Terms and Conditions

The following is the collective terms and conditions for getting tattooed by me. Each part is broken down into main bullet points for ease of quick reading with the explanations after as needed, everything we ask is for good reason. If you do not read and follow the advice included here booking fees and appointments may be forfeit.

BOOKING FEES AND PAYMENTS

  1. A booking fee is required before any appointment is able to confirmed or held.
  2. Booking fees are non-refundable (but exceptions may be made at the artist’s discretion).
  3. The booking fee will be credited towards the last session of your tattoo (it reduces the final payment). 
  4. Booking fees “roll over” for multiple session work, each session must be paid in full.
  5. Booking fees are valid for one year from the last attended or scheduled appointment.
  6. I prefer bank transfer, but I am able to accept cash payments. I do not accept card payments.
  7. Please warn me of any pre-existing medical condition before booking.
Further information concerning appointments can be found in the Studio Policies section on this page.
 
 Explanations:
  1. I send available dates AFTER I receive the booking fee as my availability can change very quickly. The less time between sending the dates and being able to confirm a chosen date means there is a higher chance of the chosen appointment being available. I do my best to operate on a fair first come, first served basis.
  2. The booking fee acts as a payment for work required prior to the tattoo session in the case of a client not showing for an appointment, not following the terms of our service or not giving enough notice of changes to the planned appointment.
  3. Our normal booking fee is our hourly rate, so it tends to pay for the last hour of your planned work. 
  4. Using booking fees in the middle of multiple sessions is possible as long as I am given prior notice. We do discourage that as it can lead to problems and it nullifies any future bookings. It also slows down the speed at which I may be able to offer appointments.
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  6. I can offer paypal as a last resort but I have to add a surcharge as the fees are very high for this. See the section on payments in Studio Policies for further information.
  7. In most cases I would suggest you to check with your GP before booking as I am not qualified to offer medical advice. You will be asked to declare any medical conditions on your consent form. This is required by our Environmental Health License. If we are not sure, we will not tattoo you until you have clearance from a medical professional. 

PRECARE

  1. Allow plenty of time for your appointment.
  2. Be on time.
  3. Photographic ID is required for ALL clients.
  4. No alcohol/ recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before being tattooed.
  5. Eat a balanced meal an hour before your appointment.
  6. Bring a bottled drink and a snack/meal with you.
  7. Exfoliate/ moisturise the area for a week before. Avoid tanning the area.
  8. Do not apply numbing products or topical creams to the area.
  9. Wear clothing that allows easy access to the area. Avoid expensive or new clothes.
  10. Turn your phone/tablet to silent while in the studio.
Explanations:
  1. Occasionally appointments can run over their allocated times and we can’t always stop during the process for clients to sort car parking etc.
  2. Please arrive 10 mins before your stated appointment time as we do not complete setting up until clients have arrived. If you are running late please let us know. There may be another client in after your alloted time. Lateness may result in loss of your booking fee AND your appointment.
  3. It is a condition of our environment health license that all clients provide ID before we can tattoo them. Driving licences and
    passports are ideal.
  4. We cannot tattoo anyone under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs. Avoid all such substances for at least 24 hours prior to your tattoo appointment or this will result in the forfeiture of any booking fee and potentially any future work being undertaken. This is a condition of our environmental health license.
  5. We highly recommend eating a balanced meal within the hour before your tattoo appointment to maintain regular blood sugar levels and avoid any unnecessary physical discomfort such as feeling nauseous, dizzy or faint. Avoid excess consumption of sugar and caffeine before your session.
  6. A bottled drink is recommended as keeping fluids up is essential to a healthy healing and a comfortable session. Bottled drinks are preferred as they are less likely to spill. For sessions likely to be more than a couple of hours we advise bringing a packed lunch and comfort snacks.
  7. We ask that you exfoliate and moisturise your skin for a few days before your appointment. Please avoid sun exposure, tanning beds and fake tans. This will make the process quicker, more comfortable and results in a better heal. Skin must also be clean. We will shave you if needed so you don’t get a shaving rash that can affect the quality and comfort of the tattoo.
  8. It is illegal for us to apply anaesthetics for the purpose of tattooing. Due to the very high amount of dangerous fake products for sale online we will not tattoo you if you apply numbing products to your skin. The use of these products often creates more problems in getting your new tattoo than they solve. We cannot accept any responsibility for complications caused by the clients use of these products. Self application of these products may result in the forfeiture of your booking fee and inability to get your tattoo. Don’t worry we will do our best to keep you as relaxed
    and comfortable as we can.
  9. We do our very best to protect your clothing but we cannot guarantee you will not get ink on them. We highly recommend choosing your clothing with this in mind, do not wear your favourites! We cannot accept responsibility for any damage to clothing while you are being tattooed. It is important to wear clothing that will allow easy access to the area to be tattooed and it’s surrounded area. For example: Upper arm we recommend a vest or loose sleeveless top. For legs loose trousers, shorts, skirts etc. For back tattoos a zip up hoodie or similar worn backwards is ideal. Dress for comfort and accessibility. In colder weather comfy gloves, warm socks and a hat can help as even if the room is warm the body can chill. For tattoos in more intimate areas we have methods of covering you to maintain dignity and comfort. Talk to your artist if you need more clarification. Clothing must be clean. We will do our best to get you as comfortable as possible.
  10. Distracting and sudden noises such as message alerts, ringtones and video chatter are not welcome in the studio.
    When we are tattooing you we may not be very conversational as we are concentrating on creating your tattoo. We don’t mind if you want to wear earphones to watch/listen to your device but please keep the external sounds on your device off.
    We do need you to remain relaxed and still during tattooing so bear this in mind. If you move suddenly to check that message it may result in problems.

