Frequently asked questions
What can I do to prepare for my tattoo appointment?
The best way to prepare for your session is to take the best physical care of yourself that you can! Get a solid eight hours of sleep, eat well, and stay hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment. Eat a meal (not just a snack!) before you come in, and bring a water bottle and snacks if your appointment is longer than a couple hours.
The best way to prepare for your session is to take the best physical care of yourself that you can! Get a solid eight hours of sleep, eat well, and stay hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment. Eat a meal (not just a snack!) before you come in, and bring a water bottle and snacks if your appointment is longer than a couple hours.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring your vaccine card (or a photo of it), your ID or passport, and cash! For your comfort, you may also want a water bottle and some snacks, especially for longer appointments. I recommend wearing loose, comfortable, layered clothing that allows easy access to the area we'll be tattooing.
Please bring your vaccine card (or a photo of it), your ID or passport, and cash! For your comfort, you may also want a water bottle and some snacks, especially for longer appointments. I recommend wearing loose, comfortable, layered clothing that allows easy access to the area we'll be tattooing.
Do I have to be vaccinated to get a tattoo?
I am currently requiring proof of vaccination; if you have a medical exemption you may select the "I need to discuss this with you further" option. Although Lilith Tattoo has put stringent measures in place to reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID, getting a tattoo is an unavoidably high-risk activity. I reserve the right to reschedule last minute if either of us is experiencing symptoms of COVID or another illness, and in most circumstances I am happy to transfer your deposit to a different date.
I am currently requiring proof of vaccination; if you have a medical exemption you may select the "I need to discuss this with you further" option. Although Lilith Tattoo has put stringent measures in place to reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID, getting a tattoo is an unavoidably high-risk activity. I reserve the right to reschedule last minute if either of us is experiencing symptoms of COVID or another illness, and in most circumstances I am happy to transfer your deposit to a different date.
What's the privacy situation in the shop?
Lilith is an open-plan space, and my station is close to the front windows of the shop. There is often conversation across the shop, and artists may come to check out each other's work. If you prefer a more secluded experience, we also have a private room that I may be able to reserve for your appointment. Please let me know you'd like this as early in the process as possible, so I can reserve the room.
Lilith is an open-plan space, and my station is close to the front windows of the shop. There is often conversation across the shop, and artists may come to check out each other's work. If you prefer a more secluded experience, we also have a private room that I may be able to reserve for your appointment. Please let me know you'd like this as early in the process as possible, so I can reserve the room.
What if I'm allergic to ____?
Please let me know about any allergies you have! Having a reaction to tattoo ink is unlikely but always possible. I will be able to tell you if your allergens are present in any of my supplies, and can likely find a safer substitute.
Please let me know about any allergies you have! Having a reaction to tattoo ink is unlikely but always possible. I will be able to tell you if your allergens are present in any of my supplies, and can likely find a safer substitute.
Are there any tattoos you won't do?
I will not tattoo any imagery that involves or includes hate speech or hate symbols. I also prefer not to tattoo cultural symbols or motifs on clients that don't belong to that culture. I also will not copy another tattoo artist's work, and will only VERY selectively tattoo a living (non-tattoo) artist's work.
I will not tattoo any imagery that involves or includes hate speech or hate symbols. I also prefer not to tattoo cultural symbols or motifs on clients that don't belong to that culture. I also will not copy another tattoo artist's work, and will only VERY selectively tattoo a living (non-tattoo) artist's work.
Are there any areas you won't tattoo?
There are plenty of regions on the body that I haven't tattooed yet, or have limited experience with. Currently, for example, I haven't yet tattooed feet, heads/scalps, faces, or genitals. I reserve the right to decline a placement if I don't feel confident I can execute the tattoo skillfully. If you are absolutely wedded to a particular body placement, let me know, and I can tell you my experience level with that area. I will always be transparent if I have limited experience with the body placement or any other facet of your tattoo idea.
There are plenty of regions on the body that I haven't tattooed yet, or have limited experience with. Currently, for example, I haven't yet tattooed feet, heads/scalps, faces, or genitals. I reserve the right to decline a placement if I don't feel confident I can execute the tattoo skillfully. If you are absolutely wedded to a particular body placement, let me know, and I can tell you my experience level with that area. I will always be transparent if I have limited experience with the body placement or any other facet of your tattoo idea.
