Thank you for your interest in getting tattooed by me! There is a lot of information to digest so I will do my best to distill it all. I welcome questions and do my best to make you feel at ease.
Q: How do I book with you?
A:There are a few little steps that are as follows:
1. Read ALL the info on this page.
2. Contact me by email, WhatsApp or Instagram DM. In the message please include the following:
a. A brief explanation of the project you have in mind with some references (paintings, prints, sculptures, photos, drawings, etc.);
b. A photo of the area to be tattooed in order for me to adapt the tattoo to the desired area;
c. Mention the desired size of the project in centimeters;
d. Availability of schedules.
Please note that all of this information is essential so that I can provide you with a fee approximate and the realization of your tattoo.
3. I’ll provide you with a calendar that you select a slot from. I do all the bookings myself, so it can take up a few days for me to respond to your request. But after that, you’re booked in!
4. You pay a deposit.
5. You come and get your tattoo!
NOTE: I cannot fulfill every design request but I can recommend another artist if I feel I am not the best for the job. Please take a look either in my “Tattoos” tab on this website or on my Instagram, for an idea of the type of work I usually do, since a consultation is not always necessary. Check out my “Available” and “Wannado” story highlights on my IG page for designs I have created and would love to tattoo.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: My minimum is 80€. I charge 400€ per session (aprox. 4 hours) and 700€ a full day session (aprox. 7 hours). This includes rent, supplies, and tax, which is altogether about 70% of what you give me. This also includes the time I spend drawing and communicating. Keep in mind that a tattoo is an investment that lasts for a long, long time, actually will last you til the day you die. I know it can be a lot of money for some people, but I really can’t afford to charge less.
Budgets are helpful, please let me know if you are working with one! I can adjust the size and the design of the tattoo to fit your budget.
The total amount of time to complete an arm sleeve is around 15 hours. Leg sleeves, around 30 hours and back pieces, around 40 hours. A more intricate design can take up more hours. Please keep in mind that these are very rough estimates. Several factors that affect the amount of time it takes to complete your piece include your build, how well you sit during your sessions and the condition of your skin.
Q: Do you charge for consultations?
A: No. All consultations are free of charge.
Q: Is a deposit required?
A: Yes. The amount you will have to pay as a deposit will depend on the approximate price of your tattoo.
We require a deposit of €20 for tattoos with an estimated value up to €150, a deposit of €50 for tattoos with an estimated value greater than €150 up to €300. All tattoos with an estimated value of €300 and more require a deposit of 30% of the estimated value of the tattoo.
You can pay in cash or with a credit/debit card. The deposits paid serve as a guarantee of the time we reserve in the artist’s agenda and will be deducted from the final price to be paid at the end of the tattoo session.
When a client makes their appointment with a deposit, our artists fully commit to the work they have accepted and dedicate time and creative effort before their appointment, in order to prepare their design. The time we reserve in our agenda is exclusive to the client, so there is no possibility of recovering the time and income lost in the event of a last-minute cancellation.
We ask customers to understand this situation and respect the reservation and deposit conditions.
When you show up, on the agreed date and time, the deposit you have paid will be deducted from the final price to be paid at the end of the appointment.
The following reasons will result in cancellation of deposits paid:
-Not showing up or arriving more than 30 minutes late for your appointment.
-Cancellation of the appointment with less than 48 hours notice.
-Request drastic last-minute changes to the general idea of the agreed-upon tattoo design on the spot. Please notify us of changes 48 hours in advance.
-Your health is our priority, therefore we ask that you notify us of any health and/or skin conditions you may have before finalizing your reservation with a deposit. Showing up to your appointment with a sunburn or injury and not notifying us 48 hours in advance will result in having to postpone the appointment and therefore the loss of your deposit.
Q: What if I want to cancel?
A: Just don’t… But if you have to, PLEASE GIVE ME ADVANCE NOTICE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE so I don’t lose my income for the day. I love it when clients communicate with me so we can avoid any scheduling or financial conflicts. If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, I’ll retain half of your deposit. Within 24 hours, you’ll lose your entire deposit. This is not just to be a douche, it’s a real hassle to rebook things at the last minute and it makes me feel very depressed and useless. If you have requested a custom drawing and you cancel after I have made your drawing, I’ll ask you to pay 100€. I normally start working on things a week before the appointment. Since this is my only source of income, I need to be able to cover my costs. I’m a sole trader and I don’t have any holiday pay or sick leave. So, please don’t be an asshole.
Q: Will you show me the design before the appointment?
