Appointment Information

Before booking an appointment you must read, understand, and agree to all booking terms and policies outlined across the ‘General Information’, ‘Appointment Information’, and ‘Aftercare’ pages. If you have any further questions or need clarification please get in touch.

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Client Responsibilities

Booking an appointment means you accept responsibility for being prepared - before, during, and after. Your responsibilities include:

Before Your Appointment:

These begin as soon as you book your appointment:

  • Set reminders for your appointment date and time in your calendar/s.

  • Arrange transport, childcare, time off work, sport/training breaks, etc. to remove any scheduling conflicts that may forfeit your deposit and appointment.

  • Flag or pin our email thread so you can easily find it for follow-ups - please try not to start a new thread.

  • Care for your skin and health. Poor condition of either will directly affect the tattoo and healing process. At a minimum, you must:

    • Stay hydrated - drink water consistently every day.

    • Avoid direct sun exposure, as it damages your skin and can reduce the quality of your tattoo.

    • Use and reapply SPF50+ daily to areas exposed to sunlight (e.g. driving, walking outside, sitting near windows, outdoor adventures and errands).

    • Moisturise at least once a day (twice is better) to improve your skin hydration and barrier function.

    • Exfoliate 1-2 times a week with a liquid or chemical exfoliant to remove the buildup of dead skin cell.

    • Understand that arriving with sunburn or wounds (e.g. scrapes, cuts) in the tattoo area may forfeit your appointment and deposit.

The Night Before:

  • No alcohol. Drinking can increase bleeding during the tattoo, which may cause the appointment to end early.

  • Get a good nights sleep.

  • (Optional) Shave the area only if you can do so safely. If you’re unsure or think you may cut yourself please don’t attempt it as it may affect your appointment. I have absolutely no issue shaving the area on the day.

On The Day:

  • What to bring:

    • Payment and valid photo ID (e.g. drivers licence, passport).

    • Headphones, your phone, a book, etc - something to help you zone out.

    • Chargers for any device you’ll be using.

    • Water and a sugary snack/drink in case you feel faint.

    • Oral painkillers or any prescribed medication you require.

  • What to do:

    • Eat a proper meal. You’ll need the energy and blood sugar stability.

    • Shower, apply deodorant, and wear appropriate clothing.

    • Check your emails, as I may ask you to come in earlier.

    • Remind your friends/family not to drop in.

    • Arrive no more than 10-15m early.

After Your Appointment:

  • Follow the written aftercare instructions provided.

  • Send updates as your tattoo heals, and once it’s fully healed.

Clothing Choices

Wear clean, comfortable, and loose clothing that allows clear, easy access to the tattoo area. Keep in mind:

  • If clothing needs to be held away from the area during the session, it’s not suitable and may need to be removed.

  • The shop has an open layout with limited dividers. It’s important that you feel comfortable and we maintain a respectful environment for the all clients and artists. Partial nudity is not acceptable in the shop, regardless of personal comfort levels.

  • Blood, tattoo ink, and stencil may stain your clothing. While blood may wash out, tattoo ink and stencil usually won’t. Choose your clothing accordingly, and don’t wear anything you’d be upset about ruining (e.g. a white silk top is generally a bad choice if you’re getting your back, ribs, shoulder, chest, or neck tattooed).

Recommended Clothing By Area:

  • Chest (full, including pec/breast area): no shirt, no bra (may wear nipple covers)

  • Sternum: button-up shirt or zip up jumper or loose t-shirt; no bra (may wear nipple covers)

  • Ribs (armpit to hip) - loose t-shirt, no bra (may wear nipple covers); loose pants (e.g. sweatpants or other elastic waist pants)

  • Back: button-up shirt or zip-up jumper (you’ll be wearing it backwards), no bra (may wear nipple covers); loose pants (e.g. sweatpants or other elastic waist pants)

  • Hip/Glute: loose t-shirt; loose pants (e.g. sweatpants or other elastic waist pants), dress or skirt; underwear that does not obstruct the area (e.g. thong, high-cut or side-tie bikini, or none)

  • Leg (upper): loose shorts, dress or skirt, underwear that does not obstruct the area (e.g. thong, bikini, briefs)

  • Leg (lower): loose shorts (finishing above the knee), dress or skirt; clean bare feet (bring clean shoes that won’t touch the tattooed area to wear after)

If you don’t already own appropriate clothing for your tattoo area, please invest in an affordable option. I generally have nipple covers available, otherwise you may choose to bring your own.

For areas not listed above, or if you’re still unsure, get in touch with me before your appointment.

Personal Comfort Items:

You may bring a clean towel, blanket, and/or pillow for warmth and comfort. Keep in mind that blood, ink, and/or stencil may stain your items.

Movement

Unexpected movement (whether voluntary or involuntary) increases the risk of mistakes in the tattoo and needlestick injuries. I cannot tattoo you while you’re moving, so please try to stay as still as possible.

Involuntarily movements happen, especially in certain areas. That’s understandable. But voluntary movement (usually caused by boredom, discomfort, restlessness, or lack of awareness) should be avoided as it may impact the quality and safety of your tattoo. If movement becomes excessive, I may need to pause or force a break until you’re able to settle, or in extreme cases we may have to end the session early.

To help me work safely and efficiently, you’re responsible for:

  • Asking for breaks if you feel uncomfortable or restless.

  • Bringing headphones and something to watch or listen to, to help you can zone out from the pain.

  • Be aware of how you move - remember that shifting even a distant part of your body can affect the tattoo area.

What To Expect

When You Arrive:

  • You’ll fill out a consent/waiver form and present valid photo ID.

  • You’ll review and approve the prepared design or request any changes before we move forward.

  • Once the design is approved, we’ll confirm sizing using the linework stencil I prepared earlier. It will be run through the thermal copier to make the actual stencil, then I’ll invite you into my work area to apply it.

  • I’ll confirm where you want it and put the stencil on you. Depending on the design, the stencil may be put on in one piece or in sections, and I may choose to freehand some areas to better suit the area.

  • Once I’m happy with everything I’ll take some photos to show you, and also get you to double-check placement in the mirror. If you want to request any changes to size or placement you’re more than welcome to.

  • Once we’re both happy with the stencil it will need 10-15 minutes to dry. I’ll use this time to get you all sorted (most placements will require you to be partially or fully lying down) and then I’ll finalise my setup for the tattoo.

  • Note: the time between design approval and stencil placement varies - small designs may only need 5-15 minutes, large designs or complex stencils may need up to an hour.

  • Once the stencil is dry, I’ll begin tattooing.

During The Appointment:

  • Your tattoo is an open wound, so your hygiene and awareness matters.

    • Don’t touch your tattoo at any point unless you’ve washed your hands thoroughly and dried them with clean paper towel.

    • Be mindful of all the communal surfaces you touch (e.g. door handles, benches, taps).

    • Keep any personal items (e.g. phones, bags) off the tattoo area.

  • You’re welcome to wear headphones to zone out to music, movies, etc. I’m also happy to chat if that’s your preference, keeping in mind it may slow the process as my attention will be divided between the conversation and the tattoo.

  • Please take breaks as needed. I’ll take short breaks to stretch, hydrate, or use the bathroom. For longer sessions (e.g. full days), there may be a 20-30 minute lunch break.

  • At the end of the session I will:

    • Clean your tattoo thoroughly.

    • Ask you to check it out in the mirror.

    • Take photos for my portfolio.

    • Give a verbal rundown of the aftercare instructions and answer any final questions.

Communication Is Key:

Your comfort matters, and you need to advocate for yourself and your needs. Let me know if you need a break, have questions, or want to speak up about anything at any point in the appointment.