FAQ

Check out our updated (12/28/22)  COVID-19 Protocols right here!

A: The day has come to get that tattoo (maybe even that first tattoo) you’ve been thinking about for so long!  But how to begin…  hey, no sweat. Simply contact us with an Appointment Inquiry, including the requested details and reference images for what you have in mind, and if the design concept compliments our artists’ artistic styles and peaks our creative interests, we’ll be in touch to schedule a consult, get set with the deposit and book the date to breathe life into your new tattoo!

A: YES! Check out 30 Things Your Tattoo Artist Wishes You Knew

All these things!

And more… When you contact your artist, write in complete sentences. Revisiting #1 in “30 Things” – We’re tattoo artists, not psychics. LOL. When we receive an email or message written in incomplete sentence fragments or one word answers, it’s impossible to visualize your idea for a custom sleeve. Having to struggle to decipher details tends to lose our interest in what is probably a completely awesome design concept that we’d love to work with. It’s reasonable for you expect the artist you seek to tattoo you to communicate with you patiently and in complete sentences. Help us out with the same courtesies.

A: Good question! Health and safety always come first, which is why our artists are Professional Members of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, are re-certified annually through the Alliance of Professional Tattooists ongoing education in “Prevention of Disease Transmission in Tattooing” and are licensed as Professional Tattoo Technicians through the Minnesota Department of Health.

Review our updated (12/28/22) COVID-19 protocols.

A: The Design Consult is the time to be clear about your ideas and expections – and to provide all of your reference materials. Breathing life into a tattoo is a creative process. While we begin with your idea, as artists we will incorporate our own creative vision and our knowledge by making suggestions and even asking that certain aspects of the desired tattoo design change. There are a variety of considerations when planning a tattoo, from balancing size with detail – to the placement on the body for a natural fit and flow – to what style may or may not translate well into the medium of tattooing. You’ve done your research and chosen to engage our creative visions and professional advice – please take the information and suggestions we provide as trusted guidance based on years of experience.

After your Design Consult, we will work directly from the information you provided to create our artistic interpretation inspired by your ideas and vision. The more specific you’re able to be with your ideas, the more accurately we’ll be able to represent the concept in the artwork. We know that getting tattooed is exciting, and that it can be hard to wait (hey we feel the same way when we get tattooed!) but please have patience. The Creative process is just that – a process – Creativity requires time, trust and spaciousness. We value each piece of art and each client that we work with, and on any given day we are working on multiple pieces of art with multiple clients.

When we have artwork ready, we’ll make arrangements with you to preview the design. Flat, digital images viewed quickly on a phone screen fall short of accurately representing how a design will appear when enlarged to its full size and then fit to a three dimensional body; and doesn’t respect the time your artist carefully invested in planning the art. Plan to allow time to meet with your artist in person to review the design concept.

And a final housekeeping note out of respect for our artists as well as other clients’ time… While we are happy to accomodate small refinements to the design to ensure that the drawing embodies what you envision, by the third round of changes it may be time to reflect on whether you’re choosing to be open to the Creative process, trusting the suggestions your artist is providing, or unsettled about the original idea you’ve chosen. Art direction interrupts Creative Energy. With more than two rounds of changes, changing content after a Design Consult, or resizing requiring last minute rescheduling will forfeit the deposit at the artists’ discretion. 

If you choose to make significant changes to the design concept after the Design Consult, we will apply the deposit to the time involved in the original consult appointment and schedule a new Design Consult with a new deposit to begin the new design process. Only one deposit will be credited to the cost of your tattoo.

A: Ever notice that an entire back piece is finished on TV in ten minutes plus the commercial break?  It’s almost like *magic*.

One thing we won’t rush is a tattoo, so while some tattoos will be completed in one session, more extensive pieces will involve multiple appointments over multiple weeks or months.

While COVID continues to cause scheduling changes, we are doing our best to accommodate everyone as best we can and we ask you to remember that tattoos are created by hand, one tattoo at a time. Please be patient.

Review our updated (12/28/22) COVID-19 info.

A: That all depends on what you’re getting. We don’t give quotes over email as there are many factors to determine price on a tattoo.

To request a ballpark estimate, submit an inquiry to our artists and include a detailed description of your ideas including: where you’d like your tattoo, the size you’d like and at least one reference image.

A: Yes. While deposits are not refundable, no worries as long as you’re committed to your tattoo (and showing up to your appointment) because your deposit will be credited to the final cost of your completed tattoo. The deposit is required to book an appointment and the amount of the deposit is determined by the length of your appointment. Deposits are payable through an online invoice provided by your artist. If you need to postpone or reschedule (Hey! Life happens!) and you’re unable to reschedule right away, we’ll hold your deposit for 60 days. Appointments that remain unscheduled for more than 60 days will forfeit the deposit. The booking itself can be scheduled down the road… there’s no rush. We just need to keep a handle on outstanding bookings.

A: If you are ill, do not come to the studio. In the days prior to – and the morning of – your appointment, self-assess how you’re feeling. If you are feeling unwell in any way – including, but not limited to any one or all of the following: headache, fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or muscle aches – contact your artist to reschedule. If you are ill, we’ll waive the 72 hours required notice and forward your deposit to the rescheduled appointment. We know you’re looking forward to your tattoo – so are we! But hey, COVID don’t play, Baby! Matt and Awen want to protect our health, the health of every other client we see and the health of our families.

Read our updated (12/28/22) COVID protocols before scheduling AND before coming in for your appointment,

If you are healthy and need to reschedule (because, hey – life happens) we ask that you provide 72 hours notice so that we have the opportunity to fill the opening. The more effective we can be with bookings, the more options we can provide you for rescheduling!

