FAQ’S

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions, thanks for taking the time to read and we appreciate your continued support.

*Please note books are currently closed

HOW DO I GET AN APPOINTMENT?

Bookings are taken 3 months in advance. This is currently a manageable time period and work load which enables Lorna to focus and concentrate on the works at hand. We will do our best to accommodate you at a convenient time. Please note, weekend work is reserved for larger ongoing pieces and full day appointments.

Click here www.may15tattoo.com to subscribe to our mailing list to receive our ‘books open’ notice. Appointments are generally taken up by our subscribers first with little to no appointments left over to share/post on other social media platforms. (It really does pay to subscribe)

Once you receive our email announcing that our books will be open, you are encouraged to reply via that email so that we can arrange a face to face consult if needed. A contact form may also be submitted to provide a description of your tattoo ideas, including placement, size and colour preference.

Usual working days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 11am and 5pm. Saturday is reserved for larger ongoing pieces and full day appointments.

Work outside of these hours is scheduled on a case by case basis.

Appointments are not available after 6pm during weekdays or weekends.

WHEN WILL I SEE MY TATTOO DESIGN?

You will see your design on the day of your booking or in some cases a few days before. Please ensure you only book in if you are 100% sure about the tattoo you want.

Artistic freedom is always appreciated. If you are unhappy with the design small changes can be made on the day, time permitting. If major changes are needed the appointment will be rescheduled and a new deposit will be required.

Consults are not always necessary but can/will be scheduled before your appointment to discuss design.

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?

Pricing will be discussed when a contact form/booking request is submitted and/or at the time of your consult.

There is a minimum charge of $180.00 for any tattoo that takes an hour or less, this is also my hourly rate. A full day of 6 hours is $1000

The balance must be paid on or before the day of your tattoo.

DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEPOSIT?

Yes, deposits are $150 and are non-refundable under any circumstances. This $150 will go towards the total cost of your tattoo and must be paid within 48 hours of securing your booking. (Date of your tattoo appointment)

Any date/time changes within one week of your appointment will incur a loss of deposit and another deposit will be required to make a new booking. This also applies if a client simply does not show up for their appointment.

Any cancellations will incur a loss of deposit and you will need to pay a new one if you want to book another appointment in the future.

You are permitted one date change as long as more than one week’s notice is provided. Further date changes will incur a loss of deposit.

Along with the $50 drawing fee (see below) a total of $150 is required to make/secure an appointment.

WHAT IS THE DRAWING FEE?

A $50 drawing fee is required when booking an appointment. This fee is a small contribution to the time spent drawing your tattoo design. Usual drawing time for each tattoo is around 2 hours. This is done at home or on weekends on top of usual tattooing hours so a fee is required to cover this time.

Soft feminine details with pretty pattern work alongside well-considered placement options are key to Lorna's tattooing style

The drawing fee may be waived if the design is small and fits in the minimum price of $150. Fee will also be waived if the design is something I have previously drawn or designs posted as ‘up for grabs’.

The $50 drawing fee must be transferred along with the $100 deposit when making an appointment, this is a total of $150 that is required when booking an appointment. The drawing fee is non refundable.

WHY DIDN’T I GET AN APPOINTMENT?

Not every tattoo idea will get an appointment. Tattoos are chosen for appointments if they are something Lorna feels she can confidently do that will inspire and challenge her. Lorna will not take on a job that is not within the style she is focusing on at the time. You will be notified if your tattoo is not something she is able to do and she will endeavour to steer you in the direction of other artists who can help you.

Unfortunately there is not always enough time to tattoo everybody so during each booking cycle there can be people who do not get an appointment.

If you are asking for something similar to Lorna’s previous work and are open to her input and creative freedom, you will be more likely to get an appointment.

WHY DIDN’T I GET A REPLY?

Due to the number of emails sometimes emails may get lost or mixed up and may not get a response. We try to reply to every email, even if it is a tattoo that Lorna cannot do. If you have not received a reply after a few weeks you are welcome to follow up with another email.

(Remember to check your ‘Junk’ folder/mailbox)

If you have emailed requesting an appointment when books are closed you may not get a reply. All correspondence is limited when books are closed. We no longer use a cancellation/waiting list system, any appointment openings will be posted on Facebook and/or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/may15tattoo

Apologies to anyone who’s email gets lost or goes unseen!

WHY CAN’T I HAVE THE DESIGN I SAW ONLINE?

An example of one of Lorna's original designs (No longer available)

Lorna prefers to design custom pieces for each individual person and will never tattoo the same thing twice (unless they are intended as couple or group tattoos)

Please do not ask for an exact replica of a design that you have found online. Reference pictures are welcomed but a design will always be redrawn and altered to make it unique.

