︎ Frequenty Asked Questions ︎
I work at a collective studio called Junk Mail Tattoo, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn close to the Morgan L train stop and the B60 bus. Our building has an elevator for accessibility.
PRE-TATTOO PREP:
For the best results, exfoliating the area to be tattooed and moisturizing for a week beforehand is reccommended. But no exfoliation or heavy moisturizers on the actual day of tattooing! Please arrive well fed and hydrated, with no sunburn and sober. Drinking before or after a tattoo is not reccommended due to thinning of the blood leading to excess scabbing.
DEPOSIT / PRICING:
I ask for a $50 deposit paid before the appointment, which is deducted from your total at the end of your appointment. I have a $100 minumum. Smaller tattoos typically range between $180-250, and larger tattoos ranges from $300-500. The complexity of the image and time it takes to tattoo are all factors in the pricing, so I’m happy to give a quote beforehand and can offer a sliding scale range at the time of payment if that is preferable. I always ask for a budget cap in my booking forms, and will inform you beforehand if what you’re looking to get is not possible within your budget. In general my intention is to be as budget friendly as possible, so don’t be shy about stating your limit and I will try to accommodate with no questions asked!
GUEST POLICY:
I prefer clients to not bring guests, since I find it very hard to keep focus between multiple people while working, but if you have an accesibility or medical reason to bring someone along, please let me know. The area we’re located in has lots of cute cafes and restaraunts, as well as small shops if you are traveling with someone and they need somewhere to go during your appointment!
REPRODUCTIONS:
I do not replicate the work of living artists without explicit permission, (like buying a tattoo ticket if an artist offers them) and still reserve the right to decline a reproduction if it doesn’t fit my style or skill.
I am happy to do reproductions of old illustations or paintings if they fit into my style or you allow me to draw the image with my own spin.
ALLERGENS / VEGAN PROCEDURE:
The inks and supplies I use do not contain animal products. I use Dynamic Black, and Eternal, Solid, and Intenze pigments for color. I use nitrile gloves and sometimes vinyl for setup off-skin. I use A&D ointment and medical soap with trace amounts of diluted lavender oil, as well as Bactine antibacterial spray with 5% lidocaine. The brand of second-skin bandage I use most often is by the brand Sorry Mom. If you have an allergy to second-skin bandages we can wrap your tattoo with plastic wrap and secure it with medical tape.
AFTERCARE:
I reccommend leaving your second skin bandage on for 2-3 days, and then removing it by pulling gently parallel to the skin. Running the edge under lukewarm water in the shower can help release the adhesive. If the bandage comes loose or leaks before 2-3 days are up, remove it early. Wash the tattoo with gentle unscented soap (I reccomend Dial or Dr. Bronners) and pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a tiny amount of A&D Ointment or Aquaphor to the tattoo and rub it all the way in. Continue this routine once daily for 2.5 weeks, and then switch the ointment for unscented lotion. Keep the fresh tattoo completely out of the sun or standing water for 3-4 weeks. Once fully healed, use sunscreen whenever the tattoo isn’t covered by clothing! The more you protect your tattoo from sun damage and keep your skin moisturized, the longer it will look bright and fresh over the coming years!
TOUCH UPS / COLOR INK TESTS:
I always do free touch ups on my own work, and color tests to see how certain shades will interact with your skin tone are always free, just email me to book in! Touch ups must be done on fully healed tattoos.
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