Please be aware that our artists are typically booking several months to a year in advance. If you reschedule, your new appointment may occur then or later depending on availability. If you’re unable to reschedule a date right away, we’ll hold your deposit for 60 days. Appointments that remain unscheduled for more than 60 days will forfeit the deposit. The booking itself can be scheduled for farther down the road… there’s no rush. We just need to keep a handle on outstanding bookings.

A: Yes. Photo I.D. is required to get a tattoo. That’s right, no exceptions. Be sure to bring your I.D. to your appointment. Without your photo I.D. your appointment and your deposit will be forfeited.

A: Effective January 1, 2011, the State of Minnesota requires a minimum age of 18 in order to get a tattoo, regardless of parental consent.

A: Well… Yeah. However, all things being relative plenty of things hurt more, like a broken heart, ice cream headaches, giving birth, scrolling Facebook, reading the news… When it comes to getting tattooed, the ability to relax into the process and a possessing a reasonable certainty that you’re ready to become tattooed will make the process easy peezie lemon squeezie.

A: Have fun with the process! Self expression is fun and affirming. Getting tattoed is exciting, and excitement can include feeling nervous. Hey. That’s okay! Notice it, acknowledge it, thank it – and then trust the creative process and move forward to seize the day.

  1. Plan ahead – assess how you’re feeling in the days leading up to your appointment. Let your artist know in advance if you’re feeling unwell or have been around someone feeling unwell.
  2. Plan ahead – bring your photo ID.
  1. The day of your appointment: Self-assess how you’re feeling the morning of your tattoo. If you are (or have been – or have been around anyone) feeling unwell in any way – contact your artist to reschedule. We will forward your deposit to your new appointment. Your artist will cancel your appointment if in doubt about your wellness -and- if we are in doubt about our safety. And, welp – that would be awkward. Thank you for being proactive!
  2.  Review our updated (12/28/22)  COVID-19 protocols before coming in for your appointment.
  3. Enjoy a light meal a couple of hours before your appointment.
  4. Check email before coming in for your appointment in the event the appointment is delayed or rescheduled. As we all have experienced, things like illness, injury and family emergencies tend to 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 time
  5. Wear comfortable, clean clothes.
  6. Bring your Photo ID. A photo ID is REQUIRED. And no alcohol or drugs. Any of these will forfeit both the appointment and the deposit.

A: Hopefully it goes without saying (but we’ll say it right here anyway) that any alcohol or drug consumption absolutely forfeits your appointment and your deposit. Forgetting your current, valid photo ID also forfeits your appointment and deposit. These studio policies are also Minneapolis, Hennepin County and/or Minnesota state law – and hey, all of these things show basic respect and consideration for yourself, your artist and your tattoo.

Also, if you’re feeling ill in any way contact your artist to reschedule. We will forward your deposit to the new appointment, no questions asked. Be sure to review our updated (12/28/22) Covid-19 protocols before coming in for your appointment. 

And YES PLEASE, play the pass card on any topical numbing / anesthetic / tattoo creams. These creams obstruct and lengthen the tattoo process.

Choosing a tattoo is choosing a rite of passage.  If the temporary discomfort of the tattoo itself, or of any of our health protocols, feels like a barrier to you – then it may be wise to wait until you feel more solid with your decision to get a tattoo.

A: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Apple Pay and Cash. Payment is due at the time services are rendered. If you are getting an extensive piece requiring multiple sessions, payment is required at each session.

And we have GIFT CARDS! Yes indeedy! Matt and Awen both offer gift cards in any denomination. What a stellar idea to put on your wish list for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day (hey – be your own Valentine), Groundhog Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day… Every day is a great day to get a tattoo! Purchase an eGift Card with Matt or an eGift Card with Awen.

Gift Cards are non refundable and must be presented in order to redeem.

A: YES! eGift Cards are available and are fulfilled instantly (a life saver for that last minute and yet unforgettable gift idea). Purchase an eGift card with Matt – or – an  eGift Card with Awen

We also have merch available including: shirts, hoodies, hats, books and all the fun things available in-studio and in the Art With a Point Online Store.

Gift Cards are non refundable AND must be presented in order to be redeemed.

A: One more thing. Everyone is welcome here.

Inclusivity is something Art With a Point has always championed. We strive to help each client feel comfortable, respected and welcome. On the daily this means setting self expression free, letting your inner unicorn out, bringing your best self to the creative process and just plain old having fun. After all, this is what tattooing is all about, amiright? There are moments when sparkleponies start to ruin the fun for everyone by telling businesses who we can welcome and by trying to make people feel bad about who they are. That simply will not fly here. Everyone deserves to belong. (BTW, we have single occupancy gender neutral bathrooms at both the Minneapolis and Ely studios. No assumptions, no stereotypes, no gender roles. Just privacy and toilets.)

Be cool, you cool cats. Kindness is THE thing.

Caring For Tattoos.

  • Leave bandage on overnight.
  • Remove bandage.
  • Before touching tattoo, wash hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • Wash tattoo well with soap and water.
  • Blot dry.
  • Quick showers are a good thing.
  • NEW: During healing, reduce social contact and take extra precautions to support your immune system.
  • Do not soak. No baths, swimming, etc.
  • Apply A&D Ointment thinly twice daily to reduce itching and condition skin.
  • Do not pick. Healing takes 10-14 days. (Do not re-bandage)
  • Contact your artist and a health care professional at the first sign of infection.
  • Once healed, protect with sunscreen.
  • Questions? Contact your artist: Matt or Awen