FAQ

First Timers:

What is the legal age to get a tattoo?

Washington state law requires that you must be eighteen years of age to get a tattoo. RCW 26.28.085 [1995 c 373 § 1]

Our artists are well-rounded and experienced in all types of artworks! However, each artist has their own personal style in their art. We suggest looking at their portfolios here.

Consultations are free and 15-minutes. It allows time for you to meet with your artist, discuss your ideas and your options, and ask any questions you may have about your tattoo or the process. The artist can take any notes/photos/tracings they might need and will give you a time and price estimate for your piece. If you’d like to go forward, our counter staff will talk to you about booking an appointment.

Send us an email with your design, sizing in inches, where on your body you want the tattoo, and if there are any changes you’d like to have made to the image. Once we give you a price and time quote, you’ll be able to call to schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that not all tattoos can be booked without a consultation. If we look at your image(s) and decide that you will need a consultation first, we’ll let you know. You can find contact info for each shop here.

All of the artists do custom work! Take a look at our artist’s portfolios and see whose style best matches what you have in mind. Once you know who you would like to work with, you can give us a call or email us to get the process started. If you’re unsure which artist to work with, send us an email with some photo references, and we’ll help you decide.

Yes. Each artist’s style, pace, questions, and note-taking are different. Consulting with the artist that does your tattoo ensures that they know exactly what you want and that you are on the same page.

We do not book tattoo appointments via email. We do all bookings either by phone or in person to avoid any confusion or double bookings.

If you aren’t local, we will do our best to accommodate you! Send us an email with reference photos, general sizing in inches, placement, and any other details you want included in your custom design. If you already have your trip scheduled, include your available dates in the email as well. We’ll show your email to artists whose style and availability match your request. Keep in mind that for custom work without a consultation, you will have to keep the idea general and allow plenty of room for artist interpretation.

We take walk-ins if we have the time available! However, it is always best to schedule an appointment to guarantee your time.

We will need a valid form of state or federal ID (Driver’s License, Military ID, or Passports are all accepted). Make sure that you’re well fed and hydrated beforehand, and wear clothing that will allow access to the area to be tattooed.

Everyone’s definition of “hurt” is different because everyone feels pain differently. We promise to do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible.

We don’t typically recommend the use of numbing creams. They change the texture of your skin making it harder to tattoo. Most of them don’t last very long and when it wears off the pain comes all at once. In our experience it’s much more manageable to ease your way into the pain.

Tattoo pricing varies depending on the tattoo. Our Shop minimum is $150. Tattoos finished in one session are priced outright by the artist based on complexity of the design, sizing, placement, etc. Larger multiple session pieces are priced by our shop hourly rate of $200/hour. We only charge for tattoo time. The artist’s drawing and prep time, taking breaks, etc. are not charged. Washington state charges sales tax on tattoos.

To use an analogy: buying a dozen roses is cheaper than buying just one. Two different tattoos may be the same size and take the same amount of time to complete, but one may require more prep time and higher cost in materials. Sometimes smaller pieces require more time to get the details just right.

There is no additional charge for custom drawing. However, you will need to leave a deposit before the artist starts on the piece. If the artist does a drawing and you do not get tattooed, the deposit goes towards the artist’s drawing time. Otherwise, the deposit goes towards the overall total of the tattoo.

Since we do not charge for drawings we do not let them leave the shop.

We generally allow one friend back. However, it depends on the day and the amount of people in the shop. If there are too many people to have a friend back with you they can always wait in the gallery and take a look every once in a while.

General Tattoo Questions:

What happens if I need to reschedule my tattoo appointment?

If you need to reschedule your appointment, please give us as much notice as possible. Rescheduling with plenty of notice will not affect your deposit. If you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment or don’t show up, you will forfeit a portion of your deposit.

To start a new drawing, you will need to leave a new deposit.

Alcohol, distilled water, glycerin, and color numbers.

Allergic reactions to tattoo ink are extremely rare. Those who do have an adverse reaction most commonly get a little itchier from reds and magentas. If you are concerned you might have an adverse reaction, we suggest consulting a dermatologist before getting tattooed.

Availability varies from artist to artist. We often have openings within a few days and take walk-ins when we have time. However, it is always best to schedule an appointment to guarantee your time.

