FAQ

Questions About The Studio / Artist

  • Not exactly. You and a small group of friends can come to the studio and all get tattooed on the same day, but my insurance policy does not cover any tattoos done outside of the studio. (Aka, I do not do any “house calls”.)

    Keep in mind I’m just one person, so I can only handle around 7hrs of tattooing in one day at the max! This means no more than 7 people, possibly 8 if the designs are small.

    You and your friends are more than welcome to bring food into the studio during your time here, but all food must be kept in the lobby. No food is allowed in the tattoo chair.

  • Small projects are priced at a flat rate, and large projects are priced by the hour.

    I charge $125 per hour, with a shop minimum of $100. Please inquire for more information!

  • Short answer, no. I’ve only been tattooing since 2020 and do not feel comfortable taking on an apprentice this early on in my career. Ask me again in 10 years!

  • I am located at 140 Somonauk St, Suite 102, in Sycamore IL, USA. Please put the “DNA Holistic Center” into your GPS and it’s in the same building! There are parking meters directly outside (free after 5pm) and there is a free parking lot directly across the street.

    It is important to note that it is not a street shop, so I do not take walk-ins. It’s likely that if you don’t have an appointment, I won’t be there!

  • Absolutely! There is room for one extra person over the age of 18 to join you. They may be bored; please have them bring something to do or encourage them to chat with you during your session.

    Parents, this goes without saying, but please do not bring your children with to your appointment! As a fellow parent, it’s difficult to focus if there’s a possibility of your child getting into things they shouldn’t.

  • Sometimes, yes! All coverups are looked at on a case by case basis. However, ALL coverup consultations must be made in person!

    Some coverups may need a session or two of laser removal in order to get the desired finished product you are looking for. If you are interested in getting a tattoo lasered off, please visit Nikki Dean at Reverse Hex Laser Removal in Warrenville (inside of Sapphire Studios). Nikki has done a few laser removal sessions for me personally and is also a fellow Sycamore mama!

Questions About Prepping For Your Tattoo Appointment

  • It does hurt! The initial feeling of getting tattooed has been described as getting scratched by a cat or getting stung by a bee.

    Everyone does have a different pain threshold - so if you are hurting and can’t sit for your long tattoo anymore, we can always stop the session and come back to it another day.

  • 24hrs prior to your appointment, please avoid taking any blood thinners or drinking any alcohol.

    Gently exfoliate the area the night before, but please do not shave! I will take care of that on the day of your appt. (Gents - if you are getting tattooed on your chest/back and it’s hairy, please trim it down!)

    Drink plenty of water the day before and day of.

    You MUST eat before your appointment. Snacks are fine - a meal is better. Iced coffee is not enough!

    You can NOT get tattooed while on antibiotics. If you end up having to take one, we will have to reschedule. Your body will push out the ink while it is healing.

    You can NOT get tattooed while on acutane (or any other medication that will make your skin photosensitive.) Please wait a minimum of six months to get tattooed after using acutane.

    If you have an active sunburn in the area that is being tattooed, we will have to reschedule. So sorry!

  • I am located at 140 Somonauk St, Suite 102, in Sycamore IL, USA. Please put the “DNA Holistic Center” into your GPS and it’s in the same building! There are parking meters directly outside (free after 5pm) and there is a free parking lot directly across the street.

    It is important to note that it is not a street shop, so I do not take walk-ins. It’s likely that if you don’t have an appointment, I won’t be there!

  • Please ask before your appointment if you can use numbing cream. It’s heavily unregulated and can cause changes in your skin’s texture, in addition to rashes. (Certain brands have dangerous levels of lidocaine that can cause lidocaine poisoning.)

    I no longer sell any in the studio.

    If you do confirm with me that you can use numbing cream, it’s extremely important to follow the application instructions word for word; otherwise it will not work. If you decide not to use numbing cream but you would like some relief from the pain halfway through your tattoo, we can use some lidocaine spray (bactine) to take the edge off.

