Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process in getting tattooed by you?

When you have an idea of what you'd like to get tattooed please email me with your contact info, a description of the concept, where you'd like to get it done on your body, your budget, and attach any references you may have (please limit references to 1-5 photos, do not link to pinterest board because sometimes I can not open it). You can use the contact form to reach me or email me directly at: judeletronik@gmail.com. I will be in touch with you within a week (sorry for a wait time due to correspondence volume) to schedule a consultation either in person or on facetime/ phone if you are from out of town.

At the consultation we will talk about your ideas, price quote, look at any other references, answer any questions you may have, and figure out the appointment for your tattoo session/s. There is a $175 deposit for booking a tattoo session (this is non-refundable, is transferable with notice, and will go towards your tattoo).

As of end of 2018, I am only doing custom requests (priorities are given to fauna, mythological, and figurative themes) freehand. This means you will not see any preliminary drawings before the appointment. This is a process that requires a lot of trust, the design will be sketched on to your skin with surgical ink pen. Freehanding has allow me to create your concept and respond to your body in real time, which requires a lot of mindfulness. This way of working helps me keep my work fresh and the designs dynamic and flowing with the anatomical lines of your body.

For the tattoo appointment, please arrive on time. If you are a little bit late please email or give the shop a call, I understand that stuff happens but please let me know you are still coming and can plan the rest of the schedule for the day as needed to have sufficient time for your tattoo session and also other clients. If you are more than half an hour late without giving any notice you will lose some or all of your deposit (this pushes the schedule back and I usually have to call other clients to rearrange their appointment times). Vice versa, there will be times that my earlier appointments may run a bit later then scheduled, if this happens I will do my best to notify you promptly.

When you arrive you will sign a consent form, we will take a look at your anatomy and I will sketch the design on you with surgical pen. You will have a chance to take a look at the composition of the piece in the mirror and we will make any necessary changes before we begin!

What is your rate?

Appointment starting in June 2022 will be charged by project/ flat rate. I have made this shift from charging hourly ($200+tax) because I work a lot quicker than most artists, which is actually a benefit to you, shorter pain! More art!. Certain projects that would usually take other artists 5 hours sometimes I will be able to complete in 3, therefore shorting myself for the scale of work I am doing. This charge per project helps guarantee some financial certainty for both me and the client's. You will know exactly what you will be paying before each session. Sometimes I have clients get scared of my hourly because they expect something to take longer than it actually would. If your project is bigger in scale I will book you either for half day or full day.

Below is a relative breakdown of what to expect for certain project scales. Accurate quotes will be given via consultation.

- Small project, ex. up to roughly around hand size: $300 - $440 depending on complexity

- Medium project, ex. roughly forearm outer/ inner side, half chest, wrapping forearm size: $440-$660 depending on complexity/ density

- Medium project, ex. full outer bicep, outer calf, inner calf size: $600 - $880 depending on complexity/ density

- Large project one session, ex. full outer thigh, hip/ thigh, full side, full chest: $700 - $900 depending on complexity density

- Large on going project, multiple sessions: half day (up to 3 hours) $600+tax, full day (up to 6 hours) $1200+tax.

Above prices are all relative meant as guidelines. Everything depends on the complexity of your design, the size of the area we are working with. If you are a smaller person, your outer bicep piece may cost only $550 because it is roughly my forearm size :)

How long is the wait time to get tattooed?

There is about 1 - 2 months wait time to schedule a consultation with me and about 2-3 months wait time for a tattoo session scheduled from the day of the consultation. So the whole process is about 3 - 5 months. If you need multiple sessions for your tattoo I will book you on a 3 week or monthly interval (or however you would prefer) on the day of the consultation.

Can you fit me in sooner?

As much as I would love to work on you in prompt time, my schedule is set up in a way that I do not over schedule so that I can be the most attentive and in the best frame of focus/ health to put permanent art on your body.

Is it going to hurt?

A tattoo procedure involves opening your skin so yes. But instead of thinking of it like a bee sting or excruciating experience, thinking of it as someone (or your cat) scratching you. It's quite annoying and ouchy but totally not threatening. When it comes down to it, it depends on the person's pain tolerance, which part of your body you are getting tattooed, how long will you be sitting for, and also how well you've prepared yourself in coming to the tattoo session. Usually the first 10-15 minutes is the worst because your body is getting used to a new sensation. Then your endorphins will kick in and you will get more relaxed and used to it.

Can I bring a friend? My baby? My pets?

