Booking FAQs

The Basics

  • Tattoos are 18+. An ID is required day-of.

  • I will turn away anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol without returning the deposit.

  • My booking minimum is $150. I only take cash for payment.

  • I require a non-refundable $150 deposit to book. It will go towards your total. I accept this through Venmo, Cashapp, or Paypal. The appointment is not confirmed until I have received the deposit and a confirmation message from you.

How do I book a tattoo?

  • Fill out the Booking Form on my site for a quote. I will respond via email within the week. If I do not hear back through email, I will try to DM you on Instagram. I only have one email: bleuinktattoo@gmail.com. Be wary of scams. Any emails inquiring about a tattoo quote will be directed to my Booking Form.

  • A quote is an approximate price based on how long I estimate the tattoo to take. Various factors day-of, such as your general health and the condition of your skin, can make the tattoo take longer. Please see the “Tattoo Preparation” section to make sure your body is feeling good! I will never go past $200 over the quoted price if this is the case.

  • I do flash and custom tattoos. For inspiration, check out my Tattoo Gallery & Flash Portfolio.

What is a flash tattoo?

A pre-drawn design that you just pick and go. Some flash is “repeatable,” meaning multiple people can get the same design. Most of my flash is “non-repeating,” meaning only you will have it. Flash designs reflect an artist’s stylistic strengths and preferences.

What is a custom tattoo?

A design that I specifically make for you, based on your direction. This is custom-fit to your body and vision, and cannot be repeated.

  • For custom tattoos, I will have the design ready by the morning of your appointment at the latest. I most often will send it the night before. Don’t hesitate to change the design - you can make revisions! If it starts to become another idea completely, there will be a redraw charge based on complexity.

  • You will receive a sketch of the design, which conveys the general idea. I do a lot of the actual finalization in the moment, on your skin. I will walk you through my plans the day of, and explain the vision I see in my head. There is a degree of trust involved here.

  • I draw your design the day or two before your appointment because it gets me into the right headspace for your design. It allows me to remember what I plan to do during the actual tattoo. I think about it all day and night! Sending the design right before the appointment also protects my art from theft and replication. I understand anxiety about not seeing the design earlier. If this is the case, a consultation before booking might be the right move.

What is a freehand/anatomical tattoo?

Freehand tattoos are designs that I draw directly onto you at the studio before we tattoo, versus drawing something before the appointment. These are good for tattoos meant to flow with the body, meant to fit in one specifically shaped spot, or that focus on organic shapes. It can take a couple hours to draw it onto you before we start tattooing.

An anatomical tattoo is a tattoo designed specifically with your body and anatomy in mind. It accentuates parts of you, flows along contours & lines of movement, and fits perfectly in that one spot.

Do you offer consulations?

Yes! I offer free, 45-minute consultations. This is when you come to my studio in person and explain your ideas to me. I will share more in depth looks at my process and answer any questions. I often will draw on you while we talk about the design.

This is good for clients who are unsure of exactly what they want, want an anatomical tattoo, are planning a larger project, or just feel more comfortable booking after they’ve had their questions answered face-to-face.

How do you accept payment?

I only accept CASH the day of the appointment. Please bring $50 over than the high end of the quoted price. This is in case the condition of your skin causes the tattoo to take longer.

I never expect a tip, but they’re always appreciated! I also love snacks, drinks, art, an “I’m proud of you, son,” surprises, etc.

Do you accept trades?

YES! I love trading and bartering. I accept trades for full or partial payment, depending on my availability and trade priorities. I mainly keep other professionals and small businesses in mind, but I am always down to see what you offer. Feel free to propose a trade in the “comments” section of the booking form. Here are some things I’d love to trade for (this list is not exclusive by any means):

  • Haircuts, color, and extensions

  • Ceramics

  • Art prints, original drawings or paintings

  • Handmade or vintage silver jewelry

  • Chainmail jewelry and accessories

  • Stained glass pieces

  • Taxidermy, bones, insects, wet specimens, crystals, oddities

  • Leatherwork

  • Tailoring, handmade clothes, or styling

  • Car modifications

  • Tooth gems & grills

  • Access to a ceramics studio, jewelry studio, or art/craft classes

  • Bass, guitar, or DJ lessons

  • Furry accessories (boingy tails, ears, masks)

  • Boudoir photography

  • Pole dance lessons

Melanin discount

I offer a sliding scale rate from $135-$180/ hour ($180 is my usual rate) for my clients with darker skin tones. I have heard mixed opinions about this online, but it is ultimately appreciated by my clients, and that's what I care about.

