Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge?

We charge $200/hour. Shop minimum is $120 for smaller pieces.  We aren't able to give you a set and specific price ahead of time, but a time estimate for how long your session will take can be discussed at your consultation appointment. Consultations are free, but we do require a $100 deposit at the time of booking. The deposit will go towards your session and is non-refundable. 

Do you take walk-ins?

We are appointment only. There are times where we have cancellations and a walk-in appointment or same day appointment may be possible. 

How do I get an appointment?

Submit the contact form here https://shamanicink.com/bookings or feel free to give us a call! 

I don't live in Portland and have specific travel plans, how do I book an appointment? 

The same way our in-town clients do! We are happy to do our best to schedule your session for when you are in Portland. Ideally, contact us as soon as you know your travel plans for best flexibility. 

What is your average wait time for an appointment?

Wait time is dependent on seasons. Currently, we are booking a few weeks out. We occasionally have cancellations so feel free to call and see if we happen to have any free time on any given day. 

Preparing for your tattoo is an important first step in your tattoo journey. Your mind, body and soul benefit from taking the proper steps to be sure your experience is a good one. 

*Get a good nights rest.  It's important to be well rested so that you are alert and in tune with your body. You will be able to read the signals that your body is sending you. If you are exhausted, your body could be more sensitive to pain. 

*Be hydrated. Start hydrating your body days before your session. Aim for 6-8 8oz glasses of water a day. Hydrated skin is much more accepting to ink than dehydrated skin and will make the tattooing process much easier for your artist and you. Bringing a water bottle to your session is always a great idea too. 

*Eat prior to your session and bring snacks if you'd like. Eating a healthy meal before your session will help you mentally and will prevent you from getting lightheaded during your session, especially if it's a longer one. Keeping your energy up during your tattoo experience is important. 

*Take a shower. This might be an obvious point, but worth mentioning. You want your skin as clean as possible before your tattoo. DO NOT use any added moisturizers or lotions the day of your tattoo, rather, be sure your skin is adequately moisturized the weeks leading up to your session. 

*Dress for the day! Wear comfortable clothing. You may be sitting or laying for hours and restrictive jeans or a button up shirt just won't be comfy. Loose clothing will keep you cool, comfortable and allow you to be repositioned easier if you need to stretch. It will also allow your artist easier access to the area that you are getting tattooed. 

This list isn't long, but it's important. 

*Do not come to your appointment intoxicated. Being nervous is understandable, but please do not let alcohol be the solution to calm your nerves. Not only is it not a good solution, it could be dangerous. Alcohol thins your blood and puts you at risk for complications during your session. 

*Do not show up with cuts, bruises, burns, or sunburn.  Any damage on your skin will make the healing time from your tattoo even longer and put even more stress on your skin. 

*Avoid strenuous exercise before your appointment. Sore and tired muscles will make the process even more painful. Getting a tattoo is a workout in and of itself, please don't make it even harder on your body. 

Aftercare of your new tattoo is very important. The artist will go over the aftercare with you after your  session as well. It can take up to 3 months for your new tattoo to heal fully, so please be patient. 

*Your artist will clean and bandage your new tattoo before you leave the shop. Leave the bandage/wrap on for at least 3 hours. This will help the healing process begin without getting any dirt or germs on your fresh tattoo. 

*When you do remove your bandage, thoroughly wash and dry your hands before taking it off. 

*Use a paper towel to dry your tattoo, not a washcloth as they can harbor bacteria. 

*Wash your tattoo gently once or twice a day. 

*After cleaning, apply a moisturizer. Keeping the area moisturized will prevent peeling, cracking and bleeding. Do this 2-6 times a day until the scabs are fully healed. Try to avoid petroleum based products and products with harsh chemicals and perfumes. 

*When your tattoo is clean, dry and moisturized, do not re-bandage it. Let it breathe. 

*Try and keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight for the first 2-4 weeks. Keep it covered or use sunscreen if you are going to be outside. This is especially important in the summer months. 

*Avoid heavy workouts or strenuous activity for the first couple of days. You risk overstretching the healing skin. 

*Avoid tight clothing that could rub and chaff your new tattoo. Scabs are important for healing and you want those to form and stay intact. 

*Avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes and swimming pools while your tattoo is healing. Infection from the bacteria in the water is a very real possibility. Wait until after your scabs have fully healed. 

*Avoid alcohol for the first few days. Just as before you get a tattoo, alcohol thins your blood and can hinder the healing process. 

*STAY HYDRATED

We completely understand that life happens and things come up. With that being said, please try to give us at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. We would prefer a phone call if it's less than 72 hours notice, otherwise, an email is okay. Please give us a call if you are running late. The artist has reserved a specific amount of time for your session and will need to adjust their schedule accordingly.