Current Health Protocols for Booking

UPDATED May 20, 2023

WHOOOT! We have finally relaxed our COVID health protocols! AWP has always practiced strict health protocols prioritizing the well-being of our clients and artists and we will always continue to do so. Public Health is central to tattooing. Our studios are clean, Carol Ann!

• Photo ID is required. No exceptions. Neglecting to provide a photo ID at your appointment will forfeit both the appointment and the deposit.
• Payment is due at the time services are rendered. If you’re getting an extensive piece over several sessions, payment is due at each session. No exceptions.
• If you are – or have been – feeling unwell – or if you’re in contact with anyone feeling unwell – do not come to the studio. Matt and Awen want to remain healthy in order to avoid scheduling delays. If your artist notices any symptoms during your time in the studio we will cancel your appointment and send you home.
• Masks are required for everyone for the duration of your time in the studio. YES WE STILL REQUIRE MASKS. Why, you ask? Because this is one of the few – or maybe the only – situation in which you’re sitting inches away from someone’s face for several hours at a time. Masking keeps small businesses – like ours – open. Complimentary masks are available. And yes – we completely support freedom of choice. If you choose not to wear the fresh surgical mask we provide, no problem – we will choose to reschedule your appointment.
• You’re welcome to bring earbuds with to transport you to your happy place while getting inked. We provide complimentary internet so you can stream to your hearts content.
• Ventilation is key to interrupting the cycle of transmission for COVID. We circulate fresh air –  into the studios. When it’s cool, we adjust heating, but the studios do run cool. Bringing a zip up hoodie is a great way to keep one arm covered while the other gets tattooed – or makes for a handy lap blanket if you feel chilly.
• Clients are expected to wear clean clothes to your appointment. If you are coming from anywhere other than your home, change into clean clothes before arriving.
• IMPORTANT: As we’ve all experienced, things like illness, injury and family emergencies come up at the last minute, so be sure to check your email before coming in for your appointment  just in case there are last minute changes to the appointment. In the event rescheduling is necessary, we’ll email you as early as possible Obviously unexpected things are unpredictable, so be sure to check your email before traveling to the studio.
• REMEMBER: A fresh tattoo requires energy from your immune system to heal, and your immune system requires resilience to fight exposure to illness, so it’s necessary  to be healthy when getting tattooed, to follow the care instructions and to make good choices during the first few days of healing following the tattoo.

• ALL studio hours, appointments, booking timelines and protocols are subject to change. If you have an appointment, be sure to check your email for updates prior to traveling to the studio.
• Our artists are trained in Prevention of Disease Transmission in Tattooing through the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, which we re-certify annually (most recently 11/29/22) – including continuing education on COVID-19 transmission and prevention.
• Everyone working at AWP is fully vaccinated – including boosters – and we mask. BOOM!
• We clean and disinfect throughout the studios, including public and common spaces, before and after each client as well as at the beginning and end of each work day.
• Artists will be wearing masks, gloves, scrubs or aprons and other PPE such as eye protection or face shields. Nothing to see here (or to take personally) – these practices provide protection to everyone.
• We circulate fresh air into the studios and filter air 5x hourly with HEPA filtration in every workstation.
• Studio air quality is monitored by C02 sensors, maintaining Co2 levels recommended by the CDC for COVID-19 indoor air quality.
• Single service disposable set ups are provided for each and every client. That means items used during your tattoo appointment – from needles to pigment to ink caps – are all discarded at the end of each appointment.
• Hand washing and hand sanitizer are available to clients throughout the duration of your appointment.
• Artists will postpone appointments if we have been exposed to COVID-19, if we have reservations about our own health or if we feel unwell. Thank you in advance for your understanding if we need to reschedule. Be sure to check your email for appointment updates prior to traveling to the studio.
• Our artists and studios are licensed by the Minneapolis Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Health.
• We’re card carrying Professional Members of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.