faq -

Rolls Royce Tattoos

Here is some information that should help you if you have no idea about getting a tattoo, but would like to, or have never gotten a tattoo at our studio.

I WANT A TATTOO, BUT HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT.
The first thing you should do is come into the studio so you can talk to an artist about your idea. It's best to do this in person, it's hard for you to show us anything, or us to show you, over the phone. Coming into the studio makes the entire process a million times faster. Be sure to bring any reference material you have, although it's okay if you don't have any. The artist will take your description, and may take a deposit (Deposits go towards the final price of your tattoo) and also your contact information. After this, your artist will begin designing a tattoo that fits and flows with your body according to your specifications. Tattoos that are designed especially for the body part they are to be placed on always come out looking nicer than printed off the internet and copied. When a concept sketch of your design is ready, your artist will let you know so you can come look at it. If you like the concept sketch, the artist will set an appointment with you. This is also the time where you can 'throw in your two cents' about the idea. Give details or change design elements. When you come in for your appointment your completed design will be ready for you to view and be applied to your skin.

IS YOUR SHOP APPOINTMENT ONLY/DO YOU TAKE WALK-INS?
We love to take walk-in clients, however, we do have a large base of clients who make appointments, and since we are a custom shop we spend alot of time drawing for our clients, so our availability is sketchy at best. If you have a tattoo that you want, and limited time, your best bet is to come into the studio to show your design to an artist. It makes our lives MUCH easier. We will go the extra mile to fit into your schedule

HOW MUCH DOES A SMALL/MEDIUM/LARGE TATTOO COST?
It's almost impossible to accurately guess how much a tattoo will cost without seeing at least a rough sketch and knowing the exact size. The factors that change the cost of a tattoo are: Size and Detail. We DO NOT charge more for color than black, or charge by the color. It takes as much time and skill to do a photorealistic black and grey tattoo as it does a photorealistic color tattoo. Our shop minimum is $50. Before you decide this is too much, please show us your idea and ask us how long we think it will take to complete. Every artist works at a different speed, and we're confident our prices are not unreasonable.

DO I HAVE TO BE 18?
Yes. We do NOT tattoo anyone under the age of 18 (eighteen) even with parental consent. It is illegal in the state of California and often times falls under the Federal Child Abuse Statutes. Any shop or person willing to tattoo a person under the age of 18 in California is breaking the law. True professionals, in any industry, respect their craft and do NOT commit illegal or criminal acts.

ARE YOUR NEEDLES STERILE?
Yes, all of our needles are single use, and pre-sterilized. We also take extra steps to ensure our inks and pigments, tubes, machines, and every other item used in the process of tattooing is sterile. We refuse to cut corners, and you should demand nothing less. You should always ask about sterility and cleanliness at any studio or shop you visit. Be sure to ask for a tour and ask to see the autoclave spore tests. We are always happy to show you around and provide documentation concerning health and safety.

DOES IT HURT?
Unfortunately, tattoos are uncomfortable. The level of pain varies depending on what part of the body the tattoo will be applied on. Most tattoos are more annoying than painful, and tattoos in sensitive areas can be broken into multiple sessions to make the discomfort more manageable. Different artists have different techniques that feel different, and each person has a different tolerance to discomfort, so some people say tattoos don't hurt at all. If tattoos were truly painful, so many people wouldn't have such large pieces of work.

CAN YOU COVER THIS?
Yes, we can cover just about any tattoo. How we can cover it is a question that requires us to see your existing tattoo. Generally, covering a tattoo is more involved than doing one on un-tattooed skin, and a good cover often takes two or three sessions to completely cover the old tattoo. We can do amazing things with cover-ups. We can tattoo lighter colors over darker colors, enhance your existing piece or completely change it into a totally new idea. If you have work that you don't like, we encourage you to visit the studio so an artist can see it and give you some suggestions.

CAN YOU TATTOO OVER SCARS/MOLES/ETC.?
Another question that is different for every situation. In general, the older a scar, the more easily it can be tattooed over. Sometimes scars are so deep that they cannot hold pigment, or hold it in erratic ways i.e. lines that blur or colors that shift. In general, you should not tattoo over moles, many can release toxins into the skin and cause some serious problems. Some moles will not cause problems, but may take color differently than the rest of the skin. Freckles are a different matter, and can usually be safely tattooed over. Seeing the spot will allow us to properly diagnose it, as there are a variety of diffferent moles and they can only be differentiated by visible elements. We have to see it to know what kind it is!

IS THER ANYTHING SPECIAL I SHOULD DO BEFORE GETTING TATTOOED?
Yes! We strongly suggest that you eat at least four hours before you get tattooed and bring a non-alcoholic beverage with you. Bringing a candy/power bar is helpful as well. If you are getting a medium to large piece you might want to bring a book, ipod, psp or anything else that might stave off boredom. Keep in mind that you will be sitting still for a while, and that can get pretty boring. We very strongly suggest that you do not drink alcohol the day that you plan on getting tattooed, and not drink too much the night before. Please abstain from any drugs that you do not have a prescription for, and ask us about your prescription medications (If you have a medical condition, please mention it BEFORE you get your tattoo). We DO NOT tattoo people who are drunk or under the influence of controlled substances. Getting a good nights sleep the day before you get tattooed helps as well. If you are well rested while getting tattooed, you will have a much more pleasant experience.

IS A CERTAIN TYPE OF CLOTHING BETTER FOR GETTING A TATTOO/WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Loose, comfortable clothing always helps. Take into consideration where the tattoo will be. If it is a large back piece, you may want to wear an easily removeable top or bathing suit. If it is on your shoulder, a loose tank-top should suffice. We can't tattoo through clothes, so certain tattoos require different levels of un-dressing, and this should be taken into consideration. Also, after getting your tattoo, tight-fitting clothes will be uncomfortable. In all situations, we suggest that you arrive wearing clean clothes to prevent possible infections. Comfort is important.

If you have questions that are not covered on this page, please email us via the form on the directions/contact page or come into the studio.