TATTOO FAQS

Hi! Thank you for your interest :) You will find common FAQs below, including for events/pop-ups. If you don’t see your question below, feel from to email me at hello@studiomontes.com. 

Please do not send any social media DM’s (as I will most likely not see them.)

Your Instagram says you are a travel/nomadic tattooer. What does that mean exactly?

Yes! I am a travel tattoo artist/mobile tattooer. I left Brooklyn, NY to start doing van life & now I guest at various studios across the country and participate in tattoo pop-ups at van events. I am currently a resident at No Good Tattoo in Austin, TX and a long term guest at Yarrow Studio in Brooklyn, NY.

How do I book with you?

You can submit a tattoo request through my booking form when my books are open. This is the only way to book with me. I do not take appointments through email or social media. 

You will find the status of my books in my Instagram (@studiomontes) bio. If it says “Books Closed” then I am NOT accepting any clients. If it says “Books Open” then I am accepting new clients (in the specific location I’ll be at). Books open every two to three months.

Scheduling will be prioritized by project, not by a first come first serve basis.

Booking for events/pop-ups:

These events are walk-ups only, unless specified otherwise.

I will have a sign-up sheet & flash designs (labeled with prices) for you to choose from, at the first day of the event. In the sign up sheet, you will have to fill out your name, your desired flash design, and your phone number- so that I can text you when you when your time is coming up.

When will I hear back after I submit?

Emails will be sent out in order of appointment date, which can range from a few days to two weeks. Please make sure to be checking your spam. If you don’t hear back, please DO NOT reach out for an update. 

Emails will not be sent out to this who didn’t get an appointment, but please stay alert as priority is given to those who submitted when I have openings.

Do you have a waitlist?

I do have a waitlist but I give priority to those who didn’t make it in the last round. This is why I recommend that you please stay alert for an email in the case that something opens up. We will reach out to those people first, based off the dates you submitted. You will have 24 hours to confirm by sending your deposit. If it’s a next day appointment, I would need the deposit ASAP. In the case I don’t fill the spot, I will then post it on Instagram.

What are your rates?

Studio Rates:

Flash - $250 minimum

Custom - $300 minimum

(you can request a custom based off a flash!)

Prices vary depending on size & complexity.

Full day session (6-8 hours) - $1200 flat

Pop-up Rates:

Pricing varies and depends on what and where I’ll be tattooing. I often present a flash sheet with prices next to each design.

Do you require a deposit?

A non-refundable $200 deposit is required to confirm your appointment that will go towards your tattoo. You will have 48 hours upon me accepting your submission to pay this deposit. After that time, the appointment will be opened up to the next client.

For touch ups, a refundable $50 deposit is required to confirm your appointment that will be returned at your session. You will have 48 hours upon me accepting your submission to pay this deposit. After that time, the appointment will be opened up to the next client.

The non-refundable deposit compensates me for my time consulting, corresponding, and drawing. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know at least 48 hours before our appointment.

For events/pop-ups:

A deposit is not required but I will move on to the next person on the list if you do not arrive in the time frame given to you after reaching out.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you have to reschedule, please let me know at least 48 hours in advance, otherwise your deposit will be forfeited. 

Deposits will not be refunded for cancellations and/or no-shows. No-shows will be blacklisted.

Do you offer a sliding scale for BIPOC + TRANS Community?

If you are eligible and interested in sliding scale/working with your budget, I will be more than happy to work with you on a number that we are both comfortable with! If you would like to discuss this option, please mark it on the booking form.

I have limited spaces for budgets, so BIPOC+T budgets will be prioritized over other budgets.

What if I have to reschedule?

Life happens! It’s okay if something comes up and you need to reschedule. I just ask that you let me know at least 48 hours in advance so that I have enough time to fill your slot and so that your are still eligible to transfer your deposit. Please see cancellation policy. Your deposit will transfer to your rescheduled appointment (if notified at least 48 hours in advance); please be advised this will only be honored on your first reschedule.  Deposits will not be refunded for cancellations and/or no shows.

Is payment due at my appointment?

Yes, payment is due after we finish your tattoo. Your deposit will be applied to your total. Payment and tips are accepted via cash, PayPal, & credit card. For Paypal & CC you will be charged a tax/processing fee. Please come prepared with the correct form of payment.

