Glen Burnie, Maryland
A:There are a couple ways to get tattooed at our studio. We take as many walk-ins as possible but we are primarily a custom studio so we set a lot of appointments. To set an appointment, you can email or call us with your contact information (name, phone number...) along with a rough idea of what you would like to have done. After you send that information, an artist will contact you to set up a consultation and/or appointment. You may also stop by the studio whenever you wish to check us out, or to set up a consultation or an appointment. The artist you may be working with may not be available if you walk in, so calling first is always a safe bet. Usually there is a friendly counter person that will be able to answer most of your questions and help you set up time with an artist. We require a $60.00 deposit to set a tattoo appointment. For larger tattoo work, a $100.00-$200.00 deposit will be required. Out-of-towners can mail a check or money order payable to Tattooed Heart Studios. Send deposits to Tattooed Heart, 7 Vernon Avenue, Glen Burnie, Md 21061. Please include your contact information with your deposit!!! For locals we ask that you stop by the studio to leave your deposit, we accept all major credit cards and cash, no checks or money orders are accepted in studio!
Q: I'm vegan and looking for an artist that uses vegan ink/no animal product-bi products. glycerin must be vegetable derived,etc.
A:It is not required by law for pigment companies to list all of the ingredients that are in their products. More importantly, in your case, even if we know what the pigment contains we still cannot always be 100% sure of the ingredients origin. Most of the inks that are used for tattooing contain glycerin, which acts as a carrier for the actual pigment. Glycerin is usually derived from animal fats, though it can be derived from vegetable sources! We use a variety of pigments at our studio because you get different results from each brand. One brand we use, Stable Ink, claims to be 100% VEGAN SAFE. We don't use any petroleum based products such as A&D ointment (used by many tattoo artists, not vegan safe) during the tattoo process, nor do we recommend them for aftercare. Most of the products that we recommend for aftercare are NOT vegan safe, but I am sure that you either have or can find a vegan safe lotion that would be appropriate for healing your tattoo. I am by no means a vegan expert, just a man with some tattoo knowledge and some access to the the wonderful world wide web. Hope this information helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
Q. Is getting a tattoo safe?
A. It absolutely is at Tattooed Heart Studios. We pride ourselves on our clean studio and safety practices. Our current test results are always posted in the front of the shop, verifying that our sterilization equipment is working properly. We use single use needles, meaning that a fresh needle is used on each tattoo and disposed of into a sharps container when finished. Single use ink caps are used, meaning that the ink is never recycled into another container. Anytime you would like an explanation on the procedures, you should ask. No one will mind your attention to safety.
Q. Can I contract AIDS or HIV?
A. HIV is a very delicate virus and does not survive long outside the human body, nor is it spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is only transmitted when sufficient quantities of highly infected blood are introduced into the body of another person. The structure of tattoo needles does not lend itself to HIV transmission. According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, there has never been a case of HIV transmission from tattooing in the United States. Cases outside the US were not positively attributed to tattooing, because all reported cases also fit the profile of a "high risk" lifestyle.
Q. What about Hepatitis?
A. The disease to consider when getting tattooed is hepatitis. Hepatitis, unlike HIV, is a very hardy virus that can survive long periods outside the human body and can be transmitted through little more than a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other infectious blood borne pathogen, artists autoclave (steralize) their single service equipment, use individual portions of ink and lubricant, and dispose of used sharps according to OSHA guidelines. They use an EPA registered method of steralization to clean their stations between clients, and use barrier protection. These procedures are called Standard Precautions. Basically, the artist must treat everyone (including themselves) as though they were infectious. That way, everyone is protected and the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.
Q. How much does it hurt?
A. Pain is really irrelevant when you consider that art lasts a lifetime. Yes, it does hurt. But if you want a tattoo bad enough, you will be able to tolerate the pain. The pain is more like a hot scratching feeling... Or possibly a pin prick, over and over again. Think about it this way, the pain is a outside pain... Like a irritation, not like a inside pain like a toothache. It must not hurt that bad if people keep returning for more and more work. It hurts less than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Q. Will you use a numbing cream?
A. When getting permanent cosmetics, a numbing cream or gel will be used to greatly relieve discomfort involved. A numbing agent will make getting permanent cosmetics pain free for the most part! For most body tattoos, we do not. Creams can have an adverse effect on the pigments that are being applied during body tattoos. Ultimately, the numbing solution would be working against your tattoo and sacrificing the artwork you are paying for. The best thing to do is just suck it up. Pain is temporary.
Q. How much $$$ will my tattoo cost?
A. This is a very open question. While we strive to offer the best customer service we can, a price is not something we can name over the internet or the phone. The best way to get an accurate cost estimate for your tattoo is to come into the shop. Please bring any reference material you have, including sketches, computer prints outs, photographs, or anything that may give the artist a better visual idea of what you are looking for. If you have a website address, we can pull it up for you at the shop. Speaking directly with the artist will give you both a concise idea of what you want, making it much easier to give you an accurate price.
Q. How old do I have to be to get tattooed?
A. 18 & with photo ID. Tattooed Heart may make some exceptions if the minor is 17, but at that point it is on a person to person basis.
Q. How can I pay?
A. We gladly accept cash and credit: Master Charge, Visa, Discover, American Express & debit. In addition to that, we offer refillable gift cards. So if you know you want something done, drop some hints and send a loved one in to buy a gift card.
Q. Does Tattooed Heart Studios take walk ins?
A. Of course we do! We like to make ourselves available for every customer. However, it is always best to make an appointment. Weekends tend to be busy , and if you are looking to get a time consuming piece, chances are you won't be able to walk into an appointment.