Once you’ve booked your tattoo appointment, you can ask to be put on that artist’s cancellation list. Cancellations are not guaranteed, but they do happen!

 An in-person consultation is always recommended to assess and discuss your options. Be advised that not all tattoos are possible to cover up or rework, and the artist might recommend starting with laser treatments. As far as choosing an artist, all our artists are very experienced with cover-ups and do an excellent job! Choose someone whose style matches what you have in mind for your new tattoo.

We will need to know how old the scar is and have one of our artists look at the scar to determine whether it can be covered with a tattoo. An in-person consultation is always recommended to assess and discuss your options.

We do free touch-ups within the first six months of getting the tattoo. We do not offer free touch ups for tattoos on hands, fingers, or feet.

Send us an email with a current photo of your tattoo. We’ll show it to our artists and go over your options.

A “guest artist” is an artist who is traveling and in town working at our shop for a limited time. All guest artists at Slave to the Needle are highly competent, well versed in their art form, and just as skilled and experienced as our regular artists.

Due to the unpredictability of the healed outcome, our artists refrain from doing all white tattoos.

Facial tattoos, finger bands, genitalia, ears, lips, palms of hands, bottom of feet, and toes. Some of our artists are willing to do tattoos on fingers, hands, and necks, but in most cases only on heavily tattooed people and only with a consultation appointment beforehand.

No.

Tips are not expected but always appreciated!

Tattoo Aftercare:

What should I expect while the tattoo is healing?

Tattoos take between 2-4 weeks to fully heal. The first few days your tattoo will be red, irritated, swollen, warm-to-the-touch, and possibly bruised; this is all normal. It is also normal for some of the ink to collect under the bandage or blot off onto your towel after a shower. By the 4th or 5th day into the healing process your tattoo will begin to flake and peel. It is very important that you do not pick or scratch at it! A light slap will suffice when itching occurs. After the flaking is done the skin will look shiny for a few weeks.

At the time of your tattoo appointment your artist will go over the aftercare process with you in detail and will send you home with an info sheet. You can also find aftercare info here.

Absolutely! Make sure to wear loose fitting clothing over the tattoo and keep it clean. Be especially careful if you workout at a gym.  New tattoos are susceptible to infection and contacting your fresh tattoo to sweaty gym equipment used by numerous people presents a definite risk of infection.

Once your tattoo is healed, the best methods for keeping your tattoo looking new is by regularly moisturizing and using sunblock.

Piercing Questions:

What hours do you pierce?

We have a piercer on shift at the Ballard shop from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm every day. Please book an appointment to guarantee your time. You can either call the Ballard shop to set up an appointment at 206–789–2618, or book online.

Valid state issued ID.

For individuals under 18 we will do certain ear/body/facial piercings with a parent/legal guardian PRESENT with proof of age and legal guardianship.

Below is a list of the COMBINATION of documents that we will require.

Adult= 1 document | Minor= 2 documents

All of the documents need to be originals or certified copies, NO PHOTOS OR PHOTOCOPIES

For the parent/guardian

Required

Minor document 1

Photo – Required

Minor document 2

Proof of Relationship – Required

  • Valid Driver’s License

  • Valid State ID

  • Valid Passport

  • School ID from within the last year

  • Yearbook from within the last year

  • Valid Passport

  • State ID, Permit with photo, or Driver’s License

  • Original birth certificate that names both the adult and minor

  • Health insurance cards that list both the adult and minor

  • Court paperwork that lists the adult as the minor’s guardian

We offer piercing to the following ages:

  • Earlobes: 8 years and older
  • Nostril and Eyebrow: 14 years and older
  • Septum, Navel, Helix, Tragus, Conch, lip: 16 years and older
  • Other ear piercings, Tongue, Nipples, Genital and Surface piercings: 18 years and older

Minors with Preferred names:

If you do not have a state/gov ID with your PREFERRED name we will need to see something with your old name to match up birth certificate/parents ID. For example-old school ID, old yearbook picture in addition to the documents listed above.

We will always call you by your chosen name.

Earlobes- 8 years and older

Nostril and Eyebrow- 14 years and older

Septum, Navel, Helix, Tragus, Conch, Lip- 16 years and older

Other ear piercings, Tongue, Nipples, Genital and Surface piercings- 18 years and older

We want to feel that the person we are piercing is able to care for it properly. We reserve the right to request a consultation or refuse service.

