FAQ
What are your rates?
Rates vary by artist. While most of our artists calculate cost based on an hourly rate between $160-$300, some will occasionally price by the piece. If you’re not sure about cost, it’s always a good idea to clarify pricing or ask your artist for a ballpark price quote in advance.
Wondering how the average tattoo artist determines their pay scale? Hourly rates are usually based on the quality of their works, referrals received, years of experience, and location.
Factors like size of the tattoo, number of sessions, color, amount of detail, and placement could also factor into the cost of your tattoo.
Do you have a shop minimum?
You can expect to pay at least $100 cash for your tattoo at our studio.
Are you cash only?
Cash is king! Payment methods such as Square, Venmo, or Paypal are only accepted at the artists’ discretion. Some artists are "cash only”, so please check in about preferred method of payment ahead of time.
We accept credit card payments for merchandise such as t-shirts, sticker packs, and prints.
I’ve never booked a tattoo appointment before. In general, how does it work?
Awesome! Welcome to the world of tattoos! We’re happy to be your guide.
Every artist and every studio is different. At our shop artists are booked out anywhere from 3 days to 3 months. If you’re interested in working with a specific artist, or if you want to secure a spot on a certain date or day of the week, it’s best to book ahead of time in order to guarantee your appointment date and time.
Some artists are available for “walk-in” appointments, but only if they have cancellations or last-minute openings in their schedule.
We prefer that first time clients book your appointments in person. This way you’ll be able to get a feel for the shop and you’ll be familiar with our location ahead of time.
In order to book you’ll need your ID, a cash deposit of between $40-100 depending on the artist, as well as photo reference for design if possible.
Before you stop by, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with our artists. You can do this by checking out our artist portfolios under the Artist page, or by following our social media pages. Most of our artists have years of experience and can tattoo just about anything, however each of them have unique drawing and tattooing styles. As all of our artists have different schedules and rates, it can be helpful to have an idea of who you might want to work with before you request an appointment.
If your priority has more to do with timing (i.e. if you’re only available on certain days of the week, visiting from out of town, have a last minute appointment request, etc.) we can look at artist schedules and determine who might be the best fit for you based on immediate availability.
If you’re an out of town client, or if your schedule won’t allow you to stop by the shop easily, just give us a call and we’ll do our best to consult and book your appointment over the phone or via email.
Preparation, drawing, and design will most likely happen the week or day of your appointment. Some other shops or artists may be able to provide you with a tattoo sketch far in advance, however most of our artists will not provide one until the day of the appointment. If any adjustments need to be made, they can be done on the spot. If you expect a drawing in advance, please check with your artist to be absolutely sure that they can accommodate you.
We look forward to working with you!
Do I need to set up a consultation ahead of time?
Not necessarily. We have a small staff of shop helpers that are trained in the consultation process, and can easily help you book your appointment without meeting with the artist first.
If you would like to meet and sit down with your artist ahead of time, it may be a good idea to book a consultation. Some artists require set consultation times, and some are more flexible and will take a break from tattooing to speak with potential clients without an appointment. If you know which artists you’re interested in talking to it’s best to call ahead to see what they prefer.
Is Corey still tattooing, and how do I book with him?
Yes! Corey is still tattooing at least 3 days a week (Tues-Thurs) and sometimes up to 5 days a week depending on the time of year, etc.
To find out information about the booking process, please visit our page on Booking with Corey, or call the shop during office hours, Tues-Thursday 12-7pm, to speak with his assistant, Sarah.
Why do I need to leave a deposit, and why is my deposit non-refundable?
Most people are more than happy to leave a deposit, however some folks have questions about how it works and why we require one.
When you book an appointment, your artist blocks out part of their day just for you. They are relying on you to show up at the agreed upon time so that they can make an awesome tattoo for you, and earn their livelihood for the day.
We find that requiring a deposit to book helps people be more accountable to show up for their appointments.
Leaving a deposit is a sign of good faith. It demonstrates to the artist that you are serious about your tattoo, and that you take their time seriously and are willing to account for their loss of livelihood if you do not show up, or if you cancel at the last minute.
In the best-case scenario you’ll make it to your appointment, get a great tattoo, and the deposit that you leave will go toward your tattoo cost. It will almost be as if the money never left your wallet in the first place...
Do you accept walk-in appointments?
Yes! We love taking walk-in appointments when we have the availability to do so. Most of our artists are consistently booked out between 3 days and 3 months, however we have last minute openings and cancellations all the time.
