Frequently Asked Questions and Guidelines.



HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES

We currently have guidelines in effect at the studio.

Our top priority is ensuring your safety, our artists, and their families.’ Please note the following safety measures:

  1. Solo Appointments: Guests will not be permitted to accompany you to your appointment. Kindly attend alone.

Upon arriving at the studio:

  • Hand Washing: Please be prepared to wash your hands upon arrival.

Currently, we no longer require masks in our studio. However, your artist will wear one throughout your appointment, and we can offer you a mask upon request if you feel more comfortable wearing one.
Please be aware that our guidelines are subject to change.

These precautions are in place to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Thank you for your cooperation.



QUESTION AND ANSWERS

How do I book an appointment?
When the artist's books are open, you can submit a booking request form via our Artists page. Each artist's bio outlines general rates to provide an overview of pricing.

When will books open?
Bookings at our studio open at various times, depending on each artist's availability. For the latest updates on booking availability, please refer to individual artists' Instagram pages, links on the Artist page, and our shop's Instagram page. This information is regularly updated here.

How long does a tattoo take/how much will it cost?
We make every effort to respond promptly to all submitted booking forms, including a detailed quote for price and duration. It's important to note that these factors vary from artist to artist. We encourage direct communication with your artist for any additional questions or clarifications.

When will I see my tattoo sketch and/or finalized drawing?
Our artists create your tattoo design the night before or the morning of your appointment. You'll have the opportunity to see the finalized drawing when you arrive for your tattoo session. We allocate ample time for discussions and minor adjustments before the appointment. While we accommodate reasonable changes, extensive drawing reworks may necessitate rescheduling. Your trust is valued, and collaboratively, we aim to craft a tattoo you'll cherish.

What kind of inks/products do you use? Are they vegan?
We take pride in being an all-vegan shop here at The Grey Ash! Our commitment extends to maintaining a 100% vegan tattoo process, encompassing inks, ointments, soaps, and more. Additionally, we prioritize environmental consciousness by opting for biodegradable, single-use supplies to minimize plastic usage. From start to finish, your tattoo experience with us is entirely vegan, reflecting our roots and dedication to both vegan principles and environmental well-being.

Do you tattoo my skin tone?
Absolutely! Skin tone will never be a reason for us to turn away any client.

Can you tattoo over scars/moles?
We can tattoo over scars, but it's essential to mention it in your request form for proper consideration. While covering scars entirely can be challenging, our artistic styles offer creative solutions. Please note that, for health reasons, we do not tattoo over moles. We are happy to work around the area while prioritizing your safety.

Do you do coverups?
Cover-up projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are ultimately determined by the artist. Due to our specific artistic styles, covering large tattoos can be challenging. If your project involves a cover-up, please make sure to indicate this in your request form. Providing this information ensures we have all the necessary details to effectively assess and address your cover-up request.

Are there any specific subjects or themes that the studio does not tattoo?
At this time, we do not accept projects involving color (see more information below), extensive script, Bible verses, or explicit imagery.

Do you do reworks/finish tattoos started by another artist?
At our studio, we generally refrain from accepting reworks or completing tattoos initiated by other artists. If you have a tattoo that requires adjustments or completion, please submit it with accompanying photos for evaluation. Each case will be considered individually. When requesting a rework or completion of an existing tattoo, please provide detailed specifications to clarify your request.

Do you take on color projects?
Our artists have transitioned exclusively to blackwork and black-and-grey projects and no longer work with color ink. This focused approach allows us to channel our expertise and creativity into delivering exceptional results within the realm of monochromatic tattoo artistry.

How do I prepare for my tattoo appointment?
The preparation for your tattoo appointment begins as soon as it is booked. It's essential to ensure your artist has all the necessary information, including photo references, pictures of the tattoo area on your body, and any additional relevant details. Hydration, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep are crucial during the week leading up to your tattoo appointment, particularly the day before.

  • To facilitate the tattooing process, we kindly request that you abstain from alcohol, blood-thinning medications, and excessive caffeine consumption 24 hours before your scheduled session. Arriving for your appointment without any hangover or influence of alcohol or drugs is essential. Failure to comply may result in the forfeiture of your deposit, necessitating the scheduling of a new appointment.

  • Please ensure that you have eaten before your appointment, as this is a critical step often overlooked by many. Consuming a substantial and dense meal provides your body with the necessary sustenance to endure a tattoo session, especially for longer sessions. Your cooperation in these preparations contributes to a smoother and more successful tattoo experience.



DEPOSIT, CANCELLATION, AND RESCHEDULING POLICIES

Can I reschedule my appointment and still have my deposit honored? How do deposits work?

Yes! We are more than willing to accommodate rescheduling, understanding that unforeseen circumstances may arise. Please refer to the guidelines outlined below for our policies regarding deposits, cancellations, and rescheduling.


* Deposits for each artist are $300 and will be deducted from your final price. For back-to-back sessions, deposits are $500 and will be deducted from your final price.

