Tattoo Booking FAQs & Process

Complete the online booking form with your idea, style, placement, approximate size and clear reference images. Joshua reviews each enquiry personally and replies with the next step, which may include questions, a consultation, a session estimate and deposit details.

Most complete enquiries receive a reply within one to two business days. Complex sleeves, cover-ups or large projects can take slightly longer to review, so check your spam folder before sending a follow-up.

Not every tattoo needs a consultation; straightforward projects can often be planned from a detailed form and clear photographs. Joshua may recommend one for sleeves, cover-ups, complex placements or large-scale work that needs closer planning.

Yes. Interstate clients can enquire online and should include travel dates, flexibility, placement photographs and whether the project may need several sessions. Joshua can review the work remotely and coordinate confirmed dates before travel is arranged.

Yes. Include your Melbourne travel window, time zone, placement, size and clear photographs in the enquiry. Large pieces may need consecutive or return sessions, so wait for confirmed tattoo dates before booking non-refundable travel.

The deposit amount is confirmed after the project is reviewed because it can vary with the booking and session plan. The written reply will state the amount, payment method, deadline and conditions; do not send money before receiving official instructions.

Deposits are non-refundable because the appointment time is reserved and preparation begins around the confirmed project. With at least 48 hours’ notice, a deposit may be transferable under the written booking terms; late cancellation, non-attendance or major project changes may affect it.

A booking can usually be moved when at least 48 hours’ notice is provided. Contact Joshua as early as possible with your confirmed date and availability; short-notice changes or missed appointments may affect the deposit under the booking terms.

A sleeve has no single fixed price because coverage, detail, style, existing tattoos, arm size and required sessions all affect the total. Send clear photographs of the full arm and your preferred themes so Joshua can plan the likely session structure and project-specific estimate.

Current full-day pricing is confirmed during the booking process because the right session format depends on the project. Send the placement, approximate size, references and any existing tattoos so Joshua can confirm whether a full day is suitable and provide the price.

Multi-day scheduling may suit interstate, overseas and large-scale projects when the design, placement and healing plan allow it. Include your travel window in the enquiry and Joshua will recommend a realistic structure rather than automatically booking consecutive long days.

Ongoing finance or buy-now-pay-later arrangements are not confirmed through the website. Large projects are often completed across separate appointments, which can naturally spread the cost; mention budget timing in your enquiry so the work can be planned in realistic stages.

Joshua can usually provide an online estimate when the enquiry includes placement, dimensions, references and clear photographs of the area. Cover-ups and complex sleeves may need more images or a consultation, and the estimate can change if the agreed size or design direction changes.

Joshua specialises in custom black and grey realism, Chicano, blackwork, cover-ups and large-scale tattooing. Each piece is designed around the client, placement and body flow rather than copied from another tattoo.

Joshua’s portfolio and specialist offering focus on black and grey work. Mention any colour element in the booking form so he can assess whether it suits the project; ideas that depend on full-colour rendering may be better matched with a dedicated colour artist.

Yes. Black and grey realism is one of Joshua’s core specialties, using strong references, thoughtful placement and controlled contrast. Send clear, unfiltered source images and he will advise whether the subject and requested size can hold the necessary detail.

Yes. Joshua creates custom Chicano-inspired black and grey work, including lettering, portraiture, religious imagery and larger compositions. Share the symbols, people, words or themes that matter most so they can be developed into an original, balanced design.

Yes, selected cover-ups and reworks are accepted where the scale, subject and darker values can create effective coverage. Send clear, unedited photographs from several angles so Joshua can assess whether direct coverage, a larger design or laser fading is most realistic.

Possibly. Existing work is reviewed case by case because its style, line quality, placement and current condition affect what can be done. Send full and close photographs with the outcome you want, and Joshua will advise whether completion, reworking or a larger composition is appropriate.

Eat a proper meal one to two hours before the appointment and bring water plus a simple snack for longer sessions. Do not arrive fasting; if a medical condition affects eating or blood sugar, follow your clinician’s advice and tell Joshua anything relevant.

Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the appointment and never arrive under the influence. It can dehydrate you, affect judgement and may increase bleeding; heavy drinking should also be avoided while the tattoo is fresh and healing.

Ask before bringing a guest because studio space, privacy and concentration can limit visitors. If a support person is important for accessibility, anxiety or another genuine need, mention this when booking so suitable arrangements can be discussed.

