Hourly: $150

Half day $350 (deposit $100)

Full day $700 (deposit $200)

Your deposit will be deducted from the final price, on the final session of your tattoo.

Be advised that different styles of tattooing take varying amounts of time. Some techniques are more time consuming than others. Sometimes a small fine-line tattoo can take the same amount of time as a large tattoo - if you have budget limitations or concerns please address this before booking. Time to complete a tattoo can be variable as well - skin condition, placement on the body, complexity, how well you sit. If I am creating a custom piece for you, I can keep your budget in mind during the design process but ultimately I will create a beautiful piece to the design specifications we discussed, and then we will tattoo it until it is done.

CASH IS PREFERRED! 

Initial deposits are paid through Square, but I can accept a cash deposit if we are already meeting for a consultation. Credit and debit can also be accepted for tattoo payment, but will have sales tax additions (8%) and the service fee (3%). These additions are not seen by the artist, it's literally just the cost of doing business in a cashless way. 

CREATIVE PROCESS

Generally your design is drawn very close to, or on the same day of your appointment, this is how I work best as an artist. I enjoy freehand, and drawing directly on your body depending on the concept or placement. Artwork is not sent out ahead of time. It’s important to be as clear as possible when describing your tattoo during the booking process or consultation.  If there are minor changes to the design, this will be done at your appointment in person. If you completely change the concept of your tattoo after we've spent time in planning, you may be required to pay another deposit or  reschedule for another day to allow for the changes. 

WHAT WONT YOU TATTOO?

I won’t exactly copy a custom tattoo that is on someone else's body unless that person tells me they are willing to be your tattoo twin. I can create something similar but with some changes. By working with me, you consent to creative changes to encourage custom work done in my individual artistic style. There are exceptions, including but not limited to - popular designs (ie: Pinterest/tiktok trends), pop culture, portrait, realism, flash... if you have any concerns with this, feel free to ask! I also won’t tattoo anything racist or culturally inappropriate, or any themes that are negatively motivated whether the tattoo design itself directly reflects this or not. Tattoos placed on the hands/feet or neck/face are done only on a situational basis and never on first time clients. I don't do portrait tattoos generally but there are exceptions depending on the references available for me to work from.

DO YOU FIX OLD TATTOOS OR DO COVERUPS?

I thoroughly enjoy a challenge and will do my best to use your preferred subject matter and palette, however, I do require full creative freedom and trust to do this properly - often times I work freehand (draw right on your skin with marker) for more challenging coverup requests. I will always ask your input on theme but ultimately your previous tattoo choices will dictate what can be done because tattoos are permanent :) I have many examples of coverups and freehand work in my portfolio. If something will not work and/or you are inflexible then I can not take the project on. Coverup tattoos are typically more difficult and require more work to be done correctly, so plan on a consultation to see how I can help!

PREPPING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

In the days/weeks preceding your tattoo appointment, exfoliate your skin. Keep your skin moisturized. Drink a lot of water. Don't go to a tanning bed or a spicy vacation prior to being tattooed - or 3/4 weeks after being tattooed. You may use clippers to remove excess hair to save time at your appointment if you like but do not shave for a few days before the application.

Don’t drink alcohol 48 hours before tattoo. Limit caffeine when possible before a tattoo - it thins the blood the same as alcohol. You should come well fed, well rested, relaxed, clean, sober and on time. If you are experiencing ANY symptom of illness, even allergies you must tell me prior to showing up.

I will check-in with you the day before or day of your appointment!

If you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to me by email. synapseartistry@gmail.com