Can I get a tattoo with written consent if I'm under 18?
No, its illegal. Stop asking. Persons under 18 aren't even allowed in the shop unless they are making an appointment for their 18th birthday. That means no children, doesn't matter if they can walk or not.
Do custom tattoos cost more?
No, actually custom pieces are highly encouraged, because it gets your artist's name out there for their individual style, resulting in an even better price, as compared to reproduction work.
How do I know this is the right shop for me?
The answer for this is broad, and you should consider everything no matter what shop you go into. Look at work that the artist has done on other people. Spend some time in the shop to see some of the work that is being done. Talk to the artist. If he/she doesn't want to take the time to talk to you and make you at ease about the process then maybe their shop isn't the place for you. The shop should be clean and presentable. It may sound picky but a reputable artist should have no problem in explaining and talking over any concerns.
As for this shop specifically, There are multiple artists that work here, each with their strong and weak points, so if one artist doesn’t feel that he/she is the best person for the job, then they will suggest just the artist to talk to. We have portfolios on display, and a solid reputation.
Can I get a tattoo in white?
Yes, but it doesn't apply to everyone. White is usually used as a highlight or an accent, when proper technique is used, it can be used flat like any other color, however, it is rare that it will look as white as a sheet of paper, because the ink sits in the dermis, under 3 layers of skin called the epidermis. So that’s 3 layers of your pigment over the ink, and unless you a very pale, it will not look all that white, but it will be lighter than the surrounding area.
Do tattoos hurt?
Tattoos are a dull annoying feeling. Painful? Yes, but not bad enough that it isn't tolerable.
Do you pierce at your shop?
Matt is a qualified piercer, he was properly apprenticed at the beginning of his career. However, we do not pierce out of this shop, reason being there are too many other qualified individuals in the area, piercings are more just to make money, where as we are here for the art. If you are interested in only getting a piercing, then please check out Bodified and/or Xtreme Underground (both are located within a few blocks of Spectrum).
Can I go swimming with a new tattoo?
Absolutely not! Lakes, rivers, ponds and other large bodies of water are swarming with bacteria, which is just asking for a staph infection. The chlorine in pools will draw out color making it lighter and less attractive. Abide by the instructions given to you by your artist, and you’ll be in the clear. If you mistreat your tattoo, we will know, we’ve seen just about every result of neglect, and that constitutes a breach in contract and you will not get a free touch up.
You advertise that everything is disposable. What exactly does that mean?
Everything that comes in contact with your skin is thrown away. We DO NOT CLEAN AND REUSE ANYTHING THAT COULD JEOPORDIZE YOUR HEALTH. That means the needles used for your tattoo are destroyed in front of you before you leave, tubes are thrown away along with the barrier on the countertop and everything on it (caps, ink, water cups, stencils and markers). Cross contamination is a very large precaution and so once the gloves go on, they touch nothing other than the tattoo machines, and the work surface. If another task arises, the gloves come off, and upon completion, a new pair replace the ones that were disposed of.
I have to hide a tattoo in an exposed area for a day. How can I do that?
Some supplies & makeup will be necessary to cover a Tattoo.
Here's what you'll need:
* 2 different size brushes, synthetic or nylon will do
* a fluffy bronzer brush
* any red base lip product
* translucent powder
* 2 concealers, one warm tone and one cool tone
Apply Red Base to the Tattoo
I'm going to be sectioning off a small piece of a larger tattoo so you can see the difference between the cover up and the original tattoo. The first step in this process is to take your red base lip product and smooth it over the surface of the tattoo, in thin layers, letting it dry in between the layers.
Cover the Tattoo With Cool Tone Concealer
Once you have applied approximately two to three coats, and that is fully dry, you're going to pick up one of you synthetic brushes, and you're going to take the cool tone concealer, brush it over the tattoo. The idea is to cover up the red lip product. Let that dry.
Cover the Tattoo With Warm Tone Concealer
Once that is dry, you're going to take your warm tone, which should match the original skin color of the person you are covering up on, and you're going to take your brush and brush it over the surface of the tattoo. Let that dry. Make sure the edges are blended into the skin's tone.
Conceal the Makeup Shine
Finally once that is dry, and the tattoo at this point should be completely covered up, you're going to take your translucent powder and you're going to pat it on the surface of the tattoo and the exterior to take away the shine and to blend it into the skin tone. So here you can see the difference between the section that was covered up and the original tattoo. And that's how you cover up a tattoo.
What exactly does your catch phrase "Pulling the pin on normality" mean?
People just aren't used to having choices. They're too used to others making the decision for them. Tattoos are about the art, the individuality, and self expression. How're you gonna show off a tattoo that 500 people across the nation already have. So, when we promote custom tattoos, specifically taylored to your liking, that makes us different. Therefore "Pulling the pin on normality" is the perfect slogan, and plus its a grenade reference, and any thing that explodes is cool.
Question not answered here? Then ask us yourself:
We are always asked many questions day to day, How old do I have to be to get a tattoo? How Do I take care of my tattoo? Can I get tattooed with white ink? This is the place to get all your answers.
