The Design Process

 

Can I bring my own design?

Yes! We would be happy to see your design and are always looking to challenge ourselves to create art in ways that we may not have considered previously.

However, if you are bringing your own design, we would strongly advise you work with your tattoo artist as well. Working with skin and the shape of your body is very different to a flat piece of paper and if the artist expresses concerns about translating your design, they are saying it for a reason!


Will you send me a design in advance?

No! We are happy to discuss your ideas for a tattoo and find it very helpful to have an idea in advance of the session as to what we will be doing. However, we will not create a paper design in advance.

The reason for this is that we believe that the key to a great tattoo is that it has been designed specifically for the individual and a part of that design is planning it around the contours of your body!


Where should I get tattooed?

This is totally up to you! We are happy to discuss ideas and make suggestions but at the end of the day this art will be on your body forever and needs to be considered carefully before you begin. If you haven’t got any tattoos to begin with, we would not be willing to tattoo your head or hands as such tattoos require a lot of thought and are life changing.


What does it cost?

The total cost of any tattoo will depend on how long it takes to complete. Each tattoo artist will have a set hourly rate for their work and the final cost will be calculated based on this.


Can you give me an estimate?

Yes. By completing our contact form, we can give you a rough estimate of how long the tattoo is likely to take to complete. However, the total time will always depend on the intricacy of the final design and other physical factors such as how well your skin holds the ink.

We believe that time should not be a factor when it comes to a tattoo. Whilst we will always try to work with our clients to complete work within the estimated time, we cannot guarantee this and do not want to sacrifice quality by rushing the work.


Do I need to pay a deposit?

We will take a deposit from you when we confirm a date for your booking. If you are booking multiple sessions, a deposit will be required for each day you wish to reserve. The deposit amount will be deducted from the total balance of your tattoo at the end of each session.

In the event that you are unable to attend, the deposit is non refundable. If you inform us with sufficient notice, we will honour the existing deposit for a new date, however, an admin fee may be charged to rearrange.


Do you offer day rates?

No. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and believe that the only fair way to charge a tattoo would be based on how long it takes to complete.


How do I pay?

We can accept payment via Cash, PayPal or Bank Transfer. Please be aware that international bank transactions or PayPal transfers may also incur fees, for which, you will be responsible. For this reason, we would recommend payment by cash and we reserve the right to check you are able to pay for the tattoo before we begin!

Payment must be made before leaving the studio so make sure you have planned your payment in advance (for example, by adding us to your banking app prior to your visit). If you are here for several days, payment must be made at the end of each session.

 

Before My Tattoo

 

Can anyone get a tattoo?

No, you have to be over the age of 18 to get a tattoo. As it is our legal obligation, we reserve the right to request photographic ID as proof of age. Take this as a compliment 😉 Also, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we would advise against getting a tattoo.

Certain medical conditions can affect your suitability for getting a tattoo. We will always check to see if you have any medical issues before we begin and would always recommend you speak to your doctor before you decide to get a tattoo!

We also reserve the right to decline a tattoo if we feel that it is not suitable for the studio. We are artists, not a production line; Viking or otherwise!


What should I wear?

This sounds like a fairly strange thing to consider, however, there are practical reasons to think of your wardrobe! We would recommend wearing loose fitting clothing which is easy to remove and put back on after the tattoo. We would suggest that you try not to wear any clothes which may be damaged by the ink as well.

What should I bring with me?

If you are booked in for more than one day and are staying in a hotel, we would advise bringing a towel or sufficient clothing to protect the sheets.

If you have any ideas or inspiration for your tattoo and have not send it already via email, please make sure you have this on the day!

ID: We have a responsibility to ensure that we are not tattooing anyone under the age of 18 and reserve the right to request proof of age before we start.


What should I do on the day itself?

Make sure you eat a good breakfast before you arrive! Tattooing can be a tiring experience and setting yourself up for the day with a good meal is essential.

Bring any snacks or drinks with you. Whilst this is not essential as we will break for lunch, if you feel that you will need a snack or drink, it is best to have it with you as it will only reduce the amount of time we can work on your tattoo if you need to go out to a shop!

Bring a towel with you to cover the tattoo bed. Whilst this isn’t essential, when you are sitting for a long period of time, it might make the chair more comfortable.

 

During The Tattoo

 

Does it hurt?

In short, yes!


What can I do to manage the pain?

Try to relax! Tattooing can be a painful experience which can be made worse if you are tense. If you need a break or the pain is too intense, let your artist know as we will always try to make the experience as bearable as possible and may be able to move to a less sensitive area for a while. We would also recommend that you keep as still as possible during the tattoo as our artists can not be held responsible for any errors due to sudden movements.


