FAQ

We don’t give price quotes over the phone. There are too many variables—like size, detail, and placement—that impact the cost of a tattoo. The most accurate way to get a quote is to stop by the shop and speak with one of our artists in person.

For smaller pieces, we can usually give you a general price range during a quick consultation. Larger or multi-session tattoos are typically priced hourly, at a rate of $180–$200 per hour, depending on the artist. Our shop minimum is $100 per tattoo.

Yes, we welcome walk-ins! Feel free to stop by or give us a call to check artist availability. If your tattoo is small and can be designed quickly, we’ll do our best to get you in the same day. Walk-ins are always first come, first served.

If you have a specific time or day in mind—or if you’re planning a larger, custom piece—we strongly recommend booking an appointment. This allows your artist the time needed to design something unique and make sure your session is fully prepared.

The easiest way to book is to stop by the shop in person. You’re welcome to come in, meet our artists, talk through your tattoo idea, ask questions and get a feel for who may be the best fit. Consultations are always free, and there’s no obligation to book.

If you’d rather get the process started online, you can also fill out our Booking Request Form. This gives us some basic information about your tattoo idea, placement, size and artist preference so we can better assist you and help point you in the right direction.

When you’re ready to schedule your appointment, we require a minimum $100 cash deposit. Your deposit will be applied toward the final cost of your tattoo.

Please note that all deposits are non-refundable. To avoid losing your deposit, please notify us of any changes or cancellations at least 24 hours in advance.

We require a deposit to respect and protect our artists’ time. Creating a custom tattoo—whether it takes minutes or hours—requires preparation, planning, and design work in advance of your appointment.

The deposit serves as a commitment to your appointment and helps prevent no-shows or last-minute cancellations. It ensures our artists are compensated for the time and effort they put into your piece, even before the needle hits the skin.

Before Your Appointment

• Eat a good meal, stay hydrated, and get a good night’s sleep. Getting tattooed can be physically demanding, and you’ll have a much better experience if you arrive well-rested, well-fed, hydrated, and with well-moisturized skin. Avoid applying lotion to the area on the day of your appointment.
• Try to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Alcohol can increase bleeding and may affect the tattooing process.
• Do not use numbing cream unless you have discussed it with your artist beforehand. Numbing products can alter the texture and condition of the skin and may affect how the skin takes ink and heals.
• Need something for discomfort? Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally okay to take as directed before your appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the area being tattooed and that you don’t mind getting ink on.
• Feel free to bring snacks, water, headphones, or a tablet if you’ll be with us for a longer session.

Please Contact Us Before Your Appointment If You:

• Are currently taking Accutane (isotretinoin) or have taken it within the past 6–12 months.
• Take prescription blood thinners.
• Have diabetes or another medical condition that may affect healing.
• Have an active skin condition (sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, rash, or infection) in the area being tattooed.
• Are currently taking antibiotics.
• Are feeling ill or have a fever.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have started a new medication or have any other medical concerns.

Many of these situations simply require a quick conversation or a rescheduled appointment. We’d much rather help you plan ahead than discover an issue on the day of your appointment.

Need to Reschedule?

If you have a scheduling conflict, please call us at (480) 632-5485 at least 24 hours before your appointment. We’ll be happy to assist you.
Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, missed appointments, or no-shows may result in the loss of your deposit.

Our artists are typically booked throughout the day, so it’s common for your design to be finalized the same day as your appointment. In most cases, your artist will have already started or completed a rough draft ahead of time, and you’ll have the opportunity to review and give input before the tattoo begins. This ensures the final design is exactly what you want.

Depending on the complexity of your tattoo, there may be some wait time while the design is finalized and prepared. We recommend bringing a book, headphones, or something to help pass the time comfortably.

Please keep in mind—quality tattoos take time. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we focus on creating something lasting and exceptional.

No. Even with parental consent, we never tattoo anyone under the age of 18.

No. We are strictly a tattoo shop.

