Questions, answered

Absolutely. You don’t need a finished idea, since our artists create every design themselves: a mood, a theme or a rough placement is enough to start. If you already have a clear vision, that’s great too, so send it our way. Either way, you’ll work out the details together with your artist. Share what you like in art, style and mood, and your artist will suggest options or help you find the idea yourself. References help a lot: other tattoos, paintings, photos, anything that inspires you. They’re not what we’ll copy, just a starting point for something made for you. Giving your artist some creative freedom often leads to the best results, and a consultation is free in most cases.

Yes, we take a non-refundable deposit to secure your appointment, and it goes toward the final price of your tattoo. It reserves your artist’s time, so that slot is held just for you and isn’t offered to anyone else. If you need to reschedule, most artists will move your appointment with enough advance notice, but policies vary, so please check with your artist directly.

We’re primarily an appointment-based studio, so we don’t have an artist dedicated to walk-ins. That said, we do our best to accommodate them. If an artist is available when you stop by, they may be able to tattoo you the same day. In some cases, an artist can come in within an hour or so.
Walk-in tattoos follow our shop minimum of $200, though we occasionally run special events and flash days with different pricing. Follow us on Instagram so you don’t miss them. For the best chance of getting in, message us before you come.

You must be 18 or older, and we’ll ask for a valid government-issued photo ID at your appointment. California law doesn’t allow tattooing minors, even with parental consent, so there are no exceptions.

Every tattoo is custom, so pricing depends on size, placement, level of detail, and the artist. Fine line and micro-realism pieces take precision and time, and the price reflects that. Some artists work by the hour (from $150/hr) or quote a flat rate for a piece. Our shop minimum is $200. Once you submit a booking request, your artist will review your idea and send you a personalized quote before anything is confirmed.

We accept cash, Zelle, and Venmo. For international clients, PayPal is also available. Some artists may accept additional payment methods, so feel free to check with yours directly.

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s always appreciated. If you’re happy with your experience, a tip of 15-20% is customary. You can tip in cash or through any of our accepted payment methods.

Yes! MIRAI gift cards make a perfect gift for anyone dreaming of a new tattoo. They’re available in any amount and can be used with any of our artists. Contact us to purchase one, and we’ll send you a beautifully designed digital card.

Please reschedule. Tattooing while you’re sick can slow healing and makes the session harder on your body, and we also want to keep our artists and other clients healthy. Sunburned or peeling skin can’t be tattooed, so avoid tanning and protect the area from the sun for at least two weeks before your appointment.
If you’re not feeling well, let your artist know as early as possible so they can reschedule your session. Each artist has their own cancellation and deposit policy, including how much notice they need, so please check with yours directly.

Absolutely. Reference photos, sketches, Pinterest boards, or a painting you love all help us understand your vision. Just attach them to your booking request. Your artist will then create an original design based on your ideas, adapted to your body, placement, and their own style. We don’t copy another artist’s tattoo exactly, but we’re happy to use it as inspiration for something uniquely yours.

It depends on the artist. Some prepare your design in advance and review it with you beforehand. Others prefer to share it on the day of your session. This protects their original artwork and makes it easier to adjust details together in person.
For larger projects, the design is usually prepared in advance, often during a separate design session. Some artists also charge a design fee if you’d like to see the design early or own the artwork. Pricing for both varies by artist, so please check with yours directly.

Artists usually mark each flash piece as either repeatable or one-of-a-kind. Repeatable designs can be tattooed more than once, while one-of-a-kind pieces are tattooed only once and then retired. Check the details on each design to see which it is.
Browse our current flash in the Available Designs tab, where you can also try designs on your skin to see how they look in different placements and sizes.

Yes, of course! Just keep in mind that a cover-up usually needs to be noticeably larger than the original tattoo. That doesn’t mean it has to be dark or heavy. A larger piece lets the artist shift the contrast and work the old tattoo into the new design, balancing darker areas with plenty of lighter detail.
Style matters too. Delicate fine line work generally isn’t the best choice for covering an existing tattoo, so look for an artist whose style suits cover-ups. Send us a photo of your current tattoo with your booking request, and we’ll help match you with the right artist.

