Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

  • Both. Walk-ins are welcome during open hours. Just come in and one of our artists will work with you based on availability. For larger, more detailed pieces, booking an appointment in advance gives your artist time to prepare a custom design and set aside the right amount of time for your session. If you have something big in mind, reaching out ahead of time is always the better move.

  • You can book directly through our online booking page, call the shop, or stop by in person during business hours. For custom work, we recommend starting with a consultation so your artist can get a full picture of your idea before your tattoo date.

  • Reference images are your best tool. Bring photos of tattoos you like, artwork, or anything that helps communicate the style, size, and feel you're going for. You don't need to have everything figured out. That's what the consultation is for. Your artist will ask questions, offer their perspective, and help shape the concept into something that works well as a tattoo.

  • Yes. A deposit is required to hold your appointment. It goes toward the cost of your tattoo and covers your artist's time spent on design work ahead of your session. Deposits are non-refundable, but can be transferred to a rescheduled appointment with at least 48 hours' notice.

Our Artists

  • Gabriel specializes in traditional Japanese tattooing that emphasizes bold lines, rich color, and iconic imagery that holds up beautifully over time. Mykey works across a wide range of styles and has been focusing more on realism work recently. We also have an apprentice on staff who will soon be working at a reduced shop minimum while developing their craft under senior artist supervision.

  • Browse our portfolio page to get a feel for each artist's work. If your idea fits squarely in one artist's specialty, that's usually the right call. If you're not sure, reach out or stop by. We're happy to point you in the right direction.

  • Absolutely. When you book, you can select which artist you'd like to work with.

Pricing

  • Pricing depends on the size, complexity, and placement of your tattoo — and which artist is doing the work. Our shop minimum is $150 for apprentice work and $225 for senior artists. Larger, more complex pieces are priced by the hour or by session. Your artist will walk you through an estimate during your consultation.

  • Every tattoo is different. Until your artist can see your reference material, understand the detail level you want, and assess placement, any number we give you would be a guess. We'd rather give you an accurate estimate in person than set a wrong expectation upfront.

  • We do! Any piece done in our shop gets a free touch-up within 6 months. If your tattoo was done at another shop, we’re happy to help, but standard rates will apply.

The Experience

  • Yes, though most people find it more manageable than they expected. Pain varies a lot depending on placement. Areas with less fat, thinner skin, or proximity to bone (like ribs, spine, inner arm, and feet) tend to be more intense. Fleshier areas like the outer arm and thigh are generally easier to sit through. Relaxing, breathing steadily, and not fighting the sensation makes a big difference.

  • Get a full night of sleep the night before. Eat a solid meal within a couple of hours of your appointment. Your blood sugar matters more than people realize. Stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand, as it thins your blood and can affect how your skin takes ink. Don't take aspirin or other blood thinners the day of your session unless prescribed by a doctor.

  • Wear clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed. If you're getting work on your back or shoulder, a tank top or button-up shirt you can remove easily is a good call. Comfort is the goal because you may be sitting for a while.

  • You're welcome to bring one person with you to your appointment. We ask that guests respect the space and keep the environment calm for your artist.

  • We recommend not to. Alcohol thins your blood, which causes more bleeding during the session and can affect how your skin accepts ink. It also slows healing afterward.

  • Let your artist know at your consultation or before your session begins. Blood thinners, certain antibiotics, and other medications can affect the tattooing process and healing. When in doubt, check with your doctor before your appointment.

  • We don’t tattoo clients who are currently pregnant. Washington State doesn’t have a specific law on this, but the risks to both client and baby during a healing tattoo aren’t worth it, and we won’t do it. For those who are breastfeeding, we recommend waiting until you’re done nursing. Your immune system works differently postpartum, and anything that affects your healing affects your body’s overall state. We’d rather you wait and heal clean.

  • You must be 18 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID. We check ID for every client, every time.

The Work

  • No. We use reference images to understand the style and feel you're after, but we don't replicate other artists' work directly. What your artist creates will be custom to you. That's ultimately a better result anyway. You'll have something original that's designed specifically for your body.

  • We do! Mykey in particular has done a lot of cover-up work and it’s become one of his specialties. The approach depends on what’s already there, the size, darkness, and placement of the existing piece all factor in. Reach out or book a consultation so your artist can assess what’s possible and set realistic expectations.

  • Gabriel specializes in traditional Japanese. Mykey works across multiple styles with a current focus on realism. For other styles, reach out and we'll let you know if it's a good fit or connect you with the right person.

Health & Safety

  • Stay Marked Tattoo is licensed through the Washington State Department of Licensing and operates in compliance with WAC 246-145 health and safety standards. We use single-use, sterile needles on every client. Needles are never reused. All reusable equipment is autoclave sterilized, and we follow strict bloodborne pathogen protocols.

  • Tell your artist before your session. Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, keloid scarring, or active breakouts in the target area can affect whether or how we proceed. We'd rather reschedule than do work that won't heal well for you.

After Your Tattoo

  • The surface of your skin will look and feel healed within 2–4 weeks. Full healing, deeper in the tissue, takes closer to 2–3 months. It's important to keep caring for it even after it looks healed.

  • Avoid submerging your tattoo in pools, lakes, hot tubs, or the ocean for at least 4 weeks. Direct sun exposure should also be avoided during healing. Once healed, always apply sunscreen over your tattoo. UV exposure is the single biggest factor in how quickly tattoos fade.

For full aftercare instructions, visit our Tattoo Aftercare page.