FAQs

Our Frequently Asked Questions

From your first idea to final aftercare, here are answers to the questions we get asked most.

Before Booking & Planning

 Your tattoo deserves to be done by an artist who specialises in the style you’re looking for. At Black Opal, we have 7 artists covering a wide range of different styles and techniques. Take a look through each artist’s portfolio page and compare their work to your tattoo idea. If an artist regularly creates work similar to what you’re looking for, they’re likely the best fit for you.

 Most consultations are carried out via email or social media, as this is usually the quickest and easiest way to discuss your tattoo idea. However, you are always welcome to arrange an in-person consultation if you would prefer to speak with your artist face-to-face.

 We do offer cover-up tattoos and most of our artists are experienced in cover-up work.

 Absolutely. If you have created your own design yourself and would like that exact piece tattooed, we would be more than happy to do that for you. We do ask that submitted artwork is original and not AI-generated.

We do not directly copy other artists’ tattoo designs unless the artwork has been personally created by the client themselves.

 Our studio generally operates on an appointment-only basis, however walk-ins are always welcome. Depending on artist availability, we may occasionally be able to fit you in on the day.

 Yes. Gift vouchers can be purchased for any amount and can be arranged directly through any of our artists. All gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

 Absolutely. We believe in creating a studio environment that is safe, welcoming, and respectful for everybody. We tattoo clients from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life, and everyone is welcome at Black Opal.

 Absolutely. If there is anything you would like to know, we will always be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

Enquiries, Pricing & Payments

 Browse our artists’ portfolio pages to see whose work best fits the style of tattoo you’re looking for. Once you’ve chosen an artist, simply contact them directly via the enquiry form on their portfolio page.

 Please include an approximate size, placement on the body, and when you’re ideally looking to get tattooed. Reference images are also always helpful where possible.

 Your chosen artist will read through your enquiry and get an understanding of the tattoo you’re looking to have done. They will then get back to you as soon as possible to either provide a price estimate or ask for any additional information needed.

The more information you include in your initial enquiry, the quicker and smoother the booking process will usually be.

 Our minimum charge is £50, while our highest day rate is currently £500 per day. Some tattoos can be completed in under an hour, while larger pieces may require multiple full-day sessions. Every tattoo is completely different, so pricing can vary depending on size, placement, detail, style, and the artist you choose.

Tattoos are personal and designed to last a lifetime. While we completely understand that tattoos are a significant investment, we always recommend choosing the artist whose work best fits what you’re looking for, rather than basing your decision purely on price.

 Deposits are required for all tattoo bookings and appointments will not be secured without one. Deposit amounts vary depending on the size and scale of the tattoo, with the maximum deposit currently being £100.

 All deposits are non-refundable. However, we will always do our best to move your deposit to a more suitable appointment date provided enough notice is given, as outlined in our booking terms and conditions.

Failure to attend your appointment without sufficient notice will result in your deposit being forfeited.

 Most of our artists offer PayPal Pay in 3, allowing you to spread the cost of your tattoo into three interest-free payments. Approval is subject to your eligibility with PayPal. Artists who offer this service will have a Pay in 3 banner displayed on their portfolio page.

Studio Environment & Accessibility

There is a small free car park directly opposite the studio, as well as additional free parking further down the road outside the nearby shops.

Definitely. Our artists are like a family and we work hard to keep the studio feeling relaxed, welcoming, and comfortable for everybody who walks through the door. There is always plenty of conversation, laughter, and a good atmosphere throughout the studio while you get your new tattoo.

Please let your artist know if you suffer with anxiety or feel particularly nervous about your appointment. We will always do our best to accommodate your needs and put measures in place to help make your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

 We completely understand that getting tattooed can feel nerve-racking, especially if it’s your first tattoo. We are here to support you throughout the entire process and will always do our best to help you feel comfortable and at ease.

Just let your artist know if you are feeling nervous and we will happily give you any extra time, care, or reassurance you may need.

You never need to worry about feeling judged for scars or old tattoos. Amy specialises in scar cover-up work and has tattooed hundreds of scars of varying types and severity over the years. All of our artists have experience in this area, however Amy is our dedicated scar cover-up specialist.

There will always be absolutely zero judgement toward either the scars themselves or the story behind them. You also never need to explain anything about your scars during your consultation unless you personally want to.

We are simply here to support you, help you feel comfortable, and create something positive for you moving forward in your journey.

Absolutely. We have room dividers available which can be placed around your tattoo bed if you would prefer a more private appointment experience with just you and your artist.

This does not only apply to intimate areas either. If you would feel more comfortable having additional privacy for any reason at all, you are always welcome to ask.