Where does tattooing hurt the most?

This will really vary from person to person. There are certain areas that are likely to be more sensitive but at the end of the day, we wouldn’t recommend that you avoid particular areas for this reason, as it would only take away from the design. Apparently, tattoos hurt the most on the bottom of your feet…

 

After The Tattoo

 

How do I care for my tattoo?

There is a large amount of guidance on the internet as to how best to care for a tattoo once it has been completed. As every person’s skin is different, you may find that some products work better for you than others and you are ultimately responsible for the decision. However, below are the steps that we would recommend you take to care for your tattoo based on our experience.


Immediately after the tattoo

Upon completion, a new tattoo will generally continue to seep for a number of hours. Many tattoo studios use plastic wrap to cover the affected area and advise to remove this after a period of time. At Sacred Knot, we will apply Opsite at the end of each session. As your tattoo is essentially an open wound, this will act in a similar way to clingfilm and will seal the wound.


Can I use cream on the tattoo?

In order to help the healing process, we would recommend using the aftercare cream that we provide and applying a thin layer on the affected area 3 times per day. We will provide you with a pot when the tattoo is complete. There are alternative products available in shops such as Bepanthen but we have found the aftercare company to be better. Always remember to make sure you always wash your hands using unscented, anti bacterial soap before applying any cream!


Washing your tattoo

We would advise washing your tattoo regularly in lukewarm water to remove any excess fluid or cream. It is important not to scrub the tattoo and if you are in the shower, avoid the water hitting the tattoo directly. When drying the tattoo, ensure you pat it dry using a clean, soft towel.


Will my new tattoo itch?

Yes. As the tattoo begins to heal, it is likely to form some scabs and will become itchy. It is very important to avoid itching the wound and avoid picking at these scabs as it can damage the tattoo itself. The application of the aftercare cream will help to relieve the worst of the itching. If your tattoo begins to scab heavily, we would recommend you seek medical advice. You can also contact us in the first instance for advice.


What should I avoid after the tattoo?

It is best to avoid soaking the tattoo in water for 14 days after. During the healing process, we would advise against swimming and bathing in general due to the potential for the water introducing bacteria into the wound. Also, it is worth noting that swimming pools containing chlorine can further damage a new tattoo.

Keep your new tattoo out of the sun. The UV rays from the sun can damage the skin and cause the tattoo to heal unevenly or cause the ink to lighten.

Try to avoid wearing tight fitted clothing whilst the tattoo heals, as rubbing against the wound can cause discomfort and may damage the artwork.

 

Other Questions?

 

How will my tattoo look in 20 years?

In short, we don’t know! Whilst we take every precaution to make sure you are given the best tattoo possible, the way a tattoo ages is out of our control. As a person’s appearance changes with age, so will your tattoo. We believe that this is part of the art itself and as it becomes part of you, it changes with your body. However, by following the tips on aftercare for your tattoo, you will give yourself the best chance of having a cool tattoo!


Can we recommend a local artist?

No. Unless we have worked closely with an artist, it is hard to know who can be relied upon to do a good job on your tattoo. We would strongly recommend conducting thorough research before committing to a tattoo so you have confidence in the artist’s ability. Instagram is an excellent tool for seeing the work of artists near to you.


Is it safe?

Yes, tattooing is safe providing you go to a reputable tattoo artist. Tattooing has been around for thousands of years and is a natural thing for humans to want to do!

In order to operate in the UK, a tattoo artist would need to have a license to work and their premises would need to be inspected by a health inspector from the local council. At Sacred Knot, we operate to the highest hygiene standards and all artists or apprentices have been trained to the same specification.

It goes without saying that we never reuse needles, gloves etc. and we have never had a client experience any allergic reaction the inks we use. If you have any concerns about allergies to the ink, we can tattoo a small dot in advance of the tattoo to check for a reaction.

 

How Do I Get A Booking?

 

Where to start?

Simply complete the contact form and we will discuss your tattoo via email.


How long will I have to wait?

This is a difficult question to answer as it will depend upon how long the waiting list is at the time of your enquiry. Our shop manager will be able to answer this question for you via email.


I am on the waiting list but haven’t heard from you in a while?

Don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten about you! At times, certain artists will be extremely busy and whilst we want to fit you in as soon as possible, we have to be fair to every client who contacts us. If you are concerned or want to touch base, please feel free to email.


What is the studio address?

We operate a private tattooing studio in Llandudno, North Wales and once a booking has been confirmed, we will provide the studio address. This is not because we are antisocial, more that we prefer to focus completely on the needs of the client who is being tattooed and believe that a private studio offers them a more private and relaxed atmosphere.


What are your opening times?

We are currently open from around 11am – 7pm, Monday to Friday.