accessibility
I am currently guesting around various studios in the UK, so when you send an enquiry I will provide you with accessibility specific to the studio I am working at.
If you have any accessibility concerns or questions, please let me know with as much notice as possible, and I will work with the studio to discuss how to address your needs in the space.
I see many tattoo studios omitting accessibility info, or not providing adequate information to enable disabled people to make their own assessments about how they might access the space. For instance saying ‘sorry, the bathrooms are not accessible’ - tell us why! Is it because there are steps - how many are there? Could someone using a walker or a mobility aid other than a wheelchair access it? Could a wheelchair user who can walk a few steps use it? I know how frustrating this is, so I try to encourage studios to more carefully consider the information they provide.
If you’re a tattoo studio or other business, you are welcome to freely copy and amend this template.
When addressing accessibility, I consider:
physical access:
Number of steps and stairs in the studio, and their heights.
Width of the front entrance, the length of any foldable ramps.
Seating options in the waiting area.
Weight ratings and widths of the tattooing beds and furniture.
Whether step stools are available for ease of access onto the beds.
Bathroom accessibility: number of steps or stairs, width of the door, size of the room, availability of grab rails.
Where the closest public wheelchair accessible bathroom is located.
sensory access:
scent
The smell of cleaning products and disinfectant at a tattoo studio is unfortunately unavoidable.
Scents such as perfumes or incense can be avoided. Please advise if these could be an issue for you and I will do what I can to minimise scents in the space.
Products used on your skin during the tattoo will be vegan and fragrance free.
The area of skin to be tattooed will be disinfect with alcohol, which has a temporary smell that dissipates quickly.
light
Overhead lighting will vary from studio to studio.
I use a head torch which removes most of the need for overhead lighting.
There will be no flickering or fluorescent lights in the space.
You are welcome to bring an eye mask or sunglasses if the light intensity is too bright.
sound
My tattoo machines are very quiet.
There may be some conversational noise and the sound of tattoo machines from other artists.
Choice of music and volume in the studio can be changed to suit you.
Please feel free to bring ear-plugs or headphones.
For deaf and hard of hearing clients, I’m happy to discuss anything you need via email before your appointment, or have decisions on the design and placement finalised before you arrive if you prefer. You are welcome to bring an interpreter. I know some basic signs in Auslan/BSL and can fingerspell.
pain
You are welcome to use numbing cream prior to the tattoo, with the exception of nipple tattooing.
Apply it 60-90 minutes before the tattoo. Firstly clean the skin, then apply a thin layer of numbing cream and thoroughly rub it in.
Then smear on a second thick layer, wrap the area in cling film and wear the cling film to the studio.
There is also a product called Bactine which is a numbing spray that can be used during the tattoo as a session extender.
I do my best to be gentle and efficient when tattooing, but pain does build up during long sessions.
Deep breathing and a distraction can help bring focus away from tattoo pain.
I will let you know when opportunities for breaks are coming up, and you can request a break whenever you need one.
It is ok to stop the tattoo! Sometimes our bodies don’t behave the way we want them to. I will not pressure you to continue. We can finish the tattoo another day if we need to.
social and privacy
Most tattoo studios have multiple artists working in one room, with temporary privacy screens that can be arranged around the bed.
If you would prefer a completely private space, please let me know in advance and I will do my best to arrange it.
You are usually welcome to bring one friend or support person with you, but it will depend on the layout and space available in the studio.
Disposable underwear and pasties can be made available for intimate area tattooing.
I love to have a chat, but I tend to not talk all the way through a tattoo so I can focus.
You are welcome to bring your own headphones, eye coverings, earplugs, fidget/stim devices, blankets or any other items that might improve your sensory comfort.
allergies
Please advise if you have any allergies to latex, metals, lidocaine, aloe vera, nut or seed oils, or reactions to adhesives.
I primarily use Intenze brand ink, and they provide highly detailed information about their ink ingredients: https://intenzetattooink.com/pages/our-inks
tattoo appointment walkthrough
On arrival I will greet you, and you will be asked fill out my consent form.
We will start with a chat about the details of your tattoo. This will be about the size of the design, your ideas for placement, any edits you want to make, any colours you would like to change, or anything else you’d like to mention.
I’ll print out multiple sizes of the tattoo to try in the mirror, and we can see which size/s feels best.
When we have a size we like, I’ll make a stencil - this is a temporary outline of the tattoo that sticks to the skin and slowly wipes away over the duration of the tattoo.
I will sanitise and shave the area of skin to be tattooed, and then I will apply the stencil onto your skin with gentle pressure.
We can remove and redo the stencil multiple times. We can try different size stencils to make sure it feels right.
If you are not happy with it, we will do the stencil as many times as we need to until it feels right.
If you are happy with the placement, you can relax and let the stencil dry for a few minutes.
When the placement is finalised I will get the bed or chair set up for the best position, and finish setting up the equipment we need.
When you are comfortable and ready, I will start tattooing you. I will tell you when I am about to start. I will start slowly, with a few of small lines to get you used to the feeling. I will use some pressure with my hands to stretch the skin and stabilise the area.
Things to remember during the tattoo:
- Keep as still as you can, and tell me if you need to move or adjust, so I can stop.
- If you move other parts of your body during the tattoo, you might move the area that is being tattooed.
- Keep breathing, and try not to hold your breath.
- Keep your body as relaxed as possible - try to avoid tensing up.
- Twitching is normal, and it generally doesn’t affect the tattoo.
- DO NOT TOUCH the area that is being tattooed. Touching the area risks contamination to yourself, and also to anything else in the studio that you might subsequently touch.You can let me know during the tattoo if you need a break, a stretch, to change position, a drink or snack, change the temperature, change music volume, or anything else to make you more comfortable.
I will check-in with you regularly, and I will let you know when good opportunities for breaks will be coming up.
Once the tattoo is finished you can have a look in the mirror and make sure you are feeling happy with it.
The tattoo may be lightly bleeding - this is normal and will stop after a few minutes.
We will wrap the tattoo temporarily with cling film to keep it protected while it settles down.
I will clean up the tattooing equipment, then I will take some photos if you’re comfortable. I can send you the photos I take, or take some on your phone.
I will discuss after with you and advise on aftercare methods. We can then apply the aftercare method of your choice.
We will then discuss the quote and confirm the final price, and receive payment in cash or bank transfer.