the PROCESS

If you know what you want, or even if you are just starting to figure it out, no problem. Book a consult with me and we will spend 30-60mins talking about your design. 

I always prefer to do custom designs but I am happy to work with whatever theme or symbolism you are going for, and I can replicate most styles of tattooing. If you have an exact design you'd like done with no modifications, please let me know.

Please either email any reference images to ontic.cr@proton.me, and/or bring them with you to the consult!

Once we've talked for a while I will be able to give you a rough estimate of the total time need for the tattoo, and I'll inform you what appointment type to select on my booking page.

Please do not book your appointment prior to talking to me by email or in a consult!

If your piece is going to take 3hrs or more, you can reach out to ask me for a design preview in the week before your appointment. This responsibility lies with the client - if you don't reach out then you will see the design at your appointment, and we'll be able to make any small tweaks or changes as desired.

Smaller pieces are not allowed design previews, unless otherwise discussed.

Show up on time for your appointment and get the party started!

I accept cash or etransfer only at this time! Your deposit will be taken off the final tattoo cost, leaving you only the remainder to be paid.

Of course I absolutely appreciate such gestures from my clients, in whatever form. I have been tipped with fresh baking, books, art, and plants, to name a few! Knowing my clients love my art and the experience with me is heartwarming beyond measure, but please know this..... TIPPING IS NOT REQUIRED. There is no set standard for tipping in the tattoo industry, and please don't ever let a tattoo artist or shop guilt you into it.

This applies to all tattoos regardless of size, even those that are very small and simple. 

Once you have paid the deposit, you are committing to getting a tattoo. 

If you cannot attend your appointment and/or cancel without 48 hrs notice, the deposit is forfeited to cover my time and the period in my appointment books that was held for you. 

For changes to the tattoo design, you must provide notice up to one week in advance depending on the size of the design. Changing your tattoo idea within 48 hours of your appointment can affect your deposit and/or your booking 

You will be given a 15 minute grace period on the date of your appointment.  If you are later than 15 minutes with no notice in advance, you lose your deposit AND your appointment time will be given to the next person on my schedule or waiting list.  If you are late WITH NOTICE by email or phone call, I may re-schedule your appointment depending on the situation.

If things aren't lining up like you expected, with enough notice I am happy to rebook you for a future date & time, deposit intact. If you are unable to provide a date & time for your rescheduled appointment, you have 3 months from the date of your original appointment to contact me and rebook. After that time the deposit is forfeit if the appointment has not yet been rescheduled. 

For single-sitting tattoos I allow for one rescheduling; a second request to reschedule may be considered forfeit of your deposit. 

IF YOUR TATTOO APPOINTMENT IS 3 HOURS OR LONGER, you will be allowed to request a design preview 3 days prior to your appointment BY EMAIL ONLY ontic.cr@proton.me. Responsibility to request this preview is on the side of the client. A draft of the final design will be made available for review prior to your scheduled appointment time. 

Tattoos that take less than 3 hours will not be provided design previews unless otherwise discussed.

Ultraderm bandages stay on for 3 days. You can shower with them on, and they are more easily removed after a period of warming/softening in the shower. 

Gauze pads (“meatsoaker pads”) should be left on for 6-12 hours, and should not be worn in the shower.  

While the ultraderm bandage is on, you may see blood, plasma, and ink pooling under it - this is normal! If a large pocket of fluid develops, you can gently drain it by poking a small hole, releasing the built up fluid, and placing a band-aid or other covering over the hole you've created. 

Redness at the edges or corners of the bandage indicates tension between the bandage and skin and may result in irritation; gently pulling up the bandage edge showing redness/tension in a very narrow section should alleviate this.  

Redness under the entire bandage/large portions of it, beyond the tattooed skin, is a sign of a reaction. Please do not wait to message or hear from me, simply remove the bandage and move to the next step of cleaning and healing.    

Wash the tattoo gently with non-scented, anti-bacterial soap and warm (not hot) water. Let the tattoo air dry, or pat it dry with a clean towel. Once the tattoo starts to feel dry and tight, you can start putting a small amount of unscented or fragrance-free moisturizer on it. Wash at least once a day, and lotion the area 2-3 times a day, or as needed. I recommend Curel, Aveeno, or Lubriderm.    

During the healing process, a thin layer of skin will form and flake off like a sunburn. This can get very itchy! An open-hand slap will temporarily relieve the itching by overriding it with minor pain, so don't do it too often. 

If scabbed spots form, this indicates a “rough heal” is happening in that spot. Use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on these spots once a day if they form, and avoid them when moisturizing.    

Stay away from any soaking in baths, pools, Jacuzzi, etc. Water will affect the healing layer of skin, and shared bodies of water especially can contain bacteria which could potentially kick off infections or other irritations on the fresh tattoo. 

Shower steam can soften the healing layer and cause it to release early. If your tattoo scabs seem gooey, get it out of the shower and let it dry for 24hrs before restarting lotion.    

Wear loose, clean, cotton clothing over the tattoo during the healing process. Any rubbing can cause the scabs to fall off prematurely resulting in colour loss, so avoid clothing with friction points (bra straps, shoes) where possible for as long as the tattoo is flaking. 

And use sunscreen ALWAYS.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact me and include pictures. I can be reached by email at ontic.cr@proton.me or by texting 867-877-1113.