Often, yes. Scars should be fully healed, usually at least a year old, and stretch marks are best tattooed once they’ve faded to white or silver. Scar tissue can take ink differently, so results may vary and a touch-up might be needed. We don’t tattoo directly over moles, but we can design around them so they stay easy to monitor. Send your artist a photo of the area when booking, and they’ll let you know what’s possible.

Yes. Color tattoos can look beautiful on every skin tone when the palette is chosen with your skin in mind. On deeper skin tones, very light or pastel shades may show more subtly, so your artist may suggest bolder colors or stronger contrast. Check your artist’s healed work to see how their color settles on different skin tones.

Come well-rested, stay hydrated, and eat a good meal beforehand. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before, and skip coffee that morning if you can. If you’ve booked in advance, prep your skin in the days leading up: moisturize the area regularly, and gently exfoliate a few days before (not on the day itself) so your skin isn’t irritated. Well-prepared skin takes ink better, holds fine detail, and heals more smoothly.
Wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed, and bring a nice outfit for photos after your session. You can also ask your artist if they have a preferred color palette for their photos.
Food: Eat a good meal before you come in. For longer sessions, bring snacks or plan to order something. Staying fueled helps your body handle the process and makes the whole experience more comfortable.
After your session, follow the aftercare instructions from your artist (see our Aftercare section). Every artist has their own recommendations, so please check with yours as well.

Of course! You’re welcome to bring a friend for moral support. Just please don’t bring the whole family reunion. Our space is designed to stay calm and focused, so we kindly ask that you keep it to one guest.

A little, but most clients find it much easier than they expected. How it feels depends on placement, your personal pain tolerance, and how prepared you are. Areas close to bone, like ribs, ankles, and the spine, tend to be more sensitive. Getting a good night’s sleep, eating a solid meal beforehand, and bringing something to distract you (music, a podcast, a show) can make a big difference.

We don’t tattoo during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Some medications, such as blood thinners, isotretinoin (Accutane), and certain antibiotics, can affect bleeding and healing. If you’re taking any medication or have a medical condition, please check with your doctor and let your artist know when booking.

In general we prefer not to use numbing cream. It can change the texture of the skin, which makes it harder to work especially with fine line or microrealism style and can add time to your session. For most small tattoos, it’s simply not needed. The discomfort is usually much milder than people expect.
If you’re getting a larger piece, tattooing a more sensitive area, or have a very low pain tolerance, talk to your artist beforehand and decide together.
If the session becomes uncomfortable along the way, most artists can apply a numbing spray, such as Bactine with lidocaine, once they’ve confirmed you’re not allergic to it.
Please never apply numbing cream without telling your artist first, and don’t use products from unknown brands!!

Some areas heal less predictably than others, and fine details there may fade or blur faster. These include fingers, palms, the sides of hands and feet, lips, and other spots with a lot of friction or thick skin. We can still tattoo many of these areas, but healing results aren’t guaranteed and touch-ups may not be included. Your artist will let you know if a placement isn’t the best fit for your design and suggest alternatives.

Most artists offer a free touch-up within a set period after your session. It’s their way of making sure you leave with a tattoo that looks great once healed.
Once your tattoo is fully healed, send your artist a photo. If everything healed well, they’ll let you know. If any areas need a little extra work, you can schedule a touch-up appointment.
It’s best to come in soon after healing. Exceptions can be made, for example if you live out of town, but timing and policies vary by artist, so please check with yours directly.

All our artists are trained in proper technique and know how to apply each tattoo at the right depth, so your tattoo heals and ages well regardless of style. The idea that fine line tattoos don’t last is a common myth.
Fine line work is usually placed a little shallower than traditional tattoos, so it may heal slightly lighter. Many clients love that delicate look. If you prefer a bolder, darker result, just let your artist know before your session. And if you’d like it a little darker after healing, you can always book your free touch-up.
All our artists share healed work on their profiles, so you can see exactly how their tattoos settle over time. We recommend checking it out before booking.
Prepare your skin well, keep it moisturized, and follow your aftercare, and your tattoo will stay beautiful for years to come.