You are welcome to bring a friend or family to drop you off. If you do, make sure you bring a good moral support person, not someone that will make you anxious or will question your experience. However, unless they are also getting tattooed on the same day, they are not allowed to hang in the lounge. This is due to shop capacity. Sometimes we have 5 artists working at once and having 10 people is already a bit chaotic in the shop!

As much as babies are really cute, please do not bring your baby unless you have someone taking care of them the whole time. A tattoo studio is not a place for a baby to crawl around, picking things up and putting it in their mouth. We work on multiple bodies and are dealing with blood products, etc. each day.

No pets are allowed even though I would love to meet your cat, dog, ferret, etc. This is to keep the studio up to sanitation standards. Since we are breaking open your skin we can not have animal fur, dander, saliva, etc. drifting around in the space.

Am I suppose to tip my artist?

Since tattooing is a service based exchange (like massage, barber, etc.) it is common etiquette to tip your artist. It is not mandatory but greatly appreciated. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for your session beyond the hourly time you spend with your artist. This include drawing time, correspondences, researching time, etc. that your artist don't get paid for. Usually the appropriate tipping percentage is 10 - 20% just as any other service industry.

How do deposits work?

To make an appointment with me there is a deposit of $100. The deposit is applied to the cost of the tattoo on the day that it is completed unless there is a less than 72 hour cancellation or a no-show (unless an emergency).

Since it is a process of 2-5 months to get booked it’s very rare that someone doesn’t show up for an appointment or has to cancel at the last minute. When it does happen I have to take the deposit to cover my time and this is why:

- If there is a need to reschedule I would like to schedule someone else in that opening. If I only have a day or two to book it it’s usually not possible as most of my clients are busy professionals, students, and parents. Having at least three days to go through our waiting lists or contact clients gives us a little more time for planning.

- If the appointment opening isn’t booked due to lack of time or someone not showing up it leaves me with hours of time that should have been working time. Since tattooists only get paid when we are tattooing we lose out on any chance of income during that time. This can be a missed opportunity of anywhere from $200 of lost income to upwards of $800 (depending on our hourly rate and the percentage that we receive as pay out from the studio). As you can see, the deposit usually doesn’t cover all of the income we would have made that day but it helps a little.

- If the appointment is simply canceled and not rescheduled we need to get paid for the time we spent drawing the tattoo design and consulting in person or through email. Sometimes we spend a half hour - 5 hours designing because we trust that we will be paid for the drawing time when we do the tattoo. If the tattoo is never done then we have spent a lot of time drawing without any compensation.

- If I draw up a design for you and you decide to change the subject matter of the tattoo to something different than agreed in the consultation then the deposit will pay for their time doing the drawings for the original subject. I will then need a new deposit to go toward the new drawings and tattoo. Additionally, if there is more than minor adjustments made to the drawing I will need a new deposit so that I am compensated for my drawing time and you get exactly what you want tattooed. I will inform you of the additional charges according the the situation.

- What if you don’t like the drawing? This is very, very rare as most people choose their artist based on the style that they are already good at. If you check out my portfolio and enjoy my art, your tattoo will be quite similar and true to the style of my work. If it does happen, I can redraw up to three times before a new deposit is needed. If there is never an agreed on drawing then the artist needs to be compensated for the time they spent drawing and the time they spent consulting. If we decide that we are not on the same page after communicating and adjustments, I am happy to refer you to another artist in my studio or even at another studio. I value your vision and want you to get what you want. If I am not excited or the right person for you I will find someone who would be a good match for you.

- The deposit is transferable in the case of: emergencies, 72 hr notification for rescheduling, notification if you are sick on the day of the tattoo or prior. If you are sick, do not come in to the studio. Getting tattooed while you're sick shocks your immune system and adds another issue for your body to work on healing (this is important because it may lead to other more complicated health problems, ex. fainting, nausea, fever, seizures, etc). If you come in when you are sick, you are also spreading germs in a work space we work very very hard to keep clean and sterile for you, other clients, and the artists. When we get sick from our clients, we may have to reschedule up to 20 people that week (most of which has been waiting 3-5 months to come in for their appointments) which is no fun for anyone. Please give me a call at the shop or email me and I will work to get you in soonest as possible when you are well (usually I will come in on my day off for you). Your deposit will also be transferred to the rescheduled appointment.

- I will hold the deposit for up to one year in the case that you are cancelling (with notice) and don't know when you can get tattooed again.

Any kind of tattoos you won't do?