If you’re curious about a walk-in, just stop by! We’re open every week, Monday- Saturday between 12-9pm.
If you’d like to be added to an artist’s last-minute cancellation list, please inquire with our shop helper.
What does a tattoo feel like, and will it hurt?
Each individual experiences pain and physical sensation differently, and at different levels. Some people describe the sensation as feeling electric, or like a cat scratch; some might experience a slight touch of stinging or burning, or intense vibration.
In order to make a permanent mark on your skin, “ a tattoo artist uses a handheld machine that has a needle affixed to it. The artist dips the needle in the ink, turns on the motor that moves the needle, and applies the moving needle to the skin. The sharp needle pricks the skin quickly and repeatedly, dragging the ink clinging to it down into the dermis”. (businessinsider.com)
The reality is that some tattoos hurt, and some tattoos hurt slightly more. There’s no rule of thumb, no better, worse, less, or more painful pace to get tattooed. It all sucks!
The good news is, if getting a tattoo hurt that bad nobody would ever get them done. It’s worth it!
Here are a few great tips from inkedmag.com, from their article “8 Tips To Make Tattoos Hurt Less”:
Go in sober; drink lots of water; eat a full breakfast; get a good night sleep; take breaks as needed, but sparingly; Zen or zone out; have a casual conversation; ask your artist about a topical anesthetic.
How long do I have to wait after getting tattooed before I do things like exercise, spend time outdoors, swim, etc.?
The general rule is that you must wait 7-10 days before doing any outdoor activities like sports, sunbathing, hiking, gardening, and a full two weeks before swimming.
It’s usually safe to resume gym activity 2-3 days after being tattooed as long as you’re practicing cleanliness and using extra sanitary precautions. Please discuss your workout routine with your artist before returning to the gym.
If you play sports professionally or if working outdoors is part of your job, you should discuss this with your tattoo artist, so that they can be sure to give you the right information about keeping your tattoo clean and protected as you resume your necessary activities.
You should not submerge your fresh tattoo inside of pools, Jacuzzis, lakes, streams, oceans, baths, or any other type of still, sitting water for the first 2 weeks. Your new tattoo is an open wound and should not be exposed to bacteria. The risk of bacterial contamination with sitting, still, and natural water is very high and therefore necessary to avoid during the healing process. Showers are ok, and encouraged!
You should also avoid contact with pets for the first 2 weeks after getting your new tattoo. Dogs and cats love to lick fresh tattoos, and their fur can cling to ooze, ointment, or lotion, potentially exposing you to bacteria that could lead to infection.
Your tattoo is going to heal out in stages. For each different stage of healing there are special ways that you can care for your tattoo that will ensure your personal health and safety, as well as give you a better looking tattoo.
Please refer to our Aftercare page for a detailed step-by-step breakdown of the tattoo after care process.
What is the healing / aftercare process like?
Please visit our Aftercare page for a full step-by-step breakdown of the healing and tattoo care process.
Is the tattoo studio a clean environment and how do you sterilize your equipment?
To eliminate the possibility of contamination, most tattoo materials including ink cups, gloves, and needles are single use. Many single use items arrive in sterile packaging, which the artist opens in front of the customer just before beginning their work.
Reusable materials such as the needle bar and tube are sterilized before every use. The only acceptable sterilization method is an autoclave – a heat/steam/pressure unit often used in hospitals. Most units run a 55-minute cycle from a cold start, and they kill every organism on the equipment.
(From health.howstuffworks.com)
At our studio we enforce strict codes of cleanliness and sterilization. All of our equipment is either single use, or goes through a medical grade sterilization process.
Making sure that our tattoo parlor is a clean, safe, and organized environment is our top priority.
How can I support the shop or my favorite artist?
Thanks for asking! ☺
The best way to support our shop or your favorite artist is by continuing to come back and get tattooed, and to refer your friends and family!
Six Feet Under Tattoo Parlor has been in business for 22 years, and has relied solely on word of mouth advertising to bring new clients through the door and build our client base. Any time you show off your tattoos or recommend our shop to a friend, it helps to keep us alive and thriving.
Because we’re living in the era of social media, it’s always awesome and appreciated when clients share photos of their tattoos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and give credit to the tattoo artist as well as tagging our shop.
You can always buy and sport some Six Feet Under merch, and many artists sell their own personal stickers, art prints, and t-shirts so be sure to ask what’s available.
We love our clients, and we don’t take it for granted that we wouldn’t be here without you.