FAQS
How do I turn my idea into the best possible tattoo?
Clients are inspired by many different things - experiences in their lives, their personal ideologies, or just images they think are beautiful. Some may already have many tattoos, and are familiar with the kinds of images people typically get as tattoos. A good idea, if you’re stuck for inspiration, is to spend some time on the internet. Google, BME (Body Modification Ezine,) tattoo artist web sites, etc., can all be helpful in realizing the image that you have in your head. While we at Steady like to do custom work - tattoo designs drawn for each individual client - these resources can quicken the communication process between artist and client. However, we are not fond of duplicating custom work by other tattoo artists. Print out any ideas that you may have and remember to bring them in with you. They will be a big help in getting across your ideas and concepts.
We find the best way to come up with ideas is to simply come in, sit down, and talk with an artist. The best tattoos, in our experience, were achieved by the client giving us the freedom to run with their ideas and come up with a completely original piece of artwork for them.
How much will my tattoo cost?
The cost of the tattoo is directly related to the time it takes to complete and is effected by several variables: color or black & gray, skin type and area, and size of project. If you are working with a budget, please inform us of the amount you can afford for the session and we will try to work with that budget to the best of our abilities. The hourly average is about $150 an hour for large custom work. Smaller tattoos are priced by the piece.
Time estimates per (average) body part:
Full back piece: 40-50 hours
Full-sleeve: 25-35 hours
Half-sleeve: 12-18 hours
Quarter-sleeve: 4-10 hours
Full ribs: 6-12 hours
Full chest: 12-25 hours
Leg/ outside calf: 4-12 hours
Please don’t think that you have to come up with all of the money at one time. Larger pieces are paid for by the session.
How do I know which artist to go with?
Prior to actually getting tattooed you will want to choose an artist. We have several artists here at Steady, all of whom are extremely well versed in the various styles of tattooing. That said, where custom tattoos are concerned, each artist does have their own style and aesthetic that they like to bring to their tattoos. Please take some time and look at our portfolios both in the shop and on our various web sites: Myspace.com/steadytattoo or here at Steadytattoo.com.
How do I set up an appointment?
Once you have decided what you want to get tattooed, you are ready to set up an appointment. We recommend a consultation for custom tattoos. This way, you and your artist can meet prior to the tattoo appointment and discuss exactly what it is you want. By making sure you are both on the same page, you are also ensuring satisfaction in the aesthetics of your tattoo.
In order to schedule a consultation, all you need to do is give us a call: 612-379-4455. It’s easy and it’s free. To make a tattoo appointment, we require a minimum deposit of $50. You can stop by and leave your deposit in cash or credit, or leave it over the phone with a credit card. The deposit goes toward the price of the tattoo session (i.e., if you leave a $50 deposit for a $150 tattoo, you will only owe $100 on the day of your appointment.) While this is nonrefundable, if you need to reschedule please just call us 24 hours prior to your tattoo appointment and we will roll over the deposit to the new scheduled time. Same day cancellations will lose their deposit. Do not message us via the web site or leave a voicemail to cancel or reschedule, as it may not be checked by the time of your appointment. We open at noon every day, so call us as soon as you can after that.
How old do I need to be to get tattooed by Steady?
We only tattoo people who are 18 years or older. Even if a parent/guardian is there, we will not tattoo you, sorry - no exceptions.
How do I heal my new tattoo?
Each artist will tell you roughly the same thing, each with his or her own personal touches, but here are some standard instructions:
After you get tattooed, you will need to keep the bandage on 4-8 hours, or overnight if your appointment was later in the evening. DO NOT skip this step. Many people do, but it is a necessary part of the process. Doing so allows the pores to close up without exposing your tattoo to foreign bodies.
When you have taken off the bandage, you should first wash your hands. With your clean hands, use water (as warm as you can stand) and lather up a mild, fragrance-free soap. We recommend Dial Antibacterial Soap. Gently massage the tattoo and remove all ointment and fluids.
When it appears to be clean, rinse it off with cool water (helps to close the pores) and apply a cold compress, such as an ice pack. This is important! ICE, ICE, ICE!
You should only need to ice your tattoo for the first three days while the skin is still a little swollen and irritated.
Next, pat dry with a clean paper towel. Allow it to air dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, apply a fragrance-free, aloe-free lotion. We recommend Aveeno. The tattoo should not look oily or shiny, so only apply as much lotion as your skin will absorb. Too much will lead to poor healing...so don’t overdo it.
If scabbing should occur it is very important that they fall off on their own. Do not pick, scratch, or soak scabs. Removing scabs too soon could lead to loss of color and a patchy-looking tattoo. LEAVE THEM SCABS ALONE!
Wash and moisturize your new tattoo three times a day for the next three to four weeks. Wash/moisturize just after you wake up, midday, and before you go to sleep.
Your new tattoo is an open wound, and needs to be treated as such. Swimming (or soaking for any long period of time,) tanning, removing the bandage too early, and general disregard for it is asking for problems. It is incredibly easy to get your new tattoo infected or scab it up and lose color. Your tattoo needs only a little time and attention to properly heal, so protect your investment and do what we say!
I think I need a touch-up; what should I do?
Sometimes this happens. We guarantee our work at Steady, so if you notice a spot of ink that needs to be patched up, let us know as soon as possible. Touch-ups are free, so give us a call.