Wear clean, loose clothing that gives easy access to the tattoo area and can tolerate accidental ink marks. Choose dark, practical layers, avoid tight seams over the fresh tattoo and bring a warm outer layer for longer sessions.

Usually, no. Joshua can shave and prepare the area immediately before tattooing; home shaving can cause cuts, razor burn or irritation. Contact him before travelling if the skin is sunburnt, broken, inflamed or affected by a rash.

Do not apply numbing cream unless Joshua has approved the exact product and timing in advance. Some products can change the skin or be unsafe when used incorrectly, so raise pain concerns during booking and follow the product directions and professional advice.

Session length depends on the design, size, placement, detail, skin and how comfortably you sit. Small work may take part of a day, while large tattoos can need a full day or several appointments; Joshua will give the most realistic plan after reviewing the project.

Yes. Headphones, music, podcasts or an audiobook are welcome if you can still hear instructions and the equipment stays clear of the working area. Download content beforehand and keep your device charged for a longer session.

Yes, reasonable breaks are part of longer sessions. Tell Joshua promptly if you feel light-headed, uncomfortable or need to change position; short planned breaks for water, food and movement are usually better than frequent interruptions.

Nearby food options depend on the studio location and appointment time, so bring water and a simple meal or snacks rather than relying on leaving. The confirmed booking details provide the studio location so local options can be checked before travelling.

Short personal clips may be possible, but always ask Joshua first. Filming must not enter the sterile area, distract from the tattoo, show another client or affect privacy; he can suggest a safe moment for a photo or short video.

The surface often settles within two to four weeks, while deeper recovery can continue for several more weeks. Healing varies by placement, size, skin and aftercare; worsening pain, spreading redness, heat, pus or a significant reaction needs prompt medical advice.

Avoid exercise that stretches, rubs or heavily sweats over a fresh tattoo during early healing, and remember shared equipment can increase exposure to bacteria. Return gradually when the area is comfortable, wear loose clothing and ask Joshua for placement-specific timing.

Do not swim or soak a fresh tattoo in pools, spas, baths, saunas, lakes or the ocean. Wait until the surface is fully closed with no scabs, flaking or raw areas; showering is fine when the tattoo is washed and dried as instructed.

Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sun while it heals, using shade or loose clothing rather than sunscreen on open or peeling skin. Once fully healed, regular high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen helps preserve contrast and slow fading.

Use a very thin layer of the fragrance-free moisturiser or aftercare product recommended for your tattoo. Stop using anything that causes increasing redness, burning or a rash, and seek individual advice from a pharmacist or health professional if you have allergies or a skin condition.

The visible surface often settles within two to four weeks, but deeper recovery may take six weeks or longer for large or heavily worked areas. A tattoo is generally healed when there are no scabs, flakes, shiny patches, tenderness or open skin.

Many tattoos can be covered, but darkness, size, colour, age, scar tissue and surrounding space determine the options. A successful cover-up usually needs to be larger and may use darker values or carefully chosen subject matter; send clear, unedited photographs for an assessment.

Black ink can sometimes be incorporated or covered, but solid dark areas restrict what can sit over them. The new design may need more scale, strategic blackwork or laser fading; Joshua will explain what can realistically be disguised after reviewing clear photographs.

Not every cover-up needs laser removal. Fading may help when the existing tattoo is very dark, crowded or limits the new design, but send photographs before starting treatment so Joshua can identify whether any areas would benefit.

Attach clear, unfiltered photographs to the booking enquiry: one straight on, one showing the full body area and several nearby angles. Use even natural light, include approximate measurements and mention raised scar tissue or previous laser treatment.

Contact Joshua as early as possible if you need to cancel. Deposits are non-refundable; with at least 48 hours’ notice they may be transferable under the written booking terms, while late cancellation or non-attendance may result in the deposit being lost.

Contact Joshua immediately if you are running late and give an honest arrival estimate. A delay may shorten the tattooing time or require the session to be moved, and the deposit can be affected under the confirmed booking terms.

Let the tattoo heal fully, then send clear photographs in natural light for assessment. Joshua will decide whether additional work is needed and explain any booking or cost; damage from picking, poor aftercare, sun exposure or another artist may affect eligibility.

Clients must be at least 18 years old to be tattooed in Victoria, and parental permission does not create an exception for ordinary tattooing. The same requirement applies to interstate and overseas clients because the appointment takes place in Melbourne.

Bring current, original government-issued photo identification showing your name, photograph and date of birth, such as a driver licence, proof-of-age card or passport. Screenshots, photos of identification and expired documents may not be accepted.