Free Tattoo Information & Appointment Guide

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This page is here to make your tattoo experience as smooth and comfortable as possible. Please read through the checklist carefully before your appointment – it covers what to do in the days leading up to your session, what to bring and wear, and how to look after your tattoo afterwards.

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 Before Your Appointment

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• Arrival time: Arrive on time – no more than 15 minutes early. My setup will already be 90% ready, with sterile equipment opened in front of you.

• Design: Designs will have been agreed a few days before, so we can go straight to sizing, stencil placement, and letting the stencil dry (5–10 minutes).

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• Health:

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  • Do not attend if unwell – please reschedule if you have cold/flu symptoms or are generally ill.

  • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs the night before, and do not arrive hungover or under the influence.

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• Food & drink:

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  • Don’t come on an empty stomach. A light breakfast (whatever you’d normally eat) works best.

  • Avoid heavy or greasy meals that may make you feel sick or faint.

  • Bring snacks and drinks – meal-deal style food, sandwich, fizzy pop, chocolate etc. In accordance with your dietary needs. Or your preferred comfort food. If needed, a fridge is available.

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• Clothing:

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  • Wear clean clothes (no work gear, building site dirt, etc.).

  • Wear clothes you don’t mind getting marked with ink or ointment.

  • Choose loose, comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed:

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    • Back pieces: a button-up/zip-up shirt/top, worn backwards if needed.

    • Underboob/sternum: button-up shirt/top adjusted or taped for access. Nipple covers available on request.

    • High thigh/hip/rib: side-tie bikini bottoms, shorts, or loose pants.

    • Modesty gowns available on request but please bring suitable clothing to cover yourself as we only need to access the tattooed area.

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 Tattoo Numbing Cream

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If you choose to use numbing cream:

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• I do not provide it in the studio on the day of your tattoo – it must be purchased beforehand and applied at home.

• Apply 60–90 minutes before your appointment (after washing), cover with cling film, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Always do a patch test a few days before to check for reactions. Do not use if you experience blistering, burning, rash, or irritation.

• If you arrive with any reaction on your skin, I cannot tattoo you.

• Even if purchased from myself, I take no responsibility for any reaction or impact on your tattoo.

• Please read the dedicated section on my Waiver & Consent to Receive a Tattoo page before deciding to use numbing cream.

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 During Your Appointment

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• Once the stencil is applied, I’ll let it dry for 5–10 minutes before starting.

• Tattoos are done in stages – I’ll do as much as you’re comfortable with.

• Breaks: If at any point you feel faint, unwell, or just need a stretch/drink, let me know. Small breaks can actually help prolong the session and keep you more comfortable.

• Comfort = better tattoos. People who stop before pushing themselves to the point of a bad experience tend to heal better and look after their tattoos more carefully.

• If you use numbing cream but try to push beyond your natural comfort, it can sometimes lead to resentment towards the tattoo and poor aftercare. Communication is always best.

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 After Your Appointment & Healing

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• Once the tattoo is finished, I will:

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  • Clean you down.

  • Allow 10–15 minutes for initial weeping to slow.

  • Clean again and take photos (with your consent – you can review them before anything is posted online).

  • Apply a self-adhesive protective dressing.

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• Dressing guidelines:

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  • Can be left on 48 hours to 4 days.

  • Best results are often around the 48-hour mark.

  • The longer it’s on, the more it sticks and can be trickier to remove.

  • If you’ve had issues with adhesive dressings before, please let me know in advance so I can give you alternative aftercare.

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• If you react to the dressing:

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  • Remove immediately, wash the tattoo gently, pat dry, and leave uncovered.

  • Do not apply cream if the tattoo is weeping, rashy, mushy, or blistered – bacteria loves warm, wet conditions.

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• Ointment use:

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  • Wash the tattoo once daily with clean hands and pat dry with clean paper towel.

  • Apply a very thin layer of ointment once a day (morning or evening).

  • If very dry, you can apply twice daily – but always wash between applications.

  • If you can still see the cream on your skin, you’ve applied too much.

  • Always WASH your hands before touching your new tattoo.

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• Scabbing:

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  • Minor scabbing is normal. If it happens, wash once a day and keep the tattoo dry until healed.

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• Infection:

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  • I do everything possible to make sure you leave with a clean, fresh tattoo.

  • On rare occasions, infections can still happen as tattooing damages the skin especially with leg tattooing or tattooing in your bodies natural creases or where it is hard to wear loose clothing. Waist bands, straps etc.

  • If you’re worried or healing doesn’t look right you must contact us.

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 Following this checklist will make your experience smoother, your session more comfortable, and your healing quicker.

Your job is to come in healthy, prepared, and comfortable. My job is to make sure you leave with the best tattoo possible. If you have any questions that i did not cover on this page please feel free to contact me prior to your session or bring them up on the day.

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Thank you. Rob. 

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