General Information

Before booking an appointment, you must read, understand, and agree to the booking terms and processes outlined across the ‘General Information’, ‘Appointment Information’, and ‘Aftercare’ pages.

By booking, you confirm your agreement to these terms. If anything is unclear, contact me via email before proceeding.

Jump to:

• Booking Process

• Deposits and Vouchers

• Availability, Pricing, and Payment

• Required Time Frames

• Location

• Designs and Design Process

• FAQ

Booking Process

I’ve streamlined my booking process as much as possible. Please follow these steps:

1. Read the 'General Information', ‘Appointment Information', and 'Aftercare' pages.

   • This is required to ensure you understand and agree to my booking terms and processes, including the conditions that may result in your deposit and appointment being forfeited. If you’re unsure about anything, please ask for clarification before you book an appointment.

2. Fill out my enquiry form, providing all requested details and photos clearly.

3. Wait for my response (generally within 3-5 business days).

• If you enquiry form is complete, I’ll send a quote and a private link to the booking platform.

• If anything is missing, I’ll request more information or photos.

  Note: I respond to every enquiry form, even if I decline the tattoo. If it’s been more than 5 business days, and you’ve checked your junk/spam folder, please follow up as your original enquiry may not have reached me.

4. Book your preferred date using the link provided.

   • You’ll receive a confirmation email with your deposit receipt and appointment details.

   • Email and SMS reminders (if you provided your phone number) will be sent prior to your appointment.

5. All communication must remain in our email thread.

   • Use our existing email thread for any questions or updates (e.g. design changes).

   • My social media DM’s are not monitored - you’ll receive an auto-reply redirecting you to email if you try.

Please consider the following before booking:

• Budget and commitment - please don’t start a large or multi-session piece unless you’re confident you can commit to it. Multi-session pieces should have appointments booked every 3-6 weeks, with an appropriate number of sessions booked initially, to ensure the tattoo can be completed within a reasonable time frame.

• Pain threshold and health - please be realistic about your ability to sit through the session, and whether any underlying health conditions need to be addressed before starting the tattoo.

• Work and personal commitments - please don’t book if you anticipate needing to cancel or reschedule. Make sure you can avoid activities or events that may interfere with healing (e.g. sports, holidays, physical work, household chores). You must be able to follow the aftercare instructions for the full healing period.

Deposits and Vouchers

The deposit is required to confirm your commitment to both the tattoo design and the scheduled appointment.

Gift vouchers are available through the shop - please contact them directly to purchase.

Deposit Terms:

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $200 deposit is required to book an appointment. This means you cannot get the deposit back if you change your mind about the design or appointment, and you cannot transfer your deposit or appointment to another person. Make sure you’re fully committed to the design and appointment before you book in.

• The deposit must be paid via debit/credit card through my online booking platform. Alternatively, to use a gift voucher as deposit please contact me via our email thread.

• The deposit applies to the specific design we discussed. Any major, reoccurring, or complete change of design may forfeit your deposit.

• Appointments are not held without a deposit. If payment is delayed, your preferred date may be taken by another person.

• Deposits are required per person (e.g. 2 people getting matching tattoos = $400 deposit; 4 people in a group booking = $800 deposit).

• For multi-session pieces, the deposit is paid when booking the first session and rolls over to any subsequent appointments. It will be deducted from the final appointment.

• For back-to-back appointments (e.g. Wed/Thur/Fri), the $200 deposit is required per day (e.g. 2 days = $400 deposit, 3 days = $600 deposit).

• The deposit comes off the cost of the appointment unless it is rolling over to an existing or new appointment.

• In the rare event I need to reschedule, your deposit will be transferred to a new date.

• These terms apply to all payments made in advance, including partial or full pre-payment.

• These terms also apply to vouchers used as deposits.

Rescheduling Terms:

• You may reschedule with at least 7 days written notice via our existing email thread. The deposit will be transferred to your new appointment.

• Deposits are not held indefinitely. If you reschedule with the required notice, you’ll receive a new booking link valid for 7 days. If you do not rebook within that timeframe, the deposit will be forfeited and a new deposit will be required to rebook.

• You may reschedule up to three times. After that, the deposit is forfeited and a new deposit will be required to rebook.

