Frequently Asked Questions
DO YOU DO PIERCINGS?
Unfortunately the studio does not currently offer piercings.
HOW CAN I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR A TATTOO?
Please contact Rob via email at info@tattoohoarders.com to discuss your idea or fill out the inquiry form with all relevant fields completed HERE.
Rob takes bookings at Tattoo Hoarders in Maffra and also does guest spots in Melbourne. Please email info@tattoohoarders.com if you would like to book with Rob in Melbourne.
WHY DO I NEED TO LEAVE A DEPOSIT & HOW MUCH IS IT?
It is industry standard for most tattoo shops to take non refundable deposits. The reason for this is because tattoos are an expensive, luxury item and because of this people tend to book an appointment spontaneously and then realise it’s not really necessary or they can’t afford it then cancel the appointment. This happens in the tattoo industry a lot and can drastically affect the income of an artist, so a percentage of the overall cost of the tattoo as a down payment is required to ensure you will show up to your appointment and your artists time is not wasted. Your deposit also counts as payment for the design work and preparation of your session if you cancel or don't show up. Deposit amounts depend on the session booked. $100 deposit minimum, $200 for half day session and $300 for full day sessions.
WHAT ARE THE RULES WITH DEPOSITS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Your deposit is non refundable and requires 48 hours notice to reschedule your appointment. If you cancel or attempt to reschedule under 48 hours you will lose the deposit. You are allowed to reschedule once only. If you need to reschedule a second time you will lose your deposit and have to pay a new one. Your deposit is valid for 90 days from your first appointment, if you cancel and don’t reschedule within 90 days you will forfeit your deposit.
DO YOU OFFER GIFT VOUCHERS?
Yes! You can purchse e-gift cards on the merchandise page.
CAN I USE NUMBING CREAM FOR MY TATTOO APPOINTMENT?
Rob prefers that you do not use numbing cream because it can change the quality of the skin and therefore he cannot do his best quality work.
DO YOU SUPPLY NUMBING CREAM AT YOUR SHOP?
No, however Rob uses a numbing spray during the session if required.
CAN I BOOK MY SPOUSE, SON, DAUGHTER OR FRIEND IN FOR A TATTOO?
Unfortunately not. The person getting the tattoo needs to book themselves in for the tattoo. Due to the personal nature of tattoos there are a lot of decisions that need to be made on behalf of the client and they need to be spoken to directly about it. The exception to this rule would be matching tattoo bookings or if you are wanting to book an appointment on behalf of someone with a disability. Gift vouchers are a better alternative.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY TATTOO?
Cash is preferred on the day of your appointment but you have the option of paying in cash, eftpos or OSKO instant bank transfer. A 1.5% surcharge applies to all eftpos transactions, so it is recommended to pay in cash or instant bank transfer to avoid the fee, unless you're paying by credit card.
I’M UNSURE ABOUT THE TATTOO IDEA I WANT TO GET.
CAN YOU DRAW IT FOR ME THEN I CAN DECIDE IF I WANT IT?
Unfortunately not. As tattoo artists we don’t spend hours drawing designs for people that may not want the design tattooed. This is why you need to be 100% sure on the tattoo idea you want. It is up to you to research which artist you want to get tattooed by, by reviewing their portfolio to decide if their style is what you want. You can have a free consultation and explain your ideas further after enquiring if necessary. From that point on you need to trust your artist to come up with a design that you want, based on viewing their previous work and the references you provide. That way, the artist can come up with something uniquely for you without copying the reference material directly. Any small changes can be made on the day of your appointment. If you change your mind completely on the day or decide you don’t like the design then your deposit will cover the time taken to do the design and you will need rebook with a new deposit. If you are unsure about the tattoo idea you want or which artist you prefer then you probably shouldn’t be getting the tattoo.
HOW MUCH WILL MY TATTOO COST?
The cost of your tattoo depends on how long the tattoo takes and the duration of the tattoo process can depend on many factors. Some people have easier skin to tattoo than others. The placement of your tattoo can be a major factor; the same design and size can take twice as long to tattoo on the ribs as it would on the arm. The client may move around a lot or take frequent breaks. Rob can give you a rough estimate on the cost of the tattoo by gauging how long the tattoo will take by his own experience, knowing the dimensions of the tattoo and where on the body the tattoo will be.
MY TATTOO APPOINTMENT IS COMING UP, CAN YOU SEND ME A PHOTO OF THE DESIGN?
All designs are shown on the day of the appointment and you can make small changes then if needed. This is why we ask that you be as specific as possible when booking your appointment and trust in your artist to create what you want based on their portfolio.
DO YOU CHARGE A FEE TO DRAW CUSTOM DESIGNS?
Rob takes a deposit for the appointment and this covers the drawing/design effort (1-3 hours) if you decide not to get the tattoo on the day of the appointment. If you decide to go ahead with the tattoo on the day of the appointment then the deposit is taken off the overall cost of the tattoo.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FORGOT MY APPOINTMENT AND DIDN'T SHOW UP?
If you are more than 15 minutes late to your appointment or don’t show up without any correspondence then you will lose your deposit. Each session booked sends you a reminder of your appointment via text and email.
HOW CAN I BEST PREPARE FOR MY TATTOO APPOINTMENT?
The best thing you can do to prepare for your tattoo appointment is to moisturise your skin 2 weeks prior, don’t drink alcohol 24 hours before your appointment and stay out of the sun to avoid sunburn. Always have something to eat the morning of your appointment, clients can become light headed and faint on us otherwise. Wear clothes you don't mind getting ink stains on. Be nice and clean for your appointment and we’ll handle the rest. There’s no need to pre shave the area, we will do that for you because it’s part of the process anyway, besides you may decide on a different placement on the day.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW SO MANY DETAILS WHEN BOOKING?
The style, size, colour and placement of the tattoo determines how long the tattoo will take and how much it will cost. A small star 1cm in size will take less than an hour of appointment time compared to a full back piece that will take multiple full days. We need to know this information in order to schedule your session accordingly. It’s also nice to give clients a rough idea of how much the tattoo will cost so that there are no surprises on the day.
CAN YOU TATTOO SOMEONE UNDER 18 WITH PARENTAL CONSENT?
No. It is illegal in the state of Victoria to tattoo anyone under the age of 18. This is non negotiable.
CAN I USE MY GIFT VOUCHER AS A DEPOSIT?
Unfortunately not, however, you will be refunded the difference if your session costs less than the combined deposit and voucher. Deposits always come off the total price of the tattoo on the day and the difference will be refunded to you when you use your voucher.