* Deposits are non-refundable under all circumstances and will not be reimbursed. Our artists invest time and effort in preparing for your piece, and cancellations may not always be fillable regardless of notice. We appreciate your understanding of this policy.

* Rescheduling over the 72-hour appointment mark, your deposit will be honored.

* If rescheduling less than 72 hours before your appointment, your deposit is forfeited, and you will need to leave a new one for your appointment to continue.

* We offer the flexibility to reschedule your appointment one time, provided we receive a 72-hour notice each time. However, if a second reschedule is necessary, we kindly request that you leave a new deposit to secure the revised appointment. Policy in effect starting 7/15/2024

* To ensure the retention of your deposit, please reschedule your appointment with our manager within 72 hours of submitting your rescheduled request. The rescheduled appointment itself does not need to occur within this timeframe.

* Should you need to reschedule your appointment for a date beyond the artist's booking availability (provided there is a 72-hour notice), we will honor your deposit for a period of up to 3 months. We will accommodate the rescheduling for a later date within this timeframe. (For example, if your original appointment is scheduled for February 2024, you must finalize the reschedule by the end of June 2024.) In the event that rescheduling extends beyond this 3-month grace period, a new deposit will be required.

* In the event of repeated appointment rescheduling, we reserve the right to forfeit any existing deposits associated with rescheduled appointments. Persistent rescheduling may result in an increased deposit rate for future bookings. If the pattern of rescheduling becomes a significant concern, we retain the right to decline future bookings with you as a client.

* Failure to arrive within 20 minutes of your scheduled appointment, without prior communication, will result in the marking of your appointment as canceled, and your deposit will be forfeited. If you find yourself more than 30 minutes late to your appointment (even with notice), you will be charged a full hour ($250) on top of your appointment fee.
We kindly ask that you reach out to us if you anticipate running late to avoid any inconvenience.

* In the event of a no-call/no-show on your scheduled appointment day, you will be required to place a new deposit, and future appointments will incur a higher deposit fee. Repeated instances of no-call/no-show (more than once) will result in the inability to secure future appointments with us.

* Cancellation on the day of your appointment results in the forfeiture of your deposit under any circumstance. If such cancellations occur more than twice, you may experience an increased deposit fee for future appointments. Repeated day-of cancellations may lead to the denial of future booking requests.



TATTOO AFTERCARE

Congrats on your new tattoo! Here’s how to take care of it.

1.     After the tattoo is complete, your artist will place a bandage over it. If your tattoo is covered with saran wrap, leave this bandage on for a few hours; usually three or four hours is best. If your tattoo is covered with TegaDerm, which your artist will let you know, you may leave this on as long as it is comfortable, up to 4-7 days.

2.     Wash your hands, and remove the bandage. Your tattoo will most likely appear to be oozing or leaking; this is blood and plasma mixing with excess ink in the skin, and is completely normal.  

3.     Wash your tattoo, with a fragrance-free antibacterial soap, such as Dial Gold, HibiClens, or unscented Dr. Bronner’s. Make sure to use warm water as well. Most people prefer to hop in the shower to wash it, as it tends to be an easier process that way. Do not use washcloths or loofahs, and be extra gentle when washing.

4.     Pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel.

5.     Gently rub a thin layer of unscented healing cream or lotion on your tattoo. I suggest basic coconut oil or Hustle Butter. Make sure any other lotions you may decide to use otherwise do not have alcohol or any other astringent ingredients.

6.     Repeat this entire process twice a day, for the next two weeks. You may go down to once a day after that. The tattoo will form a thin peeling layer which should flake off naturally as you apply ointment or lotion. Once it is peeled, it is healed.

Things to remember:

•     Keep your tattoo away from pet dander, the number one cause of tattoo infections, for at least the first week. This means to keep your bedsheets clean, and keep from allowing pets to mess with or lay on the tattooed area.

•     Do not submerge your tattoo in water for extended periods of time for the duration of the healing process. This means no baths, swimming pools, or trips to the beach.

•     Avoid direct sunlight on the tattooed area as much as possible during the healing process. Try to wear long, looser clothing that covers the area when outside as needed. 

•     If you frequent the gym, you may want to place a layer of saran wrap over your tattoo for the first week of healing, whenever you are at the gym. Gyms can be places for lots of bacteria and are no place for an unprotected healing tattoo. Leave a wrapping on your tattoo for no longer than a few hours.

•     Make sure to apply only thin layers of ointment or lotion, as too much will clog pores and delay the healing process.

•     Do not scratch or pick at your healing tattoo. This often pulls the scabs or flakes off prematurely, taking the ink underneath the skin with it and often causing gaps in your healed tattoo.

•     Feel free to contact us with any healing questions that you may have.


Thank you for reading through our FAQ page! If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at info@thegreyash.com or give us a call at (704) 666-1995.

We look forward to working with you and creating something wonderful.


As a reminder, booking info can be found on our artists page here.