It’s my first time. What do I do?
Congratulations!
Getting tattooed is an exciting step for anyone to take in their life. We are confident in working with new client’s or tattoo veterans and collectors. As a first step we always advise you to research, research, research. Our studio wants all clients to be given the best tattoo based of what they are wanting. Sometimes that may mean pointing you in the direction of specific artists outside of our studio. We encourage you to check out our Artist page prior to booking so you can see our standard and preferred style of work.
The best thing you can to enable a smooth tattooing session is to prepare an e-mail, or call our studio. We usually ask you to provide 2 – 4 reference images of the style of tattoo you want, a brief description of the location on your body, an approximate size (in cm’s) of the tattoo, your budget (if you have one), and whether you have a preferred artist to book with. It is also important to mention if you have any inconsistencies with the skin in that area such as scarring. We encourage you to trust any suggestions your artist might make and be open to their own artistic vision.
However, please remember you should never feel forced or uncomfortable to get tattooed. We encourage you to find the right person with the right vibe to make the process as enjoyable and exciting as it should be. Chances are you’ll be thinking about getting your next tattoo before you’ve even left the chair! It is worth mentioning that moisturising the area you intend on tattooing at least two weeks prior to your appointment, can help prepare the skin for being tattooed.
Do I need to pay a deposit to book in? Why?
Yes.
We can collect deposits in person, or over the phone. Deposits are typically $50 for small tattoos, and may increase depending on the required length of the session. Day sessions are usually $100 - $200.
Each and every tattoo artist’s day revolves around scheduling appointments. They ask for a deposit to show commitment from you as the client, which also reserves that booking time specifically for you. This is a method to prevent ‘no-shows’ or ‘time-wasters’ from taking up the artist’s working schedule. It is important for you to understand that most tattooists are paid on a commission basis. So if they have a cancellation this can significantly impact on their income.
Your artist will be more than understanding if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. It is studio policy that you must give at least 24hours notice prior to your appointment, in order for your deposit to be carried over to your future booking, or refunded.
This courtesy enables the artist to try and find another client to fill this space. Less than 24hours notice will result in your deposit being forfeited to accommodate the artist for their loss of time.
Does my deposit come off the cost of the tattoo?
Yes.
Your initial deposit amount will come off the total amount of your tattoo at the end of the session. Keep in mind, if you require multiple sessions to complete your tattoo – you may carry your deposit over for the next session and pay the full amount for your completed session, or pay another deposit at the time of your next booking.
I’m booked in, do I need to bring anything to the session?
Your artist will advise you as to what they feel is suitable prior to your appointment.
We advise ALL client’s of the following recommendations, as not respecting any of these
points below may result in your appointment being cancelled or rescheduled:
Small sessions 1 - 2hrs:
Have a good rest the night before your booking
Don’t be hungover or coming down
Don’t be intoxicated/under the influence when you arrive
Please have something to eat at least 2 hours before getting tattooed
Longer sessions 3hrs+:
The above steps as well as…
Bring a book, or device to watch movies/listen to music/podcasts
(use of headphones are always appreciated)Bring some sugary snacks or bottled drinks to keep you fueled
Bottled water is always recommended to keep hydrated
Can my friend come?
In some cases.
Although due to COVID19 social distancing we prefer clients to come alone.
Please be aware that they may not be able to sit with you during the tattooing procedure. This is due to hygienic and cross-contamination reasons within the tattooing work area. As well as allowing your tattoo artist to be free from distraction, so that they can give your tattoo their uninterrupted attention.
Ultimately it will be up to your tattoo artist and what they feel most comfortable with. For larger sessions we recommend coming alone, as your friend may get bored waiting around for several hours. By all means if you have a friend dropping you off, or staying for the stencil, or even popping in to check out the tattoo progress, that is fine.
We do ask your friend to respect our artist’s and other’s work space and to be mindful.
Does it hurt?
Yep!
Specifically how much it will hurt will depend on your pain tolerance. We are all individuals and can handle different levels of stress on our bodies. What your friend may have found painful, you may not, and vice-versa. Pain is a completely unique experience to the individual.
Typically small tattoos are are bearable, and the pain of tattooing is similar to “scratching over sunburn”. However the location and time is takes to complete the tattoo will effect the overall pain experience. If you are struggling please let your artist know. We always recommend having something to distract yourself with, such as music or your favourite show/movie for longer sessions.
I want my tattoo as small as possible, can you do that?
With certain considerations, yes.
Your artist will always advise on a suitable size for the design you are getting tattooed. We take in to consideration not only creating a tattoo for you that will look great fresh but also 10years into the future. Please take your artist’s advice seriously.
I currently have the flu, should I get tattooed?
Nope.
Our team appreciate you taking precautions to be mindful and not get others sick.
It is never a great idea to get tattooed when your body is under stress or fighting off an illness. In addition if you are currently on antibiotics it is also advised you postpone your session. All the above factors can implicate on the healing process of your tattoo and delay your body’s healing time further. We always advise getting your next tattoo when you are feeling in good health again. Remember your tattoo will be there forever, there is no need to rush into the process if you are not feeling 100%!