Yes, I reserve the right to refuse service to any designs. There are some great art pieces and drawings that will not work as a tattoo. They may be too small to heal well and remain consistent over the years, or if the design is not coherent as a tattoo. I will not tattoo images that are personally offensive to me. Anything racist, sexist, misogynist, classist, homophobic, etc. will not be accommodated in the studio. This extends to gang symbols and motorcycle club logos. I also will not design or tattoo culturally appropriated designs (ex. a native american headdress/ dream catchers on a non-native person, Maori tribal, Thai sakyan); unless the client is of the culture from which the designs are taken from, or if the design is drawn up by the artist of that particular culture with the permission for the client to get it tattooed. If you have a design that you think might be culturally appropriated please feel free to email me and we can discuss about it.

Is your process vegan friendly?

If you are vegan, please inform me at the consultation, I will make sure your process is 100% vegan friendly. All products at the studio are vegan except for a couple bottles of colored inks that the companies are unable to make vegan. If you are getting blackwork, all my black inks are vegan! Woo hoo!

How do I prepare for a tattoo?

So it's your first tattoo! Or it's been a while! Please read over the following information in preparation for your appointment. Following these tips will help prepare your body for the tattoo process. Usually I tell clients to treat their body a couple days before the tattoo appointment like they are going to prepare to run a marathon. Eat well and rest well before you appointment. Minor as it may be you are subjecting your body to trauma and pain for a certain amount of time.

Please eat a meal within two hours of your appointment

This is very important. Coffee or a smoothie doesn't count! We want you to feel good and energized while you are getting tattooed. Being hungry or having low blood sugar can cause light-headedness or fainting.

Do not drink alcohol or use drugs the day before and on the same day as your appointment.

It is against the law to tattoo anyone who is under the influence. This can also cause serious health risks for you (ex. fainting, dizziness, vomiting, anxiety, seizures). If you show up to the appointment hung-over, drunk, or under the influence, you will be asked to leave immediately and your deposit for the session will be forfeit.

If you are planning on bringing moral support please make sure they are supportive, and positive. There is a lounge in the studio but please don't bring an entourage!

Having friends with you is very comforting. Bring someone who can offer to get you water or snacks and bring positive, uplifting energy to the environment. Negative people or people who often dominate situations will not be helpful and may be asked to leave. We want this to be a great memory so the support person should contribute to that. Also the last thing we need is your friend or family member (person not getting tattooed) to nit-pick and micro-manage the process!

Bring some snacks and beverage if you are having an extended session. There is water, tea, and some bite size candies at the studio for emergency situations but be prepared! Maybe sucking on some caramel apple pops will help distract you in your 3rd hour!
Be clean and scent free

Cleanliness is important since we will be opening up skin and we want to prevent infections. It’s also important for everyone’s comfort. Please be freshly showered, wear clean clothes, deodorant and refrain from scents like perfume. I am sensitive to certain scents so perfume and cologne can cause headaches.

Don’t forget your ID!

We need legal, state, federal or military issued identification to do your tattoo no mater what age you look. It’s state law.

Touching and clothing

Your artist will be touching the area that is being tattooed and the surrounding area. Please wear clothing that is easy to remove in that area. Tattoo pigment can get on clothing so please wear something that is dark or that you don’t mind potentially getting stained. We ask that any private areas remain covered unless that is the direct area being tattooed. If there are any area of your body that you are not comfortable or is sensitive to the artist touching please inform the artist before the tattooing process begins.

It is very important that you do not touch your tattoo artist at any time unless it is directly consented to by the artist.

Professionalism

We don’t have outside relationships with clients and ask that clients remain respectful of that. It is greatly appreciated.

Emotions

Sometimes tattoos can bring up very unexpected emotions. Think about what your plan will be if you start to feel sad, angry or other feelings. Please feel free to ask us if you need something like a tissue, some water, or if you need distracting conversation or to stop talking all together. If you need to zone out to netflix on your phone please do what ever it is you need to do to feel comfortable. Everyone handles emotions differently so making a plan is a great way to avoid being surprised by them.

I look forward to working with you and making your tattoo experience safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Please email me if you have any other questions :)

What happens if I got sick on day of appointment?

If you are sick. Please don't get tattooed when you are sick.

I know you’ve had your appointment for months and you may feel better today but there are many reasons to not get tattooed when you’re sick.

