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Frequently Asked Questions

Will you tattoo this picture I found on Google Image search?

Reference photos are great—they can help your artist design a unique tattoo that suits what you’re looking for. But no-one at Black Cat is interested in tattooing a precise copy of an image you bring them. Sorry, it’s just boring.

I’ve approved the sketch my artist sent me, but now I want to make changes. What should I do?

Contact your artist ASAP. The day of your tattoo is not the the time to change your design. The artist you’re seeing has already put aside a certain amount of time for you. Last minute changes to design throw that off, and can end up cutting into other clients’ appointment times.

Will you tattoo my belly/neck/chest/butt/boob/ scalp/etc.?

Each artist at Black Cat has different comfort levels regarding certain areas of the body, so this can be discussed with artists on an individual basis.

Can I get a handpoked tattoo?

Several of the resident artists at Black Cat have done handpoked tattoos in the past. They all now tattoo 100% with machine. Some of our guest artists may specialize in handpoke, but that’s on a case by case basis.

ACCESSIBILITY

If you have any accessibility needs or concerns please let your artist know. We will do our best to accommodate. If you have not been to our shop before, it should be noted that Black Cat is a second floor space with a steep staircase.

How do I book an appointment?

For appointments with any of our artists, please use our online booking form or the individual artist’s jotform. We don’t book appointments in person or over the phone.

How do I book an appointment with one of your guest artists?

Please contact the artist directly. You can usually find their contact info in their Instagram profile. No one at Black Cat will book an appointment with the guest artist for you.

Do you do walk-ins?

We only accept walk-ins on Flash Day.

When should I show up on Flash Day?

Flash Day starts at 10:30am on Saturday. Arrive later than that, and you probably won’t be getting a tattoo.

***Flash day is on hiatus until further notice due to Covid-19

How old do I need to be?

You need to be at least 18 to get a tattoo at Black Cat. Zero exceptions. Make sure to bring two pieces of ID.

Do I need to make a deposit?

We require a $50 non-refundable deposit before we can confirm your appointment. That deposit applies to a specific piece of art—a custom design, or flash. It can’t be swapped to a different piece. Deposits should be made electronically with etransfer or Paypal.

Visiting guest artists may have different policies when it come to deposits. Contact them directly to find out.

How to I change my appointment?

If for whatever reason you need to change your appointment, please contact your artist ASAP. If you ask to change it any sooner than five days before your appointment, we will keep your deposit. You’ll have to pay another deposit to book a new appointment.

Will you do flash pieces more than once?

Once you’ve claimed a piece of flash, we reserve the right to reuse the flash on another client—with or without modifications. If you’d like a tattoo that’s 100% unique to you, we recommend requesting a custom design.

Can I bring a friend to my appointment?

Due to Covid-19 protocols, we are asking you come alone to your appointment to reduce the number of people in the space. You are more than welcome to FaceTime a friend or loved one into the appointment!

Does it hurt?

Hell yeah. You bet it does.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, credit, etransfer, or Paypal. Definitely check with your artist beforehand.

Guest artists typically accept cash only. Contact them to be sure.

How should I prepare for my tattoo?

Have a shower. Wear comfortable clothes. Eat a square meal. Hydrate. Go to the bathroom. Think happy thoughts.

I’m drunk and/or stoned. Can I get my tattoo?

Sorry, bud. We only tattoo people while they’re sober. Wait til your tattoo is done before you celebrate.

I have a chronic ailment/severe allergies/bad cold/weird rash. Can I still get tattooed?

Please be sure to disclose all medical conditions on your booking form. If you come in for your appointment and you’re uncontrollably coughing/sneezing/puking, we may ask you to reschedule.

What does it cost?

Each piece of flash is priced individually. For custom work, the shop charge is $180 per hour.

What else do you sell in the shop, besides tattoos?

We keep a stock of Black Cat merchandise, as well as a rotating selection of products created by local artisans. Check out our Instagram to see what’s in.

