FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is your booking process?
I book one month at a time from a waitlist. You can make a booking request at any time and I will reach out when it’s your turn!
What’s the difference between a “flash” tattoo and a “custom” tattoo?
Flash is another word for “pre-drawn”. If you choose a piece from my available pre-drawn designs, that’s a flash tattoo. If you have a specific design in mind that you’d like me to design and draw for your tattoo, that is a custom tattoo. Flash pieces oftentimes cannot be altered from the original drawing. If you do have customizations in mind, please ask me and I will let you know if it’s something we can do.
When will I see my custom design?
I do not typically send out custom designs before the scheduled appointment. This is to protect me as an artist and the time and work I put into drawing these designs. If you would like to see the design before your appointment, let me know and we can schedule a time for you to come to the shop for a consultation to see and discuss the design in person.
How much will my tattoo cost?
There are a small number of my flash pieces that are set at a fixed rate, but for the most part, I charge on an hourly basis. My current rate is $120 per hour, with a minimum of $100. (This does not mean you have to be tattooed for at least 45 minutes, it just means that anything under 45 minutes will be charged the minimum of $100.) If you would like an estimate of how much your tattoo will cost, feel free to ask! And if you have a budget you need to stay under, please let me know that as well and we can structure the session with that in mind.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash and Venmo (@sgtsatchel) are my preferred methods of payment, but I can also accept credit cards and PayPal.
Should I tip my artist?
Tipping is not mandatory or expected but is always greatly appreciated. Industry standard tips are around 20-25% but I am happy with anything you’re willing and able to offer.
How do you feel about clients using numbing cream?
I feel mostly fine! I do not subscribe to the toxic/ableist opinion that you have to “earn” your tattoo with physical pain. That’s ridiculous. However, there are genuine risks with numbing cream so if you are planning to or would like to use a numbing cream before your appointment, please get in touch with me as early as possible (like ideally at least a few weeks prior) to discuss the best ways to make sure it doesn’t negatively affect our tattoo session.
Lots of us at Nest also like to use lidocaine products during the actual session as well to help with the pain and even help with redness and swelling. My go-to is Bactine. It’s not a full-blown numbing product but it does take the edge off. I will always discuss this with you before any application to make sure you’re comfortable with it and don’t have any known allergies.
Can I bring a friend/partner/family member to my appointment?
My booth is very small, but I do have room for one guest to accompany you, as long as they are also able to provide proof of full vaccination (see health & safety page for more information). Please note that I consider it part of my job to advocate for you and your autonomy when getting a tattoo. If your guest is exhibiting controlling behavior or trying to sway you to their opinions on your body art rather than your own, I will speak up and potentially ask them to leave.
Is there any person that you won’t tattoo?
I will not tattoo minors, even with parental permission
I will not tattoo any pregnant person. If you are no longer pregnant but are breast/chest-feeding, I am willing to consider tattooing you but only if you discuss it with your physician and they give you a green flag.
Is there any type of design that you won’t tattoo?
Hate speech or images/words/symbols that represent hate groups
Culturally appropriative designs or designs that represent a specific culture that I am not a part of. The Denver tattoo community is beautifully diverse and there are tons of artist from so many different cultural backgrounds. I would be happy to help point you in the direction of an artist more suited to work with cultural designs
Art from another living artist without their direct permission
Pieces that are outside of my abilities. I am still learning and may turn down a custom request if it’s not suited to my capabilities.
Cover-ups. This is temporary as I continue learning. If you have an old piece that you’d like re-worked or touched up and you are not able to work with or comfortable working with the original artist, I’d be happy to discuss this with you.
What if I can’t make it to our appointment?
Life happens, I understand that plans sometimes need to change. I don’t require deposits at this time, so I’m taking it on faith that if I spend the time and materials to design and give you a tattoo, you’ll show up to get it. So far, I haven’t been burned by that yet! (Thank you to my amazing clients!) But if you do need to reschedule, please let me know as soon as you possibly can. I’ll get you back on the books as early as possible, but you may have to wait until my next booking period if all of my time has already been claimed (I book a month at a time). If you are sick and may be contagious, I would genuinely prefer it if you reschedule.
What are the risks of getting a tattoo?
Inherent risks include scarring, infection, and allergic reactions to inks or other tattoo materials. As an artist and as a shop, we do everything we can to help limit these risks and protect your health and safety. I am certified in OSHA’s Blood Born Pathogens requirements and our shop is licensed by the Jefferson County Heath department. I use only new, sterile, and unopened needles and other materials, and only high quality inks and ointments that are certified vegan and cruelty-free whenever possible.
How can I be the best client?
Reading through all of my booking information, this FAQ, all appointment reminders, and all consent forms is a wonderful way to start! Thanks for geting this far, you’re awesome :)
When requesting a custom piece, please give me as much information as humanly possible about your desired piece. Reference and inspiration photos and are super encouraged, I’m even thrilled to get your own sketches of exactly what you have in mind (no artistic skill required!). If you think you’re giving me too much information, keep going. And if you aren’t 100% decided on things, I’m always more than happy to schedule a consultation to discuss it together before your appointment!
When choosing an appointment, please make sure you have a good bit of time afterwards in case our session runs late. I always do my best to schedule efficiently and with your time and budget in mind, but I’m not perfect and sometimes we may run a little longer than we planned to.
Please don’t arrive more than 10 minutes early to your appointment. Set-up takes time and I’m an anxious bean and can get a bit frazzled if my clients show up super early and I feel like I’m making them wait.
Read the “Your Appointment” information and follow all of those instructions. They’re for your benefit more than mine.
Ask questions! There are no stupid questions and I want you to feel 100% confident with your tattoo and with your time in our shop. Getting tattooed can be a very vulnerable experience. If you need any information about the process to help you feel more comfortable I am more than happy to provide it.
Let me know if something isn’t right! If the stencil isn’t placed right or if you want to change something in the design, pleeeeeeease let me know! I would so much rather spend a ton of time tweaking the design or re-placing the stencil and have you leave with a tattoo you are thrilled about than to make no changes but have you leave less than thrilled.
Take excellent care of your tattoo. Check out the “Aftercare” page for more info and feel free to ask me any questions!
Recommend me or the other Nesties to your friends and come back for more tattoos! :)