STUDIO POLICIES

  1. A booking fee is required to secure an appointment.
  2. Appointments are booked via email or in person at the studio upon receipt of a booking fee or valid gift voucher.
  3. If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment we require at least 3 working days notice.
  4. Missing your appointment or being late will lead to the loss of your booking fee and appointment.
  5. Gift vouchers are for sale in studio or via email.
  6. All payments are either cash or bank transfer.
  7. We are an over 18 age restricted premises.
  8. Attend your appointment alone (unless prior arrangement has been made).
  9. We need clear information about your tattoo idea in order to create it.
  10. There is no parking at the studio.
  11. We are an appointment only studio. Our tattooing days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays but we may not always be open if we
    are away at a show or working on our admin and drawing at home.
  12. If you call by and we’re closed please drop us an email at eponatattoo@gmail.com
Explanations:
 
  1. The booking fee is deducted from the cost of the tattoo upon completion. For multiple session tattoos it is rolled over until the final appointment that finishes the tattoo. Booking fees are non-refundable but exceptions may be made at the artist’s discretion.
    Booking fees are forfeited in the case of missed appointments, not following the terms of our service or exhibiting inappropriate/ aggressive behaviour.
    All Booking fees are valid for one year from the last attended or scheduled appointment. Booking fees are £90 for work over £150 or half the quoted price for under this.
  2. In person consultations are available but not guaranteed unless booked beforehand. It is best to email us as we do not have a receptionist, and our waiting area is prioritised for booked clients.
  3. We understand that sometimes things change and we will do our best to accommodate this. Failure to inform us in time will result in losing the booking fee.
  4. In an emergency contact us and the artist may use their discretion and allow another appointment. If you are running late let us know ASAP. Being late may result in cutting short your appointment time or not getting tattooed and losing the booking fee.
  5. All gift vouchers are valid for one year after the date of purchase.
  6. PayPal is accepted as a last resort but will incur an additional fee. We do not accept card payments.
  7. You must be over 18 years old to enter the studio during opening hours.
  8. We are a small studio with restricted space. If a client wishes to bring a companion it must be cleared with your artist beforehand. Only the artists and clients are allowed in the work area, companions must stay in the waiting area. This is a condition of our environment health license.
  9. Our work is designed individually for each client. We cannot copy directly other people’s personal tattoos. It is okay to get ideas and inspiration from them, but not directly copy.
    We need to know where on the body     the tattoo is going, general size and fit, the subject of the tattoo, it’s style and colour scheme. We direct all enquiries to our email – eponatattoo@gmail.com
    Please include as much information as you can as well as visual references such as photos. If an in person consultation is needed we will arrange a free appointment for this.
    We do not begin our designing/ drawing up process without an     appointment being booked.
  10. We can occasionally accommodate motorcycles outside (with proir notice). Nearest free parking is Hallam Road or The Burgage. If you choose to park in a pay and display add plenty of extra time as we can’t always interrupt your tattoo to go and put another ticket on your car. The local traffic wardens are very good at their jobs.
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AFTERCARE

  1. Please leave the dressing on until the following morning.
  2. We advise removing it in the shower. Wash Gently (with clean hands) with your soap and gently pat dry with a clean towel.
  3. Allow the tattoo to air for 10 to 15 minutes before applying ointment.
  4. Please wash your tattoo 3 times a day; if possible.
  5. Wear loose clean cotton clothing over your tattoo whilst healing.
  6. After a couple of days your tattoo will develop a light scab.
  7. Do not pick or scratch LEAVE IT ALONE!
  8. Continue to wash and apply ointment for 4 weeks.
  9. Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight.

Do not re-bandage the tattoo whilst healing
Do not soak the tattoo whilst healing (a quick wash or shower is sufficient)
No animal hair/ dusty environments etc.
No swimming/saunas.

Explanations:

  1. If you must remove before the following morning, wash/dry/moisturise at least an hour before bed.
  2. Always wash hands before and after dealing with a healing tattoo to prevent cross contamination and reduce infection risk.
    If a clean towel isn’t readily available use kitchen roll.
  3. We recommend a very mild moisturiser such as E45 or Palmers Cocoa Butter.
    We suggest fresh ointment for each tattoo. Old ointment can harbour bacteria that would not upset normal skin but can pose a risk to freshly tattooed skin.
    Apply a thin coat of ointment. Too much can slow the healing process and lead to excessive scabbing.
  4. At least twice at a minimum.
  5. Tight clothing can irritate. Textured or fibrous clothing increases risk of infection.
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  7. Picking scabs removes colour and can cause infection.
    During your healing process if your tattoo feels tight or uncomfortable, apply a TINY amount of recommended ointment to relive it.
  8. Your tattoo should feel healed around 10 to 14 days. Continue to care for it for 4 to 6 weeks to make sure.
  9. Direct sunlight is the enemy of tattoos. Especially while they are healing, but it damages all tattoos over time, leading to fading/ blurring. High factor sunblock is good to use on HEALED tattoos, but do not put on fresh tattoos. Best thing is to keep them covered in strong sunlight.