FAQS

Patong is a beach resort town on the west coast of Phuket Island, facing the Andaman Sea in the southwest of Thailand. Its sandy, crescent beach is lined with cafes, restaurants and bars. The famously raucous nightlife scene features beer bars, nightclubs, massage parlours and cabarets that overflow into the street along neon-lit Bangla Road and in the Patong OTOP Shopping Paradise complex, which is where our Phuket studio is located.

If you are not so much into the party scene, there is much more on offer nearby, like quad biking, island hopping, paragliding, jet-skiing, snorkelling, viewpoints and getting immersed in the wonderful Thai culture.

The answer is yes, for most people. Some lucky individuals don’t seem to feel much and fall asleep during their appointment, and we are jealous of those people. A 3/10 on the pain scale is similar to a sunburn for the majority. This will also depend on the amount of time you are in the chair and where you are being tattooed on your body. The most painful areas are usually ribs, feet, back of knees, armpits, groin and the head. All bodies have a different tolerance level, and we do our very best to ensure you are comfortable. This includes snacks on hand, air
conditioning throughout the building, regular breaks, and keeping sessions between 4-6 hours.

We do sell numbing cream in our studio, but we want you to have all the information before deciding whether to use it.

Some artists advise against it as it can give your skin a different texture, making it harder for the artist to deposit ink into the dermis layer of your skin. (This is the only layer the ink must sit for the tattoo to stay crisp and not expand to cause what we call a ‘blowout’.)
It can also leave a slippery layer on the top of your skin which could cause the stencil to wipe off easily. This means, after only a few minutes of tattooing, the artist can no longer see the guidelines he needs to follow. And lastly, your body has not eased into the pain, and the cream will wear off at some point. Some users have said being hit with the pain all at once was much worse.

We do understand that numbing the tattoo pain is worth these risks to many customers, and the decision is only yours to make. Our numbing cream available is of the highest quality, and many customers have called it a godsend.

If you would like to purchase OR use your numbing cream for your appointment, we need to know in advance.

It’s essential that you arrive at your appointment well-rested, hydrated, and eat a good meal beforehand. Please also consider the close contact you will have with the artist, so take a shower directly before you arrive and also charge up your phone/tablet.

We will provide drinks, snacks and hydration sachets in the studio, but it’s always best to bring a few that you know you like. Being tattooed can lower your blood sugar, so it’s essential not only for comfort but also for your body. Make sure your phone/tablet is fully charged, and bring your charger. Don’t forget your passport and your chosen payment method.

Wear something comfortable and baggy, with access to the area you have tattooed if possible. If this is not possible (chest, groin areas, etc.), we will provide blankets to protect your dignity, and our studio also has a private tattooing room when available.

Send us a message, and we can help you. If you want to be covered in tattoos eventually, it’s best to think ahead and plan for larger pieces. If you get smaller pieces here and there but eventually want full sleeves, you run the risk of designs not fitting together and looking like a puzzle. Plan ahead and save the money needed to tackle large pieces on your visits.

Google and Pinterest are great tools to browse and get inspiration in terms of design. Our artists are some of the bestin Asia, but they are not mind readers. It would help if you had some idea of what you’re looking for, for them to bring it to life.

Make sure to avoid turning up to any of your sessions:

• Drunk
• High
• No passport
• Pregnant
• Sunburned
• Pre-surgery
• Post-surgery
• Un showered
• Unable to afford the cost
• Being pressured into it by someone else

We require a small deposit to secure your tattoo booking. The amount will be discussed by the team member you are speaking with either online or in the studio. Once you begin your tattoo, we ask for part of the payment to be settled after each session or full payment once the tattoo is complete for smaller pieces.

Your tattooist provides a service, and if you think that service was worth a tip, they would always be honoured and happy to accept.

All of our tattoo supplies are disposable where possible, and we use the highest quality needles, ink and wraps. Everything else is sterilised before and after. Therefore we use almost the same amount of expensive equipment for a small tattoo as we do for a large tattoo in any session. There is a minimum charge, but it will vary between our studios in different countries. Please get in touch with a team member to discuss this further.

The amount we charge reflects our artists’ expertise and the luxury experience you receive from the moment you walk into our studio. We create beautifully unique artwork custom for you that will last your entire life.

We would always encourage you to make a booking before the date you want tattooing. This will not only ensure that we have the space to fit you in, but also we can give you the information you need for your appointment. A tattoo is on your body for life and should always have planning behind it.

We are aware this is not always possible, especially when on holiday, so do feel free to pop in and chat with our welcoming staff as we will always do our best to accommodate you.

Please do everything in your power not to be late as it can cause many problems. If you have an emergency, please get in touch with the studio directly as early as possible.

If this happens, your artist will have missed a full day’s work and be compensated with your deposit. This can also cause significant problems if you have a limited time (i.e., on holiday) and now do not have enough days left to complete your whole piece. Please do everything you can to show up on time for your appointment. If you genuinely cannot make it, please let us know as early as possible by contacting the studio location direct.

At ink.inc, we strictly adhere to local tattooing regulations, which require all clients to be 18 years or older. Regardless of appearance, we will request a valid passport upon arrival to confirm age.

We have an entire section on tattoo aftercare advice. Please see here.

We follow the UK Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 where the age of consent prohibits tattooing of anyone under the age of 18 years.

We will be ask you for proof of age (you’ll need to bring your passport or driving licence) to ensure you are over the age of 18 before being tattooed in any of our studios.

We may require to keep a photocopy of this proof for our records.

Here’s five important tips before getting your ink.inc tattoo:

1. Sleep well.
   Before your studio appointment, always ensure you are well-rested.
2. Eat well.
   Your body will be going through prolonged trauma and will need adequate nutrients to prevent you from feeling unwell during your appointment. It will also help it to heal.
3. Bring snacks.
   If you have booked a long session, bring sugary snacks to help curb any dizziness or nausea that can happen on occasion.
4. Avoid alcohol or drugs.
   These substances can thin your blood, meaning your skin will bleed more, making it harder for the artist to see where they are placing the ink and could compromise the quality of your tattoo.
5. Stay hydrated.
   Hydration will help with the healing process and significantly increase your comfort level during the tattoo session.

If you have any other questions about how to prepare or what to expect, please contact us

Your tattoo will typically take 2-3 weeks to heal completely, depending on the size of the tattoo, the location of the tattoo on your body, and your individual body’s reaction to getting the tattoo.

We have put together a detailed aftercare plan that contains more information on what to expect and what you’ll need to do each day for the best healing.

Read the aftercare guide here.

Yes! While you may feel a little hesitant to get your tattoo, especially if it’s your first piece of body art, you can rest assured that ink.inc uses extremely strict steps to ensure safe and sterile environments. Our hygiene standards are industry leading, and each of our studios follow the same stringent safety practices.

Our management team and tattoo artists all have years of experience, and will consult with you on the best placement of your tattoo, tailoring advice based on your skin type and any pre-existing conditions discussed during our consultation.

You can learn more about our studios and tattoo safety best practices here.