How do I make an appointment?

I do all of my booking through email. Please see the “Appointments” tab at the top of the screen for further instructions on how to book. Once you have emailed me, I will get back to you within 3-4 business days with my pricing estimate and my booking information. I do use a scheduling app called Timely, which I will link to you in my response. I require a deposit in order to lock down an appointment.

What is your policy regarding my deposit?

I require a $100 nonrefundable deposit that will go toward the total amount of the tattoo (via Venmo @chateff). You may reschedule up to 48 hours before your appointment without forfeiting your deposit, but if you need to cancel completely at any time, your deposit will be forfeited. I allow two reschedules of your approved appointment before you’ll need to put down another deposit to keep it on the calendar. You can use your deposit at any time, or you are welcome to roll it over to a future appointment. Deposits cannot be transferred from one person to another. Please note that once you have left a deposit for a specific design, you are locking in that specific design that we agreed upon. If you’d like to change your design completely, you will need to send an additional deposit and make an additional request. This does not apply to minor changes made on the day of to the agreed upon concept.

What do I bring to my appointment?

You’re welcome to bring snacks and some water to your appointment. Keeping your blood sugar up before, during, and after the tattoo is crucial. If you feel light headed, woozy or strange during your appointment, please tell me! This likely means your blood sugar has dropped and you need a break, which I’m happy to provide. We do have some small candies at the shop just in case you need it.

You are welcome to bring one support person to sit near you during your appointment, but we typically keep a small distance between them and the tattoo area to avoid any possible cross contamination. 

You’re welcome to bring whatever items make you comfortable during your tattoo. We will provide a pillow for you if your tattoo allows for you to lay down. 

When will I see my design?

I do not show the design of the tattoo before the day of your appointment. I will show you the design I’ve drawn for you at the time of your appointment, and ask you any feedback you have for me in person. If you’d like any changes made, I’m happy to make any changes in the moment and change whatever we need before moving forward with the tattoo. If you’d like something changed in the design of your tattoo, please don’t hesitate to let me know. It’s best to tell me all of the changes you want at the same time so that we save some time when I’m going back to the drawing board. 

Please let me know in advance if you have any specific request for color, shading, stylistic choices, etc. Otherwise I’ll assume that you trust me with creative freedom based on my previous work. 

What kind of payment do you accept?

Cash is preferred. I also take Venmo and Zelle. I do not take cards of any kind. There is an ATM in the lobby of our shop, which has a $3 fee per transaction.

You can use your deposit at the time of your appointment, or if your tattoo takes more than one session, you’re welcome to roll over the deposit to the next session. The only way to hold an appointment on the books requires a deposit. 

How do I prepare for my appointment?

Hygiene is extremely important on the day of your appointment. Please come to your appointment showered and clean. It’s normal to sweat during your tattoo, so starting the day fresh is greatly appreciated. 

Please dress accordingly based on the location of your tattoo. If your tattoo requires a part of your body to be exposed, please plan for that in advance (i.e. bringing shorts to change into, wearing sandals for a foot tattoo, bringing a button down shirt to wear backwards for a back tattoo or sternum/chest tattoo, etc.) Please also avoid wearing clothes that you want to keep perfectly clean. Ink tends to have a mind of its own and end up on our clothing, so wearing a perfectly new white shirt is not recommended. Same goes for shoes - if you don’t want ink on it, please do not wear it in the shop. I do have pasties at the shop if the placement of your tattoo requires them.

If you are getting a back tattoo, I recommend bringing a button up shirt or flannel that you can turn around and use with the back open but front covered.

What is standard tattoo etiquette?

You’re free to chat with me during your tattoo, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, please don’t feel obligated! I understand that tattoos hurt, and that sometimes means not talking. 

Your only job during the tattoo is to stay still. If you move during the tattoo, including other parts of your body that aren’t getting tattooed, it can make my job extremely challenging. This includes movements to use your phone. Please be mindful throughout the tattoo process to ensure quality work.

We do not allow children or animals in the shop due to health code violations.

We kindly ask that you and anyone with you not take phone calls in the shop unless it’s an emergency. We also ask that everyone in the shop be respectful of the artists who are concentrating by keeping conversations to a reasonable volume.