You may feel like you want ‘exactly that tattoo’ that you saw online. But when you see other people with the same tattoo as you, you will regret it. Its always best to work with an artist you like, discuss the design and come up with something unique that means something to you.

HOW LONG WILL MY TATTOO TAKE?

It’s a difficult task to provide an accurate quote therefore an estimated time is given of how long Lorna thinks the tattoo will take. This will depend on the size, colour, intricacy and location and skin type of each design. (Reference photos can help with this) It will also depend on the clients ability to sit for the duration of the tattoo. For whatever reason, this may prove difficult for some people which will affect the time taken to tattoo.

At the end of the tattoo session Lorna will charge per hour of your session. Remember quotes are only an estimation. If the tattoo takes longer than expected you will be charged for the hours it took to complete it.

A rough idea of how long the tattoo will take can be given to you when you book your appointment.

Tattooing has many variables to make sure you have plenty of time on the day of your appointment.

DO YOU DO COVERUPS?

A tricky but successful coverup

Taking on coverups and re-works are considered case by case. Lorna will take on a job if she feels its something she can confidently do, but a face to face consult is required before Lorna will consider and/or commit to it.

Laser tattoo removal is a great way to lighten unwanted tattoos before covering. This gives you more freedom with what you can cover your tattoo with. We recommend the following laser removal clinics:

http://www.studiodermatique.co.nz

CAN I GET TATTOOED WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING?

No. Under NO circumstances will Lorna tattoo you if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

When getting tattooed you are putting yourself at risk of infection, stress, lowered immune system, reaction to inks etc. Despite the very small chance of any problems, it is not worth putting your body under unnecessary pressure while pregnant or breastfeeding.

CAN I GET TATTOOED IF I’M UNDER 18 EVEN IF I HAVE A PARENT PRESENT?

No, Lorna will only tattoo people who are 18 years or older.

CAN I BRING A SUPPORT PERSON WITH ME?

It is preferred that you come alone to your tattoo appointment.

If you have a legitimate need (medical reasons etc) to bring a support person please discuss with Lorna. It can be very boring to wait around while your friend/partner/family member gets tattooed.

We have worked hard to create a quiet, intimate space and for Lorna to do her best work.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?

To prepare for your appointment we suggest:

Eat a large, nutritious meal before coming in. DO NOT come in for an appointment without eating.

Avoid coffee before and during your appointment.

Bring sugary drinks, water, lollies and snacks. Sugary drinks and snacks are very helpful to raise your blood sugar while getting tattooed. This reduces risk of dizziness, nausea and fainting.

Stay hydrated and drink lots of water the night before your appointment.

Audiobooks and music are a great distraction, bring your phone and some headphones.

DO NOT come in for your tattoo under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Allow plenty of time for your appointment

The tattoo may look red, swollen and be painful for the first few days. This is normal.

If you experience excessive pain, redness, swelling, lesions, pimples or discoloration after 3-5 days you may need to consult a doctor. Bacteria can easily get into a fresh tattoo and cause an infection. This can be easily prevented by following above aftercare instructions. We assure you that all precautions are taken so that you will not come into contact with bacteria while getting tattooed but we cannot control what happens when you leave the studio. If you have an infected tattoo a doctor can prescribe antibiotics and steroid creams which will fix it within a few days. You can combine this with thoroughly cleaning with an Anti-septic foam/soap wash and further application of Bepanthen First Aid cream. Sometimes the tattoo can require a touch up afterwards if there are issues when healing, this is normal and complimentary.

You can shower as usual with a fresh tattoo. It will feel like sunburnt skin under the water, avoid long showers and soaking the tattoo.

Avoid swimming pools, spas or the beach for 2 weeks after getting a tattoo.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun for 1 month after getting tattooed. Always apply sunscreen for the life of the tattoo.

Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo while it is healing. This can cause scarring.

Maintain a healthy diet and sleep pattern during healing time. If you drink alcohol, smoke, eat badly and don’t get enough sleep you may heal slower and be prone to difficulties while healing.

Once the tattoo is fully healed it is totally normal to see areas that may need touching up. We offer one free touch up within 6 months of your initial appointment. You need to let the tattoo heal for at least 1 month before booking in for a touch up.

Some areas are more prone to touch ups – like hands and feet. You may have one free touch up on these areas but more may be required. Rather than pay for a second touch up we suggest having it touched up when you book in for your text tattoo, this shouldn’t incur any extra cost.