Do you offer free touch-ups?
Typically, yes.
Provided the work you are requesting to be touched up was done by one of our team members. There are a few things to keep in mind about booking a touch up.
Your artist will always inform you if you are being tattooed in an area of the body which is prone to dropping out or healing inconsistencies, prior to your appointment. As a result you will be charged for the touch up work. These include areas such as:
The inside and tops of fingers, tops and sides of hands, the top, bottom and side of your foot, innner lip, tongue and ears.
Your touch-up session is at the discretion of the tattoo artist. It is appropriate for you to contact them and provide a photo or come into the studio to discuss what needs to be touched up.
Working with skin can be unpredictable, and sometimes the healing process can affect the end-result. It is the artist’s responsibility to ensure you are happy with your tattoo and it has healed accordingly.
If you have not been mistreating your tattoo during the healing process (picking, scratching, swimming) the artist reserves the right to charge you a fee for the touch-up session. Yes, we will able to tell if this is the case.
It is essential you have followed your aftercare instructions as close as possible.
We recommend healing your tattoos with Dr Pickles aftercare cream.The timeframe to claim your free touch-up is 3 months. If the tattoo is past 3 months old, the artist may request you pay for the touch-up session.
If you are requesting touch-up work done by another artist, we always recommend you contact them prior to seeking our artist’s help. If one of our tattooists feels comfortable with touching up the tattoo you will be charged a standard rate.
Lastly, be honest with your tattoo artist. If can think of a reason or something you had done that inhibited the tattoo healing correctly – please tell us.
Can I use numbing cream?
Not recommended.
We advise against the use of numbing cream, but this will be up to the discretion of your tattoo artist. Please notify them of your intentions prior to your appointment. The use of topical numbing creams can affect the skin before the tattooing procedure, and in some cases can affect the healing. For this reason some artists do not feel comfortable with their clients using them. Always ask before you get tattooed.
Can you tattoo over scars?
This will depend entirely on several factors. Some of these factors may include how old the scarring is, how thick or deep the scar tissue is and the type of design you wish to cover them with. In some cases if the scar tissue flares up as a result of being tattooed, you may have to book a second session to finish the tattoo. In addition, it is advised prior to the appointment you begin applying Vitamin E cream or Bio-Oil to the area at least one month prior to your tattoo session.
Essentially your artist will be the best at advising you about the best way to tattoo over the scars. Please consider their suggestions. Lastly, you may require a touch-up session as sometimes scar tissue has difficulty with holding ink. You may notice some inconsistencies after your tattoo is healed. Please keep your artist up-to-date with the healing process so they can advise whether a touch up is necessary.
Do you do fix-ups and cover-ups?
Absolutely! Do we do all of them though? Certainly not.
Covering or reworking previous work can sometimes, and often is, a lot more difficult than working with fresh skin. You will almost always require a face-to-face consultation with the artist so they can assess the best method to approach the old tattoo. If your artist isn’t confident in the ability to rework or cover your old tattoo, please respect their decision. It is in your best interest, as sometimes these tattoos may require sessions of laser prior to being ‘cover ready’. Our artist’s do not want to make your old mistakes, even bigger ones. We will always give suggestions on our to approach working with or covering your old tattoo.
How do I care for my new tattoo?
Each artist will offer slightly different aftercare instructions relevant to their type of tattooing and preferred method to heal their work. Please listen to your artist, as they are giving you the best advice based on their years of experience.
Below is our general “Aftercare Guide”. If you have any further questions regarding aftercare please feel free to contact the studio, there are no silly questions!
No Swimming or soaking for 2 weeks.
No Sunburning.
No Scratching.
Use a tattoo aftercare cream.
Apply with clean hands.
Be cautious of dirty surfaces and fabrics.
Keep your tattoo clean.
Keep children and pets away from your tattoo.
Any concerns or questions, please contact us.
Days 1 – 3
During this phase of healing, your tattoo will be drying out and may leak excess ink. Avoid touching the tattoo with unclean hands, and ensure to keep pets and other humans away from your new tattoo. It may also be swollen depending on the size, location and style of tattoo – you may take some ibuprofen (Nuerofen, Advil) to aid with this. Avoid sunlight, swimming and scratching your tattoo.
Days 3 – 10
Your new tattoo will begin to flake and scab in certain spaces. It is throughout this period we recommend using your aftercare cream. Apply a small amount of the cream, 2 – 3 times a day (usually after cleaning is best) and rub it into the tattooed area like a moisturiser. We recommend using Dr.Pickles Tattoo Aftercare balm. Allow the scabs and flakes to fall off at their own pace. It is important you don’t scratch or pick at your tattoo during this phase to avoid any ink being pulled out. If it’s itchy remember – ‘Slap it! Don’t scratch it!’ The tenderness and swelling should be subsiding at this point. Continue to avoid direct sunlight and swimming.