Check out our contact page for a map and directions to the shop

Call us at (480) 632-5485

2401 E. Baseline Road, Suite 108, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm & Sunday Closed

Your safety is our highest priority. At Black Lotus Tattooers, we follow strict health and safety protocols designed to provide a clean, safe, and professional tattooing environment.

All of our artists are certified in Bloodborne Pathogens training and are trained in proper infection prevention and cross-contamination control.

We use high-quality, single-use, pre-sterilized disposable needles, cartridges, tubes, grips, razors, ink caps, and other disposable supplies whenever possible. After each tattoo, all single-use items are immediately discarded in approved sharps or medical waste containers. All sharps are safely collected and disposed of by a licensed biomedical waste service.

Every workstation is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between every client using professional medical-grade disinfectants. All surfaces that may come into contact with equipment or gloved hands are disinfected, and artists wear a new pair of single-use nitrile gloves for every procedure, changing gloves whenever necessary throughout the tattoo process.

We believe professionalism extends beyond the tattoo itself. In addition to maintaining rigorous safety standards, Black Lotus Tattooers carries both general and professional liability insurance, providing an added level of protection for our studio, our artists, and our clients.

TRADITIONAL AFTERCARE

After 2 hours, wash your hands and carefully remove the wrap applied after your service. Do not re-bandage.

CLEAN + MOISTURIZE

1. Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
2. Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free, dye-free soap. Use only your clean hands. Do not scrub.
3. Rinse thoroughly and pat completely dry with a clean paper towel.
4. Allow the tattoo to air dry for a few minutes.
5. Apply a very thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment and gently rub it in until absorbed. Your tattoo should not feel greasy or heavily coated.

Wash your tattoo approximately twice daily while it is healing. Apply a small amount of aftercare product as needed to prevent excessive dryness.

Some redness, tenderness and swelling are normal with a fresh tattoo. During the first few days, your tattoo may also weep small amounts of plasma, blood or ink. As healing progresses, it will begin to dry, itch, peel and flake. This is all part of the normal healing process.
Do not scratch, pick or peel your tattoo. Let the skin shed naturally.

WHILE YOUR TATTOO IS HEALING

• Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
• Do not scrub or use anything abrasive.
• Do not soak in baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes or other bodies of water.
• Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds.
• Avoid tight clothing or anything that rubs against the tattoo.
• Do not use tanning oils, lotions or sunscreen on the tattoo until it has healed.

Once healed, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher whenever your tattoo is exposed to the sun.

DERM SHIELD / SANIDERM AFTERCARE

Your artist may have used an adhesive bandage designed to protect your tattoo during the initial healing process. Derm Shield and Saniderm are transparent, breathable adhesive bandages often referred to as “second skin.”

LEAVE DERM SHIELD IN PLACE

Leave Derm Shield in place for the length of time recommended by your artist, typically 3–5 days. Depending on your tattoo and the amount of fluid beneath the bandage, your artist may recommend removing it sooner or leaving it in place for several days.
It is normal for plasma, blood and excess ink to collect underneath the bandage, especially during the first day or two. This may create a fluid pocket beneath the film. Some redness, tenderness and swelling are also normal with a fresh tattoo.

REMOVE DERM SHIELD EARLY IF:

• The bandage begins to leak.
• The seal breaks and exposes any part of the tattoo.
• Water gets underneath the bandage.
• You develop significant redness, itching, burning or irritation around the adhesive.

REMOVING DERM SHIELD

1. Wash your hands.
2. Gently peel the Derm Shield slowly back over itself, rather than pulling it straight up and away from the skin. Removal may be easier under lukewarm running water.
3. Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free, dye-free soap.
4. Pat completely dry with a clean paper towel and allow the tattoo to air dry for a few minutes.
5. Apply a very thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment or moisturizer as needed.

Once Derm Shield has been removed, continue with traditional aftercare until the tattoo has finished healing.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

We sell everything you need to properly care for your new tattoo. If you have any questions or concerns about how your tattoo is healing, please give us a call at (480) 632-5485