How old do you have to be to get a tattoo?

In the state of California, you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo. There is no parental consent for minors.

Do you take walk-ins?

We take walk-ins if we have availability. All of our artists typically book by appointment, but there are timeframes throughout the day when an artist may be free and will gladly take a walk-in.

Do you offer consultations?

Of course! A lot of us focus on custom tattooing and creating unique designs based off our client’s ideas. What better way to make sure we are all on the same page than to speak in person. Typically, your artist will set up an in-person consultation time with you after you’ve contacted them about starting a project.

How much will my tattoo cost?

Our shop minimum is $100, but the price can go up substantially from there on that full body piece we know you’re inquiring about ;)

Every artist at Emaki bases their prices on an hourly rate. The hourly rate differs by artist. During your consultation or after going over your design, the artist should be able to give you a general idea of how long they believe the project will take.

Deposits are required. Every artist has a specific way of handling their deposits. A deposit is required because as soon as the appointment is booked, the artist will be spending time on designing and finalizing your custom piece. Deposits help cover our time in the case of a client not following through their appoint without proper notice of cancellation to their artist. Deposits do come off the total price upon completion of the tattoo.

Can I bring a friend with me to my tattoo appointment?

You are more than welcome to bring a friend with you to your tattoo appointment. We understand that the process can be intimidating or down right scary. Having a support system with you can be very helpful. We would ask that you only consider bringing 1 friend with you as space can be limited in each of the artist’s booths and we want to be able to focus on any requests or conversation you have with the artist.

Is the shop an inclusive space?

Yes! We pride ourselves in being a very inclusive space. We want everyone to feel welcomed in our shop without the fear of being judged or not taken seriously. We welcome anyone from any community in our shop. We want to make sure our services are accessible to everyone, regardless of orientation, skin tone, body type, or neurodivergence.

What should I bring with me?

You definitely need to bring your govt issued ID and any references you may feel are important for your artist to see. Depending on the placement of your tattoo, you may want to bring a change of clothes that can accommodate the artist working in a certain area (& don’t wear your favorite t-shirt!).

Beyond that, we encourage you to bring a pillow (even though pillows are provided by the shop, we know you may be partial to yours!) and a personal blanket if it will make you feel comfortable. You can bring headphones and snacks. We have a refrigerator for drinks or food you wish to keep cold. If you have any special requests or questions, feel free to reach out and we will try to accommodate you in any way we can.

I haven’t been feeling well - should I reschedule?

Yes. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are feeling unwell or possibly getting sick. When you’re sick your immune system being lower could potentially lead to having a harder time healing your tattoo - but you also put us at risk of missing future appointments. This can disrupt our schedules.

I recently had a medical procedure - is this okay?

Always consult with your physician if you’ve had a recent medical procedure on when it’s okay to get tattooed again. Tattooing is a procedure which takes a toll on your body. Coupling that with other medical procedures can effect how well your body heals the tattoo.

I am pregnant or breastfeeding, can I still get tattooed?

You should not be getting tattooed if you are pregnant. We would strongly recommend that you wait to get tattooed until after your breastfeeding journey is over.

Are your inks vegan?

Yes. Most inks are made from high quality vegan ingredients that are free of carcinogens, mutagens, or preservatives.

Do you offer piercings?

No. Our shop does not offer piercings.

What should I do to prepare for my tattoo appointment?

Eat! Please make sure to eat prior to your appointment. It is a good idea to eat before getting a tattoo. This is when your pain tolerance is at its highest. Making sure you’ve had a good meal before the appointment will help maintain energy levels and reduce the risk of feeling lightheaded or dizzy during the process.

Be dressed in mind for where you’re getting tattooed. Don’t come into the shop in a onesie if you’re getting your ribcage tattooed or biker boots if you’re getting your foot tattooed.

Otherwise, some general notes - numbing cream is handled on a case by case basis. Talk with your artist. Each artist may recommend a different product based on their own personal experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all numbing cream - but each artist will try to accommodate you the best way they can if pain is something you are sincerely concerned about.