TATTOO Q&A

What should I do to prepare for my tattoo appointment?

Make sure you have eaten a good meal beforehand, if you are coming for a longer appointment you are welcome to bring snacks, lunch, a sugary drink with you too. If the area you are getting tattooed is large and needs a lot of shaving, I will always shave it as a part of the process, but I do use small disposable razors. If you would like to use your own at home to make things easier then this can also reduce the appointment time too.

How much is a tattoo?

Prices vary depending on size, final design details & placement. I will always offer either a fixed price for flash and smaller simpler pieces, or a ballpark estimate if the piece is larger and may have more details or a tricky placement. Please let me know if you have a budget and I can do my best to work within it for you. If you just want something tiny and simple I can offer special rates and also discounts for multiple things in the same session. I can also offer discounted rates for group bookings and matching tattoos. For larger projects I have a day rate which is for 6+hrs of tattooing.

How do I book a tattoo?

I can either take bookings via DM on Instagram or via the form on the ‘Tattoo’ page of this website. You can also email me directly - anna.johnstone00{a}gmail.com or contact Buttercat Tattoo Studio.

If you are after flash or a simple straightforward idea I generally will chat to you via either your email or DM and ask any further questions needed about your design idea before confirming and booking you in.

If you have a larger project in mind or a more complicated concept I am happy to book you in for a free 15 min consultation chat in person. This will be to chat over details and get on the same page about the design you want before paying a deposit and confirming the tattoo booking at a later date.

I try to respond to every enquiry within the week but if you get in touch via form or email and don’t hear back after one week please check your spam folder.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

I take a $100 deposit upon confirming the appointment and this comes out of the total cost of your tattoo on the day.

NOTE: Deposits are non refundable.
Cancellations or rescheduling requires 48 hours notice - if you postpone your tattoo with the right notice period I will transfer it to your new appointment reschedule time.

If you cancel your appointment within 48 hours your deposit will be forfeit.

The deposit system is in place to protect me as I have booked time out for you and spent time working on your design. It can also be hard to re-fill your appointment time short notice. I appreciate your understanding!

Will it hurt?

Pain is relative to each different person that experiences it, but getting a tattoo will hurt. The process can be painful to different degrees, sometimes it can barely feel like a tickle and others it may be a little sharp or feel hot like scratching a sunburn. Generally the pain is very bearable and often not nearly as bad as you might imagine. I will do everything I can to make you as comfortable as possible and we can take any breaks you need if you need them.

Where are you located?

I am located at Buttercat Tattoo Studio on Left Bank Arcade just off Cuba Street in Wellington City. Their shop website is HERE.

Is there parking available?

There is plenty of on-street parking on Victoria Street, a Wilsons carpark also on the corner of Victoria Street and Ghuznee Street.

Can I bring a friend?

You are welcome to bring a friend/support person to your appointment. As the tattoo shop is fairly cosy in size and can be busy, please only bring one other person with you. There is a couch in the waiting area they can sit on while you get tattooed or if space allows they may also sit next to the tattoo bed and keep you company. I also have a tiny friendly dog who will likely want to say hello.

Can I get tattooed if I am under the age of 18?

I can tattoo 16-17year olds if you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

What is your Aftercare?

I will wrap your tattoo and put a light balm on it when it is done. Keep this on for 1-2 hours after leaving.

Clean with hot water & mild soap, removing any excess balm etc. (use liquid soap, not bar - bar soaps carry bacteria that you do not want to cross over to your tattoo.)

Pat dry with a clean paper towel, do not rub your fresh tattoo.

I recommend ‘dry healing’ which is leaving it to heal as naturally as possible, no need for creams and balms etc. If you do feel like you need to put something on it to ease the itch or if any heavier inked patches get uncomfortable and cracked as the scabs heal you can apply a very mild thin layer of organic coconut oil. But the less you touch the tattoo and mess with it - the better.

Your tattoo will take about 2-4 weeks to fully heal.

Do not pick or scratch your new tattoo! As tempting as it may be.

Shower and wash your tattoo as you would wash normally but do not use any exfoliation or scrubs on the tattoo area.

Do not expose to sun, sea water, swimming pools, baths or saunas for 2 weeks. Soaking your tattoo while it is healing is a big no no. Also try not to get super sweaty or use gym equipment with a fresh tattoo as this can cause infections and make the healing process slower.

What can I expect while my tattoo heals?

Healing a tattoo is very straightforward. It is similar to healing a shallow skin graze but with ink involved. Expect it to appear red for a few days and sometimes feel hot and a little stingy if accidentally rubbed on anything. It can also sting a little under hot showers. Sometimes the tattoo area can bruise on some people with more sensitive skin types but this generally goes down after a day or two. The tattoo area can also swell and this can also last for a few days.

After a few days your tattoo will become dry and itchy and form scabs. Do not itch or pick at it. This is part of the healing process. Once the scabs come off naturally and the tattooed skin is a little shiny on top this means your tattoo is sealed over and on its way to being fully healed and part of your skin.

Sometimes little bits of the ink can also fall out during the healing process so if this happens get back in touch for a free touch-up appointment to make sure the tattoo looks the best it can.

If there is anything about the healing process you aren’t sure about please get back in touch with me and I am happy to offer advice.