Now that we’ve covered size and placement for your tattoos, we’re moving to all things FAQs & education! Have you ever wondered where to even begin when wanting a tattoo? Or what to do before and after and what the healing process feels and looks like? In our new blog series, we’ll try to cover as many questions as you can possibly think of! Starting with:
How to Book and Prepare for Your Tattoo Appointment
Booking a tattoo is exciting, and a little bit of preparation goes a long way. How you turn up on the day can make a real difference to how the session goes, how comfortable you feel, and how well your tattoo heals. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fifteenth, here’s everything you need to know about booking in and getting ready for your appointment at Louielou Tattoo.
How to Book a Tattoo with Zach
There are plenty of ways to get in touch, so you can use whichever suits you best:
Send a DM on the Louielou Tattoo Instagram account or Zach’s Instagram account
Message the Louielou Tattoo Facebook page
Fill out the form on our contact page
Email info@louieloutattoo.com
When you get in touch, it helps to include a few details about your idea: what you’re after, where on the body you’d like it, roughly how big, and any reference images you love. The more information you can share, the easier it is to work out the right booking for you.
Choosing the Right Type of Booking
Zach offers three types of bookings, depending on the size and complexity of your tattoo:
Single session — 1 to 3 hours, usually suited to 1 to 2 tattoos
Half day — 4 hours, usually suited to 1 to 5 tattoos
Full day — 7 hours, usually suited to 1 to 8 tattoos
The number of tattoos that fit into a session depends on their size, complexity, and placement. Zach doesn’t charge by the hour. Pricing is per tattoo or per session, with half days and full days at a capped price, so you know what to expect upfront. You can find more details on our FAQ page, and if you’re working with a specific budget, just let Zach know when you get in touch and he’ll happily work within it.
Payment Options and Payment Plans
We don’t offer Afterpay or similar services, but we do offer payment plans. If you’d like to pay in increments, just let us know when you book and we’ll organise it for you. A payment plan is simply a series of bank transfers of any amount you choose, leading up to the day of your booking. We accept bank transfers, card payments in person, and cash.
Consultations for large pieces — See the Plan Before You Commit
If you’d like to talk through your idea before locking in a date, Zach offers consultations. This is where he’ll show you how he’ll design and place your tattoo, and for first timers, walk you through exactly what getting tattooed involves.
Final designs aren’t shown until the day of your appointment, but the consultation is a great chance to ask questions and feel completely comfortable with the plan. For large scale work like full sleeves and back pieces, we like to do two consultations before the booking.
What to Do Before Your Tattoo Appointment
A few simple things will set you up for a better session:
Have a big breakfast. Especially for half day and full day sessions, a proper meal beforehand helps your body cope with the tattooing process
Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated makes a real difference over a long session
Bring snacks. You’re welcome to bring something to eat during your appointment, particularly for longer bookings
Wear comfortable clothing. Choose something loose that gives easy access to the area being tattooed
Get a good night’s sleep. Being rested helps you sit comfortably and handle the session better
What Not to Do Before Your Tattoo Appointment
Just as important is what to avoid:
Don’t drink alcohol the night before. Alcohol is a blood thinner and can affect both the tattooing process and how well your tattoo heals
Don’t get sunburnt on the area you’re getting tattooed. Sunburnt skin can’t be tattooed comfortably, and it may mean rescheduling
Don’t turn up on an empty stomach. Skipping meals can leave you feeling light headed in the chair
Don’t show up unwell. If you’re feeling sick, let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule
On the Day of Your Appointment
Arrive on time, relaxed, and ready to go. Zach will talk you through the design and placement, and you’ll have the chance to make sure you’re completely happy before any tattooing begins. If you feel nervous, that’s completely normal, and a good artist will always take the time to put you at ease. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and speak up if you need a break during a longer session.
Preparing for Aftercare
Good preparation includes planning for the healing process too. We recommend two aftercare products, Protex antibacterial soap and Hustle Butter, so it’s worth having them ready to go. The golden rule is to treat your tattoo like a wound while it heals: keep it out of the sun, stay out of pools and the ocean, and don’t scratch or pick at it. You can read our full day by day aftercare instructions on our FAQ page.
Ready to Book Your Tattoo on the Central Coast?
Getting tattooed should be an exciting and enjoyable experience, and a little preparation helps make sure it is. If you’re ready to book in or have questions about the process, get in touch here. Zach would love to hear your ideas and bring them to life!