FAQ
How do I book in?
All of our artists manage their own bookings so please contact your chosen artist directly to make an appointment. Click the link under each artist on our Artists Page to contact them.
My chosen artists’ books are closed, how can I book in?
Our artists will close their books from time to time, meaning that they are not taking on any new appointments during this period. Most artists will post on their Instagram account when their books are opening and when they do you will be able to send a booking request to them directly. If you want to get tattooed by a specific artist you will need to be patient and wait until they are taking bookings again! Our artists will post any last-minute / cancellation slots on their Instagram which you can DM or email to claim, so you may be able to get a quicker appointment that way. If you want to get tattooed at a certain time and don’t want a specific artist, please send the studio an email on contact@auraninetyfour.com and we will do our best to help.
How old do I need to be to get a tattoo?
You must be over 18 to get tattooed legally in the UK.
Do I need to bring ID with me to my appointment?
Yes, you may be asked to show ID to prove your age before your tattoo. If you cannot provide your physical ID at your appointment you will not be able to get tattooed. No exceptions. Photos of ID will not be accepted.
How much will my tattoo cost?
Each artist manages their own pricing so you will need to ask them for a quote when you book in. Most artists will provide an estimated price (e.g. £300-350) rather than a fixed quote (e.g. £300). This is because the price of a tattoo can change depending on the final size, placement and intricacy of the design, so if changes are made to your original request the final price may also change accordingly.
Do I need to pay a deposit for my tattoo?
Yes, all of our artists require you to put down a deposit in order to get booked in for a tattoo. Deposit costs can vary depending on the length of the tattoo appointment and the final cost of your tattoo, so please ask your artist directly how much you need to put down.
Can I get my deposit back if I cancel my appointment?
Generally speaking, no. Deposits are taken to protect your artist’s time, so if you cancel or don’t show up to your appointment you will not be able to get your deposit back. Some artists have a specific cancellation policy which may allow you to reschedule your appointment if you can no longer make the original date. Please contact your artist directly for more information.
How can I pay for my tattoo?
Your artist will take payment directly from you after your tattoo appointment. All of our artists accept cash, however some also accept Bank Transfer or card payments. Please check with your artist before your appointment for their preferred payment method.
Do you have a minimum charge?
The studio has a minimum charge of £100 per tattoo, however some artists’ minimum charge may be higher. Please contact your chosen artist directly for more information.
Can I have a consultation with my artist before my tattoo?
Yes, all of our artists will offer a consultation of some sort before they tattoo you. Some artists will allow time at the start of your tattoo appointment to discuss the design with you and some will do it before they book you in, either via email, phone or in person. Please check with your artist directly if you would like to consult with them.
Does getting a tattoo hurt?
Yes, but it probably won’t be as bad as you think! Some areas are more painful than others, but our artists will do everything they can to make you as comfortable as possible and give you breaks during your tattoo if you need them.
How should I prepare for my tattoo?
Please make sure you have eaten a full meal at least 1 hour before your appointment. It is important to stay hydrated, so please bring a bottle of water with you and make sure to drink it! Getting a tattoo can be painful and your blood sugar level can drop during your session, so it’s a good idea to bring some sugar with you in the form of sweets or a fizzy drink (not diet!).
Do I need to shave the area I’m getting tattooed in?
No - generally your artist will shave the area for you using a disposable razor prior to applying your tattoo stencil. Sometimes if the area is large (e.g. you’re getting a full sleeve), your artist may ask you to shave before coming in. If you’re not sure, please ask your chosen artist for more information.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Please wear clothing which is easy to move/remove so that your artist can access the tattoo area easily. For arms, a short sleeved t-shirt or vest is perfect. For shoulders/neck, a strapless top works well. For legs, you can wear shorts or loose trousers/a skirt which can be rolled up. For chest/torso/sternum, you can wear a loose button-up shirt which can be unbuttoned/moved to allow access to the tattoo area. For a back piece, you can wear an unbuttoned shirt back to front. We have nipple covers and room divider screens available in the studio, so please let your artist know if you would feel more comfortable using them. If you’re not sure what to wear to your appointment, please ask your artist for advice.
What should I do if I feel unwell during my appointment?
