Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a tattoo with my parents consent even though I'm not 18?
I'm really sorry to disappoint you all but, tattooing is strictly over 18 regardless of parental consent. Any Tattooist working on someone under this age can receive heavy fines, withdrawal of one's license, and in the case of repeat offenders a term in prison. Even though your parents may not mind, we at Rampant Ink adhere strictly to the rules. There are other less reputable tattooists who will work on you, but the risk is theirs (and yours).Can you give me a quote for a tattoo over the phone?
No. Please stop calling and telling me "it's about the size of blah blah, and i want it with three colours like whats-his name!". I don't care. Get up off your lazy arse and come and see us, preferably with your design. And don't bring a photo on your phone that you took of someone on your holiday, or anywhere!
Do you do semi-permanent tattoos at your studio?
There are places around here advertising "semi-permanent" tattooing. However over the past few years these have become popular with the not so adventurous people in our society. This has been preyed upon by so called professionals with the introduction of semi-permanent tattoos.
IN ALL MY EXPERIENCE I HAVE NEVER SEEN EITHER A WELL EXECUTED PIECE OF SEMI-PERMANENT WORK OR EVEN A SEMI-PERMANENT TATTOO!!!!!!!!!
Over the past few years I've had to re-work, re-colour or cover up so called semi-permanent work. It really is the biggest con around - extortionate prices for terrible work that REALLY ISN'T GOING TO FADE AFTER A GIVEN NUMBER OF YEARS!!!!!!!!
They all end up looking like very poor tattoos (the dodgy old sailor type)and it will stay like that for a very long time. Please feel free to consult any of the beauty parlours in the area and ask them about the disclaimer they insist you sign before they start their work. It will state that they cannot be held responsible if the tattoo doesn't fade in the specified time, or if it fades to such a poor degree that you are completely embarrassed by it. If it was going to work why would you need to sign this? Any professional tattooist wouldn't dream of asking someone to sign any such document because we are so confident in our permanent finished product.
As you can see I feel very strongly about this because I see so many bad examples of semi-permanent work and some really unhappy people. My advice would be to get a professional permanent tattoo. However if you are even a little unsure about it then DON'T!! (You can always have it where only a select few can see it).(check out our upcoming feature on getting your first tattoo on our website soon. You may find it useful)
Does Tattooing hurt?
How many times over the years have I answered this one! The quick answer is, yes, it will hurt. However, it isn't a pain that will make you shout or cry. It's more of an irritation with a little heat thrown in. A hot scratching sensation. Some people describe it as like sunburn. If you really think about all those people getting a tattoo recently - THEY SURVIVED!!!! and so will you.
I have a policy regarding people getting their first tattoo. I believe that it should be a good experience, (maybe not a totally painless one) and I allow as much time as necessary to finish it. You will have heard many rumours about tattooing, try not to believe all of them.The best suggestion I can give is to come and see me at the shop. If you don't like what you see or you don't feel ready, we won't pressure you. We will even let you sit in on a session so you can see for yourself what its like.
How do I get into tattooing?
Becoming a tattooist is hard. It's very difficult to get anyone to apprentice you. There are tattooists out there with very few morals who will take your hard earned money (around 6-10 Thousand pounds!) and 'train' you. However you will get a quick three month course which will teach you very little. No tattooist that's worth anything should give you the addresses of those involved in this practice because it creates a bad name for all of us. The best thing to do is find a tattooist that you trust and who's work you admire. Spend a lot of time getting tattooed, spend LOTS of money! Whilst doing this you could build up a professional relationship. Slowly introduce the idea of how interested you are in tattooing. Show him or her ALL OF THE DRAWINGS YOU WILL HAVE DONE, and impress them with your artistic ability.Usually if they agree to teach you, you will have to work for them for FREE whilst they train you. You will have to buy all of your own equipment, and probably won't be allowed to tattoo anyone for at least the first year. You will need a second, evening job, because you will have to save for your equipment. If you miss even one day, or show in any way that you were not completely committed, then your training would almost certainly end!! It's a long hard slog, and it may not work out. You may just be crap!
Gray Silva