DOES TATPOP REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?

• We sure do: To ensure that your project is given the time and attention it deserves, Tatpop does require a $50 non refundable deposit before scheduling your appointment. This $50 deposit will go towards the total cost of your tattoo appointment. For customs, there is an additional $50 fee (Please read below under "What are custom designs?" for more detail.)

DO YOU CHARGE BY THE HOUR OR BY THE PIECE?

• Tatpop charges by the piece and not by the hour:  At Tatpop we like to make sure you are well informed on what to expect, and that also includes payment. The goal isn't to make you guess what the price is like you're paying with insurance. You will be provided a solid price  before ever getting your skin pierced, regardless of how long the tattoo may take.

• How this will be communicated: After your proposal (which lets your artist know the size and placement) has been confirmed and you've provided your $50 booking deposit, If you decide on getting flash you will be given a payment estimate range before coming to your appointment, (you may decide to go bigger or smaller than you anticipate day of; this payment estimate range gives you wiggle room.) If you decide on a custom piece; after providing your $50 booking deposit and your $50 custom fee you will be given a payment estimate range before coming to your appointment. Please note this estimate payment range applies to the cost of the actual tattoo, this does not include the possible $50 design changes fees (see section "What are custom designs?" below for more detail.)

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU TAKE?

• Tatpop is a cash only space: As noted above, you will be provided a payment estimate range before your appointment to ensure you are well prepared and communicated on what to expect.

WHAT IS FLASH?

• Flash are pre made tattoo designs: These pre-made designs are ready to go and available for all. Typically flash are designs that the artist will repeat and allow multiple people to get. Although these designs are pre-made, they are in no way a copy of or a exact replica of designs other tattoo artists have done. Tatpop takes pride in making original imagery and iconography while also giving a nod to pop and queer culture. Each piece are all original concepts. If you are interested in getting a flash piece but don't want others to have the option of getting the same tattoo, please let us know in your booking inquiry form. Tatpop will include an additional fee for removing a design from their flash options, and this will be outlined in the response to your booking inquiry form as this fee can vary per design.

WHAT ARE CUSTOM DESIGNS?

• Customs are originally designed non repeatable artworks just for you: Tatpop prides itself in providing exclusive and original designs that align with your concepts. Tatpop will provide you with multiple references and custom design options before you come to your appointment. Please do keep in mind that the goal is to make sure you get EXACTLY what you are wanting, but due to the time and energy it can take to create custom designs and to allow the option of seeing your designs before your appointment- in addition to the $50 booking fee, there is an additional $50 for custom designs. If there are any tweaks, changes, or additions you would like to incorporate, you will be provided 3 updates to the agreed design. If after 3 changes we want to continue changing the piece, totally ok! All we ask is for an additional $50 deposit to provide 3 additional upgrades your project may need! 

• What this looks like: After your project is confirmed, and you have provided the $50 booking deposit and $50 custom fee, you will receive your initial sheet of custom designs based on what you've requested. This will include 4 variations and designs to choose from. You will  have the option to have your design changed 3 times. If after 3 times we still haven't found the right fit yet; Tatpop  is willing to put in the time to get you what you deserve. There will be an additional $50 fee which will provide 3 additional changes to your custom piece. 
  If you agree to design/ Wish to cancel appointment: If you fall in love with a design provided, fantastic! The $50 booking fee will be deducted from what you are paying towards your tattoo. The $50 custom fee  alongside all additional $50 fees for changes requested will not go towards the cost of your appointment. In the event you decide not to continue with the project, no hard feelings at all! The goal is to have you walk out with confidence, not pressure. Please note that all deposits will not be refunded to respect the artists time. Your understanding is much appreciated and we hope to work with you in the future!

WHAT SHOULD I DO/NOT DO BEFORE MY TATTOO APPOINTMENT?

• Eat: Being full and well fed is extremely important for both you as the client and the artist. Eating ensures you have the energy and stamina to withstand your entire tattoo appointment. Food also helps provide nutrients to your body and in turn, your skin; which will make your skin all the easier to tattoo as well as holds the ink better.