Cancelling or Failing to Attend Terms:

• Please notify me as early as possible if you need to cancel or change your mind. No explanation is required - just let me know.

• Cancelling at any time will forfeit your deposit.

• Cancelling with less than 7 days written notice may result in a higher deposit requirement for future bookings.

• Failing to attend any appointment (including consults or the complimentary touch up) without follow-up within a reasonable time frame and a sufficient reason may result in being permanently ineligible for future bookings.

In summary, you will forfeit your deposit or voucher if any of the following occur:

• Large, reoccurring, or complete change of design.

• Rescheduling with less than 7 days written notice.

• Rescheduling more than 3 times.

• Cancelling your appointment.

• Failing to attend your appointment.

Before You Book:

Life is unpredictable - but to avoid forfeiting your deposit and appointment, it’s your responsibility to:

• Make sure you are confident in your design choice and unlikely to request major changes.

• Look at my work and confirm your expectations align with my style.

• Make sure you have no work or personal commitments that could interfere with your attendance.

• Make sure you are financially prepared for the tattoo and any potential changes in circumstances.

I’m strict about enforcing these terms because, as a tattoo artist, my income depends on reliable clients showing up as scheduled. I appreciate your understanding - like you, I have bills to pay and a family to support.

Availability, Pricing, and Payment

Appointments:

• Appointments are available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

• Appointments are not available on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, or on public holidays.

• Your appointment duration starts and ends at the times communicated to you in your booking confirmation. All quotes include GST, stencil time, and any necessary breaks (e.g. bathroom, stretching).

• Appointments longer than 4 hours (e.g. full days) include a 20-30 minute lunch break.

• Aftercare products are sold separately, please refer to the aftercare page for current pricing.

Pricing:

• Flat-rate pricing applies to all appointments.

• Large and multi-session pieces may book either:

• Full day (up to 7 hours): $1200

• Half day (up to 4 hours): $850

• Smaller pieces are quoted individually based on the specific design, style, complexity, and size.

• Minimum charge is $250 per person. This can generally cover several smaller pieces (e.g. symbols, script, fine-line designs), and applies regardless of whether the appointment is for a single dot, one small piece, or multiple tiny pieces.

• Reduced pricing applies to my pre-drawn or flash designs when available. Reduced pricing does not apply to:

  • Cover-ups.

  • Work on sun-damaged skin.

  • Design changes.

  • The use of numbing cream.

  • Placement on the face, neck, hands, feet, ribs, or knees.

Payment Terms:

• Deposits must be paid for via credit/debit card through the booking platform, or alternatively with a voucher.

• Bank transfer for partial or full payment in advance is accepted, provided funds have cleared prior to the appointment.

• Remaining payment at the appointment can be made via either EFTPOS, cash, or vouchers.

• Cash payments must be withdrawn prior to the appointment; you will not be permitted to leave during the session to withdraw cash.

• Voucher payments require presentation of the original voucher at the appointment.

• Change is not available for cash payments; any excess payment will be issued as a voucher or added to an existing deposit.

Required Time Frames

The following estimates are general guidelines to help you plan and budget for your tattoo. These are based on the average number of full day appointments required for black and grey realism. Actual time may vary:

• Forearm (one side): 1-2 full days

• Upper arm (outer): 2-3 full days

• Upper arm (inner): 1-2 full days

• Sleeve (full): 4-7 full days

• Chest (full): 2-4 full days

• Front or back (full): 6-8 full days

• Lower leg (full): 3-4 full days

• Leg (full): 6-8 full days

Factors That Affect Time and Cost:

The following variables can significantly impact the time and cost required to complete your tattoo:

• Pain threshold:

  • Low pain thresholds may need frequent breaks (whether requested or required due to movement), which disrupts my ability to get into a zone and slows progress.

  • High pain thresholds typically experience minimal movement and less breaks, allowing me to stay in the zone and work more efficiently.

• Style:

  • Generally, linework/stipple is fastest to complete than illustrative/neo-traditional, which is faster than black and grey realism, which is faster than colour realism.

• Design size:

  • Larger pieces and areas generally take more time.

  • Smaller pieces and areas are usually quicker.

• Design complexity:

  • More detail or more subject matters per area will need more time.

  • Simpler compositions (e.g. one subject matter per area) will usually need less time.

