here’s all my info! click the links to jump to the sections.
if you have any further questions, please contact me at tattoos@germ.website x
ABOUT GERM
FAQ
AFTERCARE
COLOUR TESTS
PRICING
about germ
germ (flack) is a non-binary tattooer at previously based in Naarm / Melbourne Australia, and now in Brighton UK. their tattoo practice is devoted to helping clients access the healing and transformative power that is possible within tattooing. as a fat, trans and neurodivergent tattooer they are dedicated to making a comfortable and celebratory space for queer, fat, disabled and marginalised people to get tattooed.
their work is full of colour and joy, and is inspired the weirdness of nature, memes, zines, folk art and folklore, and queer, underground and outsider culture.
germ is originally from worthing (near brighton) in the uk, living on Wurundjeri land (Naarm / Melbourne) since 2007, and returning to the UK in 2026. after studying Illustration in Worthing and Animation at RMIT Melbourne, they made work as a painter and zinemaker, moved towards a tattoo practice in 2014, and joined Crucible Tattoo in 2018.
FAQs
how do i book?
my books are currently closed while i’m settling in to my new home :) I expect bookings in Brighton to commence in April - please sign up for my UK mailing list to be the first to know when they open!
do i have to be over 18?
yes, you must be over 18 to get a tattoo - tattooing a minor is illegal in the UK and Australia, even with parental consent. come back and see me when you’re 18!
can i get a different artist to tattoo your work?
no, sorry! i don't sell my designs or give permission for any other artist to tattoo them. my work is very personal to me and any design translated through another artist's lens will always turn out different. it separates the art from the artist and it feels uncomfortable and unauthentic to have tattoos out there that are recognisable as my work, but they are not made by me… i hope you understand. i plan to travel more - you can let me know where you are and i’ll contact you if i come round your way!
will you tattoo this artist’s work on me?
i will tattoo another visual artist’s work (not another tattooer) on a case by case, as long as you have the artist’s written permission, and if it’s an art style that aligns with my style. i prefer to tattoo my own work, so if the piece is not in my wheelhouse i will try to recommend another tattooer who fits the vibe.
i really like this tattoo you did, can i get the same one?
no - not unless the tattoo is on your bestie and they consent to having a matching one with you. i don’t repeat designs (with some exceptions - for example on flash days). if a design has been taken i am happy to do a variation so that you have a unique piece.
what will it cost?
pricing will depend on the complexity of the design and the size and placement on the body - my minimum booking is £100, and most of my designs range from £150-£350. i’m happy to work within your budget and most flash pieces can be customised for you! for more info check out my pricing
what can i do before the tattoo to prepare?
you can do a few things for your body to make sure your tattooing experience goes as smoothly as possible:
• get a good night’s sleep
• be well fed and hydrated
• avoid excess caffeine / stick to your usual amount
• avoid being hungover as this thins the blood and makes tattooing more difficult
• wear comfortable clothing that provides access to the area of the tattoo
• let me know if you have any allergies to latex or ingredients commonly found in inks or moisturisers
can i get a colour tattoo on dark skin tones?
yes!! colour tattoos can feel very inaccessible for clients with dark skin tones, but please don’t feel like you’re unable to get the tattoos that you want. i’m happy to offer colour tests (free for people of colour) to find out what heals well on your skin. we can do small intentional designs such as rainbows / coloured flowers etc, so that you don’t have to get a tattoo of coloured dots that you might not want. i am doing my best to continually educate myself on best practices for tattooing dark skin, and i’d love to work with you to pick the best colours and make a really beautiful tattoo for you.
how do i take care of it?
i’ll give you an aftercare card at your appointment as well as run through the basics with you. here are my tips.
Aftercare
Please feel free to ask any questions at your appointment so you feel confident caring for your new tattoo!
Tattoos will usually be fully healed after three weeks.
Continue following aftercare instructions until the skin no longer feels dry.
Cling wrap and moisturiser
• ALWAYS wash your hands before you touch your fresh tattoo. do not let anyone else touch it.
• keep the cling wrap on for 1-2 hours, or until you’re at a clean sink to wash it. don’t wrap it again - let it get some air.
• wash it twice a day for the first 3 days, with warm water and gentle, fragrance-free soap. wash once daily after that.
