Common Questions, Ink and Ember Tattoo

Cancellation Policy & FAQ'S

Find answers to commonly asked questions like Are stick and poke tattoos permanent, Do tattoos hurt & How much do tattoos cost?

Tattoo FAQ's

What is the difference between a hand-poked tattoo and a machine tattoo?

A hand poke tattoo is made without the use of a machine, instead I have a single needle which I use to mark your skin dot by dot. The needles are the same sterile single use needles as used in machines, the only difference is the lack of the machine!

I use the single needle to create your tattoo dot by dot with professional tattoo ink. I love this method and was drawn to learning in this way due to the rich cultural heritage and history behind this practice.

Does tattooing hurt?

We all know that pain is subjective and external factors such as stress and lack of sleep can affect the experience on the day. However the process of tattooing by hand is a much gentler experience for the nervous system. It is slower process and feels like being gently pricked by a pin.

Many of my clients have been pleasantly surprised by the sensation and even find it meditative, some people even fall asleep! After a while the sensations can become more intense, especially if there is a lot of shading involved, and it does vary on different body parts, but over all most people find it surprisingly or relaxing and even enjoyable!

Are stick and poke tattoos permanent?

Yes! Hand poke or stick and poke tattoos are just as permanent as any other form of tattoos. The ink sits permanently under the skin.

How much does a tattoo cost?

When you commit to your tattoo you are making a lifetime investment in a piece of art. Whether your reasons are to mark a significant event or memory, a tattoo is act of expression that lasts a lifetime. Tattoos are a luxury item and take time to properly design and create.

The cost of a tattoo includes the design time, time spent liaising with you to create a tattoo you love, studio running costs and materials, my studio time and an aftercare package for you to take home. Tattoos start at around £200 for a small tattoo. This may sound like a lot if your tattoo is very small, but the set up and material costs are the same for a small and large tattoo - therefore I must charge a baseline amount. Most medium size tattoos cost around £500 to upwards of £700 for a large, bespoke piece.

If you would like a more accurate cost of your tattoo please fill out the booking form with as much information as you can.

How to come up with tattoo ideas?

People get inspiration from lots of places when trying to come up with tattoo ideas. Many people think of tattoo designs that are personal to them. Often tattoos are used to mark important life events, fond memories or good times. Designs that remind people of loved ones or good friends also feature heavily.

Once you have an idea in mind, I recommend using a notebook to scribble down any ideas or doodles that you have as they come to you - this can help your narrow down your idea. You can use the internet to look for images you like and I suggest old botanical illustrations and social media channels like Instagram or Pinterest are good for brainstorming. Please note that I will never copy another artists work and I do not encourage you to send me other artists' work on my booking form. I suggest sending pictures of wildlife and doodles (I love a good scribble however basic!). This really helps me to work up ideas.

I will offer as much help as I can here and will provide you with ideas through my design process.

What is your cancellation policy?

The deposit paid to secure your appointment is non-refundable if you cancel or do not attend your appointment, unless you give at least 7 days notice. In this event I will hold on to your deposit and we can find another date to reschedule.

In the event that I should have to cancel your appoinment due to unforeseen circumstance your deposit will be returned to you or a new appointment made.

Can I have a tattoo with a friend at the same time?

Many people like to get tattoos with a family member or friend, and that is something I can accommodate, provided that we have enough time to create both tattoos in one day. If both tattoos are relatively small then this is usually ok. Please fill out the booking form with your ideas to see what is possible.

Can I bring a friend for support?

I understand that having a tattoo can be a daunting experience and I do everything in my power to make you feel at ease on the day, including making you warm, comfortable, encouraging regular breaks, and putting something on to listen to that you find calming. Some people like to bring a book and have comforting snacks and regular breaks.

I can, at a push, accommodate a friend in the studio for support, however I prefer not to so that I can concentrate on creating the best tattoo possible. Sometimes friends can be distracting and at times I really need to concentrate on creating your artwork. If this is something you are really concerned about please feel free to contact me to discuss of write a note in your booking form.

Can I talk during my tattoo appointment?

One of the things I love about this work is meeting new people and having lovely long chats & learning lots of interesting new things! However at times I will need silence to be able to focus on an intricate area of your tattoo. Sometimes the areas I tattoo, for example the ribs, move when we breathe or talk so this requires extra care. I will have to ask our conversation to pause during these times, sometimes for extended periods of time.

Some clients do not want to talk and would rather listen to music or a story or even have a little sleep during the process. I welcome this also, and some of my loveliest experiences of tattooing have been in silence listening to a good audio book or some lovely music.

What areas of the body do you tattoo?

I tattoo a variety of areas on the body including, arms, legs, shoulders, back, sternum and ribs. My preferred areas to tattoo are arms and legs as these tend to take a tattoo really well.

Some areas of the body will cost more than others due to the nature of the skin and the extra care and time required to tattoo. These areas include the ribcage, sternum & back of the arm. Please fill out the booking form with your idea so I can advise you on location.

Areas I will not tattoo include the neck & face.

Do you offer touch ups?

I do offer free touch ups within the first six months of your tattoo. Please feel free to send me a photo so I can advise you. Handpoked tattoos have a more delicate softer look to them when they heal. Some of the dots can drop out of the skin, and for most, this is part of the appeal & the reason they are drawn to this method of tattooing. However I am happy to touch up these areas for you if you wish. It can slightly change and thicken the appearance of delicate areas, so this is something to consider.

If you want a large area re-shaded or touched up then an additional cost to cover my studio overheads may have to be charged.

What shall I wear?

Its important to feel comfortable during your tattoo appointment so loose comfy clothing is best. Its also worth noting that occasional ink splash's can land on clothing so its best to wear something your not too precious about!

Depending on the placement on your tattoo clothing must be assessable, if you need any advice on what to wear feel free to ask. I always have modesty covers available in the studio to make you feel at ease.

What is the tattoo aftercare procedure?

After your appointment I will issue you with an aftercare leaflet. Here, however, are the most common questions. If you have just had a tattoo with me please contact me if you have any concerns or for any advice.

After your tattoo is finished it will be dressed with a transparent dressing. Sometimes during the first 24 hours, and before your have removed the dressing, the ink will appear smudged under the dressing. This is normal and nothing to worry about as it will wash away when you take off the dressing.

After 24 hrs you can remove the dressing. Some people feel happier keeping it on for 48 depending what they have in their schedule and if this makes you feel more comfortable you can keep it on for 48 hrs.

After the dressing has been removed wash your tattoo in the shower with a very gentle and mild soap.

PAT do not rub dry, and apply moisturiser. Your tattoo wants to air and heal but it is important to keep it moisturised as much as you can, at least morning and night for the first few weeks.

Apply your moisturiser morning and night after a gentle-wash and a pat dry.

I recommend no swimming, hot tubs, saunas or soaking in a bath for at least two weeks after your tattoo (three is better and a month is the gold standard!)

Wear loose comfortable clothing that will not rub or irritate your tattoo and avoid sweat inducing / vigorous exercise for at least the first week after your tattoo. This is to keep the area as clean as possible.

Avoid direct sunlight for the first few weeks and after the tattoo has healed its is recommend that you either keep it out of the sun as much as possible, or wear a strong suncream as this will help the preservation of your tattoo.

And last, but not least, I love seeing healed pictures of your tattoos! I greatly welcome receiving pics of the healed tattoo and appreciate these even more if they are pictured with a nice neural background! Many thanks!

Please get in touch if you have any other questions or concerns regarding aftercare advice