• Session length:

  • Generally completing a larger piece over longer sessions (e.g. full days or half days) will result in less overall time required than breaking it into shorter sessions.

• Conversations:

  • I’m happy to talk to you during, understanding that dividing my attention between a conversation and the tattoo will inevitably slow the process.

• Headphones:

  • For you, wearing headphones can help you block out the pain and stay more relaxed and still, which results in less breaks.

  • For me, wearing headphones helps block out the sensory overload caused by the distractions within the shop, which helps me stay in the zone and work more efficiently.

Location

I operate from State of the Art Tattooing, located at Shop 6/13-17 Evans Avenue, Mackay, within the AusPost Plaza.

For your convenience and out of respect to the surrounding businesses, please consider parking behind the complex via the driveway to the left of the AusPost, especially for longer (e.g. full day) appointments. Alternatively, there is a small parking area in front of the building, along with street parking. 

The shop is equipped with a private bathroom for your comfort. There are also multiple businesses within walking distance for food and beverages, or to withdraw cash before your appointment.

Designs and Design Process

I’m currently only taking on work that aligns with my artistic direction and creative interests - styles and subject matter that fuel my passion and allow me to produce my best work. These include:

Styles:

• Realism - black and grey, or colour

• Illustrative/neo-traditional - black and grey, or colour

• Linework/stipple - black and grey

Subject Matter and Themes:

• Nature: flora (flowers, foliage, plants), fauna (birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles), and fungi

• Human forms: portraits (specific or non-specific), full figures, hands, eyes, etc

• Animal portraits: especially dogs

• Architecture: gothic, baroque, etc

• Classical art: sculptures and paintings, particularly from the Renaissance through realism periods

• Mythology: especially Greek or Roman

• Cultural and Geographical: Native American themes, Amazon rainforest, African Sahara, Scotland, etc

• Gothic and horror

• Movies and TV shows

• Ocean and reef

Project Acceptance:

I enjoy both small and large-scale pieces, with a particular preference for full legs and full backs. A full front is also on my bucket list (hint, hint).

Designs from the above styles and subject matters/themes that give me creative freedom over the specific subject matter and layout will always be prioritized. I’m happy to accommodate specific inclusion/exclusion requests where possible (e.g. “ocean theme, no sharks” or “Greek mythology, please include Athena”).

Not all design requests will be accepted. If your idea doesn’t align with my current creative interests then I’ll let you know early and, where possible, refer you to an artist better suited to your request.

Design Process:

The design process begins after your appointment is booked. In most cases, you’ll be presented with two design options - in person, on the day of your appointment. I do not provide a copy of any design through text, email, social media, or any other channel. This is to:

• Protect my time and creative energy from excessive revisions or unclear direction.

• Help you avoid outside opinions (e.g. family, friends, co-workers) that could lead to regret or confusion.

• Prevent the design, which I’ve put hours of my free time and heart into, from being taken elsewhere for a cheaper price or earlier availability.

Designs are created during my personal time (e.g. before and after work, on my days off from tattooing), so it’s important that your design preferences are clear from the start. Any design change requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. Last-minute, reoccurring, or major changes may incur a fee or result in a forfeited deposit.

Small changes on the day (e.g. “can we remove this flower” or “can we add more leaves”) are generally fine. Major design changes on the day are not, and may result in a cancelled appointment and forfeited deposit.

Large-Scale Work:

For full arms, legs, backs, and fronts, I prefer to design the entire piece in advance to ensure cohesion.

If you want to add to an existing tattoo, please be aware it may not have the same visual appeal as a piece that was designed for the full area from the start. Similarly, redesigning a piece that has already been started may not be feasible.

Reference Images:

Reference images are encouraged - they help me understand your style and subject matter preferences. These will not be copied (directly or closely), but are instead used as inspiration to create a unique piece for you.

Portraits (of specific people or pets) are the exception. For these, please provide clear, high quality images that match the desired angle (e.g. don’t send a side profile if you want a front-on portrait).

My goal is to collaborate with you on a unique and personalized design that we can both be happy with, and I dedicate a considerable amount of time and creative energy to make that happen. If you’re looking for a direct copy of another tattoo or image, that’s your choice - but I’m not the artist for you.

FAQ