Consultations and what to expect for your appointment

**Consultations, Studio Forms, and How to Prepare for Your Tattoo**

Getting a tattoo is not just about the appointment itself. The process starts long before ink ever touches skin. Consultations, preparation, and studio forms all exist for one reason: to protect the client, the artist, and the quality of the work.

Understanding this process helps create better tattoos and a better experience for everyone involved.

**What a Tattoo Consultation Is For**

A consultation is where planning happens. It is a conversation about your idea, the meaning behind it, placement, size, style, budget, and timeline. This is also where I assess the skin, any existing tattoos, and how the design will move and age with the body.

Consultations help set clear expectations. They allow questions to be asked and answered honestly. Nothing is rushed, and no decisions are made without thought.

In some cases, consultations include tracing existing tattoos, testing overlays, or discussing alternative approaches that will lead to a better long-term result.

**Why We Use Consultation and Deposit Forms**

Before booking, clients complete a consultation or deposit form. This form explains how the process works, what to expect, booking policies, timelines, and communication expectations. It also outlines your rights as a client and my rights as an artist.

This transparency prevents misunderstandings and creates a respectful working relationship from the start. Forms are not about restriction. They are about clarity.

**What to Expect on the Day of Your Appointment**

On the day of your tattoo, you will complete a tattoo waiver. This includes consent, basic information, and a photo of valid government-issued ID showing your date of birth.

We do not use, sell, or share this information. It is kept securely on file and is required by public health regulations and insurance. These records protect both the client and the artist and are a standard part of professional tattooing.

**Why We Tattoo 18+ Only**

We tattoo 18+ only. This is an ethical boundary.

Tattooing minors presents several concerns. Younger clients often do not yet have the long-term perspective required for permanent decisions. Bodies between the ages of 15 and 18 are still changing, which increases the likelihood of distortion over time.

Healing can also be more unpredictable, and expectations around tattoos often change rapidly at younger ages. Tattooing minors also carries significantly higher insurance and liability costs, which we choose not to take on.

This policy exists to protect everyone involved.

**How to Prepare for Your Tattoo**

Preparation matters more than most people realize.

In the days leading up to your appointment:

- Drink plenty of water

- Eat balanced meals

- Get proper rest

- Avoid alcohol the night before

On the day of your tattoo:

- Eat beforehand

- Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the tattoo area

- Bring snacks, water, or headphones if they help you feel comfortable

Healthy skin tattoos and heals better.

**What to Expect During Tattooing**

The studio environment is calm, clean, and supportive. Before starting, we review the design and placement together. Adjustments can be made at this stage.

Communication continues throughout the session. Breaks are normal. Comfort matters. You are never expected to push through discomfort without support.

**Healing and Aftercare**

Healing is part of the tattoo process. Redness, swelling, dryness, and light peeling are normal. Skin texture may change temporarily as the tattoo settles.

Everyone heals differently. Lifestyle, skin type, and aftercare all affect how a tattoo looks long-term. Following aftercare instructions helps protect the work and ensure the best outcome.

**The Takeaway**

Consultations, preparation, and paperwork are not obstacles. They are safeguards.

They exist to create better tattoos, clearer communication, and experiences that feel respectful and professional from start to finish.

Amanda Hashimoto is a tattoo studio owner, tattoo artist, educator, and entrepreneur based in Barrie, Ontario. She specializes in ethical tattoo practice, long-term planning, cover-ups and reworks, mentorship, leadership development, and the application of psychology in creative businesses. As the owner of Ninja Cyborg Studio, her work focuses on integrity, longevity, and client education.