Black Koi FAQ
How to set up an appointment? To set up an appointment with your desired artist, scroll to the top of the page and click on the section with their name. Scroll to about mid page. There will be a button that says 'CONTACT'. Click on it- it will take you to each individual's unique way of booking, as we all use different platforms and socials to book clients!
What should I include when I contact my artist? Be sure to include: -First and last name -Phone number -Email -Budget (see individual artist's hourly) -Thorough description of what you are looking to have done -Where on your body you are looking to have this done -Approximate size in inches -Attach reference pictures
What happens after I submit a form of contact with my desired artist? Please be patient! Your artist will go over your request and be in touch as soon as possible! If it has been longer than 2 weeks with no word, please follow up- occasionally things happen or get lost in junk mail! Also, check your own junk mail for a reply as well. Please be thorough in your emails and have your deposit ready to go if you are just waiting to book as it will help the process go a little quicker!
Deposit info Please only send deposits if your project has been accepted. Deposits are required before any art is started or dates picked for the tattoo appointment. Each artist is able to accept PayPal, Venmo, or cash/card via Square in person. Deposits are non-refundable but will be taken off the total tattoo price at the end of the session. Deposits are only for the day you are booking for and do not get bumped to a new appointment. If you need to reschedule, we will only transfer the deposit once, but I must be given a 48 hour notice before the appointment. If it is a no call, no show, or less than 48 hours, the deposit will be lost and a new one will be needed before another appointment is set. We understand family emergencies, sickness, and life happens and try to work with you! You will have 2 days from your original appointment time to contact us to reconfirm future dates if you need to miss (if you have multiple deposits set). If we do not hear from you, all future appointments will be cancelled, and all deposits forfeited. Please note that dates will be sent after deposit(s) are received. When you have sent a deposit, please verify with us to make sure it has gone through! Each artist's deposit info is on their own tab to avoid confusion.
How much will this cost? The best way to know the answer to this is to have a conversation with your artist in your consult! The shop minimum is $100. This goes for all of the artists here in that something can be done really fast and less than their hourly, but does not always apply to every 'small tattoo'. If you need to know how much to bring to an appointment, I generally like to break it up into 'Half Days' or 'Full Days'. Half Days being up to 4 hours, Full Days being up to 8. Take your artists hourly and multiply it by 4 or 8 and you can get your 'rough' amount. If you need to budget for less than this and do more short sits, we can work with you this way as well! After submitting your consult, again, the best way to find out is to just have a conversation with your artist! We should be able to give you a rough idea as well as tattoos come in all shapes and sizes and dont fit into a perfect price box.
What style does each artist do? Each artist at Black Koi has their own unique style and look! It is best to check out each individual's tattoo gallery at the bottom of each page to see if the 'look' fits in the style you are looking for. We all take on variety one way or another, so if there is something you dont see, just ask! At the very worst, we know a lot of people in the industry and have no issue helping you find the best fit for your idea! When you contact us, it is important to know that while we ask for refrences, we will not copy them exactly, but are willing to redesign something similar with our own 'style' in it. Certain things like specific characters in a video game or other instances may be the only exception to this.
What should I bring to my tattoo appointment? The day of the tattoo, make sure you have eaten a good meal beforehand. Tattoos put stress on the body and a good meal will help prep the body for what it is about to endure and will keep your blood sugar up! Bring a state issued ID (Personal gov't issued ID, Drivers license, Military ID, Green Card, or Passport are all examples of acceptable Id). Wear comfortable clothing that will not get in the way of your tattoo and that you may not mind getting ink on just in case. You can also bring headphones, a book, pillow, small snacks like a granola bar/fruit snacks, water, or whatever else you can think of that you may need to make your visit more enjoyable! Food must be eaten in the waiting area. However, PLEASE DO NOT bring anyone under the age of 18/minors with you. My shop no longer offers piercings and legally, they cannot come into the establishment.
Can I see the artwork ahead of time? We no longer send art before appointment days. Art sometimes is not worked on until the weekend before or up to the day before the appointment. Depending on the process, occasionally art is drawn directly on during your appointment and there is no 'physical' drawing at all. Please be thorough in your consult, send alot of references, and check out each portfolio to make sure you enjoy each style or enough references to give a clear idea of what you are looking for. You are definitely able to see the art in person when you come in for your appointment. If there are small changes that need to be made, we can make them during your appointment before you get tattooed (within reason). You are also welcome to dislike the design and refuse it, but if we cannot make changes for the appointment, we can always reschedule. If this is the case, we will transfer this deposit only once. If you still decide to refuse the art, the deposit will be lost, but at this point, we may politely suggest another artist.
Do you take walk ins? Heather and Kaitlyn are appointment only outside of special events (where we will post via socials to let people know we are taking walk ins otherwise. Stefan IS available for walk ins (approved tattoos only) most Saturdays at 1pm! However, it is always best to message him first or book with him ahead of time to secure a spot! We will post on Instagram and Facebook/Groups if there is also weekday availability.
How do I get ahold of someone? We do not have a shop phone/landline. For quicker answers, you can message the shop Facebook page/messenger or try the shop Instagram page. Both are 'Black Koi Studio'. Non urgent can be sent through email (blackkoistudio@gmail.com) titled 'TATTOO INQUIRY' in all capitals. If you have a specific question for a particular artist, you can go to any of their tabs on this website and follow the 'CONTACT' button prompts.
What are accepted forms of payment? Each artist at Black Koi has the ability to accept: -Cash -Card (via Square-please DO NOT send card numbers over email) -Venmo (listed on individual tab) -Paypal (listed on individual tab) We do not accept checks, rain checks, IOU's, your first born, or sacrificial animals. If you cannot pay, your tattoo will be repo'd. Thank you!!
How do I take care of my new tattoo? Please scroll back up to the top of the page and click on the 'AFTERCARE' tab for general second skin or ointment aftercare instructions! Otherwise, it is best to follow your personal artist's instructions as sometimes they are slightly different.
Do you do piercings? We no longer do piercings at Black Koi Studio- if you do message us about it, we can recommend our own personal favorite places locally though!