FAQ
Kia ora! Here you will find the answers to commonly asked questions in regards to pricing, deposits, rescheduling, and the tattoo process. If your questions are not answered below, feel free to email me at Kiwi.Burt@yahoo.com . Please be patient while awaiting a response. Thank you!
PRICING
I tend to price most of my pieces with an hourly rate. My current rate is $200 per hour. On average, my sessions range from 3-7 hours of tattooing, plus 1-2 hours for prep, drawing time, and some additional time for breaks. There are circumstances where we may push past the 7 hour mark, but only if both myself and the client feel up for it. I try to keep my sessions at a reasonable length. I am always willing to work with shorter sessions to help accommodate your budget or pain tolerance. I also may price smaller single session tattoos at a flat rate.
Please keep in mind that large scale pieces take multiple sessions to complete. Large projects require time and patience. I try to get as much done as possible each session, but clients must have realistic expectations. I will provide an hourly range for each project/session upon inquiry. Due to varying circumstances of every tattoo, projects can fall inside or outside of this range, but I try my best to give you an accurate quote.
I usually suggest working on projects one session at a time, with a minimum of 2-3 weeks in between sessions for healing. If you have a high pain tolerance, we can push for 2 consecutive day sessions. I only suggest this option if you have a very high pain tolerance and can sit through it. Going back into a tattoo on the second day is always more painful/tender. It is also more work to heal a larger tattoo. 2 days in a row is the max I will work on a single project before the next session/set of sessions.
DEPOSITS
Clients are required to leave a non refundable deposit/freehand drawing fee for each session that is booked. Deposits range from $50-100 per day depending on the length of the session. I will provide info for deposit payment methods via email during the booking process.
RESCHEDULING
I understand things come up. If you need to reschedule, you may do so 1 time per booking. I require at least a 1 week notice if you need to reschedule, or the deposit is forfeited. The earlier you notify me, the better- as it gives me more time to reach out to other clients to fill the spot. I will try my best to reschedule you in a timely manner, but if my schedule is filled, your appointment may be pushed back. Reschedules must be re-booked within 1 year from the initial booking date. If you need to reschedule more than once, you will be required to leave a new deposit. If you no call/no show, your deposit will be forfeited, you will be removed from the schedule, and you will not be re-booked.
AVAILABILITY
You can provide your weekly availability during the inquiry process. If we confirm your booking, I will usually send you a list of available dates to pick from. Just a heads up, weekend dates are very limited and not always available. I tend to work 2 weekends per month, so I can’t always guarantee a weekend spot. If you can schedule off, or be more open with availability, the easier it is to get on the schedule.
DESIGN PROCESS
For most of my designs, I work in a freehand/freestyle method. For my style of work, I find this is the best method to create a design that flows with the area we are tattooing, as well as making sure the design is unique and specific to each client. In most cases I do not provide any pre-drawn designs prior or on the day of the appointment. They are created on the spot. This requires my clients to leave a lot of trust in me as an artist. I will definitely take your ideas into consideration. You can provide any reference photos of designs you like, elements you’d like incorporated into your piece, and background info that will help me create your design. My goal is for you to love your new tattoo!
If there is any specific meaning/story you are wanting to represent in your tattoo, you can let me know additional background information when we start the booking process. We will also have a discussion about these elements in person before we begin our session, so no worries if you don’t have anything in mind at the time of the booking. I try my best to make my designs personal for each client. I will explain the design structure and patterns I choose during and after our session. If you are not sure about what you’d like your tattoo to represent or you don’t have anything to go off of, that is no problem. I will guide you through that process during the appointment.
If I don’t think I can portray certain elements in your piece, I will let you know. I am wanting to push away from adding outside subject matter that doesn’t make sense to combine with the tribal design. My goal is to maintain the integrity of this style of work. I don’t want to incorporate elements that clash with this style. If I don’t think something will fit in with my work, this doesn’t it’s a bad idea and shouldn’t be tattooed. Sometimes there are things that are better left out, or placed elsewhere as their own stand-alone tattoos. No hard feelings!
There are particular styles I work with such as ornamental/mandala/geometric that don’t necessarily have the same representations/meanings as the tribal designs I use. These styles are created with a different process and are more focused towards body adornment.
TRAVELING CUSTOMERS
I appreciate your efforts to travel and come get work by me. I am so humbled and grateful you are willing to do so! I suggest that you purchase travel insurance incase there is some sort of emergency and I am unable to tattoo you. This is very unlikely, but better to be safe. In addition, please make sure to leave yourself ample time incase our session length needs to be extended. Please make sure not to have any immediate obligations that can interfere with your appointment. This includes travel arrangements. This is all so we don’t need to feel rushed to complete the tattoo. Expect to be at the shop the entire day for full day sessions. We usually don’t begin tattooing until 2 hours after the appointment time due to prep work and the time needed to freehand the design on.
I WILL NOT TATTOO YOU IF:
You are pregnant or nursing.
You are on antibiotics.
You are on blood thinning medication.
NUMBING CREAMS
Unfortunately I do not allow the use of numbing creams. Numbing agents tend to make the skin tough and harder to work with, which can lead to healing issues. They also need to be constantly reapplied and it always ends up leading to more problems. I don’t mind using bactine spray throughout the session if needed, as this product does not seem to effect the process and healing if used here and there. We can also work in smaller sessions to help alleviate pain issues. Although it sucks sometimes, pushing through the pain plays a significant role in receiving this style of tattoo. You got this! 💪