Frequently Asked Questions

We get asked a lot of questions, whether it be about tattoos, piercings, aftercare or many other things. Here are some of the most popular ones we get asked.

Does getting a tattoo/piercing hurt?
To a certain extent, yes, it does hurt. How much it hurts depends on where you’re getting tattooed or pierced. For most piercings, we offer a local anaesthetic, which makes them pretty much painless. For tattoos, certain areas are worse than others, but it’s different for everyone.

How much does it cost?
Tattoo costs start at £30, piercing costs start at £10. We will give you a quote when you come into the studio for tattoos, or you can ask us about certain piercings. Remember; Good tattoos are not cheap, and cheap tattoos are not good!!!

What age do I have to be?
The law for tattoos is 18. There is no such thing as parental consent, this has been the law since 1969 and there are NO EXCEPTIONS. For piercings, most of them can be done on under 16s as long as a parent is present. For navels, we don’t pierce younger than 13. For tongues and nipples, no younger than 16. For genitals, no younger than 18. ID WILL BE REQUIRED.

Can I bring in my own tattoo design?
Of course! You can bring in a sketch or a print out from the computer if you want. This gives us a better idea of what’s in your head and what you want your design to be like.

Can you draw up a tattoo design for me?
Of course. Come in for a consultation with one of our talented artists and they’ll be more than happy to help. Generally, a design will be drawn after a consultation has been had and an appointment has been made. Unfortunately, we can’t just draw for every request without a booking, as some people don’t come back and it’s a waste of the artists time that could be used on someone who really wants their design.

Can I take a photo of my design before I get it done to show my friends?
No! The reason for this is simple; you could take the design elsewhere, or copy it. Our artists work hard on designs to make sure they’re unique and just for you. Also, our flash sheets are all copyrighted, and copying them can lead to a penalty fine!

If I bring in my own jewellery, can you pierce me with it?
No. We are governed by law with what we can pierce with, and we have to make sure the jewellery is completely sterile, so we can only pierce you with our own jewellery. That way, we know where it’s from, where it’s been, and that it will cause you no problems.

Do you do piercings with the gun?
NO! Piercing guns are unhygienic and can actually be dangerous. They cannot be sterilised (don’t let anyone tell you they can, they cannot stand the heat of a steriliser and would melt), and they cause a lot of damage to cartilage. The studs used are blunt and unsuitable for anything except earlobes. They rip and tear their way into the skin, and can permanently shatter the cartilage, which can lead to long-lasting problems.

How do I look after my tattoo or piercing?
We will give you all the aftercare advice you need after you have been pierced of tattooed. We will also give you various ways to contact us if you have any problems whatsoever.

How long will my tattoo/piercing take to do and heal?
Piercings generally don’t take long to do, but healing times varies with each one. We will cover healing times after you have been pierced. For tattoos, it depends on the design. How detailed it is, how much linework there is or how much shading there is. We will give you an estimate when you come in to make your booking.

I have a problem with my tattoo/piercing. What will I do?
If you have ANY problems, no matter how silly they may seem, come and see us as soon as possible. We want you to love your piercings and tattoos, not hate them or feel uncomfortable or scared. And trust us, we’ve seen everything! So don’t hesitate to come see us and we’ll do everything we can to help you. Whether it be a red or sore piercing, or something on your tattoo you’re unsure about, we would rather you came in so we can fix whatever you think is wrong , so please come into the studio or even give us a phone as soon as you have a problem.

Can I get a tattoo/piercing on the day that I come in?
For piercings, they are generally on a first come first served basis. You can generally get pierced the day you come in. For tattoos however, we work by bookings. There are sometimes spaces for walk-ins, but this is rare, so the best thing to do is come in and book ahead. That way, you aren’t standing out in the cold at 8am hoping you get a space. You know exactly when you’re getting done and how long it will take. Easy!

Is there anything special I have to bring or wear?
Make sure you have something to eat before you come into the studio. Getting tattooed or pierced on an empty stomach is a no-no, and can lead to you feeling nauseated or even being sick. Having something to eat will stop that. Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing, so that you are at ease when getting work done. And no expensive clothing. There’s a chance you may get ink on your clothes, and it doesn’t come out! So don’t chance it. Also, common sense would suggest not to wear a dress when getting a belly button done, or a polo-neck when getting your shoulder tattooed, Make sure your tattooist or piercer can have easy access to the area s/he will be working on. Also, bring along some fizzy juice. Lucozade is perfect. This will help to keep your blood sugar up, and stop you feeling faint.

I want to learn to tattoo/pierce. Can you teach me?
Unfortunately, we already have an apprentice tattooist and piercer, so we have no more room for anyone else. Apprenticeships take a lot of time, energy and money so we can’t have loads at a time. We will be happy to give you information on how to go about getting an apprenticeship, but please for the love of all that is holy, do not buy a cheap tattoo/piercing kit and tattoo/pierce your friends!!! This is the worst thing ever. The piercings are done incorrectly and can lead to SERIOUS problems and damage, often resulting in infections, scars and a visit to casualty. The tattoos are just as bad, and leave people badly scarred for life, sometimes with damage that is irreversible.

Can do you do tattoo parties?
Good god, NO! And they should be avoided AT ALL COSTS. They are wrong in all sorts of ways, and we often have to clean up the mess that results from these parties.

Do you tattoos hands/faces/necks?
As of the 20th April, yes we do, at our discretion. It depends on the design. We won’t do ‘public skin’ for a first tattoo.

Do you do football tattoos?
NO. There’s a few reasons for this but the main one is this; for every fan, there’s a bigot, and for every team, there’s an opposition. They can cause too many problems. We’ve tattooed people who have been attacked purely for their football tattoos, so rather than be biased to certain teams, we don’t do any at all.

I’m really nervous! Can I bring a friend?
Yes you can We have swapped areas around and there is now room for you to have a friend with you for moral support!

Can you tattoo over scars?
You can, depending on the scar. It has to be at least a year old. Also, you have to realise that the ink may not take as well on the scarred area, or the ink may spread. But unfortunately, we can’t tell until you actually get tattooed.

Do you do portrait tattoos?
Sorry, no, we don’t.

Why don’t you pierce tongues under 16?
As of the 20th April, we do pierce under 16′s tongues, but it is at our discretion. It is still a major piercing and should be treated as such.

Can I get my microdermal with a jewelled top?
Of course! You can get various colours of jewels, or just plain flat disk tops.

Any more questions that aren’t covered here? Just ask!