Setting Up & What To Expect From Your Tattoo Consultation

Hello everyone!  So today I would like to talk about setting up a tattoo consultation, what to expect from your artist, what to bring to your appointment and a few things NOT to say to your artist. What To Bring To Your Consultation I always recommend bringing: Photo references Approximate size in inches and location that you are wanting the piece Color vs black and gray Style for the piece Know a max budget or budget range you are willing to pay for the piece, including a drawing fee if the artist charges one What To Expect From Your Artist First and foremost, I like to ask where the client heard about us – I like to know why they chose me I like to always ask a lot of questions What is the meaning of the tattoo? I usually feel the skin, especially if there is scarring or damage to the area I ask how long of session the client is used to sitting for I always ask the previous questions Is There A Charge For A Consultation? At Pinups & Needles, we do not charge for a consultation but if you decide to book with us, then there will be a deposit required to book each appointment needed to complete the piece. If you decide to book with us, then we will offer you dates that are 2 weeks or more in between sessions to ensure proper healing.  I give an approximate number of sessions based on budget, pain tolerance, etc to meet the client’s needs.  Example: If I think the tattoo will take around 20-30 hours, then I will ask the client what their budget is per session and approximately how long of session they are looking to endure. Some artists book by the piece and others book by the hour.  I personally book by the hour and usually charge a drawing fee. Let’s say the client says they can do 4-6 hour sessions in duration I would setup enough sessions to complete the piece at the 4 hour mark, because I book out over a year and would hate to need another session and they have to wait to complete the piece. I would setup 8 sessions for this piece and take the deposits at the time of the consultation.  My personal deposit is $100/session.  So, $800 would be due at that time and then as long as the client shows up to each appointment, the $100 would be taken off at that day’s session total.  We do have a 72 hour or more notice reschedule policy, so in the event that something comes up, as long as the client contacts the shop 72 hours or more in advance, then we could reschedule them at the next opening on my books.  If the notice is less than 72 hours, then the deposit is non-refundable.  We have a strict no refund policy on our appointments as I am only looking to book clients that are serious about their work and coming to me personally. What NOT To Say At Your Consultation This is a big one folks.  The things that come out of clients mouths never ceases to amaze me…just when I think someone couldn’t top the previous audacity of someone…it happens yet again.  So, let me explain a few things NEVER to say to your artist.  In the future I will do a video solely based on things not to say…because the list is insanely long…but let’s focus on a few for now. It’ll only take you 15 minutesCan’t you just stay late and squeeze me in?!  It’s just simple…it’s just smallI’ll pay you extra to get bumped up higher on your cancelation listI’m not going to setup an appointment, just add me to your cancelation listCan I just trade you some speakers? I want a sleeve, can you do it for $400?Can I just get a sleeve in 1 session?Tattoo me until I pass outJust knock me out if the pain becomes too muchI want this tattoo, same size as in the photoJust draw it up in your free time and I’ll book a session if I like it Alright folks!  That wraps up this post…I look forward to seeing you next week!