F.A.Q

How old do you need to be to have a tattoo?

You must be at least 18 years of age to get a tattoo. It is against UK law to tattoo a minor,  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattooing_of_Minors_Act_1969

We also ask that you bring Photo ID to your tattoo appointment. No exceptions. Any reputable studio will not tattoo anyone under the age of 18.

Do you do walk ins or are you appointment only? 

Predominantly by appointment, and making an appointment is always recommended, however if we have time, walk ins are of course welcomed: you never know unless you try!

Can I take a friend with me?

You can bring your friends to the studio with you, but it will not be possible for them to watch you while you get tattooed. We want to concentrate on you, and the artwork. Also hygienically it is a good practice to minimise the risk that another presence brings to the area. 

Can I bring my children to the studio when I get tattooed and/or pierced?

No please, the shop has a 16+ age policy, therefore arrange your childcare before your appointment.

Can I bring in my own design? 

When making an appointment, it’s important to bring with you a lot of references of the style you like. If you aren’t sure, please fill out our online form which you can find here. Please be mindful that we won't copy another artist's work as it is plagiarism, however inspiration and ideas can be taken from it to get something that's best and tailored to you. 

I would like to cover or rework an existing tattoo. How do I go about this?

Please arrange a consultation in person. Cover-up work needs a lot of special attention and consideration, and we need to see the existing tattoo in person. We can then advise you from there.

What if I want a tattoo on my neck, face, hands or head? 

This is definitely a decision that you should not take lightly. However a big con is that it can affect your career or future job prospects. Each artist reserves the right to refuse a tattoo for any reason, and may decide against it when these tattoos are proposed. 

How much will my tattoo cost? 

How much for a bag of groceries? It is up to what you are going to put in it. The best thing to do is fill out our online form that you can find here, and we can give you an estimate on how long it is going to take, and how much it will cost. Minimum charge starts at £.80. Please fill out a booking form  and we will get back to you with a estimated quote.

We will try to give you a price range when quoting (e.g. £250-300) which allows for any changes in design or size on the day of your tattoo.

How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?

Approximately between 7-10 days you should be able to notice that is healing on the surface. Each individual is different, if you have any concern, contact us. It should be completely healed within a month; however it may take months for the skin to fully regenerate.

Your artist will give you an aftercare info sheet to take away, so that you know how to best look after your new tattoo.

How should I prepare for my tattoo? 

The best thing you can do is to be well-rested. You will find that your pain tolerance is a lot higher when you are feeling your best.

It helps to have a good meal at least 2 hours before your appointment and to stay hydrated. If you feel weak or faint during your tattoo, then have a sugar filled drink to get your blood-sugar levels up.

Wear comfortable clothes, nothing tight, tracksuit or similia.

Please restrain from partying and drinking the night before: alcohol thins the blood for up to 24 hours and can affect both the appearance of your tattoo as well as the healing process.

Remember that we are here to help, so don’t stress, we will look after you throughout your tattoo. If you suffer of anxiety, or you are neurodivergent, please let us know beforehand. We can organise Zoom/FaceTime calls for consultation, and schedule a shop tour so that you can feel at ease with this new environment. 

At BlacklineSW9 we work in single rooms solely, no open space, so you will never be exposed to people during the procedure, other than the practitioner tattooing or piercing you. 

Can I make an appointment over the phone? 

We can certainly book you a consultation over the phone or offer advice, but it is always better to book in person.

What happens to my deposit if I cancel last minute, or do not attend to my appointment?

Deposits are non refundable, however you can reschedule it once, if we are informed 48 hours before your appointment.