How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?

18 years old. This has been the law since 1969, and there are no exceptions. Even with parental permission.

How much will my tattoo cost?

It depends on the tattoo. Our minimum charge is £50. Hourly rate for sittings are £70 per hour. If the tattoo is to be done in one session, we can give you a final price in advance. For large sitting work, the hourly rate applies. Half sleeves can take around 6-10 hours, full sleeves up to 25, back pieces have been known to take up to 40 hours!! Big tattoos are big commitments, and take many repeat sittings. This is worth baring in mind when deciding to get a larger piece.

How long after my tattoo can I go on holiday?

With correct aftercare, your new tattoo should be healed within two weeks.  This means it is advisable to leave at least two weeks after a tattoo, before soaking the tattoo in water, exposing it to excessive sunlight and getting any sand in it.

Will my tattoo hurt?

In a word, yes.  Pain during a tattoo is unavoidable.  There are areas of the body that tend to be more sensitive, and generally the more ticklish the area, the sharper the feeling when getting tattooed. THAT BEING SAID... It is never an unbearable pain.  You will feel a  hot scratching sensation, that will last as long as the needle touches the skin.  This occurs for seconds at a time, so it is not a constant feeling.  You can also get numbing cream in advance from your local pharmacy, which has helped clients in the past.  Afterwards the tattoo feels a little bit like sun burn for a few days, and you should except some localised swelling.

Are the needles single use?

Yes.  The needles used for tattooing are sterile single use needles.  We use disposable tubes also, and all surfaces are covered with cling film.  This in essence means that all the surfaces are disposable too.  All surfaces are disinfected in between tattoos.  Basically, every client has a brand new set up.

Can you cover up my old tattoo?

It depends on the existing tattoo.  Cover ups are a challenge.  The thing to bare in mind, is that the only thing that will cover black ink, is black ink.  To make a design that looks good, and more 3D, you need light and dark areas and therefore often, the cover up tattoo must be substantially larger than the original.  If you have a tattoo that you would like covered up, you will first need to book a consultation.

How can I get into tattooing?

I would always advise anyone to seek out an apprenticeship.  I personally do not feel that you will learn safely, and correctly, in any other way.  Studio experience is so important, and with an apprenticeship you will learn all about cross contamination and hygiene.  You will need a portfolio of artwork to a high standard, and the desire to clean and learn. The best way to get into an apprenticeship, is to get tattooed.  Network as much as possible, and don't be afraid to harass people. Tattooing from home, unregistered, now carries a prison sentence and can be deadly to the person getting tattooed.  Unfortunately, we are not taking any apprentices on at present.