vertigovu tattoo

Here is a growing list of questions and concerns I have come across in the past. They are not all frequently asked questions but I feel they may be helpful for anyone looking for some clarity or perspective about the tattoo process.

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How much do you charge for tattoos? How much are your deposits?

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I break my booking pricing into half or full days. Half-days are up to $600, which covers up to 3 hours. Full days are between $1000, and are timed up to 4-5 hours. 

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What are your accepted payment methods?

 

Zelle and Cash. Tips (of any amount you desire to leave) are preferred in cash when possible.

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When will you be opening your books? / How often?

 

I don't have a set schedule for when I open my books for custom appointments. I open them when I feel I need to fill my schedule. I may consider some custom pieces if I have time for them while my books are closed. I'm also trying to focus more on booking pre-drawn projects posted on this site. Please follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list to stay informed. I don't share often but this is the best way to get news from me.

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Where are you located?

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I work out of Butterfat Studio located in Logan Square, Chicago.

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Will you be returning to do guest spots in Calgary/Canada anytime soon?

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I will post announcements for Canadian visits via Instagram and my newsletter.

 

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What is a private studio?

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A private studio is pretty much what it sounds like. It's a private place set up to give artists and their clients peace and privacy; no one is allowed in there unless they have a booked appointment.

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If you have any questions for a specific artist in a private studio, please email them. We all have different methods of operation and policies.
 

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What time does the studio open? / Can I just drop by?

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There are no exact studio times. I may be there on random days of the week or out of town. Visits must be arranged by appointment via email.

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Do you do cover-ups?

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Sometimes... Full disclosure; I am very selective about what I can cover up or rework. My tattoo style is not suited to cover solidly shaded tattoos. Some of the old design might still show through. I do my best to fineness my work to cover and blend as best as I can. I want to make sure it's something I can confidently do.

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I may suggest laser removal treatments to give your tattoo a better chance of being covered up and turning into a new tattoo that you will love rather than a large, very dark thing that you will have to settle with. It's potentially a long process but well worth it in the end!

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Easier cover-ups are dainty tattoos, thinner line work, and very faded. The same goes for reworks, they are easier to do and turn out better if the original tattoo is extremely faded.

 

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Is my tattoo design ready? / When can I see it?

 

In my booking policies, which all clients must agree to prior to paying their deposits; drawings will be ready for the tattoo appointment and not before. This is due to the high volume of work I prepare weekly/daily and shifts in scheduling. This is why it’s very important to clearly communicate what you’d like to have done on the application form or during the consultation.

 

To reduce the chance of miscommunication and time spent emailing back and forth, I will only discuss changes face-to-face and not over email. There will be time for minor changes on the day of the tattoo.
 

For the protection of my work, I do not send out final stencil drawings; I am firm with this.
 

Some projects and large floral pieces are mostly drawn on freehand with stencil markers and maybe some pre-dawn stencils to ensure good placement and fit (some of the large floral sleeve pieces I've done are freehanded. There is no rough draft for these tattoos. More information on my booking process can be found in my booking policies.

 

I work best when I am allowed flexibility and freedom to work in my style. If you are uncomfortable with this, I may not be the right tattoo artist for you.

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How do I know I can trust my tattoo artist to design something I will like?

 

A rule of thumb for booking with an artist is if you like the majority of what they make and the subject matters they tattoo, you will have a high chance of being satisfied with what they'll design for you. There would be a lesser chance of things working out if you like only a couple of things they've done and perhaps are not looking to repeat.

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Are you open to tattooing different skin types/colours?

 

I welcome the opportunity to work with all humans! That being said, tattooing is an ongoing educational experience for a tattooist. I do not claim to be an expert and will be fully transparent about what I feel I can or cannot comfortably tattoo. This means that I may suggest solutions or changes in the tattoo design that I know I can confidently achieve with the given skin types. If I feel I'm not confident or skilled enough to fulfill a client's expectations, I'd be more than happy to assist in finding an artist who is!

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Why do tattoos cost so much?

 

The asking price for a tattoo may seem like a lot but it's not all profit for an artist. A good portion of earnings goes towards covering business expenses and income taxes (yes, the responsible ones pay taxes too). Most artists are one-person shows, they put a lot of work into staying consistently booked while making time to develop their craft on and off the skin. Below are a few considerations that go into costs:

 

• The years and experience it took for an artist to refine their aesthetic and work quality.

• The hours to compose the tattoo design itself.

• Consideration and knowledge are needed to make the design and medium work with the body.

• The knowledge and skill it takes to tattoo various skin types and areas of the body.

• The cost of quality supplies needed for tattooing (machines, needles, ink, workstation setup, sanitation materials, stationery, etc.) Cheap products could lead to serious health issues for the clients.

• The time it takes for the artist to correspond with their clients or the cost of a personal assistant.

• The overhead costs of their studio.

• For guest artists, a decent portion of their costs goes to paying their host shop, travel costs and accommodations.

 

There is no standardized method to quantify tattoo pricing. I've personally seen $100 - $500 per hour rates and day rates in a spectrum from $900 to $3000. This being said, just because an artist charges more doesn't mean they are the best of the best. In the end, a good sign of a "good" artist is someone who produces consistent quality work with healed photos when possible. Transparency and integrity are also very important factors.

 

When you pay a tattoo artist, you're not just paying for a drawing, you are purchasing permanent art and design that will be unique to you and the time it takes to create it. If you're not comfortable with the asking price, it's ok to respectfully decline or ask to discuss the possibility of a design that will fit your budget. If your chosen artist is not open to price negotiations or haggling, please be respectful of that and don't be pushy with them.  Always ask yourself, "How much am I willing to pay for art and design that I will be proud of on my body for the rest of my life?"

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Can I just laser off my tattoo if I don't like it?

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Yes, but.....If you go into a tattoo session thinking you can get a tattoo lasered off if you don't like it, know that it's not easy! Tattoo removal is a slow process that is expensive and painful. It typically requires multiple sessions to get pigment "lifting" to a level where the old tattoo is gone or light enough to do a cover-up. Even small tattoos that took one session to complete may take multiple laser sessions to remove. There also needs to be at least six to ten weeks between appointments for healing. Take your time, do your research and get the right tattoo done in the first place.

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Are there tattoo removal creams?

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There are no effective tattoo removal creams out there. Laser is the only effective method.

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Is there any way I can remove my tattoo at home?

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NO! If you try to remove your tattoo yourself, you will most likely be left with a patchy tattoo, skin damage, scarring and uneven skin texture. Ironically all this skin damage will make actual laser tattoo removal more troublesome and may require more laser work to correct the scar damage. Please see a professional!

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What are your booking policies?

You can read all my booking policies here.

Thank you for your interest. I hope this FAQ may answer any queries you may have. If you have any more, please email me.