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Appointments at New Moon Tattoo are made solely in person and not over the phone. We require a deposit which goes towards the price of the tattoo. Deposits are based on the final price of the tattoo. We do require 48 hours notice for cancellations. For customers out of province or out of country, arrangements for appointments and deposits can be made.

 

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• Please arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment time: this will ensure consent and screening forms are completed by your scheduled time
   

• Any minor under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and must provide legal documentation/ ID
   

• References must be emailed, including all additional information, a minimum of 72 hours before your appointment date. If we do not receive reference within the given time frame, it will be considered a no show and you may lose your appointment spot
   

•  We can accommodate small changes to the artist’s design on the day of the appointment. However once the appointment has been scheduled, significant changes to the design, sizing or placement may not be tolerated and may result in the loss of your appointment
   

•  Deposits are mandatory to schedule an appointment, and are non-refundable. In the case of rescheduling, deposits will be moved to the new date
   

•  48 hour notice is required to reschedule your appointment date. We only re-schedule appointments via phone 

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1. How old do you have to be to get a tattoo without parental consent?

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You must be 18 years or older to receive a tattoo from us without parental consent.

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2. What if I am under 18 and would like a tattoo?

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We will tattoo minors aged 16 and 17 with parental consent however there are a few things you will need to bring with you. You will need to bring government issued photo identification with your picture, name and date of birth. Your parent or legal guardian must be present with their own government issued photo identification that has a matching last name or home address to yours. In the case of a legal guardianship, we require the long form as well stating the minors name, and the name of the guardian. 

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3. What if my older sibling or relative is willing to sign for me?

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We require a parent or legal guardian. The release form is a legal document and the person legally responsible for you must be present to sign the form.

4. If I’m under 18, can I get any tattoo with parental consent?

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It is up to the tattooer (ethically and professionally) whether or not they choose to do it.

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5. Does it matter which artist I book for my tattoo?
 
Definitely. There are many simple tattoo ideas that could easily be applied by any of our artists, but for a custom piece, you want to make sure that the artist you choose is proficient in the style you want. A good rule of thumb is to look at the artist's portfolio. If the style in question isn't present, it usually means it's not what they typically do. While different artists can tackle a multitude of styles (ie. neo traditional, realism, old school, japanese, water colour, etc.) they don't necessarily do them all. 

6. Do I need a consultation? What is the consultation for?
 
Not everyone will require a consultation to book an appointment. However if the tattoo is custom, large, and complex, the artist may need to sit down with you to discuss ideas and make sure you are both on the same page. The artist will let you know what works, what doesn't, and help guide you towards the best outcome possible. 
If an artist books far in advance, it may be beneficial to book your consult and your tattoo appointment only a few weeks apart. That way things will stay fresh in the artists mind. If you choose this option, e mail the artist you are looking to book with first, to make sure your initial idea is something they would want to do.
Once the actual tattoo has been booked following a consult, it is not appropriate to completely change the tattoo concept via e mail.  While minor changes to a design are accepted, a tattoo appointment should not be booked until the client is completely settled on a particular theme/idea. The actual tattoo appointment may be booked  months in advance, with the idea and theme being discussed at your consult. Completely changing an idea once already booked can confuse things, and may require a new consultation altogether. 
It is wise to book an appointment once you have already committed to your tattoo 100% and you know what you want. If you aren't sure you want a tattoo, or what the tattoo will be of, it is best to wait to book the appointment until you are ready. 
 
7. Can you draw me something before I book? If not, then how will I know if I will like it?
 
The artist only starts drawing once a deposit has been left and the appointment booked. We are drawing for client's appointments daily and our drawings are prioritized by whose appointments are coming up. A deposit guarantees the time we put into a drawing. The amount of the deposit depends on how long the appointment is booked for, and will come off the price of the tattoo the day of the appointment.  Every shop is different, but many tattooers don't charge for drawing time or consults.
If you have researched the artists credentials and portfolio, and perhaps had a consultation, that should be enough to make you feel confident with their capabilities or not. There is definitely an element of trust that goes into booking your tattoo with someone, and if you don't feel it, don't book it. If you do trust them, then you have to do just that, and let them do their work. As long as you like the artist's previous work, and are clear about your concept, there should be no reason to worry. 

