General 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.

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 5 business days).

   • If your 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 don’t accept every tattoo request, but I do respond to every enquiry form. 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, paying the required deposit.

   • 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.

Deposit Terms:

• A non-refundable, non-transferable 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. Please make sure you’re fully committed to the design and appointment before booking.

• The current deposit requirement is $200 for full day appointments and $100 for all other appointments.

• The deposit must be paid within 48 hours via debit/credit card through the booking platform, cash through the shop, or to use a voucher as deposit please contact me via our email thread.

• Appointments are only held for 48 hours. If the required deposit has not been received within 48 hours the appointment may be cancelled.

• The deposit secures the appointment for the specific design discussed and agreed upon when booking. Major, reoccurring, or complete change of design after booking may forfeit your deposit.

• Deposits are required per person (e.g. matching small tattoos for 2 people = $200 deposit; for 4 people = $400 deposit).

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

• The deposit comes off the cost of the appointment unless it is rolling over to an existing or new appointment. For example, for multi-session pieces, the deposit is paid when booking the first session and rolls over to any subsequent appointments, and is deducted from the final 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 let me know as early as possible if you need to cancel your appointment - you do not need to give a reason if you are not comfortable doing so.

• 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 a sufficient reason given within a reasonable time frame may result in being permanently ineligible for future bookings.

In summary, you will forfeit your deposit (including vouchers held as deposit) 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 my clients showing up as scheduled. I appreciate your understanding that I, like you, 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 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) may 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.

• Larger multi-session pieces (e.g. full sleeve, leg, back, front) may book either:

  • Full day (up to 6-8 hours): $1000-1200

  • Half day (up to 3-4 hours): $700-800

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

• Minimum charge is $170 per person. This can generally cover a couple of tiny pieces (e.g. symbols, script, fine-line designs), and applies regardless of whether the appointment is for a single dot, one small piece, or a couple of tiny pieces.

• Reduced pricing applies to my repeatable flash and available designs. 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, bank transfer, 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): 5-7 full days

• Chest (full): 2-3 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, breaks, and movements:

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

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

• Style:

  • Generally, linework and stipple is faster than illustrative and 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 the appointment, understanding that dividing my attention between a conversation and the tattoo may slow the process.

• Headphones and choice of distraction:

  • Generally I find that clients who choose wear headphones and zone out to a movie/tv show/music have an easier time blocking out the pain and staying relaxed, which may result in less breaks and movement.

Location

I am currently working at Soular Tattoo, 299a Main South Road, Hornby, Christchurch 8042.

The building is on the corner of Main South and Garvins Road. There is a car park available on Garvins Road. The studio is upstairs and the door to the stairway is through the carpark.

Reminder: I work by appointment only - please do not show up without an appointment (consult, tattoo, or otherwise). If you arrive unannounced I may not be available, or you may disrupt another client.

Designs and Design Process

I’m currently prioritising work that aligns with my artistic direction and creative interests, meaning the styles and subject matter that fuel my passion and allow me to produce my best work.

Styles:

• Realism - black and grey, or colour

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

• Linework and stipple - black and grey

Subject Matter and Themes:

Check out available concepts for a detailed list of the subject matter and themes I’m currently most interested in.

Project Acceptance:

I enjoy both smaller pieces and larger multi-session projects, with a particular preference for full legs and full backs. A full front is also on my bucket list (hint, hint).

Designs with subject matter or themes from my list of available concepts that give me creative freedom over the specific subject matter and layout will always be prioritized. I’m happy to accommodate specific inclusion or 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