A: I do not send out designs before the appointments. This is for a few reasons: there have been instances where people receive custom designs, cancel their appointments, and then go to some other artist to get the tattoo. Furthermore, it’s very ineffective to communicate about the design over email or messaging apps. It’s much more pleasant for everyone to discuss the details of the design in person. We can always make changes when you’re at the studio on appointment day. I normally start working on sketches a week before appointment time, but it varies a lot.
And last, when you show your design to everyone you know, people with no artistic or tattoo knowledge weigh in all their opinions until you no longer even like the idea anymore. When you’re inquiring with an artist or studio, you have decided that their work is what you like. Therefore, give them the trust to do their job.
Q: How long is your waiting list?
A: Actually not so long. Usually I’m booked for 2-3 weeks in advance. But please write to me anyway, even if you can’t wait so long. Sometimes I have cancellations, or the project you want is small, so if you’re lucky I can fit you in.
Q: How long does it take?
A: Absolutely impossible to say for sure. I can give estimates but everyone’s skin is different and it depends on size and placement etc. Please add about 10-15 minutes for setting up, cleaning your skin, etc., don’t expect to be in and out like clockwork. I hate being stressed for time! I don’t bill you for time spent drawing. I normally start the clock when we begin putting the stencil on and stop the clock after I apply the bandage. If we get interrupted, I deduct a bit of time. That being said, there’s no actual clock…
Q: Can you do this tattoo on me ridiculously small and really detailed?
A: No. You can suggest a general size but I have to make sure the tattoo will age well so I reserve the right to choose the right size for the design. People often want tiny little tattoos, but those generally age poorly and I don’t think I can live with myself if I do tattoos that are going to look terrible in a year. I don’t do micro-tattoos (there are people who specialize in that). It’s wise for you to listen to my advice. I also want your tattoo to look as good as possible for as long as possible. Small is bad. That is all.
Q: Can I use your design and get someone else to tattoo them on me?
A: No. This is my work, and I need to make money off it. I also design a lot of stuff specifically for each customer, and it’s not fair to them. I’m sure you can just do your own or get someone near you to draw something unique. It’s more fun and then I won’t have a fit!
Q: Can I bring my own design?
A: Yes. You can either come by the shop to discuss about your ideas or e-mail the drawings, references or any details regarding the size and placement. Just don’t bring someone else’s design.
Q: You did this tattoo on someone. Can you do it on me too?
A: I try not to repeat tattoos too often because otherwise my job gets very boring. That being said, if you have chosen flash, I reserve the right to repeat the design. For custom work, I generally won’t repeat it because that’s just weird, but there are some instances where I might want to, in which case I’ll ask for your blessing. I’m not gonna repeat a portrait of the same dog or anything, but if it’s something fairly common, I just might. I mean, how many ways can you actually draw a circle.
Q: Should I tip?
A: If you’re happy with your tattoo and you want to, I’ll always accept a tip. I also appreciate you sharing photos of your tattoos on social media and recommending me to your friends.
Q: Do you share every tattoo you do on social media?
A: No! I end up sharing only a small fraction of the work I do. I honestly don’t like social media that much, and I only post enough to keep the algorithm from killing me. I sometimes forget to post things, or sometimes the pictures I take aren’t good. It’s hard to properly represent a tattoo in a two dimensional photo when they wrap around a limb. I don’t tattoo for social media, but just because I don’t post your tattoo, it doesn’t mean it’s not a good tattoo. I do the best work I can all the time.
Q: What are “The Specials”?
A: The Specials are tattoos that I designs and I will put on your body for a very low price just because I really would like to do that particular piece!
Q: What are your safety practices?
A: Here at Hipno Tattoo & Art, we strive to maintain levels of cleanliness above and beyond industry standards. We stay updated on the best sanitation practices and preventative measures by taking seminars designed specifically for the tattoo industry. All of our tattoo needles are bought pre-made and sterilized by the manufacturer, and are disposed of in proper sharps containers after single use. We also use tubes and grips (the parts that house the needle during the tattoo) that are single-use disposable, and sterilized by the manufacturer. All of our tattoo inks are bought from companies who are approved in EU and Spain. These companies should be able to present Material Safety Data Sheets upon request of any potential tattoo collector. If you have any other questions about disease prevention and sanitation practices, please feel free to email me or ask during your tattoo appointment.
Q: How do I aftercare my new tattoo?
