HOW TO CHOOSE 

A TATTOO STUDIO

Ok, we're sick to death of all the people out there that have no concern for their safety, health, or only want cheap tattoos.  A tattoo is a lifetime piece of artwork and you should choose wisely. Take the time to read this section and decide if you really are ready for a tattoo that will be with you for a few years.........  Remember, a tattoo lasts a lifetime, so does a disease like AIDS and Hepatitis!! 

THIS IS A LONG PAGE BUT IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. TAKE A FEW MINUTES  AND READ IT ALL!!

Price shopping

While everyone is on a budget these days and money is a great concern, DO NOT PRICE SHOP FOR A TATTOO!!  This has to be the absolute worst way to choose a tattoo studio.  You are investing in a piece of artwork that will last a lifetime. We see so many poorly done tattoos on people each day who only pay $40 or $50 and then come in asking us to fix them.  Remember, you get what you pay for, better to pay a little more for quality than pay A LOT more for laser surgery later.  A good way to judge a studio's quality is to look at their phone book advertising, if they are proud of having the lowest prices then they are not proud of their artwork, plain and simple.  We have 2 favorite quotes to use here:

A good tattoo is not cheap and a cheap tattoo is not good.

If you have a buddy that can do the same tattoo for $20 back home in his basement, then why the fuck are you bothering me?!?!?!

Before we even tattoo you it costs us $37.00 for your needle, ink, sterilization supplies etc....   If someone is doing a tattoo cheaper than that then they are cutting corners.. would you want them cutting corners on your safety??  it's your life.....choose wisely

Health and Safety

Today, tattooing has become much safer than it was in the past, but you still must be informed and be careful for your life. CURRENTLY NEW YORK STATE HAS NO HEALTH LAWS FOR TATTOOING!!! this means that is it legal to reuse needles without sterilizing them in any way.  You must be informed about how tattooing works so you can prevent disease.  What you are about to read is a trade secret and we will anger many tattoo artists by telling you this!!  We don't care about their anger, we care about your safety.

Many tattoo studios still reuse needles and tubes.  Here is how you can know about it. 

Secret #1  Needles--the needle is what is used to inject the ink into your skin, after piercing your skin the needle is contaminated with your blood.  After your tattoo you must witness the tattoo artist destroy the needle IN FRONT OF YOU.  Do not let him take it in a back room, Do not let him just drop the whole assembly into a red sharps container.  Make sure he breaks the end of the needle off the bar so it cannot be used again. ASK TO SEE PROOF THAT HE HAS DONE THIS ON PRIOR CLIENTS.  It's your life, you have every right to see this.   Just because the needle comes out of the package does not mean it is new, the packages can be purchased from medical supply companies, 200 for $6.00  

Secret #2  Tubes-- the tube is what is used to hold the needle, it comes in contact with ink and blood just like the needle.  There are 2 types of tubes, metal which must be cleaned and reused, and plastic disposable tubes.  

 First we will talk about metal tubes-- Metal tubes have been used in tattooing for over 100 years, they are very durable and many tattoo artists like them very much. Unfortunately, these tubes must be cleaned and repackaged and sterilized after each use. While many artists take the time to clean these tubes to the best of their ability it is very difficult to remove all stains of ink and residue in the tube.  This residue has the possibility to contain blood from a prior client.  Would you feel safe risking your life just because a tattoo artist says "it's safe" ??!!?!?!  Are you sure he cleaned and sterilized it properly?

Now we'll talk about the new plastic DISPOSABLE tubes--These tubes are without a doubt the best way to go.  They are just as durable as a metal tube, and after your tattoo they are destroyed.. no cleaning, no resterilizing required, perfect!!  Now, some artists that still use metal tubes like to make up rumors to say bad things about plastic tubes so we'll address the rumors now:

           Plastic tubes shave off tiny pieces of plastic into your skin--false, the needle does not create enough friction in a tube to allow any plastic to come off and go into your skin.  if you doubt this we will be happy to allow you to try and scrape some off.. the plastic is very hard and this simply does not happen

          Plastic tubes melt--this is our favorite false statement but it actually isn't false.. of course they melt, metal will melt too if you put a torch under it.. There is a local shop that shows a plastic tube that has been melted with a torch.. we're gonna melt a metal one to show they can melt too.. he he hee hee

          You cannot do a good tattoo with a plastic tube---- holy shit false  we have been using plastic tubes since we opened and we do great work.. and if we're not good enough for you.. try Paul Booth, probably the best tattoo artist in the world.  PAUL BOOTH USES PLASTIC TUBES  so if the best guy in the world uses em... well, you figure it out....

We do feel that metal tubes are more comfortable for the artist to use, but our comfort is far less important than your safety.  Insist your tattoo artist use plastic disposable tubes.. It's your life, choose wisely

HOW TO CHOOSE THE STUDIO

There should never be a back room where you are not able to see everything going on in the studio at all times.  These back rooms are frequently used to repackage needles among other things that are even worse!! 

Look at the floor.  Is the carpet clean, is the tile clean and sparkling? Many studios do not replace their tiles and they become cracked.  These cracks in the tile can hold multitudes of germs and dangerous blood borne pathogens. 

Does the artist wash their hands before and after every procedure in front of you? There should be a sink in every work  station.  Test the sink yourself.  Many are there just for decoration and do not even turn on!!!!

Look in the corners of the studio, these are the most neglected areas for cleaning.  Look up too, cobwebs in ceiling corners are common in studios where the cleaning is not done often. 

Is the artist clean? Do they wear clean clothes? You don’t want a grubby person touching you anywhere. 

Is everything neat and orderly? There should be no personal items in the tattoo or piercing area such as mail, drinks, food or other unnecessary clutter. 

Does it smell nice? There is no excuse for stink.  Sour smells attract bacteria, the entire studio, including the bathroom should always smell pleasing. 

Use your instincts, you’re not stupid, don’t let them give you answers that you know are untrue

CHOOSING AN ARTIST

While not as important as your health and safety, you should choose a responsible artist for your tattoo.

Your tattoo artist should be very polite and be patient answering your questions.. remember however, you are talking to an artist.. they are a bit eccentric.

Your artist should regularly attend conventions to better his ability.  Remember, conventions are only open to a select few of exceptional artists.. so if your artist does attend them then chances are that he is far above average!!

If your artist is constantly criticizing other studios in the area and “bad mouthing” them then walk away, he is just being unprofessional and you don’t need that.

WE HOPE THIS HELPS YOU TO BEGIN CHOOSING A STUDIO FOR YOUR TATTOO 

WE’RE SURE YOU HAVE LOTS MORE QUESTIONS SO FEEL FREE TO ASK IN PERSON OR TO CALL US ANYTIME 

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS OUR PRIME CONCERN