8. The artist said no to my idea. It's my body, isn't it my choice?
 
When a professional tattooer gives you their opinion on whether or not something is a good idea, please take it into consideration. "My body, my choice" may be true, it is also up to the tattooer (ethically and professionally) whether or not they choose to do it. There is a middle ground between a pushy tattooer, and "the customer is always right". You don't want to feel bullied into getting something you didn't want, but you also have to respect the fact that if you are dealing with an experienced professional, they know what they're talking about. If an artist tells you that the lettering is too small to be legible, or that the side of the foot wont stand the test of time, or not to put your tattoo upside down so that you can see it, they say it because they know better, not because they want to upset you.
Not every artist will feel comfortable "finishing" a piece that was started by another tattooer. Some shops wont tattoo peoples' hands, face, or neck. It all depends on the circumstances, but it is up to each individual artist to do what they feel comfortable with. 
​Some cover-ups can be done easily in one session, and others may require laser removal to fade it first (black can only be covered with black). If an artist can't accommodate your request, the best they can offer are some alternatives, or referrals. 

​9. Can you tattoo something I drew myself? What about a tattoo I found on the internet? I don't want any changes.

Reference is always welcomed, but the more creative your custom artist can be, the more original and awesome your tattoo can be. Remember, we are professionals, and we want to give you the most flattering job possible, and part of our job is letting the client know if something doesn't flow.
If you are bringing in reference of another person's custom tattoo, prepare yourself not to get completely attached to that specific image. If your tattoo is going to be custom, that also means it will be original. A professional would not copy someone else's work, and in turn would not replicate your tattoo on anyone else. If it is the style of the tattoo that you find yourself attached to, then make sure you find an artist who projects a similar style. A custom artist has their own specific style, and trying to copy someone else's wont make for a better tattoo.  
We require any reference you do have to be physically present at the time of booking your appointment - either on paper, or by e mailing it from your phone to our e mail when you book.
 

10. I have a vision in my head, and I am very picky. Will this drive you crazy? 

Some clients are completely open to however their artist thinks they should move forward with the project, while others find it difficult to give up on the exact vision they pictured in their mind coming into the studio. There is nothing wrong with knowing what you want, but keep in mind that tattooers aren't mind readers. If you pictured the hair on your pin up flowing in a different direction, consider that maybe your artist drew it this way because it looked better. It might look different, but does it still look good?
Custom tattooers can spend hours (if not days) on their weekly designs. If there are elements that are must haves in your piece, or you are not willing to budge on a change, let your artist know in advance so that they don't waste their time, and yours. That being said, a professional wont bat an eye if you request small changes when you see the design, as long as the changes wont compromise the drawing. 
 

11. Why is proper reference important?

When you are getting a custom drawn tattoo, your tattoo will be original. However, providing reference lets the artist see samples of what you like so we know what you are looking for. 
Good reference for a realism or portrait tattoo is most important because you are essentially having the photo replicated on to your skin. The subject in the photo must be large enough, high resolution, properly lit, and provide a good likeness for optimal results. 
The reason a photo of a photo (or a photo of your computer screen) cant be used is because it distorts the subject. This is even true with lettering. 

​12. How are tattoos priced?
 

Most shops have a minimum charge for even the smallest of tattoos. The pricing is based on how long the tattoo is going to take, its size, placement, and the detail involved. Larger tattoos are priced by the hour and tiny tattoos are priced by the piece.  If your artist charges an hourly rate, make sure to ask what it is beforehand. Don't forget that if you are visiting a legitimate business there will be HST. 
 

13. How do I take care of the tattoo once it is completed?

Our shop will provide you with an aftercare sheet, along with our contact information incase you have further questions. Feel free to call us if you aren't sure about something. That's what we're here for!
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(Please note that you can not be tattooed while pregnant or nursing.)