Clients are inspired by many different things - experiences in their lives, their personal ideologies, or just images they think are beautiful. Some may already have many tattoos, and are familiar with the kinds of images people typically get as tattoos. A good idea, if you’re stuck for inspiration, is to spend some time on the internet. Google, BME (Body Modification Ezine,) tattoo artist web sites, etc., can all be helpful in realizing the image that you have in your head. While we at Steady like to do custom work - tattoo designs drawn for each individual client - these resources can quicken the communication process between artist and client. However, we are not fond of duplicating custom work by other tattoo artists. Print out any ideas that you may have and remember to bring them in with you. They will be a big help in getting across your ideas and concepts.
We find the best way to come up with ideas is to simply come in, sit down, and talk with an artist. The best tattoos, in our experience, were achieved by the client giving us the freedom to run with their ideas and come up with a completely original piece of artwork for them.
How much will my tattoo cost?
The cost of the tattoo is directly related to the time it takes to complete and is effected by several variables: color or black & gray, skin type and area, and size of project. If you are working with a budget, please inform us of the amount you can afford for the session and we will try to work with that budget to the best of our abilities. The hourly average is about $150 an hour for large custom work. Smaller tattoos are priced by the piece.
Time estimates per (average) body part:
Full back piece: 40-50 hours
Full-sleeve: 25-35 hours
Half-sleeve: 12-18 hours
Quarter-sleeve: 4-10 hours
Full ribs: 6-12 hours
Full chest: 12-25 hours
Leg/ outside calf: 4-12 hours
Please don’t think that you have to come up with all of the money at one time. Larger pieces are paid for by the session.
How do I know which artist to go with?
Prior to actually getting tattooed you will want to choose an artist. We have several artists here at Steady, all of whom are extremely well versed in the various styles of tattooing. That said, where custom tattoos are concerned, each artist does have their own style and aesthetic that they like to bring to their tattoos. Please take some time and look at our portfolios both in the shop and on our various web sites: Myspace.com/steadytattoo or here at Steadytattoo.com.
How do I set up an appointment?
Once you have decided what you want to get tattooed, you are ready to set up an appointment. We recommend a consultation for custom tattoos. This way, you and your artist can meet prior to the tattoo appointment and discuss exactly what it is you want. By making sure you are both on the same page, you are also ensuring satisfaction in the aesthetics of your tattoo.
In order to schedule a consultation, all you need to do is give us a call: 612-379-4455. It’s easy and it’s free. To make a tattoo appointment, we require a minimum deposit of $50. You can stop by and leave your deposit in cash or credit, or leave it over the phone with a credit card. The deposit goes toward the price of the tattoo session (i.e., if you leave a $50 deposit for a $150 tattoo, you will only owe $100 on the day of your appointment.) While this is nonrefundable, if you need to reschedule please just call us 24 hours prior to your tattoo appointment and we will roll over the deposit to the new scheduled time. Same day cancellations will lose their deposit. Do not message us via the web site or leave a voicemail to cancel or reschedule, as it may not be checked by the time of your appointment. We open at noon every day, so call us as soon as you can after that.
How old do I need to be to get tattooed by Steady?
We only tattoo people who are 18 years or older. Even if a parent/guardian is there, we will not tattoo you, sorry - no exceptions.
How do I heal my new tattoo?
Each artist will tell you roughly the same thing, each with his or her own personal touches, but here are some standard instructions:
After you get tattooed, you will need to keep the bandage on 4-8 hours, or overnight if your appointment was later in the evening. DO NOT skip this step. Many people do, but it is a necessary part of the process. Doing so allows the pores to close up without exposing your tattoo to foreign bodies.
When you have taken off the bandage, you should first wash your hands. With your clean hands, use water (as warm as you can stand) and lather up a mild, fragrance-free soap. We recommend Dial Antibacterial Soap. Gently massage the tattoo and remove all ointment and fluids.
When it appears to be clean, rinse it off with cool water (helps to close the pores) and apply a cold compress, such as an ice pack. This is important! ICE, ICE, ICE!
You should only need to ice your tattoo for the first three days while the skin is still a little swollen and irritated.
Next, pat dry with a clean paper towel. Allow it to air dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, apply a fragrance-free, aloe-free lotion. We recommend Aveeno. The tattoo should not look oily or shiny, so only apply as much lotion as your skin will absorb. Too much will lead to poor healing...so don’t overdo it.
If scabbing should occur it is very important that they fall off on their own. Do not pick, scratch, or soak scabs. Removing scabs too soon could lead to loss of color and a patchy-looking tattoo. LEAVE THEM SCABS ALONE!
Wash and moisturize your new tattoo three times a day for the next three to four weeks. Wash/moisturize just after you wake up, midday, and before you go to sleep.
Your new tattoo is an open wound, and needs to be treated as such. Swimming (or soaking for any long period of time,) tanning, removing the bandage too early, and general disregard for it is asking for problems. It is incredibly easy to get your new tattoo infected or scab it up and lose color. Your tattoo needs only a little time and attention to properly heal, so protect your investment and do what we say!
I think I need a touch-up; what should I do?
Sometimes this happens. We guarantee our work at Steady, so if you notice a spot of ink that needs to be patched up, let us know as soon as possible. Touch-ups are free, so give us a call.