• avoid very hot water. avoid harsh cleansers. do not use anything with exfoliating properties.
• pat dry gently with a clean towel, or paper towel.
• moisturise the tattoo 2-3 times a day maximum. use a thin layer of fragrance-free and petroleum-free aftercare product. use sparingly - less is more. smothering the tattoo in creams will prevent it breathing, clog pores, and create scabs and infections.
• RECOMMENDED: (I will update this list with UK products soon) Dr Pickles, Hustle Butter, Ink Nurse, shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, unscented QV/Dermaveen lotions. Dr Pickles is affordable and is stocked at Woolworths, it’s the easiest tattoo moisturiser to pick up at a shop.
• DO NOT USE: Anything containing petroleum jelly/petrolatum, fragrance, lanolin, or alcohol. No Vaseline, No Aquaphor (contains petroleum jelly), No Lucas Paw Paw (it’s mostly petroleum jelly), No Bepanthen (contains petroleum and lanolin), No Bepanthen “Tattoo” (same product, more expensive) No Savlon (too harsh, contains fragrance and alcohol).
• avoid submerging the tattoo in water for 2-3 weeks (no baths, oceans, lakes, pools, hot springs, etc). showering is fine.
• avoid scratching / picking / rubbing / friction. leave any scabs alone and let them heal in their own time.
• keep away from pets.
• keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight for 3 weeks. avoid sunscreen for 3 weeks. keep it covered with clothing.
• after 3 weeks, sunscreen is your friend. apply regularly on the tattoo to prevent colours fading long term.
• you can wear clean black clothing over the tattoo for the first night to avoid the tattoo sticking to / staining bedsheets.
• i offer one free touch up - so long as aftercare instructions have been followed!
EXTRA NOTES FOR HAND/FINGER TATTOOS
• i’ll send you home wearing a latex/nitrile glove to keep it protected for the journey. keep it uncovered after that point
• 1-2 hours after the tattoo, wash gently with unscented soap and warm water. pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel, let fully dry, and apply a thin layer of unscented moisturiser (see notes above on moisturisers)
• for 2-3 weeks do not submerge or soak your hands in water - avoid doing dishes or cleaning tasks where possible
• avoid friction on your hands. e.g. having your hands in your pockets, taking gloves on and off, wearing long sleeves that rub
• don’t over-moisturise your hands. 2-3 times a day maximum
• try to keep your hands clean as much as possible, to avoid over-washing the tattoo
• you can wear gloves for dirty tasks, but avoid the gloves getting soggy inside! best to chill and get someone else to do it :)
• healing hand and finger tattoos is just difficult because we use our hands so much. they might need a touch up regardless of how well you care for them.
Second Skin (clear dressing - also called Opsite / Saniderm)
• wear the second skin for 2-6 days
• you can shower with it on, but avoid submerging your tattoo in water
• check it daily to make sure there are no leaks or holes, leave it alone otherwise
• if there’s leaks, holes, or it’s coming loose, take it off early and follow the aftercare instructions above
• some people may be allergic to Second Skin if they are allergic to bandaids or medical adhesive
• if your skin develops redness around the edges of the Second Skin, take it off early and follow the aftercare instructions above
Removing Second Skin:
• i prefer to do it wet, in the shower or over a sink.
• start peeling up the edges so you have something to grab onto. at all times go slow and gentle.
• using fragrance free soap and warm water, lather under the edges and work it underneath to loosen it.
• grab and slowly stretch it across your skin rather than peeling upwards - like taking a 3M Command Strip off a wall
• keep lathering it and stretching it out in all directions until it slowly comes off.
• wash it thoroughly, then continue following the aftercare instructions above
Fixomull (white dressing)
• leave the Fixomull on for 7 days
• you can shower with it on, but avoid submerging your tattoo in water
• check it daily to make sure it’s not peeling up, leave it alone otherwise
• if the Fixomull starts to peel off early, stick it back down with a band-aid or tape
• some people may be allergic to Fixomull, but it seems to be quite rare
• if your skin seems unhappy, take it off within the first 48 hours
Removing Fixomull:
• remove fixomull slowly and gently - in the shower with fragrance free soap is ideal
• start peeling it off slowly and gently
• use fragrance free soap to help lather and loosen the Fixomull
• if you have a spare hand, hold your skin taut while you peel away the Fixomull
• if it’s being stubborn, saturate the entire area with coconut oil and try again in 15 minutes
• if any adhesive remains stuck to the skin, use coconut oil to massage it off.