    If you arrive to the studio with numbing cream on without having gotten confirmation beforehand, I do reserve the right to cancel your appointment. Unfortunately I cannot trust that your tattoo will heal well with an unknown brand.

  • Yes, on occasion! If your project is small enough or if you are driving from a long distance, please inquire for a virtual meeting!

  • Please wear clean clothing that leaves your skin accessible! Here are some guidelines;

    If you are getting a shoulder tattoo - please wear a strapless shirt.

    If you are getting a tattoo on your back, please bring a button-up flannel or zip-up hoodie so you can wear it backwards while I’m tattooing. That way you’re still warm on your arms!

    If you are getting a tattoo on your foot, please wear clean shoes and socks to your appointment - we’ll take them off when you get here.

    If you’re looking for a tattoo on your buttcheek, please wear a comfortable thong or cheeky bikini bottom.

    If you’re looking for a tattoo on your panty line, please wear a bikini bottom that has ties/ribbons on the side.

    If you are getting a ribcage tattoo, please avoid wearing a bra with an underwire (bralette is ideal). If you are comfortable, it’s best if you don’t wear one at all!

    If you are getting an underboob/lower sternum piece, I do provide pasties (nipple covers). You can wear a zip-down hoodie or a button-up shirt to keep your arms warm.

    My studio is private and appointment only, so you will never have to worry about anyone intruding on your session!

Questions About Studio / Artist Policies

  • Please reach out ASAP if you’ve changed your mind on the design! We most likely will have to meet again for a new consultation and will have to reschedule the tattoo date. A new deposit will be required if I’ve already drawn the design we had originally discussed.

  • Yes and yes! I have my bloodborne pathogens certification and have a liability insurance policy on my workstation. If you visit the studio, you’ll see the Body Art License from the city of Sycamore hanging on the wall. Please message me if you have any questions!

  • Everyone who books an appointment with me has to leave a $50 deposit. There are unfortunately no exceptions!

    All deposits must be left via a credit or debit card. They can be paid in person at the studio, or over email through invoice (via “Square”).

    The deposit will be forefeit if the appointment is cancelled with less than 48hr notice, or if a person no-call-no-shows. If you have already viewed the artwork for the appointment, the deposit is nonrefundable - this ensures I am compensated for the time spent drawing!

    You are allowed one reschedule per deposit. The $50 deposit does count toward the final session of the tattoo if it is a multiple-session project.

    If you need to reschedule but don’t immediately get back to me with a reschedule date, I will hold your deposit for six months before it expires.

    Deposits are non-transferable.

    I reserve the right to cancel any appointment without refunding a deposit if a person is being threatening, inappropriate or otherwise aggressive in their messages.

  • Yes- most of the time! As long as you provide receipts of the original artist granting you permission, I’d be happy to do it. Sometimes some designs need to be simplified in order to be turned into a tattooable design - please be open to minor changes if this is the case!

    As for not having permission to use a design for a tattoo - you can bring in a photo of someone else’s tattoo for inspiration, but I will not copy/trace the design. (Minor exceptions are to be expected, like semicolons or infinity signs.) Part of my job is creating something completely unique & just for you!

  • I do! I’m much more comfortable including you in my design process, since it’s a permanent addition to your body.

    Typically one to two days prior to your appointment, I’ll send a sketch of the design. If any minor changes need to be made, then they would be made before you come in! That way when you are in the studio, we can get started tattooing as soon as possible.

    It is important to note that as soon as I send the initial sketch for approval, your deposit cannot be refunded. This is to ensure that I am compensated for the time spent drawing your design.

  • Of course! Please list in your waiver any and all allergies that you may have and I will accommodate them.

    Main allergies to be aware of during your procedure would be nickel, latex, or adhesive.

    As for aftercare, please let me know if you have an allergy to melons or coconut. These are both present in Hustle Butter.

    If there is something you are allergic to that I have not listed above, please message me!

If you still have questions & don’t see them answered, feel free to send a message to me by using the form below!

Book Your Next Tattoo!

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