Do I tip tattoo artists?

It is not required, but the standard is to tip your tattoo artists ~20%

If you want to know more about tattoo etiquette, please check out the links at the bottom of this page. 

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Before your appointment: 

I recommend to all my clients to eat a good meal beforehand and to arrive well hydrated (start drinking a lot of water at least 5 days before your appointment). Keeping yourself hydrated allows the skin to accept the ink more readily. It will help during the tattooing process as well as the healing process. 

Bringing a little snack or something sweet is always a good idea. 

Please arrive sober and avoid drinking alcoholic beverages the day before. 

I recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and something that will be easy for you to be tattooed in. Dark colors are recommended as to avoid any damages from tattoo ink (doesn’t wash out). Pasties, dental bibs, & folding screens will be readily available.

Please don’t forget to bring a form of identification as it is required by law.

During the appointment:

Hydrate! Water will be readily available.

Take breaks! I like to take breaks- to have some water, possibly a snack, and to use the bathroom.

Pasties, dental bibs, & folding screens are readily available if you feel the need to use them. It is not required but I want to make sure you feel comfortable at all times.

Please, please let me know if you need any breaks or if you feel uncomfortable at all. I encourage boundary setting. This is a safe space. It is important to me that you have a good experience and that you feel safe & comfortable to be able to discuss anything with me.

Can I see the tattoo design ahead of time?

No, your design will be shown at the start of your appointment, not prior. I make sure to schedule appointments with enough time for changes if need be. Should any minor changes need to be made, we’ll do that within the allotted time frame for your tattoo. 

Can I change the design/size/placement of my tattoo after my appointment is scheduled?

If you would like to make any significant changes to the design after the appointment has been scheduled, please try to let me know well in advance (at the very least, would need to know 48 hrs in advance). Price estimates are subject to changes in design/size/placement. I reserve some time at the beginning of the appointment to review the design together and make any small changes if necessary (it is very important to me that you are 100% happy with your tattoo!). That being said, however, if any major re-design needs to be done the day of or at the start of the appointment a $50 to $100 re-drawing fee may be added to the final price. If there are significant changes to the size (i.e. much larger than originally agreed upon) I may not have enough time for your appointment and may have to reschedule or schedule multiple sessions. Please understand that this is because of the time it takes and the potential scheduling conflicts. 

Where are you located? 

I am a travel tattoo artist so I guest at various tattoo studios across the country. When I know my next location, I will announce it on my Instagram and add it to my bio.

When I’m in Brooklyn, I work at my home/OG shop, Yarrow Studio, a private and appointment only, artist-owned studio located in Greenpoint in Brooklyn, NY.

When I am in Austin, I work at No Good Tattoo, a private and appointment only, artist-owned studio, located in East Austin, TX.

When I am in Miami, I bounce between Great Oak Tattoo located in Kendall in Miami, FL and Easy Peasy in Little River in Miami, FL.

You will receive the address and directions upon confirmation of your appointment. 

Are there spots you will NOT tattoo ?

I don’t really tattoo the side ribs area. If it’s an exceptionally awesome design, I will consider it but I will also charge an additional $100 on top of the regular price.

Do you do color tattoos?

I do!

Do you do cover ups?

Cover ups depend on the piece that is being covered. If you feel comfortable sharing a picture of the piece that needs to be covered, I would be happy to assess! I do not add to or touch up other artists’ work.

For events/pop-ups:

I will not be able to do cover ups at events/pop-ups.

What does it mean to hand poke / be machineless?

I started off with hand poking but I’ve been mainly using machine.

Hand poke, also referred to as "stick and poke", is a traditional method of tattooing by hand without the use of a machine. A tattoo that is hand poked delivers ink into the same layer of skin (the dermis) as an ordinary tattoo and utilizes the same supplies, with the sole exception of a motorized tattoo machine. 

Helpful Links

Tattoo Shop Etiquette - https://www.bustle.com/p/7-interesting-pieces-of-tattoo-shop-etiquette-everyone-should-know-13096420

Tattoo Pain Chart - https://saniderm.com/knowledge-base/detailed-tattoo-pain-chart/#:~:text=Fairly%20painful.,a%20fairly%20tender%20tattooing%20area.&text=This%20is%20due%20to%20the,inner%20arm%20and%20the%20body.