What are your hours?
San Luis Tattoo Co. is a private, appointment-only studio, so there are no set hours.
If you are interested in getting tattooed, please add your email to my waitlist.
How far out are you booked?
I'm currently only allowing my schedule to be booked out for 4 months at any given time. Once you sign up for my waitlist, you will receive an email from my assistant when it's your turn to get on the schedule.
What kind of tattoos do you do?
In order for me to take on a tattoo idea, it must be something that lends itself to being executed in my style. I give priority to classic traditional subject matter, such as: lady heads, animals, roses, birds, daggers, butterflies, skulls, etc.
Please take a look at my tattoo portfolio page to get a feel for my traditional/illustrative style and what I like to draw.
Basically, I need to design it in order to tattoo it. The only exception to this is tattoo flash. If you want something off of the wall here at the shop, I'm happy to do that for you.
*I'm currently not accepting requests for face, hands, fingers, or necks without a consultation and will address these on a case-by-case basis.
Regarding Madonna Inn goblet tattoos...
One of my favorite tattoos to do!
Being that they are one of my flash designs, they do not require any draw time on my end. Which allows me to fit them in my schedule sooner than custom tattoos. At the moment, I'm setting aside two days per month dedicated to tattooing goblets.
Goblets are $250 each. They measure roughly 3" in height. (However I can shrink them if need be)
I'm willing to do them in almost any color, granted that it's a color of ink that I have.
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
Please bring cash to your appointment for payment.
What is your hourly rate?
Single-session tattoos are priced by the piece. A palm-sized tattoo is $300 and a hand-sized tattoo is $500. (Placement can affect price)
For reference, my hand is about 7"x4".
For larger tattoos, I charge an hourly rate of $250/hr.
What Is your minimum?
$250
How long is my tattoo going to take?
There are several factors that will affect the amount of time a tattoo will take to complete, including size, placement, skin type, color vs. black and grey, how still you sit, etc. For example, a tattoo placed on a ribcage could take twice as long as that same tattoo placed on a calf, due to the variation in skin elasticity and workability.
Since some of these factors won't be known until the tattooing process has begun, it's difficult to give an exact estimate.
I will mention that I am a very efficient tattooer and can get a lot done in a short amount of time.
What if I need to reschedule my appointment?
From time to time, things come up that may require an appointment to be rescheduled. As long as notice is given ONE WEEK in advance, your deposit will remain valid and will count toward the new booking. Less notice will result in a forfeiture of the deposit and another one will be required to set a new date.
Click here to read the full deposit policy.
Can you send me the drawing ahead of time?
No. I draw for each days appointments that same morning. Artwork will not be sent via email. If you arrive at your appointment and feel you'd like changes to be made to the drawing, they will be addressed and made at that time.
Can I bring friends/family with me?
Ideally, I prefer that clients come alone to their appointment to minimize distractions. However, if you want someone to be with you, please limit it to one guest. No children please.
Do you do cover-ups?
Cover-up tattoos are done on a case by case basis. Cover-up designs need to be drawn specifically for covering your existing tattoo. In order to successfully cover an existing tattoo, it may require a session(s) of laser treatment in order to broaden the options you have for the new tattoo.
I recommend Open Canvas Laser (www.opencanvaslaser.com), here in SLO for any treatments that may be needed. They specialize in this type of lightening/removal and we consult with each other during the process. You may not even need the tattoo covered, if you wish to continue with laser treatments and have the tattoo completely removed.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TATTOO APPOINTMENT
Consider following these suggestions to ensure the ideal tattoo experience.
1. SLEEP. Get a sufficient amount of sleep. Not only the night before, but each night the whole week leading up to the tattoo. Your body needs it.
2. EAT. Avoid being in a calorie deficit going into the tattoo session. Eat plenty of food the week leading up to the tattoo and especially the day of.
3. HYDRATE. Drink plenty of water prior to getting tattooed. Ideally, water with electrolytes like spring water or mineral water.
4. NO ALCOHOL. The entire week leading up to the tattoo.
5. TAKE THE DAY OFF. Try not to have too much going on that day. Give your body the opportunity to rest and heal afterward.
6. PREP YOUR SKIN. In the week leading up to the tattoo, wash, exfoliate, and lotion the skin in that area daily. Especially if it's your hands, elbows, or knees. Dry, calloused skin makes for a difficult tattoo and a rough heal, so do yourself this favor.
7. CLOTHING. Wear clothing that is comfortable, loose fitting, and that you wouldn't mind getting ink stains on, because that's very likely. The clothing you wear should make the area to be tattooed accessible.
8. BRING A TOWEL. You may want to bring a clean, freshly washed towel to maximize your comfort. I use medical drape sheets over my massage table and although they provide a clean barrier, they aren't super plush. Bringing your own towel to lay over the sheet might help.
9. COMMUNICATE. Please let me know if you have any unique conditions or needs that I should be aware of while tattooing you. This includes injuries, skin conditions, allergies or anything you think would be important to address before the tattoo starts. (Check with your doctor if you feel your unique condition might need a professional opinion before getting tattooed.)
10. TAKE A SHOWER. Arriving freshly showered will help minimize the chance of developing an infection. There are all kinds of bacteria that can live on your skin, so make sure to wash those away thoroughly. Plus a warm shower can help you relax before the tattoo session.
