Frequently Asked Questions

🖋️ General Booking Questions

How do I book an appointment?

You can book an appointment by filling out my BOOKING FORM in the link above. I'll get back to you via email.

Do you take walk-ins or only appointments?

Appointments only.

Can I book via Instagram or Facebook?

I will accept bookings through Instagram at my own discretion. I prefer my booking form for new clients or through email rachaellonie1992@gmail.com for existing clients.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

No deposits necessary.

What if I don’t reply to the confirmation message?

If I don't receive a reply to the confirmation message, I will try and contact you. If I cannot reach you, I'll be cranky and turn up to the studio in the hopes you'll show up.

If you don't show up and try to rebook, you'll be required to pay a rebooking fee which is 50% of the total value of the appointment that you missed (eg. a full day is $850 and would be a rebooking fee of $425).

What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

Life happens. Let me know as soon as you can. Sometimes illness/accident/unexpected stuff comes up, just let me know asap.
If you a repeat offender of cancelling/rescheduling within 48 hours of the appointment after your grandma dies for the seventh time, I may ask for a rebooking fee. THOSE

🎨 Design & Tattoo Process

Can I see the design before the appointment?

No. I simply do not have the time. In most cases the design is drawn the night before/morning of. There is time in your appointment to make any changes you like.

Do you take custom design requests?

Absolutely. I like to make every design as custom as possible.

Will you tattoo someone else’s design?

I'd rather not. I'm happy to take that design and change it to suit you specifically. If it's a sentimental design (eg. drawing done by a deceased person or child) then I will copy it to the best of my ability.

Please don't ask me to do the wonky rose design that your friend from high school drew just to make her happy, then have a fight with her and then ask me to cover them up with the roses I would have drawn for you the first time because you've realised that her drawings aren't that good.

Can I make changes to the design on the day?

Of course. Please speak up about any changes you would like made, I want you to be happy with the design and I'm not a mind reader.

Do you offer cover-ups or reworks?

Yes, depending on the piece. I may recommend laser in some cases.

💰 Pricing & Sessions

How much does a full-day session cost?

$850 flat rate.

What’s the minimum charge?

$100

How long is a full-day?

7 hours including a 30 min break for lunch.

Can I pay in cash or card?

Either is fine!

Do you offer payment plans?

No. I don't offer Inkpay or Afterpay. If you're concerned about your ability to hold onto money for the appointment, you can purchase tattoo gift vouchers for yourself from the studio Deadly Nightshade Atelier (non-refundable).

💡 Preparation & Aftercare

How should I prepare for my tattoo appointment?

Have something to eat (don't brag to me that you don't eat breakfast and then faint two minutes in).
Be clean (shower, use deodorant and brush your teeth - I can't believe I actually have to tell this to people but it happens).
Avoid getting sunburned.
Don't drink heavily the night before (you will not be okay, you'll bleed everywhere and tap out, I promise).

Is numbing cream okay?

Yes, that's completely fine. I do not provide or sell numbing cream. Numbing cream is a gamble - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I personally have used Tattoo Numbing Cream Co. Order ahead to make sure it arrives in time.
Please do a patch-test ahead of time to make sure you don't have an allergy.

Scrub your skin thoroughly and consider using isocol rubbing alcohol before applying the cream to strip the skin of natural oils.
Put it on 1hr+ before your appointment to ensure it works effectively. Do not be sparing with the cream. Cover with cling wrap and try applying some gentle heat to open up the pores.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes, as long as they're well-behaved. Having significant people around to share a milestone are welcome, disruptive people will be asked to leave.
First tattoo, feeling nervous and unsure who to bring? Choose someone who makes you feel calm and supported.

What should I wear to my appointment?

DO WEAR: dark, comfortable clothing that you don't mind being stained. Be thoughtful with clothing and the area I need to access - try button up clothing for the torso, singlets for arm tattoos, shorts for leg tattoos, ect. If you're not sure, just ask! The studio can be cold, so don't be afraid to wear your fluffy socks or bring a blanket. If you're comfortable and relaxed, the better the experience will be.

DON'T WEAR: white designer clothing, I won't pay you back if your $600 Gucci jeans get ink on them.

How do I care for my tattoo afterwards?

The healing process takes TWO WEEKS.

