Frequently asked questions related to the tattooing process.
· faq ·
Slawit Ink is in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, UK. Situated between Leeds and Manchester, there are great bus/train links, and the studio is only a five minute drive from junction 23 of the M62. Slaithwaite has plenty of free parking, cafes and shops for your visit, and there is an ATM inside the Coop or withdrawal services at the Post Office, just minutes away from the studio.
Send me an email to kelsie.firth@gmail.com or complete my enquiry form
Generally, no. Unless it's an incredibly small tattoo or faded due to laser removal, my style doesn't tend to cover very well. Get in touch with images of your existing tattoo and your cover up idea for more specific advice.
Tattooing is charged at a flat £90/hour for custom work. You will only be charged for tattooing time. Flash designs are priced at a fixed amount for their general advertised size.
Once you have enquired, I'll reply as soon as possible with a rough quote on the amount of hours your tattoo will take to complete. As there are many variables which influence how long a tattoo will take, please take this as a loose guide and don't have plans made for immediately after you expect your appointment to finish. If you do have to get away for a specific time, please let me know ahead of schedule.
Upon booking in, I require a booking fee to secure your appointment. The GetInk (my booking system) confirmation link you will receive when I respond to your enquiry will take you through this confirmation process. Depending on the length of your appointment this can range between £10-50. This is strictly non refundable but does come off the cost of the tattoo on the day.
Payment is made at the end of your tattoo session, minus any booking fee (aka deposit) you have paid. Payment must be made in cash only. Please prepare and consider daily ATM limits.
Please contact me at kelsie.firth@gmail.com or through your GetInk booking link with as much notice as you can.
Booking fees are non-refundable, but can be transferred to a new date if you need to reschedule and provide me with at least 48 hours notice of your appointment start time. Your appointment can be rescheduled twice; on the third, your booking fee is lost and a new one will be required to re-book.
If you cancel your appointment with no attempt to reschedule at that time, you will lose the booking fee.
I email across a copy of your stencil early in the morning on the day of your appointment for your approval. Due to time constraints I'm usually unable to send anything across sooner than that (with some exceptions for large projects and traveling customers), but I account for time during your appointment to make any necessary changes required.
Everything I use in the tattooing process is vegan and eco friendly where possible. Please get in touch if you have any concerns.
Of course; the studio and myself have a strict zero tolerance for all discrimination. I pride myself in creating a safe space where everyone can feel welcome, respected and lifted up. If you have any queries or concerns at all, please get in touch to discuss.
Unfortunately the studio is located up a flight of stairs, so is not wheelchair accessible. If you are a wheelchair user and would like to enquire about a tattoo, please get in touch and we can discuss options such as tattooing at another nearby, accessible studio.
Yes! Please limit this to one person though, who is also over 18, as I do have limited 'plus one' space in my booth.
Think comfort and function rather than fashion! I'd recommend loose clothing and layers.
For trickier placements where you'll need to be a little more undressed, comfortability is important, and you'll never need to be more undressed than is necessary. The studio has use of modesty screens we can put up around my booth, and we have nipple covers/body tape available if they're required.
A couple of specific clothing suggestions:
- For back tattoos, wear a button up shirt that you can wear backwards during your appointment.
- For sternum-rib tattoos, a loose, baggy tee is ideal, so you can remove your bra is applicable or expose the area required and still feel covered.
It's good practise to moisturise and exfoliate your skin, but especially in the couple of weeks leading up to a tattoo appointment, as overly dry skin can be tricky to tattoo. I'm unable to tattoo skin that is sunburnt or peeling as stencil adhesion is severely compromised.
Generally there is no need to shave the skin before your appointment. I can do this for you before we apply the stencil. The exception would be for head, face, neck and pubic tattoos; if you normally shave these areas and keep the hair short, please either clean shave the area the morning of your appointment, not the night before, so there is no hair growth. Alternatively, leave it a few days minimum so there is a little soft growth (no stubble) and I can shave it for you. We use single blade disposable razors, which cannot cut through stubbly areas.
Make sure you get a good night's sleep before your appointment, and ensure you have eaten a good meal before hand. Avoid drinking excessive alcohol the night before, and make sure to drink plenty of water in the few days beforehand.
Making sure your body is rested and looked after can really make a difference in your tattooing experience, especially in how painful you might find it.
At the start of your tattoo appointment, you'll need to complete a consent form which will cover general health questions. This must be completed truthfully. If you have any health condition that you usually disclose on medical questionnaires, please let me know as soon as possible before your appointment, and if it's a condition which may affect the tattooing process you may need to consult a GP before going ahead with an appointment.
Valid ID is essential; if you're age is in question and you're unable to produce photo ID then your appointment will be cancelled and you'll lose your booking fee.
Make sure you bring food and drink, especially for longer sessions. The studio provides tea, coffee and water; if you use alternative milk please bring some with you.
Entertainment! There is always plenty going on in the studio, but for long sittings, popping on headphones and watching films/listening to music, even bringing a book can make a real difference. Please don't have your volume loud on your phone or device without headphones, due to potential audio sensitivity of people around you.
I typically advise to not use numbing cream, as people are highly prone to skin reactions and allergic responses to many of the brands available. The 'pain' of the tattoo is a process which I feel is valuable to the tattooing experience.
Having said that, I don't strictly prohibit the use and, if you feel it would help you go through with the process, due to things such as anxiety or low pain tolerances, then of course you can use numbing cream. Not being a medical practitioner I am unable to recommend or advise on which brand to use, but whichever you do choose, please make sure to patch test the cream at least 24-48 hours prior to your appointment.
Unfortunately, due to infection risk, I'm unable to tattoo any pregnant or breastfeeding person.