Cryptid’s Kiss · appointment only
How to Prepare for Your Session
A good tattoo session starts before you sit in the chair. The better prepared you are, the easier it is to keep you comfortable, keep the session moving, and get the best result possible. Your /book appointment is a consultation. If the artist has time that day, consultation can become the first tattoo session. Read this before you come and arrive ready to sit.
Eat a real meal
Do not come in on an empty stomach. Your body is about to sit through stress, adrenaline, and discomfort. Give it fuel first.
Hydrate well
Start the day before if you can. Proper hydration helps your body handle the session and can make the skin easier to work with.
Get some sleep
Showing up exhausted makes a long session feel a whole lot longer.
No alcohol before your appointment
Do not show up intoxicated, impaired, or hungover. Alcohol can affect bleeding, hydration, judgment, and your ability to sit safely. If you arrive unfit to sit, we cannot tattoo you and the appointment may be billed under the Tattoo Policy.
No recreational drugs before your session
You need to be clear-headed and able to legally consent to the work being done.
Keep taking prescribed medications
Do not stop medication just because you are getting tattooed unless your doctor has told you otherwise. If you take anything that affects bleeding or healing and have concerns, talk to your medical provider beforehand. Note relevant meds on the health form.
Shower before you come in
Clean skin makes everyone’s day better.
Skip heavy lotion, oil, and self-tanner
Do not heavily lotion, oil, or self-tan the area right before your session.
Avoid sun exposure around your appointment
Sun exposure damages and dries out the skin, which can make it harder to tattoo and may affect healing. Do not arrive with a sunburn, peeling skin, redness, or irritation in the area being tattooed. If the skin is burned, peeling, irritated, infected, or otherwise damaged, the appointment may need to be rescheduled and may fall under the Tattoo Policy.
Keep protecting the tattooed area from the sun while it heals. Avoid tanning and unnecessary sun exposure before and after your appointment, and follow aftercare instructions for when and how to use sunscreen on fully healed skin.
Wear clothing that gives easy access
Think ahead about placement.
Thigh: loose shorts. Back: something that can be moved or removed easily. Shoulder or chest: a button-up, tank, or loose top.
Bring layers. Shops can feel warm one minute and freezing the next.
Bring water and snacks for longer sessions
Something with sugar can help if you start feeling lightheaded.
Bring headphones, a charger, or something quiet
Useful for the long stretches in the chair. Use headphones — no speakerphone, no videos playing out loud. See Tattoo Etiquette.
Arrange childcare ahead of time
Do not plan to bring young children unless it has been specifically discussed and approved beforehand.
Plan your transportation
Bird of Paradox Studio, 723 50th Street, Kenosha, WI — upstairs, door with two metal birds. Know how long it takes and give yourself enough time to arrive without sprinting through the door already stressed. Street parking nearby.
Come financially prepared
Hourly rates and estimated session length are discussed at consultation, so you should have a reasonable idea of cost.
At consultation you sign and initial the Tattoo Policy, then pay the 40% deposit in person through Square. A session date is reserved only after that. If consultation becomes the first session the same day, be ready to pay that deposit and sit.
Bring enough to cover your scheduled work. If the design, size, placement, or scope changes, time and cost may change.
Tipping is customary and appreciated when you are happy with the work. It is not part of the quoted price. If you plan to tip, budget for that separately.
Most importantly, come ready to get tattooed
Eat. Hydrate. Sleep. Show up clean. Show up sober. Show up on time. Bring what you need. Give your body the best chance to handle the session well.
Your artist will take care of the tattoo. Help us out by taking care of the canvas.