TATTOO FAQ
Tattoo policies & FAQs
Shop Policies
You must be 18 years or older to get tattooed. A parent/guardian will not be able to sign off for minors.
Our shop minimum is $120 and all of our artists hourly rates vary between $200/hr and $250/hr-we recommend checking in with your artist or our amazing front desk staff about specific artist pricing! We require NON-REFUNDABLE a $120, $250 or $500 deposit at the time of booking, depending on the length of the appointment. You cannot book an appointment without a deposit.
Payment is always cash preferred if not cash only*-we do have 2 ATM Machines on sight.
Deposits are non-refundable-we allow one reschedule per deposit, as long as proper notice (48 hours) is given. In the event you have to completely cancel, as stated previously-the deposit remains non-refundable. This ensures commitment to the tattoo for both client and artist.
You do need a Valid form of Photo ID to get tattooed. This can be a valid drivers license, state ID, Military ID or Passport. If you do not have an ID you cannot get tattooed.
Unfortunately, WE DO NOT ALLOW GUESTS to accompany clients in the tattoo shop during an appointment. Guests are welcome to wait downstairs at our coffee bar or take a stroll in our lovely neighborhood!
Walk-ins- Although we do sometimes have time for walk-ins, this is never guaranteed as walk-ins are served on a first come first serve basis. We recommend calling ahead of time and or booking an appointment to secure a definite time for you to come in. We typically post about same day availability on our Instagram! Stop by during shop hours and see what’s up! Typically walk in tattoos are about palm sized or smaller-we cannot accommodate “full sleeves” as a walk in!
If you are late 15 minutes or more to your appointment, the artist might not be able to take you depending on how long you are booked for. This will be considered a no show* and the full deposit amount will be forfeited. If you are running late to your appointment, please be sure to call and let us know!
No shows*: Any appointment that is a no-show (failing to show up without proper or any notice) will not be allowed to rebook with us in the future and your full deposit will be forfeited. Frequently showing up late/having to reschedule last minute will also result in a forfeited deposit (see above) and can result in denial of future service.
Before the Appointment
Pricing and POLICY
+CAN I PAY WITH CARD FOR MY TATTOO?
We do mostly take deposits with a credit/debit card number over the phone and although we do accept credit cards we are always cash preferred for the remaining payment.We have two atm's at our location!
+ How do I book an appointment?
We're excited you want to work with us! To book an appointment, fill out our tattoo request form or email info@bostonbarber.com with a description of the tattoo you want, including information on sizing, placement, style, and including any reference images images you have. Let us know your name and the best phone number to reach you at and a member of our team will reach out to you to book!
+ Do you require a deposit?
All tattoo appointments require a $120, $250 or $500 deposit, depending on the appointment length. Deposits can be made with cash or card and can either be used towards the final cost of the tattoo, or be rolled-over for multi-session pieces.
+ What’s the shop minimum/hourly rate?
Our shop minimum is $120.Our hourly rate is $200 or $250 depending on the artist. While our staff can give you a rough pricing estimate based off of the length of your appointment, the ultimate price is decided by the artist upon completing the tattoo.
+ What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE. We require a 48 hour notice for rescheduling. No exceptions. 1 reschedule permitted per deposit, as long as proper notice is given. Deposits will be forfeited for cancellations outside of this time frame, and we reserve the right to not rebook those who have no-showed or cancelled repeatedly.
+ Can people get tattooed under the age of 18 with parental consent?
No, we cannot tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with parental consent.
+ Do I need a consultation?
Most tattoos don’t require a consultation--typically we reserve consults for larger scale pieces or for coverups. Our operations team can answer any questions you have regarding pricing and process, and can be reached via email at info@bostonbarber.com or at 617-742-0611.
+ When should I not get tattooed?
You should not get tattooed if:
-You are pregnant or breastfeeding
-You don't have enough money
-You're not 100% sure about the design
-You don't understand the language or symbolism of your chosen design (our artists are not responsible for translating text into different languages)
-You're being pressured into it
-You're thinking you can just have it removed later
-You have health issues that could interfere with your ability to heal
-You’re not sober
DESIGN FAQs
+ How small can I get the tattoo?
It depends on the design. Part of the natural aging process of tattoos is that they expand under the skin, so when we tattoo you here, it’s important we account for that aging in the sizing of the tattoo to ensure it still looks great in 10 years. In some cases, we can modify designs, removing detail so they can be sized down.
+ Do you do single needle tattoos?
We do have artists that are great with fine line tattoos! We do like to let people know that healing this kind of tattoo is a very delicate process and they often require a touchup (one free touch up included with the cost of the tattoo! Must be redeemed within one year of the initial appointment and done by the original artist.)