Black Cat Tattoo Covid-19 Information

Black Cat strives to provide a safe and secure environment to be tattooed in. The novel virus, Covid-19 has altered our society in many ways and we at Black Cat will go above and beyond to make sure our workplace and our clientele are not at risk. In order to ensure the personal safety of Black Cat staff and clients, we ask that all clientele arrive to their appointment masked. You may remove the mask to have a drink or eat a snack, but for the rest of the appointment your mask must remain on. If you forget a mask, we have some at the shop we can give to you by donation. We are also only accepting clients who have received at least one dose of the vaccine into the shop. We have some members of staff who are high risk, and other people in our lives who are at risk, and want to ensure their health and well being as well as our own. We realize this is a controversial stance to take, but we firmly believe in the health of everyone in our community. We appreciate you respecting our decision.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and helping us maintain a safe and secure working environment. Your health and the health of the community are just as important to us as our own. Stay safe out there! 

 Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare Instructions 

We will have provided you with either a second skin bandage or a soaker pad bandage. The after care for both is relatively the same, except the time each bandage is supposed to remain on. For the second skin bandage, please keep it on for roughly 3-4 days. This bandage is shower proof, but this does not mean you can go swimming. If you were given a soaker pad bandage then please keep it on for 2-4 hours depending (your artist will discuss this with you). 

After removing the Second Skin bandage:

• Before removing the bandage, make sure your hands are clean

• Once bandage is removed, rise with warm water (and if you have non scented soap then you may use a small amount of that as well)

• Once the tattoo is rinsed, pat dry gently with a towel or cloth

• Leave the tattoo alone for at least another 12-24 hours so it can breathe and scab

• The day after the bandage is removed is when you can start moisturizing your healing tattoo. We recommend either unscented lotion or coconut oil (do not use coconut oil that you cook with, as the cross contamination can cause an infection) Continue to moisturize your healing tattoo until the scab is gone

After removing the Soaker Pad bandage:

• If you are heading home post tattoo, leave soaker pad bandage on for 2-3hrs, if there are other things you need to do first, leave the soaker pad on until you get home. Remove the soaker pad at least an hour or two before bedtime. This will give the tattoo time to breathe & dry out a bit so there’s less likelihood of sticking to the bedsheets etc the first night.

• Remove bandage, and with clean hands only (no washcloth etc) run the tattoo under warm water until it no longer feels slimy. This is releasing any excess plasma etc from the area. Pat thoroughly and dry with paper towel. Not necessary, but if you want at this point you can apply a thin sheen of Aquaphor ointment, or Bacitracin ointment [Bacitracin contains antibiotics, while Aquaphor does not, so those with sensitive skin may prefer Aquaphor]

• After 4-6 days the tattoo will start to dry & flake. Your aftercare from this point forward & for the next week or two while everything heals up is to rinse with unscented soap in the shower as needed, pat dry (clean towel is now ok) and apply a thin amount of unscented moisturizer. You may apply moisturizer 1-3 times more each day as needed. 

• Within a couple of weeks your tattoo will be healed 

If you have any questions about your tattoo, please contact your artist at any time, preferably by email. If you notice anything abnormal about the healing of your tattoo please contact your artist immediately, and if necessary they can direct you to the appropriate medical professional.

Things NOT to do with a healing tattoo:

• Go swimming in a public pool, hot tubs, or any body of water (this may expose you to an infection or ruin the healing process of your tattoo)

• Pick or scratch at the tattoo scab 

• Put anything on the tattoo that you have not cleared with your tattoo artist or doctor

• Expose your tattoo to direct sunlight causing a sun burn

• Take your bandage off early (unless necessary)

• Expose your healing tattoo to unsanitary environments or irritating clothing without protection (i.e. cleaning a bathroom with a fresh tattoo on your hand or arm that is not protected by a bandage or covering)