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Kia Ora,

Thank you so much for your interest in my work!

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TO PROCEED WITH A BOOKING OR TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY PLEASE READ & FOLLOW ALL STEPS BELOW :

🌺Ensure you’re familiar with my mahi and style of tattoo art - I am a fine line artist

🌺 BOOKING FORM: After you have read my ‘Tattoo Process Info’ and FAQs please fill out a booking/ enquiry form (you can find this in the drop down box in the top left corner of my website)

🌺 SECURING A BOOKING: I will not hold dates before receiving a non refundable deposit to secure the booking. Before I accept deposits I first finalise all necessary details required, and confirm a suitable time and date.

🌺Read my ‘Tattoo Process’ info below to ensure I’m the right artist for you and for what you are after

🌺Read the “important info” section— this is information to discuss prior to booking in to ensure you are able to move forward with a booking

Tattoo Process:

Important to know:

✍🏽 I do all designing/ drawing on the day of the tattoo booking (not prior), more info below

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Following is a step by step idea of how things tend to go during a tattoo appointment with me:

Step 1- DESIGN ✍🏽

On the day of your tattoo before getting to the tattooing side of the appointment, I first go over the details of the design with you to ensure you're happy with it, and follow up on specific aspects already discussed prior to booking you in, allowing a moment to make minor alterations if need be.

For small/ simple tattoos I allow around 20-30mins for the design and alterations process. For medium to large tattoos it can be anywhere around 1hr depending on the size, detail and complexity of the design. Often full day tattoos design time can take up to 2hrs due to the scale and or placement.

Some tattoos require free-handing the design (drawing directly on) which often requires more time than stencilling. Things such as vine and floral wrap around pieces.

Step 2- SIZE AND PLACEMENT 📏

Following the design, we then go over the precise sizing and placement options together to see what works best. Based on sizing and placements discussed prior to booking.

Step 3- STENCIL

Once we’ve worked out the exact size I then transfer the paper print out to a stencil. We can trial the stencil on a few spots in the area/s discussed prior to booking.

Due to being able to reapply the same stencil up to 4-5 times, it allows us to be fussy, which I encourage as it is on your body forever so moving or titling it slightly is worth doing so if need be (I'm a perfectionist so I will ensure it’s placed as perfectly as it can be).

Once we’ve completed the placement of the stencil we must let it dry for 10-15minutes to ensure it does not wipe away during the tattoo process.

Step 4- THE TATTOOING PART! ✨

Last Step- CLEAN AND COVER 🧼

Once I’ve cleaned the tattoo I will apply some second skin (unless you have sensitive skin to plasters/ adhesives) if that’s the case I will cover it with cling film which will need to be taken off within 45mins to avoid sweating/ bacteria build up, in some cases I won’t cover it at all.

VOILA !

THE TATTOO PROCESS IS MORE THAN JUST ‘INK TO SKIN’

Every step is equally important and significant to the end result; all steps come into the final cost and time set aside for you.

✨ As you can see from the steps above, often the time tattooing can take less time than the lead up preparation.

There is a significant importance to the preparation leading up to the tattooing part and it should not be taken lightly by the artist or client, however we don’t want to enter an overthinking state either, so this is where trusting the process and my professional advice is important.

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My tattoo and booking structure has evolved in this direction over the years as my creative process flows best this way. It also helps me manage my work-personal life, which inevitably reflects in my work.

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Making sure your artist is right for you- vice versa:

✨ If you're looking to book in with me it's important for both you and I that you're sure I'm the right artist for you, that you're familiar and fond of my tattoo style, and have confidence and trust in my process, artistic skill and creative direction.

Important Info Prior To Booking

It is important that we have discussed any info that could be helpful/ crucial to know prior to booking in, to ensure we can still proceed. Many of the following factors may result to not being able to proceed with a tattoo;

▫️ Do you have any Skin/ Medical conditions that could effect the tattoo procedure? (If uncertain please check with your practitioner)

▫️Medications/ treatments that could effect the tattoo procedure and/ or your safety? Such as Blood thinners, chemotherapy etc (If unsure please check with your practitioner)

▫️Are you pregnant? (Cannot undergo a tattoo if pregnant)

▫️Are you breast feeding? (Cannot undergo a tattoo if breastfeeding)

▫️Are you able to not sweat/ exercise for up to 2 days following your tattoo?

▫️Are you undergoing any kind of laser treatment?

▫️Are you undergoing chemo or similar?

▫️Are you able to keep the tattoo out of the sun/ water/ Saunas for 10-14 days and keep it protected from dust/ sand etc? (showers are fine)

(PLEASE NOTE; swimming/ water sports/ saunas/ baths/ sun exposure can hinder the healing of a tattoo and/ or cause infection)

✨PRICING✨

I can only provide an estimate cost prior to booking in. This is generally based on the information provided to me by my clients; tattoo description, reference photos/s, sizing in mind, and chosen placement.

I am not typically an artist who charges by the hour, however I do take into consideration the time and work involved on the day.

I can only provide the exact cost of the tattoo once the tattoo is complete, so if you are booking in you’ll need to have some flexibility around cost and time — it’s important not to rush the process as it can effect the outcome of the tattoo. (Enquire further if you need more clarity).

Please ensure you communicate all information that has NOT yet been discussed about the design + size + placement etc — as well as any expectations around cost OR time involved.

✨MAKING CHANGES ONCE BOOKED IN✨

Once a tattoo appointment is booked only minor changes can be made to keep the same booking and you must provide atleast 72hrsnotice prior to your booking incase we need to reschedule for a more suitable time. If the changes you want to make are not possible for the time allocated for your appointment then we will need to rebook for a time suitable for the changes. If that’s the case, failing to provide 72hrs notice means a new deposit will be required and you will lose your first deposit.

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Please note- Every tattoo artist operates differently depending on what works best for them as an artist.

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I do my best to provide a fun comfortable and efficient tattoo experience leaving clients happy and excited about their new tattoo. In saying that I completely understand if you aren’t comfortable with my tattoo process and would prefer to seek out a different artist that feels more suitable for you. No offence will be taken whatsoever! Not only are tattoos permanent, they hold an enormous amount of meaning and significance to each individual person, so feeling comfortable and confident with the tattoo process and your artist is key!

I like to communicate these things as best as I can to ensure I’m giving people the right information so they have clarity and confidence when booking in with me. It also ensures my clients will be suited for me too

If you have any questions regarding any of the above information please do not hesitate to reach out and ask!

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I will respond as soon as possible

Thank you so much for reading this information!

Whangamatā • Mahral Ink Tattoo Studio

Arohanui,

Tahlia