Frequently Asked Questions:
Appointments
The waiting time, and how far in advance you need to book your appointment will depend on a number of factors, including:
-
Which artist you wish to book with
-
The time of year (local events, public holidays, etc.)
-
Your own availability / flexibility
-
How much time your tattoo will require to complete
Get a good night’s sleep and eat a proper meal before coming in for your tattoo. Make sure to show up on time for your appointment!
Absolutely DO NOT drink alcohol or take any recreational drugs before your appointment. We can’t tattoo you if you're in a state of intoxication. If you are your appointment will be cancelled and your deposit will be forfeited.
If you want up-to-date information on the waiting list for an artist, or the shop in general, please email mmtattoo@iafrica.com or call us on
+27 (21) 423 0688
Cost
Starting price for any small tattoo (no matter how small) is R900.
Tattoos that are estimated to take less than 3 hours will be quoted individually.
Tattoos estimated to require more than 3 hours to complete will be charged at an hourly rate.
Cost is dependent on style, detail, size, and placement on the body. These factors determine the amount of time your artist needs for the appointment.
We can give you an approximate estimate via email if you send through your ideas, preferred size in centimetres, and placement on your body, however some ideas will require an in-person consultation in order to quote accurately. Consultations will be booked via email in accordance with the artist's schedule.
Once you're happy with the quote and wish to proceed, we require a 40% deposit to secure your appointment.
Under The Age Of 18?
We will not tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with parental/guardian consent. It is against South African law to tattoo minors.
Also... getting tattooed while still growing/maturing is a bad idea as the tattoo may distort over time as the body and skin develops.
Hand, Foot, And Throat Tattoos
We do not advise getting tattooed in these areas unless you are already heavily covered. These are very visible areas, get a lot of attention, and can impede your chances of finding employment.
These areas have thinner skin than the rest of your body, making it more difficult to get the ink in between the epidermis and dermis, often causing blowouts (blurry lines).
Even if your tattoo comes out perfectly, it may fade as these areas go through a lot. Your hands are involved in daily tasks, are nearly always exposed to the sun, and are constantly being washed, promoting a quicker cell turnover. Feet are often in socks and/or shoes for long periods of time. Constant friction against your feet can cause abrasion at the site of the tattoo, and the skin to become irritated.
However, if you wish to proceed with a tattoo in any of these areas, you will be given an additional indemnity form to sign acknowledging that you have been warned of these potential repercussions.
Following this, tattoos in these areas do not qualify for free touch ups. If a touch up is needed, the artist will quote and we will charge according to the work required.
Cover Ups
Tattoo cover ups may take multiple appointments to efficiently cover your existing tattoo. Artists are not responsible for any “shadowing” through of older work. A 100% cover up cannot always be guaranteed.
Aftercare
You will be instructed with regard to aftercare in detail at your tattoo appointment. In general, a tattoo will take a few weeks to heal and, in the meantime, should be treated like a sunburn or a scrape.
The bandage your artist places on the tattoo should be left on for several hours at least, as this helps keep out airborne bacteria. Once the bandage is removed, wash the area with warm water and a gentle, non-scented soap. It’s best to use your bare hands for this, and not a cloth or anything else which might be overly abrasive. You can definitely shower with a new tattoo, just avoid soaking it in water; So pools, hot tubs and ocean swimming are off the cards for the first two weeks.
After a few days the skin over and around your tattoo will begin to flake and peel – let this happen naturally. Avoid picking or scratching. The itching may be really annoying, but it just means your body is healing properly!