Tattooing

  • It’s important to have a general idea of what you are looking for; subject, size, and style are all imperative to the scheduling process.

    If you are unsure, we have the world wide web to turn to in times like these. Finding styles or fonts that you like, and taking a screenshot or picture to show the artist at the time of booking will be helpful, so both client and artist are on the same page.

    It is vital that if you have any existing conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, skin conditions, fainting, are pregnant or breastfeeding, recovering from surgery, have seizures and so on, you consult your doctor before your appointment! At the very least understand your healing process, as tattoos are a form of a wound!

  • Absolutely! Everyday! First come first served. Don’t even call ahead, just come on in!

  • It is very rare that artists will draw something up before the appointment, unless it is a larger piece such as a sleeve that requires more collaboration and work.

    When clients come in for their appointment, we allott sometime before tattooing to discuss the piece and make any altercations if necessary.

  • We require a non-refundable $50 deposit at the time of booking. This is a place holder for your appointment and will come off the final price of the tattoo. So be ready to put at least $50 down. We do require $50+ for parties of two or more, if everyone is paying together. Tough Luck gift cards are NOT accepted for deposits.

    Our shop minimum is $100.

    Tattoos are generally priced by the piece. Please let us know if you’d like an estimate when filling out a booking form.

    If you are inquiring from a larger piece, sleeve, or back piece, be prepared to be charged hourly. All of our artists hourly rate is $150/hr.

    Our artists work hard! Gratuity is not require but is greatly appreciated.

  • We accept card payments (Apple pay, google pay, any US-issued and most internationally-issued magstripe or chip cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, or UnionPay International logo), Visa gift cards, Tough Luck gift cards, and cash. We do NOT have cash app or venmo.

    Cash is king, cards are okay!

    Please be aware that we do have a 2.75% swipe fee, if you choose to use card!

    We can only accept one BOGO Tough Luck gift card per transaction. If gift cards are expired, please let us know and we will do what we can to help you out!

  • We always recommend to all clients to check out artists work and shop reputation before booking an appointment. As stated above, knowing the style of tattoo you are looking for is essential for the booking process to go smoothly.

    Also, know when the best time to get a tattoo is for you! You want to avoid going to the beach, swimming (ocean, lake or pool), prolonged sun exposure, and getting sand/dirt in or on your fresh tattoo for at least two-three weeks after your appointment. We also recommend that anyone recently recovering from a surgical procedure, is pregnant, breast feeding, or is planning to be, consult their doctor before being tattooed.

It all begins with an idea… going through the tattoo process, especially with being a first timer, sometimes needs some guidance… and were here to help!

Preparation:

Booking Process:

  • Please see the booking page above! Make sure to fill out all of the information requested.

    If you have reference pictures, please send them separately to our email address toughlucklewes@gmail.com and include your name and number. Unfortunately you cannot upload/ submit pictures with the form!

    Please give us a call with any questions!

  • We will respond to all requests within 24-28hrs.

    Please be on the lookout in your email as we will sometimes need more information from you.

    If you dont hear from us… please double check “all mail”, spam or other in your inbox, as sometimes messages can get lost. Please always feel free to call or reach out again as well!

  • Although we do take walk-ins everyday, it is first come first served, and not every piece is walk-in do-able! Some pieces need a little more time than we have. It never hurts to ask. Please try to schedule at least two days ahead of time, so our artists have time to prepare and so we still have some slots open for you. Be aware that summer is our busiest season and weekends fill up quickly!

    We can generally get people in within the same week of request.

  • Our absolute minimum age is 16 years old. Please email or call us and we can give you the run down. Notarized Paperwork will be required, so we will send that over to you as well!

    We will need the clients ID, as well as one of the legal guardians ID.

  • Make sure you treat yourself well before the appointment- get a good nights sleep, eat, and stay hydrated. Make sure you don’t bring too much food with you, as eating is NOT allowed in the procedure room.

    Please arrive clean and sober!

  • To ensure all of our clients and artists have a great time, we ask that clients please bring two emotional support people per client. If you choose to bring people, please only have those two people in the shop, and with you as you are being tattooed. This eliminates the stress of many people coming in and out of the shop during a session. We appreciate your cooperation!

    We ask that clients please do not bring their pets and children per Delaware state law.

  • Please be prepared to fill out paperwork, some sort of ID is required (drivers license, state identification, social security card, birth certificate).

    If you are a minor, please bring notarized paperwork.

  • Arrive to your appointment on time, so you will have plenty of time to look over and discuss the design and make any changes necessary. Some time at the beginning of the appointment is alotted to do so.

    After speaking with the artist, fill out paperwork and hang tight!

    The artist will take it from there!

Day of Appointment:

Healing Process/ Aftercare:

  • We place second skin/derm shield over most if not all of our tattoos to help your healing process along. This is latex-free, waterproof and permeable for breathability. So yes, you can shower with it on, just dont soak it! (Please avoid taking a bath, swimming, getting in a hot tub, etc).

    Leave this on for the next 2-4 days. Once it’s time to take it off, get in the shower and peel it off gently. Once it is removed, wash it with warm water and liquid antibacterial soap, and rinse with cool water.

    After washing or getting out of the shower, tattoos should be air-dried or dried using clean paper towels. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE unless the artist has given you more derm shield and the artist has instructed you to do so.

    See whats normal for second skin healing below.

  • After the bandage is removed (second skin or plastic wrap if second skin wasn’t used) make sure to wash it 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with warm water and liquid antibacterial soap, rinse with cold water. After washing or getting out of the shower, tattoos should be air-dried or dried using clean paper towels. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE unless the artist has given you more derm shield and has instructed you to do so.

    If the tattoo is very dry, apply a VERY small amount of non-scented lotion to the tattoo using clean hands. Less is more. BEFORE applying any lotion, make sure the tattoo is COMPLETELY dry, do not apply more moisture to a tattoo that is already wet.

  • Especially with the second skin/ recovery derm, liquid (blood and plasma, that will likely be the color of the ink or darker) seeping out of your tattoo is completely normal and is a sign your body is healing! When there is a lot of liquid collecting under the second skin bandage, we call this an ink sac. This is also completely normal, and nothing to worry about. You can either take the bandage off when this occurs or leave it on, your skin will soak most of it back up!

    Once the second skin or plastic wrap is removed, it is normal to wake up to some tattoo gunk on your sheets or find some on your clothes.

    It is normal for tattoos to be slightly warm the first few days.

    Some local swelling is normal.

    Your tattoo will become more itchy as you go further in the healing process. It will eventually flake off, like a scab.

    DO NOT ITCH OR PEEL THE DEAD SKIN OFF

  • A lot of warmth, swelling and irritation after a few days of getting the initial tattoo.

    A large painful (not itchy) scab over the tattoo.

    Redness and pain.

    Excessive oozing (after a few days to a week) rash and or puss.

    Foul odor.

    Fever.

    When in doubt, give us a call, stop in, or see a medical professional.

    You are responsible for your tattoos healing process!

  • We recommend that clients use liquid gold dial soap for disinfecting and cleaning the tattoo. We recommend Aquaphor healing ointment for keeping your tattoo moisturized- again a VERY small amount.

    Please do NOT use bars of soap to clean your tattoos as they are porous and can carry bacteria, and please do not use ointments like Neosporin or scented lotions. Use water based lotions!