Preparing & Arriving For Your Tattoo

If this is your first tattoo, or your first time visiting our studio, you may be wondering
what you’re in store for… Please see below for an idea of how your day will be structured when you visit Black Diamond Tattoo, from preparation and arrival, through to wrapping up your fresh ink.

How should I prepare?

There are a few things you can do to prepare for your tattoo appointment. We recommend ensuring you have had a full and hearty breakfast and plenty of water before you even arrive to guarantee that you’re ready for the day. Consider being tattooed a ‘medical procedure’. Having a full stomach and maintaining hydration will help with any feelings of light-headedness or unwellness.  

If you are not able to eat before you arrive, there are plenty of local food options for you to grab a bite before you start the tattooing process, as well as plenty of complimentary snacks and beverages within the studio.

We recommend wearing lose-fitting comfortable clothing that is able to expose the tattoo area. We also ask you to be mindful that ink and other fluids may get onto your clothing, so please don’t wear your Sunday best!

But my artist hasn’t sent my design?!

It is not uncommon for your artist to wait until 24-48 hours prior to the appointment to send your design through. Some artists will even wait until you arrive to the tattoo session. Our artists endeavour to leave time to make changes to the design but prefer not to send it prematurely for a number of reasons. Your artists spend a considerable amount of time and effort on your design and like to ensure that it will not be taken to another studio.

As well as that, being unsure about the design/concept and showing your friends and family for their opinion can create a sense of self-doubt that you may not have had before. It is best to seek your own opinion and trust your gut rather than asking everybody for their thoughts.

Arriving at the studio and preparing for your tattoo…

Parking: Free two-hour parking is available directly outside of the studio and on the surrounding streets. For all-day parking, please see our comprehensive parking guide if you’d like to know where you can park before you make your journey.

Consent form: When you arrive at the studio, our studio assistant Tayla will greet you, confirm which artist you’re seeing, and offer you a consent form to fill out. The consent form is fairly straightforward, but Tayla can assist you in filling it or clarifying anything sections if required. Hand/finger & face tattoos require an additional waiver. 

Design: After your consent form is complete, the artist will sit with you to discuss the final design and ensure you’re happy with everything. This is when you will chat about any required changes or things you’re unsure about. Once you’re happy with the design, your artist will print a range of sizes for you to choose from.

Stencilling: Once the design is finalised, your artist will create a stencil of your chosen size. The stencil is a carbon-printed mock-up of the design which will help you and your artist determine size and placement. This is a great opportunity for you to imagine how the tattoo will look, though it will not be an exact replica of the tattoo, as stencils do not include finer shading details or colour that might be included in your designs. If you are unhappy with the size or placement, or have changed your mind about any design elements once seeing the stencil, the stencil can easily be removed, changed, and redone. Please note that any major design changes may incur a re-draw fee at your artist’s discretion.

Once your artist and, more importantly you, are happy with the stencil, it requires 10-15 minutes of drying time. This is a good time to have a snack or a coffee, both complimentary inclusions in your tattoo experience. Just ask your artist or our studio assistant for anything you might need.

During the tattoo…

Once your stencil is dry, your artist will direct you to either a chair or a tattoo bed. Whether you sit or lay will depend on where your tattoo is and how your artist works with that body part.

If you are being tattooed in a sensitive area or just prefer a little more privacy, privacy screens are available at your request. Please feel free to ask your artist if this is something you need – they will offer it if they feel discretion may be needed.

We offer iPads and headphones for music and Netflix, and you’re also welcome to bring your own entertainment (Nintendo Switches, laptops, iPads, etc.). Our studio features an open floor plan, meaning you can join in on the studio banter or enjoy whatever group movie we’ve picked for the day as well as bring a pal to keep you company.

What does it feel like? Does it hurt? Generally, yes – but everybody is different and the pain level you will experience may differ based on a number of things, like; your general wellness, where on the body you’re being tattooed, the types of needles being used, and your personal pain threshold. We liken the sensation to repetitive cat scratches. As a general rule of thumb, fattier body parts with thicker skin and fewer nerve endings (outer arms and upper thighs) are a little less painful than bony areas of the body (fingers, elbows, knees).

If you find that you’re experiencing excessive discomfort, a feeling of unwellness, or you just need to stretch your legs, your artist will happily take as many breaks and pauses as you need. Please feel free to flag down our studio assistant who can offer a sugar-hit or some water should you need some fuel to keep going. If you’re scheduled to join us for a full day, our assistant can also get your lunch so you can remain in comfort at the studio. 

The tattooing process can take some time, so please feel free to ask for as many adjustments or breaks as you need to make the process easier for you.

After the tattoo…

Once you’re all done, your artist will give you some time to gather yourself and have some refreshments. They may request some images of the tattoo, either where you are sitting, or in our photography area.

Your artist will wrap your tattoo in either glad-wrap or a ‘second-skin’ breathable plastic medical wrap, depending on what they feel is better for your tattoo. At this time, your artist will provide you some aftercare suggestions tailored to your tattoo. Before you leave, you’ll also be provided an aftercare bag, which includes: aftercare instructions, Hustle Butter (our chosen aftercare product), a sticker, and some contact cards should you wish to rebook or have any questions regarding your tattoo.

Your artist will also, in most cases, offer one free touch up session anytime within 3 months after your tattoo. Please follow the aftercare instructions carefully and reach out to the studio or your artist with any queries or concerns regarding your healing process, or refer to our comprehensive aftercare guide.