Days 10 – 14
At this point your tattoo will have most likely flaked and the majority of the scabs will have come off. You may notice the fresh skin over your tattoo has a ‘milky’ like appearance. This is normal and after a few more days your tattoo will become vibrant and settled under the skin. Again, be sure to avoid swimming, scratching and direct sunlight exposure on your tattoo. Continue applying your aftercare cream, twice daily.
Day 14+
All remaining flakes and scabs should have fallen off by now, and the milkiness faded. You may continue applying aftercare cream or moisturiser to your tattoo to maintain healthy skin and ink vibrancy. After this phase it is important you contact us if you notice any inconsistencies with your tattoo. It is always appreciated of your artist to send through a healed photo of your tattoo so we can see the final result of the tattoo and how it has settled in your skin. We appreciate you taking the time and necessary care to look after your tattoo during the healing phase and thereafter.
What is your shop minimum?
Typically we charge a base rate of $120.
This is to cover set-up costs of new, sterile equipment and the artist’s time to design and stencil your new tattoo. Please note that the minimum charge may vary depending on the difficulty of the location you are requesting the tattoo. This is up to the discretion of the artist, please be understanding when we tell you that some areas are more difficult to tattoo and therefore this requires more time and/or skill (Fingers, ribs, faces, necks and intimate areas) – which will be reflected in the initial price.
Do you use vegan inks?
Yes.
However, we ask that you confirm with your individual artist, as some pigments of colour ink may not be vegan. It is always best to check with the person you are getting tattooed by.
Whats your hourly rate?
Each artist that works at Lost Sanctum Tattoo will have their own pricing structure. This is usually relative to the type of work they specialise in, the speed of their tattooing and other factors. For this reason it is more common now for the artist to give you a quote between two specific amounts. Usually differing no more than $50 – $150.
Please understand there are many factors involved in pricing a tattoo.
Trust your tattoo artist. It is there job to give you the best tattoo at a rate they feel is fair for their level of ability and time. You are more than welcome, and it is encouraged that you tell your artist about any budget you may have to work with. We are reasonable people and will work with you to accommodate this.
What’s your day rate?
This is completely up to each tattoo artist.
Some may feel comfortable providing a set amount of work for a set amount of time. It is more common to provide session prices when working with larger scale work, that may require multiple sessions, such as sleeves or back pieces. There is no set session prices by the studio, it is up to the tattoo artist to provide you with their individual rates.
On some occasions the studio may run promotions which will allow for a certain number of people to book in at an exclusively reduced rate – usually for portfolio work. If you’re interested in an Artist’s day rate please contact our studio or them directly.
What’s your cheapest tattoo?
Do NOT ask this.
If you want to be taken seriously and respected by your tattooist we expect the same from you. Asking for ‘cheap’ tattoos is not a great way to begin your consultation, as it undervalues the work of your artist. Please know that good tattoos are not necessarily cheap, and cheap tattoos are not necessarily good.
How much for a sleeve?
This question has become a meme within the tattooing industry. It is important for our clients to understand that large scale work such as sleeves can take anywhere from 20 to 100 hours to complete. It will depend on so many potentials such as the size of your arm, the type and style of work, the speed of the artist, colour or black and grey, the level of detail required, etc.
We encourage anyone thinking about getting a sleeve to collect reference images, research our artists and send an e-mail enquiry or phone the studio to book for a consultation to discuss your ideas. Other things to consider is that sleeves can cost anywhere from $1,500 up to $5,000+ so please take your budget into consideration before enquiring. As your artist will be taking your enquiry seriously, it is always comforting to know that our clients are just as serious. Large scale work usually requires the artist to have time to prepare the design, and certainly isn’t something that can happen on a walk-in basis.
This type of work requires commitment from you as the client as well, as it will take multiple sessions to complete your arm. Most tattoo artists will appreciate you coming in on a regular basis (every 2 – 6 weeks) until the project is completed. Waiting 12+ months between sessions is never advised as it can be difficult for the artist to continue the vision they may have originally had when the sleeve was first started.
Do you tattoo under 18’s?
No.
It is against current state law and legislation in Queensland to tattoo minors. Even with a parent present to sign, it is still illegal.
Do you tattoo faces, necks and hands?
Not as often as you’d think.
We understand that as the popularity and public acceptance of tattoos increases, as does the desire for people to more visibly display them. It is strictly a decision of our artist’s and whether they feel comfortable with tattooing you in these places. Your artist will ask you questions regarding your lifestyle, career and previous tattoo history to help clarify their decision. Please do not be offended if your artist decides they will not tattoo you. It is highly likely they are securing your best interest in regards to this decision. We will always make suggestions for other, more suitable locations to be tattooed if we feel like a highly visible location is inappropriate.
Are there any tattoos you won’t do?
Certainly.
With the addition of the above information, at Lost Sanctum Tattoo we reserve the right to be selective with who, and what we tattoo. This is based on the studio’s moral code in addition to the artists. Please understand that some artists may be more comfortable tattooing certain themes or places on the body than others.
The studio however enforces that we will NOT tattoo any racist, overtly offensive, hateful or gang-related tattoos. If you are looking for these kind of tattoos we advise you to take your enquiry elsewhere.