FAQs
Q: Is it safe to get a tattoo or piercing?
A: Both tattoos and piercings are very safe, as long as each artist and the entire studio adheres to both Universal Precautions and Blood Borne Pathogen Safety Standards. Luckily, Essential Ink Body Art treats client safety as the first and foremost priority, requiring the highest level of sterilization possible, going above and beyond the legal requirement of all local health codes and regulations. On the consent form our clients complete before the procedure, we may identify certain instances when it would not be appropriate for an individual to receive a tattoo or piercing; if that happens, we will discuss the safety concerns with our client, but this would be a rare instance.
Q: Do you take walk ins?
A: Yes we do! We take walk-in appointments everyday for tattoos and piercings on a first come first serve basis. For availability please call the studio directly. A deposit is not required for a tattoo or piercing walk-in appointment.
Q: Do you pierce or tattoo minors?
A: In California, it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, regardless of parental consent. This is outlined in California Penal Code § 653, which defines tattooing as inserting pigment under the skin to create a permanent mark. Violating this law is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. At Essential Ink Body Art, we strictly adhere to all state regulations. We require a valid, government-issued photo ID for every tattoo client to verify age. Our commitment to legal compliance ensures a safe and responsible environment for all our clients.
Body piercings start at age 13 years and up; excluding some specific piercings on minors. Essential Ink Body Art will pierce the ear lobes of a minor under the age of 13 at the Piercers discretion. Parent or legal guardian (w/Documentation) has to be present with State Issued ID & Minor's ID or birth certificate.
The parent/legal guardian must call the studio prior to booking an appointment for a minor to confirm service request. We are strict in our requirements to ensure proper age and that valid legal parental consent is presented, so please contact the studio directly ahead of time to find out exactly what you will need to bring to your appointment.
Q: Can I bring in my own design?
A: Of course you can. This tattoo will be on you permanently, so we want to be sure you are totally happy. Bring anything you think might help to capture exactly what you’re looking to get. We will be happy to work with you in designing a custom piece of art that you will love forever.
Q: How do tattoo deposits work?
A: The non-refundable tattoo deposit secures your appointment date & time so no other client can book during that time. Tattoo deposits are only used when booking an appointment for a future date either online or in-person. You do not need to submit a deposit if you are a walk-in tattoo client.
ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Q: Does my deposit get applied to final tattoo cost?
A: Yes! The non-refundable tattoo deposit gets applied to the final tattoo cost at the time of service.
Q: I have booked a tattoo appointment but need to reschedule. What do I do?
A: Things happen, we get it! If for some reason you need to reschedule your appointment please call or email the studio directly to inform the team of your situation. You are allowed one reschedule with a minimum of 24 hour notice. If you reschedule your appointment with enough notice, your deposit is applied towards your new rescheduled appointment. However, if less than 24 hours notice is given, you will lose your deposit. and must leave another deposit if you choose to reschedule. We are sorry if this policy causes any inconvenience, but it is necessary to protect the interests of our artists—their time and efforts are valuable.
Q: What kind of jewelry do you offer?
A: Essential Ink Body Art takes great pride in offering a curated selection of body jewelry. All of the jewelry we carry is of the highest quality available. Implant-grade titanium, niobium, white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold jewelry fills our case so we can offer you the best jewelry options.
Q: Can you cover up existing tattoos?
A: Our artists can usually cover up or fix most tattoos, even really bad ones. Please email us or submit an appointment inquiry form online to schedule a consultation. Make sure to include reference images of your current tattoo and what you are looking to cover it up with. We are always honest, though. If we don’t think it can be successfully covered, we will let you know during the consultation and discuss your options to ensure you will ultimately be happy. At Essential Ink Body Art, all of our artists take tremendous pride in their work, making client satisfaction our biggest priority.