TATTOO POLICIES
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- TO BOOK: I usually book one to two months at a time.
I am accepting custom tattoo requests, and also have pre-drawn designs available to choose from. You can see them on my Instagram page, @nikaurbanartwork. When sending an email inquiry, please be sure to include size, placement, and any other details in order to keep back-and-forth emailing at a minimum.
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- DEPOSITS: I require a deposit of $100 to secure a tattoo appointment. This goes towards the final cost of your tattoo. Deposits are handled by the front desk at Ironclad Tattoo Co., so once we discuss the date of the appointment, feel free to call the shop to put down the deposit. Deposits are non-refundable if you miss your appointment or cancel. They are also non-refundable if you have a last minute design change, within 2 days of the appointment. Email me in advance (48 hours or more) at nikaurbantattoo@gmail.com if you need to reschedule.
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- CONSULTATIONS: Again, depending on the project, I am available to meet at the shop for a short consultation. They can take a few minutes or up to 15 minutes. Many times it is easier to communicate the tattoo idea in person, and if you have other tattoos we are working around (or covering), it’s usually always a good idea for me to take a look at them. Please keep in mind that a consultation does not necessarily guarantee that a tattoo appointment will be made.
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- DRAWINGS FOR THE TATTOO DESIGN: I don't begin working on each tattoo design until the night before (or the day of) each appointment. Many times I like to freehand parts of the tattoo design into the body. Like most tattooers, I do not email drawings of the design ahead of time. Not only does this protect the security of my artwork, but it is also much easier to make any changes the day of your appointment. If there is a time constraint, we can always reschedule the appointment so the drawing isn’t rushed.
- THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT: *PLEASE* be on time for your appointment. Being even 10 minutes late can set back my whole day. If you are more than 15 minutes late and I have other appointments set up, then your appointment might have to be rescheduled with a new deposit. I would encourage you to show up early to begin filling out paperwork. I like to recommend for you bring earbuds for your session if you’d like. Make sure to sleep well and eat a full meal within 2 hours of coming in. Do not drink alcohol until AFTER your appointment (that is, if you want). Be sure to check your emails/messages before your appointment; I do not always confirm appointments, but there are times that I do in case any time slots change.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you change your mind about the design, please let me know at least 72 hours ahead of time, otherwise we would need to reschedule your appointment.
- PAYMENT/TIPPING: Cash/card is accepted at the front desk at Ironclad Tattoo Co.
It is customary practice to tip your tattooer for their services, like you would tip a restaurant, bartender, or nail salon. While there is no set "rule" for tipping, and anything is appreciated greatly - people most commonly tip between 10-20% for their tattoo session. "But getting tattooed is already expensive?" It is - but remember that out of your tattoo cost, your artist only makes about half that much after paying their shop fees, taxes, and supply costs!
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- RESCHEDULING: Please give me as much notice as possible if you must reschedule your appointment. Rescheduling within 72 hours (three days) of your appointment time, or rescheduling the same appointment two or more times, may result in the loss of your deposit depending on the circumstances. Please communicate with me to see if we can figure something out. If I need to reschedule - Please bear in mind that I am just one person working for myself, and sometimes need to reschedule appointments for personal reasons. I know this can be inconvenient or disappointing; understand that I feel the same way! In the event that I need to reschedule an appointment I will give as much notice as possible and fit you back into the schedule as soon as possible. I appreciate your understanding!
- LATE/NO SHOW: As I mentioned previously: if you arrive 15 or more minutes late to your appointment, I reserve the right to reschedule your time slot. If you no call/no show for a consultation, scheduling another consultation will require a deposit for your appointment. No call/no shows or same-day cancellations without fair reason on the day of your tattoo will result in forfeiture of your deposit. If you think you will run late, PLEASE CALL THE SHOP OR EMAIL TO LET ME KNOW! If you don't give me a heads up I may think you're not coming at all and leave for the day!
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- PRICE QUOTES/MINIMUMS/BUDGETS: Custom work runs $200 per hour for large scale work, or a flat rate depending on the project. I have a $300 minimum for palm-sized tattoos that take less than 2 hours. For something very small and involves only linework, it can be around $150-$200. There is no "average" or "standard" tattoo cost, so all quotes are given directly based on your tattoo and how long it takes to complete. So in order to give an accurate price quote, I need detailed information about the tattoo you have in mind - the approximate size, the style in mind, and the location on your body, and any reference photos you might have. Once I have a clearer concept of what you are looking to get, I will be able to give you a general time and price range. It is impossible to tell in advance exactly how much time and work your tattoo will take, so a final cost will be decided once we have completed your tattoo.
If you are working with a set budget, please let me know. If your proposed idea exceeds your budget, we can work together to scale back your idea to meet your budget. This usually means making the proposed idea smaller, or reducing the level of detail in the piece. Within reason, I am almost always able to make a compromise.
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- RESPECTFULLY DECLINED PROJECTS: It is at my discretion to decline projects that are not a good fit for me. This does NOT mean that I don't like your idea, or that it's not good - just that I don't feel that I am the right person for the project.
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- TOUCH UPS: Most touch-ups are free within one to two years of the tattoo, and must be scheduled in advance. If you would like to come in for a touch up, please email me directly at nikaurbantattoo@gmail.com with clear photos of your healed tattoo so I can decide if it truly does need to be touched up. If it's on an area where fading is much more likely to happen (such as fingers/hands), or on a coverup where touch ups are more likely needed, there would be a half-charge for the touch up. Any touch-ups scheduled after a year will incur a fee - typically the shop minimum will cover any touch-up work.