I want a tattoo but I'm nervous about the pain. What can I do?
Anxiety is natural! Tattoo pain varies for everyone but by and large is manageable if you have taken good care of yourself in the days leading up to your appointment. If you're getting an exceptionally sensitive spot tattooed, we can discuss pre-numbing products you may wish to use before your appointment. Please check in with me before you decide to use numbing products, as it can affect the skin and has an impact on my technique.
Anxiety is natural! Tattoo pain varies for everyone but by and large is manageable if you have taken good care of yourself in the days leading up to your appointment. If you're getting an exceptionally sensitive spot tattooed, we can discuss pre-numbing products you may wish to use before your appointment. Please check in with me before you decide to use numbing products, as it can affect the skin and has an impact on my technique.
How long will my session take and how much will it cost?
This is of course entirely dependent on your particular project, placement, size, etc, but I will always give a rough estimate of how long it will take, and give you a cost estimate, when you send an inquiry. Please bear in mind that an estimate is just that; your tattoo may take more or less time than anticipated.
This is of course entirely dependent on your particular project, placement, size, etc, but I will always give a rough estimate of how long it will take, and give you a cost estimate, when you send an inquiry. Please bear in mind that an estimate is just that; your tattoo may take more or less time than anticipated.
Do you take deposits?
Yes: generally I charge a $50 deposit to reserve your appointment. Deposits are due within a day or two after your appointment is scheduled, and go towards the total cost of the tattoo. For custom or semi-custom work, I may instead charge a drawing fee, which will hold your appointment slot. Drawing fees are a separate charge, and are NOT deducted from the total cost.
Both deposits and drawing fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred in the event of a last-minute reschedule.
Yes: generally I charge a $50 deposit to reserve your appointment. Deposits are due within a day or two after your appointment is scheduled, and go towards the total cost of the tattoo. For custom or semi-custom work, I may instead charge a drawing fee, which will hold your appointment slot. Drawing fees are a separate charge, and are NOT deducted from the total cost.
Both deposits and drawing fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred in the event of a last-minute reschedule.
What are your cancellation/reschedule policies?
I always prefer that clients request to reschedule if they are not feeling well or aren't up to getting a tattoo, and especially in light of the pandemic, I don't want clients to feel they are being penalized for making a responsible choice! For this reason I do not charge cancellation or rescheduling fees at this time.
I always prefer that clients request to reschedule if they are not feeling well or aren't up to getting a tattoo, and especially in light of the pandemic, I don't want clients to feel they are being penalized for making a responsible choice! For this reason I do not charge cancellation or rescheduling fees at this time.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Deposits are generally paid via Venmo (although I do have other options), and cash is preferred for the remainder, although Venmo is an acceptable backup. I don't currently take debit or credit cards.
Deposits are generally paid via Venmo (although I do have other options), and cash is preferred for the remainder, although Venmo is an acceptable backup. I don't currently take debit or credit cards.
What's your hourly rate and what does that mean exactly?
My current hourly rate is $175. Most flash and one-off designs are priced by the piece, which means the design costs a flat fee (based on my hourly rate and my estimate of how long the design will take to complete). So a design I think will take about two hours will generally be priced at around $350, and that price will not change if the tattoo takes more or less than two hours. It sometimes makes more sense to charge my hourly rate rather than a flat fee, but this is greatly dependent on the project. I will always give you an estimate when you send an inquiry.
My current hourly rate is $175. Most flash and one-off designs are priced by the piece, which means the design costs a flat fee (based on my hourly rate and my estimate of how long the design will take to complete). So a design I think will take about two hours will generally be priced at around $350, and that price will not change if the tattoo takes more or less than two hours. It sometimes makes more sense to charge my hourly rate rather than a flat fee, but this is greatly dependent on the project. I will always give you an estimate when you send an inquiry.
Can I take breaks during our session?
Of course! We can always pause for water, snacks, or stretching.
Of course! We can always pause for water, snacks, or stretching.
What's the deal with tipping? Do you accept non-monetary tips?
Monetary tips are always appreciated! Non-monetary tips are very sweet too--my favorites have been vegan treats or snacks, little treasures or curios, and books or prints of scientific illustrations. None of this is required however!
Monetary tips are always appreciated! Non-monetary tips are very sweet too--my favorites have been vegan treats or snacks, little treasures or curios, and books or prints of scientific illustrations. None of this is required however!