Sioux City, Iowa

Tattoo Q & A

General

Q. How do I go about getting a tattoo?

A. The first step is to figure out what you want. Next, stop by the shop for an in-person consultation. Richie or Heidi will go over all the design details with you such as size, placement, etc. Then, we will go over pricing and scheduling.

 

Q. I want a tattoo, but I do not know what I want. How do I decide?

A. The choice is completely up to you, and should not be left up to anyone but you. Tattoos are permanent, and they are something you will have to live with for the rest of your life. If you are having trouble thinking of ideas, start thinking about the things that interest you or are personal to you. Also, you can check websites such as Pinterest or check Google images to help you with your inspiration.

 

 

Q. I know what I want, but I do not have any reference material. Can you draw something for me?

A. Absolutely! We are a custom tattoo shop, and we prefer to design your tattoo to fit you. The process of designing a tattoo is not free, however. If you would like Richie to draw something for you, he does require an appointment and a $40 nonrefundable deposit which will go towards the price of your tattoo.

 

Q. Can I email you a picture of what I want just to get a price?

A. Typically, we only quote prices in person. In order to quote a price, we need more relevant information than just a picture of someone’s tattoo. We need to know size, placement, color, details, etc. If you email the picture with all relevant information, we may give you an estimate, but the price is not official until it is quoted in person. 

 

Q. How old do you have to be to get a tattoo?

A. You must be 18 years old in the state of Iowa. Parental consent is not allowed.

 

Q. Do you do walk-ins?

A. We do walk-ins when time allows. We recommend setting up an appointment in advance. We do not always have openings on a daily basis, and not all tattoos can be done as a walk-in.

 

 

Q. How much do sleeves cost?

A. How long is a piece of string?

 

Q. Can I get a tattoo if I am pregnant?

A. No.

 

 

Appointment Scheduling

Q. Can I set up my appointment online or over the phone?

A. No. We do make some exceptions, but in general, we require an in-person consultation and a cash deposit in order to set up an appointment. We may make exceptions for out-of-town customers.

 

Q. How long is your wait list?

A. It varies by the time of year. There have been many rumors that I am booked up for 2 months to a year. This is simply not true.

 

Q. Can I set up an appointment for someone else (daughter, friend, etc.)

A. No. We require an in-person consultation with the actual person getting tattooed.

 

Q. What happens if I cannot make my appointment or I need to be late?

A. We require a 24 hour notice in order to reschedule the appointment in order to avoid deposit forfeiture. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, you will have to reschedule for another time. We will allow 1 rescheduled appointment with a $40 deposit. The 2nd time the appointment is canceled, even with 24 hour notice, another $40 deposit will be required in order to reschedule.

 

 

The Tattoo process

Q. Can I come in (days) before my appointment to see my design?

A. All designs are drawn in the order of our appointments. Unless specifically stated otherwise, we will have your design read the day of your appointment. If we need to make changes to your design, we will do it at the start of your appointment.

 

Q. What do I do if I changed my mind about what I want after I set up the appointment?

A. You will need to let us know that your concept has changed at least 24 hours before your appointment in order to avoid rescheduling.

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Healing

Q. How do I take care of my new tattoo?

A. We will provide oral and written care instructions during your tattoo process.

 

Q. What do you recommend that I put on my new tattoo?

A. I recommend using only soap and water for the first few days. We sell a foam soap that is design specifically for tattoo healing. Any non-scented soap and lukewarm water will do the trick. We recommend that you wash your new tattoo at least 2-3 times per day until your tattoo goes into the ‘ugly’ stage. The ‘ugly’ stage is marked by peeling, itching and dryness. At this point, you may use non-scented and non-medicated lotion. There are many over-the counter brands of lotion you can choose from. We recommend checking the travel section at Walmart or Target for a small travel size bottle of lotion.

 

Q. My friend told me that I should use A&D ointment. Can I use this on my tattoo?

A. We cannot endorse or recommend any other product including A&D ointment. Most ointments are oil-based which will serve as barrier on your new tattoo. Please remember while healing your new tattoo, that it is an open wound. One of the worst things you could do while healing your tattoo is to put unnecessary products (ointment, plastic, etc) on it that prevent your new tattoo from getting air. Your new tattoo needs to breathe. Whereas A&D ointment (and other products) may help with the symptoms of your new tattoo such as dryness, redness, etc., it does not contribute directly to the healing process. In fact, oil based products such as A&D ointment can make your tattoo heal slower. 

 

Q. Should I bandage my tattoo in saran wrap for three days?

A. Definitely not. All fresh tattoos need to be bandaged immediately after the tattoo process in order to soak up the bodily fluids (blood and plasma). Plastic does not soak up anything. Plastic wrap is used in occlusive bandaging procedures which are associated with severe burns. This process is done under nurse surveillance and is not appropriate for tattoos. The plastic wrap prevents your tattoo from getting air and traps in the heat. It also does not prevent blood borne exposure. Plastic wrap does not prevent bad bacteria from invading. You wouldn’t smother your face in plastic, so please do not smother your tattoo in plastic either. Additionally, you should not re-bandage or cover your tattoo during the healing process.