• wash it thoroughly, then continue following the aftercare instructions above
Infection
Tattoo infection is possible, especially if hygiene measures aren’t followed.
It’s normal for the new tattoo to feel warm to the touch, or red and inflamed and painful on the first day.
This should only get better. If the tattoo starts feeling worse, more painful, more red or inflamed, or if anything smells bad, it’s possible you have an infection. Other side effects can include fever or nausea. If this occurs, please consult a doctor as soon as you can, as it may require antibiotics.
Colour consultations for People of Colour
tattooing on dark skin tones
i offer complimentary colour consultations and colour test tattoos for people with melanated skin, free with any colour tattoo. colour tattoos can feel inaccessible for clients with dark skin tones, and racist views within the culture of tattooing have influenced what people believe it is possible to tattoo. you might be quite pleasantly surprised by what we can achieve, and i’d love to work with you to pick the best colours and make a really beautiful tattoo for you!
tattoo ink is deposited into the middle layers of the skin, and the layer of melanin heals on top. it’s similar to applying a filter to a photograph, which will mute certain colours. if you have a lighter skin tone, you have more flexibility in terms of tattooing pastel colours, yellows etc. dark skin tones require more consideration as to how visible the colours will be, and how the overall light/dark contrast in the design will work.
if you already have some colour tattoos and have an idea of what works with your skin, we can do an in-person or email consult in advance of the tattoo, where we chat about colours suited to your skin tone and look at examples. if you haven't had a colour tattoo before, or if you want to try a colour you don't already have, we can do a free small colour test tattoo around 3 weeks before the tattoo appointment, using the colours that you hope to have present in your final tattoo. 3 weeks later at your actual tattoo appointment, we can we evaluate how the colours have healed in your skin, and choose which colours we use for your tattoo. this can also help alert you to any ink allergies and tell us which colours to avoid.
you shouldn’t have to get a tattoo of a bunch of lines and dots that you might not want! i have designed my colour test flash to be cute and intentional, and you’re welcome to suggest your own small design.
examples of my work on melanated skin
tattoo pricing
pricing will depend on the size, detail, colour/shading, placement, and how long the tattoo takes on the day
my minimum booking is £100. i tend to charge by the piece for smaller tattoos and by the hour for longer sessions. roughly £100-120 per hour. if you get multiple tattoos at the same time, they’ll work out cheaper as there’s only one appointment and one equipment set up
for custom pieces allow an extra £20-50 to cover drawing time and edits/changes.
certain areas of the body are easier to tattoo, for example most parts of the legs and outer arms. for tattoos on the ribs, sides, stomach, neck and torso, my quotes would be higher than the prices below due to the extra time and difficulty of tattooing on those areas.
examples
£100-120: small, simple linework, limited colour
£130-150: small, simple, a bit more colour or shading
£160-200: small to medium, more colour and detail
£200-250: medium sized, more solid colour or intricacy
£250-350: medium to large, lots of colour or intricacy
£350-450: large size, lots of colour or intricacy
£500-800+: large or very large size, high level of colour and intricacy (quotation on request)
what goes into the pricing?
it’s a great question, and one that is often kept secret! i’ll explain what goes into the hourly rate.
firstly, around 30% of the cost of your tattoo goes towards the studio - this covers the rent, insurance, management, and studio supplies. 70% goes to me, and from that i deduct my taxes and pension as i’m self-employed, and purchase tattooing and art supplies. it also covers the invisible work that i don’t directly charge for - drawing, research, emails and scheduling.
i do my best to make my work as affordable and accessible as possible, and i’m always happy to try to find a way to give you a tattoo you want, within your budget! tattoos are ultimately a luxury - an investment in a piece of art that will hopefully last you a lifetime. i price based on my experience - i have been tattooing for 10 years, and working as an artist for 20+ years. tattooing is a high pressure job, and a physically and emotionally exhausting one - it takes a high level of concentration, discipline, and empathy to tattoo conscientiously.