You are welcome to bring one person with you to your appointment. However, due to limited space when the studio is busy with multiple artists working, we ask that you do not bring more than one guest.

You are welcome to bring one person with you to your appointment. However, due to limited space when the studio is busy with multiple artists working, we ask that you do not bring more than one guest.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Make sure you eat properly before your appointment, stay hydrated, and arrive clean and freshly showered. For longer sessions, we also recommend bringing drinks, snacks, and anything you may want for lunch or dinner during the day.

Please wear suitable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed.

We will not tattoo anybody who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol can thin the blood, negatively affect the tattooing process, and potentially impact healing. Clients must also be fully coherent and able to give proper consent before being tattooed.

You are welcome to use numbing cream, however you must let your artist know beforehand and complete the relevant section on your consent form. While numbing cream can be very effective, there can sometimes be additional risks during the healing process depending on the product used. Unfortunately there are also many fake or poor-quality creams on the market.

Where possible, we recommend purchasing numbing cream directly through us. The products we use have been thoroughly tried and tested over a long period of time, so we know and trust how they perform. We cannot guarantee or advise on creams purchased elsewhere.

A few minutes late is absolutely fine. For larger tattoo sessions, we are usually happy to wait up to 30 minutes, however this time may need to be deducted from the overall session length. For smaller appointments, if you are more than 15 minutes late we may need to reschedule the appointment depending on the day’s schedule.

If you arrive later than the permitted time without prior agreement, your deposit may be forfeited and a new deposit will be required in order to rebook.

We are always happy to reschedule and move your appointment where possible. We simply ask that you provide as much notice as possible in order to protect your deposit. A minimum of 72 hours’ notice is required for appointment changes.

 If your artist becomes unwell, they will contact you as soon as possible to arrange a new appointment date that is convenient for you. Your deposit will remain completely safe and will be transferred to the rearranged appointment. Deposits are not refunded due to artist illness. We completely understand that this can sometimes be frustrating, however your artist would always honour the appointment if they were physically able to do so.

During Your Session

Pain levels can vary depending on the area being tattooed, the length of the session, and sometimes the style of tattoo itself. Every person is different and everyone experiences tattooing differently, so there is never one simple answer.

Absolutely. Your appointment time is your own, so however you are most comfortable getting through your tattoo session is completely fine with us. Feel free to listen to music, watch something, or simply relax during your appointment.

Of course. We are always happy to take breaks whenever needed during longer sessions, and you are more than welcome to eat and drink while being tattooed.

 Absolutely. If at any point you feel that you need to stop the tattoo session, you should always say so. Your wellbeing and comfort are important. However, please understand that your artist will have specifically allocated that appointment time for you, so the full appointment cost will still remain payable if the session is ended early.

Please let your artist know immediately if you begin to feel faint, unwell, or overwhelmed during your appointment. There will never be any judgement and we would always much rather know sooner rather than later.

We will stop the tattoo session, give you time to recover properly, and only continue if you feel comfortable doing so. Our artists are experienced in dealing with fainting and similar situations, so if anything does happen unexpectedly, you will be looked after appropriately.

If you change your mind before the tattoo begins, you will need to discuss this directly with your artist. Deposits are generally non-refundable, as your artist will have already allocated time, preparation, and potentially design work toward your appointment.

However, we also understand that tattoo decisions are personal and sometimes nerves or uncertainty can happen. Depending on the situation, your artist will always discuss the best way to move forward with you and try to find a fair solution where possible.

Health, Safety & Regulations

We do not tattoo anybody under the age of 18 under any circumstances, including with parental consent. In the UK, tattooing a minor is illegal and doing so would invalidate our insurance and licensing.

All of our artists are fully insured and licensed to tattoo at our premises in accordance with local authority regulations.

 Unfortunately, we do not tattoo clients during pregnancy due to health and safety reasons.

Aftercare & Healing

 Most tattoos take around 2 weeks to heal on the surface. However, healing times can vary depending on the individual and how well the aftercare advice is followed. Correct aftercare is extremely important and plays a huge part in how well your tattoo heals.

Your artist will provide you with a full aftercare form at the end of your tattoo session explaining how to properly look after your new tattoo during healing. We also have printed aftercare forms available in the waiting area for you to read before your appointment if you would like to familiarise yourself with the process beforehand.

We offer free touch-ups on all tattoos except hands and fingers. We always discuss this properly with clients before tattooing these areas, as hands and fingers are naturally far more prone to ink loss during healing regardless of how well the tattoo is applied.

Any future touch-ups on these areas are usually only a small charge to cover basic setup costs.

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