+ Can I see the design beforehand?
Unfortunately, we are unable to show you the design before your appointment. For this reason, we always cushion our appointments with extra time to make any design changes needed before the tattoo is applied.
If your tattoo will have any text in it, we recommend checking out dafont.com and picking 2 or 3 you like, as not all fonts tattoo equally well.
+ Can you fix my old tattoo?
It depends- Please send an email to [info@bostonbarber.com] with a picture of the current tattoo (for a coverup also send reference image for the tattoo you’d like to get) and a member of our team will be in touch. Some darker or larger tattoos may require laser removal to lighten them. If this is the case for your tattoo, we can work with you to set up a consultation with The Removery!
+ What if I booked an appointment but now I want to change my design?
Please let us know if you are planning to change your idea as soon as you have decided! This can affect the length and process of your appointment and we try to run our schedule as smoothly as possible so keep us updated! If the design is changed significantly last minute you may be charged extra for addional drawing time and or denial of service for the time being (up to artist discretion).
+ Do you do finger tattoos?
It really depends on what you're looking for and is up to artist disrection. We no longer offer tattoos on the sides or undersides of the fingers- We do always like to give an extensive warning that any finger tattoos (especially those that are finer lined/very delicate) have a very high probablity of fading/falling out quickly after getting them done. If longevity is what you're looking for we'd reccomend changing the placement to your wrist/a different location on the body! We strive to give tattoos that will last you a lifetime!
Day of the Appointment
+ How should I prepare for my tattoo session?
Hydrate and eat! Take care of your body and your tattoo will be a much more pleasant experience. Refrain from drinking alcohol before your appointment, as this can cause your blood to thin and makes it way more difficult to tattoo. For hand and feet tattoos, use moisturizer daily in the week leading up to your appointment. Shower before your appointment please! Have a photo ID on you when you arrive.
+ What should I wear for my tattoo session?
Something comfy! Loose fitting clothing in the area you're getting tattooed. We have privacy screens in the studio if privacy is a concern!
+ How should I plan for a larger tattoo?
First thing to do is gather reference images and then talk to us. Larger pieces are often most successful when they start with a plan. Sleeves don’t happen in one sitting, so the best thing to do is find an artist who you want to work with and book a consult with them. Here, you can discuss theme/style, design ideas, and budget to ensure you get your perfect tattoo.
+ The tattoo pictures on your Instagram always show shaved skin. Should this be done the night before?
Your artist will take care of that for you here. But, if you want to do it yourself, do it day of and make sure you get as close to the skin as possible.
+ Does skin need to be perfectly clear? What about zits, cuts, or scars?
In a perfect world, yes the skin would be perfectly clear for the tattoo but that’s not often the case. We will work with whatever you’re working with. Scars sometimes have trouble accepting ink so you may require a second pass, and it’s best not to tattoo over fresh cuts or scabs. We cannot tattoo over a psoriasis breakout/eczema. If you have a skin condition and are concerned about getting tattooed, we always recommend double checking with your healthcare provider/doctor prior to booking.
+ Are there any rules surrounding self tanner or spray tans?
We strongly advise against this before a tattoo because the soap we use will take the tanner off where it touches and no one wants a bad tan. Spray tanning/self tanner during the tattoo healing process can and will affect your tattoo.
+ Will it hurt?
Yes, tattoos hurt. But the pain is temporary and the tattoo is permanent and worth it-also keep in mind everyones pain tolerance is different! Take care of your body before your tattoo, make sure you hydrate and show up to your appointment with a full stomach! (We are serious about this one. If you haven’t eaten before your appointment, we will make you go buy a snack.)
+ Is getting a tattoo safe?
Yes! All supplies used for tattoos are sterile and single use and all of our artists are CPR and First Aid certified. If you have specific question or concerns, please call our team at 617-742-0611 or email us at info@bostonbarber.com.
+ Are your inks vegan?
Some of our inks are vegan! Please call the shop at 617-742-0611 and we will make sure that your artists know about this request!
+ Can we take breaks?
Yes! If you are feeing uncomfortable, in pain or just need a stretch break-let your artist know! They will happily give you a breather and double check how you're feeing before continuing your tattoo.
After the appointment
+ How do I take care of the tattoo?
Click here for a downloadable aftercare instructions sheet. If this link takes you to a blank screen, simply refresh that page and the sheet should pop up.
If you have any questions regarding aftercare, please call us at 617-742-0611 or email info@bostonbarber.com - DO NOT rely on Google!