Policies and FAQ
At The Aviary Tattoo Shop, LLC it is our mission to provide a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for our clients. We see our clients as our artistic collaborators, not our canvases. It is our goal to help you bring your vision to life and make you feel supported every step of the way. Our relationship with our clients is based on mutual care and respect, so we have crafted the following policies and made up some imaginary FAQs to clarify the tattoo process at our shop.
Policies:
– All clients must be over the age of 18 and be able to present a valid form of photo identification at the time of service.
– The Aviary Tattoo Shop LLC is a safe space for people of all different backgrounds, shapes, sizes, ages, skin tones, genders, religious affiliations, and abilities, and anyone engaging in any form of discriminatory or abusive language may be refused service or asked to leave.
– The shop minimum is $100. Any tattoo service that takes less than 20 minutes will be charged the shop minimum.
– A deposit of $100 may be required at the time an appointment is made.
– All cancelations made less than 48 hours in advance will forfeit their deposit.
– Consultations are free of charge and can be done in person, or can be done via email over the course of the weeks leading up to the appointment, whichever the client prefers.
– Tattoo drawings will be prepared for the time of the appointment and consist of a black and white linework version of the requested design (a stencil). If the client requires a more detailed mock-up of the tattoo prior to the appointment, this can be requested of your artist, who will collect a design fee of $200 which will not be applied to the cost of the tattoo (this is not a deposit).
– All design details including spelling of names, dates, and specific design content will be shown to the client before the application of the tattoo begins. It is the client’s responsibility to point out any errors that need to be corrected. Whether the tattoo is drawn in marker on the skin, or applied with a stencil, the client will have the opportunity to see the final scale and location of details of the tattoo and should communicate with the artist if there is any discrepancy between what they see and what was discussed prior to the appointment. (We will also ask, but please let us know if anything needs to be changed!)
FAQs (that we thought up and answered):
– What are your shop hours? While we are typically open by appointment, you can generally find us here during regular business hours on weekdays, and into the evenings on Wednesdays, as well as occasionally on weekends for special events. If you would like to stay in the loop about our special events, please sign up for our mailing list here.
– What forms of payment do you accept? We take cash (Cash is Queen) and all major credit cards. Unfortunately, we cannot accept personal checks, cryptocurrency, gold bars or livestock at this time.
– Should I tip my tattoo artist? Why yes! How sweet of you to ask! For tips, cash is preferred, but credit cards can also be used if the purchase is on the same card. Other acceptable currencies for tipping includes; Venmo, a pile of Chocolove dark chocolate salted almond butter bars, entomologists displays, brass animals, crystals or unusual tarot decks.
– Do you take walk-ins? While we cannot typically accommodate walk-ins, you are more than welcome to stop by and see if anyone is available, and if not you can schedule an appointment while you’re here if you’d like! Also feel free to call and leave a message! (610) 455-4575
– Do you tattoo minors? We do not tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with parental permission. All clients must be 18 years of age or older and be prepared to present photo identification at the time of service.
– How do I schedule an appointment? The best way, currently, to request an appointment is by emailing the shop at info@aviarytattoos.com or call (610) 455-4575
– Do you offer piercing services? We do not offer piercing or other body modification services at this time. we recommend Piercings by Ashleigh at Runic Tattoo in Newtown Square, or Kingfisher Collective in Royersford.
– Do you offer tattoo removal services? We do not offer laser tattoo removal services, but we recommend Deleted Scene Tattoo Removal in Hatboro. We do, however, offer touch up services on older or faded tattoos, and coverup/ additions/ and reworks on existing tattoos. In fact, it’s one of my favorite categories of tattooing!
– Can I get tattooed while pregnant or nursing? We do not recommend getting tattooed while pregnant because the pregnant person’s immune system is primarily concerned with maintaining the health of the baby, and can slow or hinder the healing process. Additionally, if an infection in contracted during the slower healing process, the health and safety of the baby is compromised. During chestfeeding the risk to the parent remains similar, and healing can be a slower process, especially while the baby is still dependent on the parent as their primary source of food. As the child grows and feedings reduce, the risk to the parent decreases.
– Can I get a tattoo on sunburned skin? In short, no. Any burn, rash, or abrasion can hinder the healing process. If you end up with an unexpected sunburn (I myself have burned my face on a sunny December day so, I get it), please contact your artist to reschedule. Sunburned skin is more likely to blow out or fade fast, and other areas of broken skin such as scratches, scrapes, rashes or acne, can accept ink when you don’t want it to, leaving grey dots around your design. Also it hurts.
– I called or emailed yesterday, and I haven’t heard back. What gives? As an artist with ADHD and a mom of two small children, I am stereotypically bad at correspondence. If you haven’t heard from me in a week, feel free to call or email again, and throw in a little ‘tude, you’ve earned it! (but not too much, I’m sensitive).
– Do you do coverups or touch up work? Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you asked, why yes I do!! Coverups are my absolute favorite category of tattoos (it’s like solving a fun puzzle every time!), but I also love bringing old, faded, or blurry tattoos back to life. If you have been turned away by other tattoo shops, please come on by! I’d love to talk about the possibilities!
– What do you recommend for aftercare? In the shop we generally use Derm Shield brand breathable tattoo bandage, but some clients prefer the old fashioned method for one reason or another. If you are using the Derm Shield, leave the bandage in place for up to a week (remove if any of the tattoo has been exposed or if the bandage starts to leak), then wash twice a day and apply unscented moisturizer until it feels like the same texture as your unmarked skin. Do not submerge the tattoo in water (bath, hot tub, pool) for the first week at least (showers are fine) whether it is covered with the bandage or not.