we have a consent form that you must fill out on arrival. for this reason, we tend to recommend arriving about 5 mins early to your appointment to fill this out. it is also so so important you have your ID, check your wallet before you leave and make sure it’s in there!

when the form is complete I will show you the design, and make any adjustments necessary to ensure you are 100% happy with your design.

• the design I show you is just an outline, it can often look a little empty especially if the design is supposed to have shading. If you have any questions about how the shading will look feel free to ask!

• there is no limit on how many changes you can make to your design

• my job is to give you a tattoo you are happy with, I will not take offense to changes you may ask for because I am not the one who will have it on their body. your opinion is the most important in this process, i hope that you feel safe enough to voice it!

once you are happy with the design, I will print out a few sizes on paper for you to choose from

once we have chosen the right size, I will turn it into a stencil

after this i usually go set the bed up depending on the placement of the tattoo so you have a few minutes to relax, this is a good time to duck to the bathroom if you need!

from here, we head off to a sterile station to get started. I will shave the area, clean the area, and put the stencil on. some things to keep in mind for stenciling:

• it is okay to move the stencil if you aren’t happy with the placement

• it is okay to move the stencil heaps of times if you aren’t happy with the placement

• you’re not annoying or a bother if you want to move the stencil!

• the stencil will probably look a little weird, lines may be bolder on the stencil than you are expecting, there might be smudges, etc - rest assured, your tattoo will not look like that. In most cases, the stencil is there as a map for me to follow, not to look like the finished product. if you have any questions though, please don’t hesitate to ask! I am always happy to go over every detail as I know stencils can look really odd and confusing!

once we are both happy with the placement we will start the tattoo, I always do a little line first for you to get an idea of what it feels like and settle in.

it will hurt a bit, unfortunately, though I really can’t say how much as everyone is different. it’s often comparable to a scratch on sunburn, and depending on the placements can be quite stingy or sharp.

I am always happy to chat throughout, it’s not distracting for me (or I will let you know if there are certain parts I need quiet for)

if you would prefer to bring headphones and listen to music or watch videos please do! everyone has different ways of coping with pain and feeling safe, so do not feel bad about doing what you know is best for you! I will not take offense if you would prefer to not talk, or zone out.

we can take as many breaks as needed, and if it’s ever too much let me know! you feeling as comfortable and safe as possible is what’s most important

once we are done with the tattoo I will give it a good clean and wrap it up!

I will explain aftercare to you once it’s wrapped up, as instructions may differ depending on whether we choose to use second skin or cling wrap to cover it.

remember, how you heal your tattoo is what will most impact the outcome of your tattoo, so it’s important you do the best you can to protect it in those first few weeks following your appointment.