A: Tattoo aftercare is so important because you need to ensure your tattoo heals properly (no scabbing, scarring, or lost pigment) that way your tattoo is as beautiful, crisp, and vibrant as it was intended. Tattoo aftercare is very simple, all you have to do is follow a few easy guidelines. While my aftercare instructions are based on years of practical experience, backed by a keen understanding of the skin healing process in humans, I’m not a doctor or a medical professional. So don’t mistake this advice for that of a medical professional. If you have sensitivities or allergies, let me know before the session. If you notice anything unusual during the healing process, don’t hesitate to contact me or seek the advice of a medical professional. Note that each artist has developed their own slight modifications, so always go with what the artist has described to you during your appointment. After each tattoo session I will explain to you all the necessary process and I will also provide a written document to you with all the guidelines.
Q: What do I need to do to prepare for my tattoo?
A: Make sure you get a good night of sleep before you get tattooed and eat a good meal before you come in. I have insider info to indicate getting tattooed while sleep deprived, hungover or hungry is not a great idea. Comfortable clothes are a must. Make sure you wear clothes that leave the area you’re getting tattooed easily accessible (skinny jeans for thigh tattoos are bad!). There’s also a chance some ink may get on your clothing so don’t pick anything you’re overly attached to.
Q: What should I bring with me?
A: Most importat, a method of payment. I can do cash, credit/debit or Bizum. The second most important thing, a valid ID. No exceptions.
I also recommend you bring things to keep you busy, happy and distracted. Laptops, Kindles, iPods, iPads, books, are great ideas. Lastly, if you’re sitting for a long session, snacks are good to be handy. There are plenty of local restaurants that deliver, but it’s good to have something to quickly eat.
Take a look here on how to prepare yourself for large sessions.
Do not bring your children in the shop and do not leave them in the car. If you have small children, you need to get a babysitter during your tattoo appointment.
If you are sick, re-schedule your appointment. I don’t want to bring your germs home to my family making them suffer because of your lack of common sense, selfishness, or lack of respect for others.
Q: Are there any health conditions or concerns that may prevent me from being tattooed?
A: The following conditions may increase health risks associated with receiving body art: diabetes, hemophilia, skin diseases, lesions, or skin sensitivities to soaps, disinfectants, etc.; a history of allergies or adverse reactions to pigments, dyes, or other sensitivities; a history of epilepsy, seizures, fainting, or narcolepsy; the use of medications such as anticoagulants which thin the blood and/or interfere with blood clotting; and hepatitis or HIV infection. Please consult a health care professional if you have any concerns or questions about pre-existing conditions or medications.
Q: How about pregnancy and breastfeeding?
A: Tattoos are a permanent form of artwork etched into the flesh and are not without risk. As with piercings, local and systemic infections are the most prevalent risks of tattooing. Already present tattoos, on the breast or elsewhere, do not affect breastfeeding. The possibility of the ink migrating into the mother’s blood plasma and then into the milk-making cells of the breast, is next to impossible. However, it is still possible to have allergic reactions to the tattoo inks. Many, if not most, professional tattoo artists won’t knowingly tattoo a woman who is breastfeeding or will actively discourage a new mother from doing so. The theory behind this is that the body needs time to heal the tattoo and it is harder to do so when the body is producing milk. It also lessens the possibility of any infections from being passed on to the baby. A newborn baby is far more vulnerable to any possible changes in breast milk than anything.
Q: Does my tattoo needs a touch up?
A: Less subject matter, at larger sizes, is the general rule for a successful tattoo composition. Success means the ability to withstand the aging process by being clear, bold, and readable at a distance. To achieve this, subjects within the overall design must be sized large enough to provide adequate space between details, in order to allow the tattoo to undergo its natural aging process.
As a tattoo age it blurs out a bit, losing sharpness, and its colors fade a bit, losing contrast. So if it contains elements at too small a size, or too many tightly grouped details, the overall appearance becomes muddy and cluttered looking.
Therefore, to keep a tattoo looking great for the maximum amount of time, the artist’s design challenge is usually to “say more, with less.” Small elements and details must be used strategically.
All tattoos, whether big and bold or with small “risky” details, will age and deteriorate over time. Repeated exposure to lots of sunlight accelerates this process. The aging effects will simply be more quickly and easily noticeable on any tattoo with a busy design or tiny details. They’ll also be more quickly and easily noticeable on pastel colors than on bold primary colors or dark shades.
Therefore, all tattoos can be refreshed and made new again with a re-work session after 10-15 years. Tattoos that are likely to need this maintenance sooner are any that see a lot of sun exposure, are composed of busy designs full of small elements and tiny details, or that feature lots of light pastel colors.