I do this for a variety of reasons:

  • I want a diverse portfolio. I want everyone to trust me and feel comfortable being tattooed by me. I don't want you to worry that I'll botch your tattoo. I want to be the best artist I can be.

  • Austin is a very white city. Proportionately, it is harder to show a diverse portfolio on this alone!

  • My style specifically has a huge misconception: that fine-line & delicate shading can only show up or look good on lighter skin. It is not harder to tattoo darker skin whatsoever. If someone tells you your skin tone won't work with this style, they're either racist or lazy.

  • Reparations & making sure tattoos are more accessible for those who face socioeconomic barriers.

If you would like the sliding scale rate, please tell me in the "comment" section of the booking form what rate works best for you. I still need to come up with a quote, so if the quote is higher than you can afford, we can slide to a lower end of the scale.

I will not police who uses this. I will not take the sliding scale away if you don't have a certain skin tone day-of. People's skin tones fluctuate, people have financial hardships; I will not judge you. This policy is based on the honors system. Still, please don’t arrive and be white or have what is considered a lighter skin tone.

What if I don’t like the design?

I’m afraid this is just part of the risk of getting a tattoo. This is why it’s important to choose an artist whose body of work you like, and whose creative vision you trust. In the nearly 5 years I’ve been tattooing, I have not had anyone decide they actually don’t want the tattoo. I try to be as accommodating as possible for design changes.

Policies

Rescheduling

  • You may reschedule once before a new deposit is required. If you need to reschedule, please let me know at least 72 hours in advance. If you reschedule less than 72 hours before your appointment, you will need to send a new deposit to book.

  • If you book less than 72 hours before the time of your appointment, a reschedule will require a new deposit.

Late policy

  • You can be up to 20 minutes late, just let me know via email!

  • 20+ minutes late with notice risks a late fee based on my hourly rate or reschedule.

  • Rescheduling due to lateness forfeits the original deposit & will require a new one to book.

  • 20 minutes late with no communication will be considered a no-call, no-show.

  • A no-call, no-show will forfeit your deposit & require a new, $250 deposit to reschedule. I will book with you again if this happens and you communicate with me afterwards. The Universe is not always kind or predictable. If you no-show me again, then I will not book with you in the future.

Appointment Preparation

The days before

  • Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before & get plenty of sleep.

  • Moisturize the area & drink plenty of water for a few days prior to the session.]

Appointment day

  • Bring your ID to the appointment. Failure to provide ID will result in a loss of your deposit & require another to reschedule.

  • Please don’t arrive before our appointment time. I will not be mentally or physically prepared :’)

  • Eat a big meal with plenty of carbs before the appointment!

  • Bring water, snacks, and a charger.

  •  Don’t shave beforehand.

  • Please step out for longer phone calls

  • No guests - if you need someone with you, ask me beforehand. The studio is a small space.

  • Don’t use numbing cream - it can affect how the tattoo heals & the tattooing process, amongst other side effects. If you use numbing cream, we will have to reschedule. I have Bactine for temporary numbing.

  • Wear loose clothing that will expose the area (button ups for stomach/sternum, shorts for legs, dress or skirt for hips/upper leg, etc.). Make sure it’s clothing that you don’t mind ink potentially getting on. I would prefer neutral colors if possible, so as not to distract from the tattoo in the photos.

A note from me

  • I love chatting! However, I have Autism & ADHD, which can make it hard to work while multitasking. I sometimes wear headphones or earplugs to concentrate. Feel free to bring your own headphones or grab my attention while I am wearing them!

  •  I have a disorder called misophonia where I am very sensitive to certain sounds. I kindly ask that you don’t chew gum during our session or eat while I’m actively tattooing you :) You are free to eat during our breaks! Please don’t hesitate to ask for a break! :D