• Drink plenty of water: This is crucial, staying well hydrated not only avoids the possability of fainting, but it also lubricates your skin internally making your skin all the better to tattoo. When your skin is happy and is easy to tattoo, it doesn't get traumatized and damaged as easily as dried out thirsty skin.

• Moisturize: In general this is a great practice to have your entire life, but with tattoos, regularly moisturizing (especially before your tattoo appointment) helps further prep your skin. Think of your skin as canvas for a painter. You are making sure your canvas has all the best preparation to ensure your painting comes out and heals beautifully.

• DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL BEFORE YOUR TATTOO APPOINTMENT: Alcohol thins the blood and makes your skin more sensitive. This will make for an extremely difficult surface to tattoo as your skin will be more prone to bleeding and has a harder time holding ink. This also heightens the chances of your tattoo healing poorly.

• Don't shave the area you are getting tattooed: As much as it is appreciated trying to help prep for your new tattoo, please let your tattoo artist shave the space for you. The reason this is so important is because right after shaving, your hair starts to immediately grow and we want the smoothest surface possible during the appointment. Additionally we want to make sure we aren't overly shaving the area and potentially getting it irritated. By you shaving the area yourself, you may not have full mobility to shave the space correctly and possibly getting razor burn or accidentally cutting yourself. If the area affected has trauma to the skin, your tattoo artist will not tattoo the space.

• Don't have plans or obligations after your tattoo: While your artist will try and provide the best estimate of how long your appointment may take, this is an estimate and not a concrete timeframe. Sometimes depending on the tattoo and how well your skin takes ink, the appointment may take more or less time and we don't want you stressing about any commitments and time constraints. Your artist sets plenty of time for your appointment aside to make sure your tattoo is a priority; please be respectful and plan with this same intent.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY APPOINTMENT?

• Be sure to bring snacks and water: Tatpop's studio does not have a public area to provide food or water at this time, with this in mind it is crucial that you come prepared with the essentials.

• Bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty: It is rare that we have ink splatters or spills in the space, but rare does not mean never, so just to be prepared, it is encouraged you come in or bring a change of clothes that you don't mind possibly getting ink on.

• Bring your comfort items: You know you the best, If you are someone who likes to listen to your own music while getting tattooed, bring headphones. If you want to be comfy, bring some slippers, etc.

WHAT SHOULDN'T I BRING TO MY APPOINTMENT?

• Firearms or concealed weapons: Tatpop is a privately owned property and per Washington State Law; reserves the right to prohibit open carry and concealed carry weapons, regardless if you are licensed to carry.

• Animals: As much as we want to party with your furry friends, animals are not allowed in Tatpop. The goal is to keep the space as sanitized and clean as we can and we would hate for any debris or hair to get into the space and potentially risking infection. Tatpop respects and supports emotional support animals but due to many ESA's not being trained to do a specific task, and per Washington state Law and the Americans with Disabilities Acts, ESA's are not protected under these laws. If you however do have a service animal, Tatpop will work with you to the best of its abilities to accommodate your needs as long as your service animal is able to stay in a specific designated space at least 10 feet away from where the tattoo is taking place. If you do have a service animal please notify your artist in the booking inquiry form.

• your entourage: We understand you are excited for your appointment and may want to have some social support, but Tatpop does not have the space to accommodate multiple guests. But if you would like to bring 1 friend, please include this in your booking inquiry form. 

AFTERCARE

• After getting your tattoo, You will be sent home with 1 of 2 bandage options covering your tattoo. 