Bepanthen is completely fine. Deadly Nightshade Atelier also sells Inky Tattoo Salve (www.inkytattoosalve.com), an Australian owned and made plant based product which is used throughout the tattoo process. Apply whatever balm you like (as long as it's fragrance free) when the tattoo is feeling dry or itchy. You don't need a lot, don't DROWN the tattoo, just moisten it.

Do NOT go swimming or soak in water. Shower and keep the tattoo CLEAN, but submerging in water will draw out the ink.

Do NOT expose to the sun (it will fade the tattoo and hurt like heck).

Do NOT let your dog/cat/child touch or lick your tattoo. Keep germs away from it.

You may get a scab, in most cases it will peel like a sunburn. That's normal.
It will itch. Don't scratch it. Slap it softly if you have to. I won't break your fingers if you scratch the tattoo, you'll be in enough pain from doing it anyway.
The

What if I have allergies or skin sensitivities?

Please let me know before we start tattooing. Depending on your specific needs, I might like to take a look first and discuss some ways we can work around the problem. Patch-test anything you need and let me know about any allergies you might have.

🔄 Policies & Studio Info

What happens if I don’t show up to my appointment?

You'll be reported to the tattoo police and your mum will be informed. If you don't show up and try to rebook, you'll be required to pay a rebooking fee which is 50% of the total value of the appointment that you missed (eg. a full day is $850 and would be a rebooking fee of $425). I may consider never working with you again. I get no holiday pay, sick pay or penalty rates, I only make money when I'm tattooing for the day, so if you don't show up, I can't pay my rent/rego/groceries. Let me know beforehand if you can't make it so I can get someone else in for the day.

What’s your studio address and parking situation?

379 Yaamba Road 6B Park Avenue. The parking is excellent. We've got food options like Take Eat Easy, Pizza Hut, Cold Rock, fish n chips and 7/11. We're a short drive from Stocklands too.

Do you tattoo minors?

No. It's illegal. Parents cannot provide consent. You can read up on it here; QLD LAW / TATTOOING MINORS

Are you a private or public studio?

It's a private studio. This means we don't take walk-ins, we don't have a telephone and it's by appointment only.

Is your studio wheelchair accessible?

No. There is a long steep flight of stairs. Please take these into consideration if you struggle with stairs. If you would like to be tattooed by me and require accessibility, please contact me as I can make arrangements to tattoo you at a different studio to meet your needs.

🕰️ Client Communication & Timeliness

How far in advance should I book?

It fluctuates throughout the year, but 2 - 3 months is a general rule of thumb. Sometimes due to rescheduling, an appointment may become available a lot sooner.

How quickly do you reply to messages or emails?

At a minimum, once a week.

Tattooists generally have very little time. I start my day at 7am by drawing/preparing my station/getting the stencil ready. From 9am - 4pm (and sometimes later depending on the design), gloves are on and I'm tattooing. After work, I've got to squeeze in everything like ordering stock, maintaining my equipment, doing paperwork and accounting. I also have to cook dinner, stack the dishwasher and all the other chores of life.

Please don't send me messages every hour, I'll answer messages/emails when I have time to sit down and give them my full attention. If you haven't heard back in two weeks, try again in case the email/message ended up in a junk folder.

🎯 Design Scope & Style

Is there anything you don’t tattoo?

I don't tattoo the sides of fingers or hands. They WILL fall out. If I am pressured to do it, I do NOT offer free touch-ups.
My least favourite area to tattoo is the neck. Please consider other artists who might enjoy doing this area before asking me.

What style of tattooing do you specialise in?

Grey-wash realism/surrealism.

Do I need to know exactly what I want?

Not at all. I am happy to work with a vague idea of things you like and some examples of tattoos that you like the look of. From there, I can design something for you.

💬 During the Appointment

Can I take breaks during my session?

Yes, of course you can. For a full day appointment, we will have a 30min break for lunch.

Do you mind if I listen to music, podcasts, or watch something?

Go for it, just bring some headphones along.

Can I eat or drink during the session?

Yes, just be mindful of mess. Try to pick a food that doesn't leave crumbs everywhere. Bringing something sugary is always recommended to keep your blood sugar up.

📸 Photo Sharing & Social Media

Will you take a photo of my tattoo afterwards?

Sometimes I forget. Sometimes I would prefer to see it healed because it's too red/puffy. I'm more than happy to take a photo for you on your own phone if you like, just ask.

Can I request not to have my tattoo shared online?

Of course.

Can I tag you in my photo? What’s your Instagram handle?

Yeah, go for it! @rachaellonie