Will it hurt?

Yes. Preparing for the tattoo in advance by getting a good night of sleep, avoiding alcohol 24-48 hours before the appointemnt, staying hydrated, eating before the appointment and during if need be will help with pain management. During the tattoo, it’s important to do your best to relax as much as you can to also combat the pain. If you need to listen to music or watch something on your phone while getting tattooed, that’s perfectly fine! Do what you need to in order to feel comfortable. You’re welcome to ask for a break whenever you need one. Please be open about how your body is feeling to avoid pushing it too hard.

What is the parking situation near the shop?

There is no designated parking at the shop. I recommend street parking, just keep an eye out for 2 hour limits and metered parking. There is typically unlimited street parking on the side streets further from El Cajon Blvd. 

The parking lot to the immediate left of the shop is NOT ours and is for customers of the restaurant only. They are oddly strict about our clients parking there! The closest parking lot you can park in the 7/11 lot, but be aware that this lot can get really busy.

How do I care for my tattoo?

Disposable wrap (plastic wrap/dry-lock pad)

Leave the wrap on for 1-3 hours or until you are able to unwrap it in a clean environment. When you’re ready to take the bandage off, throughly wash your hands. Carefully unwrap the plastic wrap and dry-lock pad (if applicable) and throw them directly into the trash. Do your best not to touch anything with the wrapping. Wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap, preferably unscented. Once the tattoo is clean, either let air dry or use a clean paper towel by gently laying the paper towel on the tattoo (do not rub or move the paper towel, just let it absorb any excess water). I recommend letting the tattoo breath for the first day/night by not putting anything on it after this cleaning process.

On day 2, wash the tattoo again with clean hands, and then apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the skin. I recommend an unscented, basic lotion. I do not recommend Aquafor or other vaseline unless you have extremely dry skin. If possible, do not put clothing over the tattoo. If you wear clothes over the tattoo, make sure they are clean and loose fitting. Continue the wash and lotion process for the first 3-4 days. Once your tattoo starts to scab and itch, you’re welcome to apply the lotion up to twice a day. After the peeling process (which can take up to 5-7 days total), moisturize your skin once a day until the tattoo settles into the skin. Full healing time can vary from 3-6 weeks. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Saniderm

Leave the bandage on for minimum 24 hours, max 3-5 days. It will fill with dark fluid, which is expected. Do not touch the fluid or the bandage while it is on as it is at risk of leaking. If possible, do not wear clothing over the bandaged area. If you do wear clothing over the area, make sure it is clean and loose fitting. Once you are ready to take the bandage off, I recommend doing so in the shower as warm water can help loosen the adhesive. Take the bandage off slowly as the skin will likely still be tender. If you experience pain during the removal, try pulling it in different directions (i.e. perpendicular to the body, in the same direction as you’re pulling it, in the opposite direction, etc) to find the method that works best for you. Put the bandage directly into the trash and avoid touching it to other surfaces. Thoroughly clean the tattoo area with clean hands with unscented antibacterial soap. You can either let the tattoo air dry, or take a clean paper towel and dab the area dry (Note: I do not recommend using a towel to dry the area). Once dry, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion to the tattoo. Continue moisturizing once a day until the tattoo settles into the skin. Full healing time can vary from 3-6 weeks.

If the fluid in the bandage leaks, make your way to a clean bathroom if possible or use a clean paper towel to absorb any liquid. Over a sink or into the paper towel, do your best to push out the fluid through the break in the seal of the bandage. Once the fluid is gone, do your best to re-seal the bandage. If you are unable to seal it back, you will need to remove the bandage. See the above paragraph on how to remove the Saniderm. If you are able to seal it, continue with the above instructions.

If you experience any signs of allergic reaction to the bandage, you must remove the bandage immediately. Allergic reaction signs include redness, itchiness or blisters under or around the bandage. Follow the above instructions on how to remove the bandage. Once removed, I recommend using rubbing alcohol on a clean paper towel to use on the skin around the tattoo in order to remove any of the adhesive residue (do NOT use the alcohol on the tattoo itself). Thoroughly clean the tattoo with an unscented, antibacterial soap. If you have an allergic reaction, please contact me as soon as possible so that I can walk you through further instructions.