11. TO SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE? I've had clients in the past who have taken the liberty of shaving the area before coming in for their tattoo. PLEASE DO NOT SHAVE YOURSELF. It can irritate the skin. I prefer to do the shaving immediately before starting the tattoo. However, if you have thick, long hair in that area, it would be very appreciated if you took some trimmers to it and knocked it down to a short length. This makes shaving much easier on my end.
1. SLEEP. Get a sufficient amount of sleep. Not only the night before, but each night the whole week leading up to the tattoo. Your body needs it.
2. EAT. Avoid being in a calorie deficit going into the tattoo session. Eat plenty of food the week leading up to the tattoo and especially the day of.
3. HYDRATE. Drink plenty of water prior to getting tattooed. Ideally, water with electrolytes like spring water or mineral water.
4. NO ALCOHOL. The entire week leading up to the tattoo.
5. TAKE THE DAY OFF. Try not to have too much going on that day. Give your body the opportunity to rest and heal afterward.
6. PREP YOUR SKIN. In the week leading up to the tattoo, wash, exfoliate, and lotion the skin in that area daily. Especially if it's your hands, elbows, or knees. Dry, calloused skin makes for a difficult tattoo and a rough heal, so do yourself this favor.
7. CLOTHING. Wear clothing that is comfortable, loose fitting, and that you wouldn't mind getting ink stains on, because that's very likely. The clothing you wear should make the area to be tattooed accessible.
8. BRING A TOWEL. You may want to bring a clean, freshly washed towel to maximize your comfort. I use medical drape sheets over my massage table and although they provide a clean barrier, they aren't super plush. Bringing your own towel to lay over the sheet might help.
9. COMMUNICATE. Please let me know if you have any unique conditions or needs that I should be aware of while tattooing you. This includes injuries, skin conditions, allergies or anything you think would be important to address before the tattoo starts. (Check with your doctor if you feel your unique condition might need a professional opinion before getting tattooed.)
10. TAKE A SHOWER. Arriving freshly showered will help minimize the chance of developing an infection. There are all kinds of bacteria that can live on your skin, so make sure to wash those away thoroughly. Plus a warm shower can help you relax before the tattoo session.
11. TO SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE? I've had clients in the past who have taken the liberty of shaving the area before coming in for their tattoo. PLEASE DO NOT SHAVE YOURSELF. It can irritate the skin. I prefer to do the shaving immediately before starting the tattoo. However, if you have thick, long hair in that area, it would be very appreciated if you took some trimmers to it and knocked it down to a short length. This makes shaving much easier on my end.
AFTERCARE
Change your sheets. Put on a fresh set of sheets/bedding. Wear loose, clean pjs or garments to bed to avoid ink getting on your sheets the first couple nights.
Remove bandage the next day.
With clean hands, thoroughly wash the tattoo with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a clean paper towel and then let the tattoo air-dry. (Repeat this washing of the tattoo daily until fully healed).
During the weeping stage (the first two days) there Is no need to moisturize the tattoo. Once the tattoo starts to feel dry and tight (typically on the 3rd or 4th day), start applying a small amount of fragrance-free lotion as needed. I recommend Aveeno, non-scented.
Lightly lotion the tattoo (using clean hands) when needed until it is fully healed.
Do not soak the new tattoo In water. Soaking can dry out the tattoo and encourage scabbing. This means no bathtubs, swimming pools, etc. Keep showers short. Do continue to wash the tattoo once daily.
If you have pets, be mindful of their hair and dander. Avoid their direct contact with the tattoo. I can't believe I have to say it, but don't let your animal lick the tattoo. They will try.
Avoid direct sunlight on the tattoo until it is fully healed. Ideally, if you can keep it out of the sun for a few months, do it.
It's going to itch while it's healing. Do not pick or scratch your new tattoo. The top layer should flake off like a sunburn. If scabbing occurs, let the scabs fall off naturally.
After your tattoo Is fully healed, it is recommended to use a high SPF sunblock, when exposed to sunlight, to help keep the colors bright and prevent premature aging of the tattoo.
Remove bandage the next day.
With clean hands, thoroughly wash the tattoo with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a clean paper towel and then let the tattoo air-dry. (Repeat this washing of the tattoo daily until fully healed).
During the weeping stage (the first two days) there Is no need to moisturize the tattoo. Once the tattoo starts to feel dry and tight (typically on the 3rd or 4th day), start applying a small amount of fragrance-free lotion as needed. I recommend Aveeno, non-scented.
Lightly lotion the tattoo (using clean hands) when needed until it is fully healed.
Do not soak the new tattoo In water. Soaking can dry out the tattoo and encourage scabbing. This means no bathtubs, swimming pools, etc. Keep showers short. Do continue to wash the tattoo once daily.
If you have pets, be mindful of their hair and dander. Avoid their direct contact with the tattoo. I can't believe I have to say it, but don't let your animal lick the tattoo. They will try.
Avoid direct sunlight on the tattoo until it is fully healed. Ideally, if you can keep it out of the sun for a few months, do it.
It's going to itch while it's healing. Do not pick or scratch your new tattoo. The top layer should flake off like a sunburn. If scabbing occurs, let the scabs fall off naturally.
After your tattoo Is fully healed, it is recommended to use a high SPF sunblock, when exposed to sunlight, to help keep the colors bright and prevent premature aging of the tattoo.