When you’re sick your body is trying to fight a virus and you need your body at it’s best to fight this off. If it’s trying to heal your tattoo, which is a wound, at the same time then it’s going to take forever for you to heal your tattoo and to get better from your cold. Your pain tolerance will also be lower as your body is distracted by the cold or flu and already working to try to help you feel better so that great endorphin rush that we all wait for to bail us out of the tattoo pain has already been running for however long you’ve been sick, therefore it’s not going to kick in as usual. So, pretty much your tattoo experience will probably not feel so great. In extreme cases this may even trigger fainting or seizures.

In being sick and leaving your house, you are now spreading cold or flu viruses in the tattoo studio. Multiple people every day are having their skin opened up in the studio. The skin is the number one defense against viruses like cold and flu. So now for the next few days everyone who gets tattooed will have a great potential of getting sick themselves. I will also be sitting very close to you for at least ten minutes to five hours breathing the same air as you so I'm pretty much guaranteed to get sick. If you did wait for months to get the tattoo that also means that your tattoo artist is booked for months. Taking a few sick days for me when being booked for months means I will be coming in to work on my days off since it means rescheduling around an average of 5-7 clients per day (consultations and tattoos). And all the people who had to be rescheduled had been waiting for their appointment for months as well.

It’s not really fair to anyone (yourself included) to get tattooed when they are sick. Please just notify me via email or phone. I really don’t mind getting as I don’t want to get sick myself. Your deposit (in most cases, because a hangover is not being sick) will be transferred to your rescheduled appointment. The studio needs to maintain a clean and healthy environment for everybody that comes into the space. Please do your part to help me attain this goal.

How do I take care of my tattoo?

Leave your bandage on for at least 24 hours, you can leave it for up to 4 days if you'd like (helps your tattoo to heal flatter without making a scab). If you have regular bandage (not second-skin), take it off after 12-24 hours.
Take your second-skin bandage off under warm shower or rinse. Pull the bandage by the corner the direction the corner is pointing, this loosens the bandage so you can peel it easier. Peel the bandage off slowly, using mild soap if needed to help with the adhesive.
Wash your tattoo with your hand thoroughly to get all the excess ink/ gunk off. Don't scrub (ouch! it will damage the tattoo)
Pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel or clean soft towel. Be gentle but get all the water off.
Let your tattoo air dry for a day or two.
Wash it twice a day or when your sweat.
After a couple days you may feel the tattoo getting dry and "scabbing" like a sun-burn.
You can ease the itch and help the healing process by moisturizing. Coconut oil, non-scented lotion is good. Make sure your hands are clean and the tattoo is clean before applying. Just a little goes a long way, just a thin layer, do not overdo it. If you are unsure air on the side of less. Your tattoo will heal with or without the moisturizing. But if you glob things on it can attract dust, dirt, etc, because it's taking too long to absorb into your skin.
As the tattoo is peeling, let it do its thing, don't pick at it (this can pull the ink off). Don't let your pets, or humans touch or lick it!!
Wear looser clothing over the area that just got tattooed. This will help protect it and at the same time provide airflow so your tattoo won't suffocate while healing.
Your tattoo should be healed anywhere from 10-14 days. Big color or black-fill work may take just a tad longer.
Any doubts, email your artist! Don't look up stuff online and play the guessing game.

Are there health risks?

Lilith Tattoo is blood borne pathogen certified studio. All my needle cartridges are new and sterilized, only used once, and then disposed of in a sharps container. All reusable items that do not enter the skin and are either covered in plastic and then either sterilized or disposed of. The studio is the safest possible environment to get tattooed at.

That being said, there are always health risk with tattoo procedure. When you have an open wound there is always a chance of infection. Being diligent about cleanliness and aftercare will greatly benefit you.

Are there any medical/ physical conditions that will prevent me from getting tattooed?

Yes. I have to consider the most extreme possibilities when deciding to tattoo someone or not for everyone’s safety. There is always a chance of infection any time the skin is opened. Because of this the studio have policies to not tattoo people who are pregnant, breast feeding, have severe acne on the intended tattoo site, have heart conditions or are hemophiliacs.

Can you tattoo over scars?

This depends on if the scar is still healing. If it is, then it’s a good idea to wait until it is healed. Scars can take a long time to heal if they are deep (healing can take anywhere between 6 months to 3 years). Tattoos should not change the texture of the skin so covering up a scar with a tattoo doesn’t mean you won’t still see it. The only way to know for sure is to set up a consultation appointment and let me take a look at your scar. I should be able to tell you at that point if it’s a good idea or not.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I know you’ve had your appointment for months and you may feel better today but there are many reasons to not get tattooed when you’re sick.