• Second skin bandage option: If you opt for the second skin bandage which is typically my recommended option of choice, leave the bandage on for a minimum of 5 days from your appointment. It is extremely normal to see blood and plasma build up under the bandage. These fluids actually help your body in the healing process of your fabulous new tattoo! This second skin bandage protects your tattoo from any exterior elements which could potentially cause infection. The first 5 days is when your tattoo is most vulnerable to a possible infection, so be sure to baby it.  After 5 days have passed I recommend taking your second skin bandage off in the shower to help loosen the adhesive while removing. An additional note is after removing your second skin bandage, the skin may be irritated and red for 3-4 days and this is totally normal. If it persists after this time frame feel free to reach out with a picture and I'm happy to help advise! If the bandage gets any type of tear or opening which allows shower water to get inside, take the bandage off immediately and follow aftercare instructions below.

•  Plastic wrap bandage option: If you find yourself to be allergic to any second skin type bandages, please let me know and I'm more than happy to send you home with the classing plastic wrap option. With this option, be sure to allow a full 24 hours from our appointment to pass before removing the bandage and be sure not to get the tattoo wet within the first 24 hours. The first 5 days is when your tattoo is most vulnerable to a possible infection, so be sure to baby it. If you find your bandage rips before this 24 hours, follow aftercare instructions below.

•   After removing your bandage of choice: Be sure to clean your new tattoo in the shower. For cleaning, use a non scented antibacterial soap. My suggested brand is the Dial liquid hand Gold Soap (See photo below).  While your tattoo is healing be sure to wash twice a day and  only wash gently with hands; no loofas or exfoliators as you want to not to let the peeling skin  get ripped off or scrubbed off as that can potentially harm the healing process and pull ink out of your tattoo in this important healing period. After showering let the tattoo air dry. Do not touch it with a towel as they can house harmful bacteria to your open wound. 

• Moisturizing : It is important to keep your tattoo moisturized in this healing phase, especially when it starts to peel. Allowing your tattoo to get too dry can cause the tattoo to scab and potentially scar if not looked after properly. But at the same note, we want to make sure to not overly moisturize. After getting out of the shower make sure to apply a small amount of moisturizer to where you are covering the tattoo with a very thin layer of moisturizer. You want to have the tattoo covered, but if you can see light reflecting off the tattoo, you've moisturized it too much. It is recommend to moisturize twice a day (After each shower) but if your tattoo is getting dry between showers, feel free to lightly moisturize with freashly cleaned hands as needed. For your moisturizer, choose one that is fragrance-free and alcohol free. My recommended moisturizer is Lubriderm daily moisturizer fragrance-free (See photo below).

•  What NOT TO DO :  In the first 5 days after getting your tattoo, do not workout out or participate in activities that can cause you to break a sweat. Sweating underneath your bandage can cause sweat and dirt to build up causing the perfect breeding ground for a potential infection. Your tattoo will take up to 6 months to fully heal. Your outer layer of skin will take 2-4 weeks to heal and will appear fully healed (no more flaking or peeling skin). Make sure to still follow aftercare instructions for the full duration of 6 months to allow for optimal healing. Make sure NOT to do the following within the first 2-4 weeks or while still peeling: Swimming, taking a bath, exposing your tattoo to the sun, putting sunscreen on your tattoo, shaving your tattoo, exfoliating your tattoo, picking or scratching your tattoo, and try to avoid tight clothing around the tattoo. Avoiding these will give your tattoo the best chance at healing correctly.

• Infections; possible signs and what to do : For my clients, I make a point to keep my space and tools exceptionally clean and sanitized as required by Washington State Law and OSHA approved Bloodborne pathogens training. Many times an infection will be conceived within the aftercare process which is why I highly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the above content to prevent a possible infection. Signs of a tattoo infection include persistent or worsening redness, swelling, warm to the touch, pain, and pus or discharge. Other potential signs include Small bumps or blisters, itching, fevers, chills, indicating that the infection may have spread beyond the tattoo site. changes in the tattoo's appearance (e.g., discoloration) can also be indicative of an infection. Feel free to contact me with a picture to help trouble shoot but if I am unable to get back to you in a timely manner, and you are suspecting a infection, I highly encourage you to seek medical attention immediately as it is always better to address an infection earlier rather than later.