If you start to feel unwell whilst at the studio or during your tattoo, please let your artist know as soon as possible. They will stop tattooing you immediately and will do everything they can to make sure you are ok. Sometimes feeling unwell during a tattoo can be down to your blood sugar levels dropping, so some time out and a sugary drink or sweets can help you feel better and you can carry on with the tattoo. If you feel like you can’t continue getting tattooed that day then don’t worry - your artist will be able to book you in for another session to carry on once you’re feeling better. We have a trained First Aider at the studio at all times if you need them.
Can I use numbing cream on the area I’m getting tattooed?
Please ask your artist directly if they are comfortable with you using numbing cream before your tattoo. Some areas are not suitable for numbing and some numbing creams are more effective than others, so please make sure you discuss this with your artist beforehand.
Do you do cover-ups?
Yes, some of our artists will happily cover old tattoos, provided they think that the new design will work and that the cover-up is achievable. Please contact your chosen artist directly and send them photos of the tattoo you want covered so that they can advise you. If the existing tattoo is very dark or large, they may suggest that you get some sessions of laser removal to achieve a better result. We recommend contacting Skin Renew London for tattoo laser removal services.
Can you tattoo over scars?
Yes, most of our artists will happily tattoo over scars as long as they are fully healed and at least 2 years old. Please contact your chosen artist directly and be aware that they may need to see the scar(s) either in a photo or in person before they are able to make a judgement on whether they can be tattooed over.
Can you tattoo my skin tone?
Yes, all of our artists can and will tattoo any and all skin tones.
Are there any body parts you won’t / can’t tattoo?
Generally speaking, the only body parts our artist’s won’t tattoo are the genitals. Some artists will also avoid other areas which don’t work well with their style of tattooing (e.g. head, neck, fingers), however between our resident artists we should have someone who can tattoo you in your desired placement.
Do you tattoo in white ink?
Yes, some of our artists are happy to use white ink. Please contact your chosen artist directly to see if this is something they are happy to do.
How do I look after my new tattoo?
Your artist will advise you on any specific aftercare information after your appointment. Our general aftercare form can be found here.
Can I get tattooed if I am under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
No. If you arrive to your appointment under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or take drugs / drink alcohol during your appointment we will ask you to leave the studio. If this happens, you will forfeit your deposit and you will not be welcome at Aura Ninety Four again.
Can I get tattooed if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?
No. It is against the terms of our licence to tattoo you if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you find out that you are pregnant but already have an appointment booked, please contact your artist directly and they will be happy to find a solution.
Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?
We kindly ask you to come alone to your appointment where possible to minimise the number of people in the waiting area. If you do wish to bring someone with you, they will need to either leave the studio or remain in the waiting area whilst you are getting tattooed. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops close to the studio, so if someone travels with you they should have lots to do whilst you’re getting tattooed! Please note that babies / children / anyone under the age of 18 are not allowed in the studio under any circumstances.
Can I get a touch-up on my tattoo?
All of our artists will happily touch-up their own work free of charge, provided you have followed their aftercare instructions and looked after your tattoo well. Some artists may be willing to touch-up another artists work - please contact your chosen artist to see if this is something they are happy to do and to get a quote.
Can I get another artists’ work tattooed by you?
Some of our artists may be willing to tattoo another artists work, providing they have permission to do so. Where this is not possible, some artists may be willing to adapt the piece in their own style instead. Please contact your chosen artist directly for more information.
Do you use vegan-friendly ink?
All of our resident artists use Dynamic black ink and either Eternal or World Famous coloured inks which are all non-toxic and vegan-friendly. If you are getting a tattoo from a guest artist, please ask them whether the inks they use are vegan-friendly.
What is your Covid-19 policy?
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have tested positive for Covid-19, please do not come to your appointment and contact your artist as soon as possible so that they can reschedule your appointment.
Although no longer mandatory in the UK, we please ask you to wear a face mask to your appointment and at all times whilst within the studio.
All personal belongings will need to be left in our cloakroom, so please do not bring excessive bags with you. You will only be permitted to bring a drink, your phone and headphones to the station you are being tattooed at.
Got another question?
Please send us an email to contact@auraninetyfour.com and we will be happy to help!