Q. Is tipping expected or necessary?
A. It's common practice to tip your tattoo artist if you are happy with your tattoo, or felt you got extra attention. If you can afford it, a good tip is 15-20%, just like a restaurant, but any token of appreciation is welcome. Tips are not expected but they are greatly appreciated!
Q. How do I get an appointment????
A. Excellent question! Come into the shop with a deposit of $60. This will secure your appointment time and the deposit will come off the final cost of your tattoo. Also, for our traveling clients, a money order in the name of Tattooed Heart studios can be mailed to secure an appointment.
Q. If I make an appointment and I can’t make it, or need to reschedule, what do I do?????
A. We understand situations arise. It is necessary to call and reschedule 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. If you do not show up on time for your scheduled appointment and you do not call to reschedule, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your appointment, you will lose your deposit.
Q. If I have an appointment is there anything I should do to prepare?
A. I strongly suggest getting a good nights rest, refrain from any excessive drinking, partying etc. Get a nice meal in your stomach, relax... and come on in. Check out the Before/Aftercare page for more deatils.
Q. Someone told me I should get drunk to tolerate the pain of getting tattooed?!? Should I start drinking now?
A. No, you do not need to be drunk to get a tattoo... In fact, if you are obviously under the influence of drugs or alcohol, any professional artist will refuse to tattoo you.
"Only drunks, can stand drunks long enough to put a tattoo on a drunk."
Q. “Do you do tattoo parties??!!??”
A. This answer will always be NO and should always be NO. For your safety, and the artist. The reason being, tattoo parties are not a clean, safe environment. And ultimately, the bottom line is, you get what you pay for. The cost of covering, or removing your tattoo party prize will be way more than having a real artist ink you. A tattoo done for 20 bucks and a ride to the liquor store will never look like a piece of art; however a tattoo done by our professional staff will be worth showing off.
Q. How will the colors appear on my skin?
A. Colors on skin will vary, just like skin tones vary. Your skin is a filter for the pigment; lighter skin tones will provide a more vivid color. Darker skin tones will mute the pigments. Your artist will work with the pigments to make sure your tattoo suits your skin tone.
Q. What about allergic reactions to color?
A. While it is possible to be allergic to anything, an allergic reaction is very rare. If you do have allergies you may want to consult a doctor for proper tests and an explanation.
Q. If I am pregnant can I still get tattooed or pierced?
A. Pregnant women, or anyone with a chronic, serious condition, should consult a physician before getting tattooed. That being said, we at Tattooed Heart would not want to do anything that might jeopardize your health or the health of your unborn child. We will not tattoo or pierce you if you are pregnant.
Q. How do I heal my tattoo or body piercing?
A. Tattooed Heart staff practices what they preach. We highly recommend using H2Ocean to heal tattoos and piercings. It is available in the shop, and with the lotion / spray we provide instructions on application. Check the Before/Aftercare page for more details.
Q. What can I expect during the healing process of a tattoo?
A. The first night, there will be some "seepage", or plasma, pushing through. Don’t put down the 500 count Egyptian cotton sheets after getting a tattoo, because there is a chance that some color will be transferred to the sheets. You can expect your tattoo to heal in phases, 3-5 days of dry flaky skin, and 3-7 days of shiny new "onion" skin. In the end, your healed tattoo will look as if it were always there.
Q. Why should I come to a professional body piercer for a piercing? Can't I just go to the mall or have my cousin do it in his basement?
A. The main reason is the word “Professional”. Any tattoo/piercing studio has the reputation of their shop on the line. Because of this, they should employ a piercer who has been trained in various aspects of the human body, cross contamination, sterilization, and customer service. The kid at the mall is more worried about…. well we all know what teenagers think about! Let’s put it this way, they are not concerned with your health & safety. And lets face it, in this day and age there is no leeway when it comes to social/communicable diseases. The 70’s are over!! The old penicillin shot just won’t do!
Q. Is my piercing infected?
A. If your piercing is: hot, swollen, shiny, oozing yellow/brown fluid, or painful to the touch... then YES, it is most likely infected! You would benefit from following your after care instructions, including washing your hands before cleaning or touching your piercing.
If your piercing is: Mildly sore, mildly red, has a white crusty discharge, or not painful to the touch... then NO! This is your body’s way of healing. The “crust” or “white” discharge is lymph secretion. Just use aftercare as directed. And, oh yeah, WASH YOUR HANDS before cleaning or touching.
Q. What if I’m allergic to surgical steel? Can I get pierced?
A. If you know you are allergic to certain metals, I suggest you purchase a single property metal piece of jewelry, such as Nobiam,Titanium, 24 kt gold, or white gold prior to coming in to get pierced. Note: Your jewelry will have to be sterilized before you can be pierced. I suggest you drop jewelry off 1 hr prior, so your jewelry can be sterilized.
Please consult with your body piercer for more information if you believe you have metal allergies.
Q. How old do I have to be to get pierced at Tattooed Heart?
A. You must be 18 years old with photo ID. The piercer may make some exceptions if the minor is 17, but it is mainly on a person to person basis.
Q:I am really interested in getting a tattoo and have wanted one for years. What has held me back is my allergy to shell fish/iodine.Are there any types of ink that can be used on people who have allergies to shell fish/iodine? The research on the Internet is slim. I have found what to do if I were to have an allergic reaction to a tattoo, but nothing mentioned about my particular case.