Earlobes, nostril, eyebrow, septum, navel, helix, tragus, conch, and lip.

At the time of your appointment your piercer will go over the aftercare process with you in detail. We will also send you home with a card laying out the same info. Aftercare involves avoiding any sort of movement of the jewelry, direct pressure on the affected tissue, keeping soaps/chemicals/ointments off your fresh piercing, and irrigating with a sterile saline spay as needed to relive irritation or loosen debris. You can also find aftercare info here.

Between 16 and 12 gauge.

We will not put jewelry in anyone that has been worn by anyone else. If you would like to bring in jewelry to be sterilized for a fresh piercing, we require the jewelry be brought in at least 24 hours ahead of time to inspect, clean, and sterilize. There is a $10.00 sterilization fee when providing your own jewelry.

Jewelry for initial piercing must meet industry and APP standards. Piercings may only be preformed with the following materials:

  • ASTM F136 Titanium
  • ASTM F67 Commercially pure titanium
  • ASTM F138 Stainless steel
  • Pure niobium
  • 14k-18k solid gold that is free of nickel and is alloyed to be biocompatible
  • Platinum
  • Lead free glass/quartz glass

Jewelry for initial piercings must have a mirror polish free of scruffs, scratches, nicks, and any surface debris or polishing compound. Threaded jewelry must be internally threaded. Flared jewelry must be single flared with an O-ring to secure the piece. Rings must have a secure captive or fixed bead. Jewelry with no backing like a nostril screw or septum retainer that has an angle to prevent movement can be used where appropriate. Threadless internal push-pin style barbells are also acceptable. Jewelry with gemstones must be press set, free of glues or adhesives, and all gems must be lead free. Piercers at Slave to the Needle will under no circumstances start a piercing with any jewelry that doesn’t meet these standards. We reserve the right to refuse to pierce with/insert any jewelry we feel is not appropriate.

Once your piercing is completely healed. Healing time varies for different kinds of piercings and from person to person.

You can see our pricing chart here.

We do not use any kind of numbing agents. Everyone’s definition of “hurt” is different because everyone feels pain differently. We promise to do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible.

One person (must be at least 18-years-old) is allowed in the piercing room with you. If you are a minor, your parent/guardian must accompany you during your piercing.

Still photos in the piercing room are allowed at the piercers discretion. We do ask that you make sure your flash is off and that you not take any video in the piercing room.

General/Medical Questions::

Are there any health conditions that might affect my tattoo or piercing?

Any health problem that weakens your immune system such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS etc. may potentially make your healing much slower or impossible.  Furthermore, if you were to get an infection, it could be much more difficult to deal with.

No.  For the safety of you and your child we will not tattoo or pierce anyone who is pregnant.

It is best to wait until you are no longer breastfeeding to get a tattoo/piercing. If you were to get an infection during the healing process, there is a remote possibility that it could be transmitted to your child.

Yes.  Certain heart disorders can make you vulnerable to infective endocarditis.  If you ordinarily take antibiotic prophylaxis before having dental work done, you should speak with your doctor before having a piercing done.  Additionally, if you are on certain blood-thinning medications, you should speak with your doctor before being pierced or tattooed.  If you have a condition that makes you concerned about your healing process you should consult with your doctor first.

Download and Print the Physician Acknowledgement Form

 If you have scars, psoriasis, eczema, or other skin abnormalities in the area where you would like to have work done, we will suggest you come in and speak with an artist/piercer before having a procedure done.  They will give you their opinion and/or any advice they feel is necessary.  If you are sunburned, we will not be able to tattoo you until it is completely healed.

Absolutely not! All needles are disposed of after each use in a special sharps container that is picked up by an outside service. The new needles are sterilized before use and remain in a sealed sterile pouch until the time of use.

Tools are put through an ultrasonic cleaning cycle, thoroughly scrubbed and dried, and put through a full cycle in a spore tested steam autoclave. The autoclave sterilizes with a combination of heat (in the form of steam) under pressure to render the items inside sterile.

This is a test done on our autoclave by an outside lab to ensure that the machine is working properly.

No. Due to the nature of our business we feel it is best not to allow children in the shop without exception.

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