FAQs & Policies
Booking
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Yes! I require a $150 non-refundable deposit that will go toward the final cost of your tattoo. All deposits go through my CoCreate or Square booking portal. I will never ask for deposits elsewhere!
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Deposits are always non-refundable!
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I accommodate small tweaks, but excessive changes may require a total concept review. If the design moves outside my style or comfort level, I will respectfully step away from the project. Deposits ($150) are non-refundable, but walking away is always better than carrying a permanent tattoo you don't absolutely love.
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I work Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays! I do NOT work weekends.
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My sessions start at 11 a.m. and typically wrap up by 5 or 6 p.m. For larger projects, I split the work across multiple sessions. This is standard industry practice to allow proper healing, make budgeting easier, and prevent fatigue. While I understand wanting to finish quickly, tattoos should never be rushed. To ensure you get my absolute best work, I do not work past my scheduled hours.
Session Details
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The week leading up to the appointment I recommend drinking lots of water and moisturizing the area thats going to be tattooed! Try not to drink alcohol the night before and avoid omega/fish-oil supplements for a day or two if you can (these two things can make folks bleed more)!
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Please bring a valid ID and wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the tattoo area. I highly recommend bringing snacks to keep your blood sugar up. To pass the time and stay comfortable, feel free to bring entertainment (books, tablets, etc.) as well as clean blankets or pillows.
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This is one of the most common questions I get, and unfortunately, it’s a tough one to answer with certainty. Every tattoo is unique, and since skin isn’t a consistent medium, the time it takes can vary. I can provide a rough estimate, but please keep in mind that the process may take more or less time than expected, so it’s a good idea to have some flexibility in both your budget and your patience.
I always strive to be mindful of your budget and will give you a heads-up if we’re nearing the limit. With that in mind, please prioritize your appointment for the day—make any necessary arrangements for things like child care, pets, or evening plans to ensure you’re fully available and relaxed throughout the session.
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I’m located in Tigard, Oregon (greater Portland area)! We will be working out of my private studio space there. You’ll be provided with an address during booking!
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The studio space is kind of small, so please just bring yourself unless absolutely necessary!
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Large projects, especially color pieces with detailed shading and intricate line work, typically require multiple sessions. Unlike paper, skin has its limits; after a few hours, swelling and irritation set in, and I will always prioritize the integrity of your skin over rushing a piece.
Splitting the work allows for proper healing, touch-ups between stages, and a much better final result. If you are traveling 4+ hours for your appointment, please let me know so we can plan accordingly. However, if you aren't open to a multi-session process for a large piece, I may not be the right artist for you. A few months of a work-in-progress is a small price to pay for a lifetime of beautiful art.
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Yes. Some areas hurt more than others, but if it was unbearable, people wouldn't get them. The pain is more so annoying than anything. Generally the outer facing parts of your body hurt less than the innermost parts (ex. outer bicep, thigh, calf vs. ribs, inner arms).
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Ultimately, your body, your choice! I will always support whatever makes you feel most comfortable! If you prefer to use a numbing cream, I won't turn you away. I just like to be transparent that, in my experience, topical creams can sometimes alter skin texture, cause the pain to hit harder once it wears off, and lead to a rougher heal.
I do use Bactine and lidocaine spray during the session to help manage pain naturally. But if you'd still prefer to pre-numb, that’s totally fine!
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Please make sure to arrange for any commitments or obligations you might have on the day(s) of your tattoo. Try not to schedule anything for the evening unless it’s flexible. Skin is an unpredictable medium, and each person reacts differently. Tattooing isn’t a quick process, and rushing your artist can really compromise the quality of the work. It also puts us in a challenging position, as we want to deliver the best results possible. Permanently marking someone’s skin in a rushed environment is never ideal. When booking your appointment, please be mindful of your schedule to ensure you’re not putting yourself—or me—in a stressful situation.
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Don't let fear stop you from getting a great tattoo! If you tend to get faint or dizzy, just let me know upfront and keep me updated during the session so we can take breaks as needed. To set yourself up for success, please eat a solid meal before coming in—adrenaline on an empty stomach is the main culprit for dizziness. Be open with me, and we'll make sure you have a comfortable, safe experience!
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Absolutely! Bring anything you'd like! A lot of times clients bring books, handhelds, iPads, etc. to distract them during their appointment! As long as it doesn't hinder the area we're working with, I highly recommend it!
Pricing
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My rates are $175/hour for my Available designs (linked here) , and $200/hour for custom projects! Occasionally pieces are priced at a flat rate but unless specified, plan on my hourly rate.
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Cash and Card! No preference to which, just whatever works best for you! I do not accept venmo/cash app/any apps!
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Because tattoo timing can be unpredictable, I am completely flexible with payment. I accept both cash and card, or a mix of both. While cash is always preferred, please just use whatever method is easiest and most comfortable for you!
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A tattoo is a permanent, lifelong investment in yourself, and working with a licensed professional ensures your piece is applied safely and beautifully. Tattoo pricing reflects not just the custom artwork, but the extensive training, safety standards, and overhead required to run an independent studio. If you're on the fence about the cost, I always encourage waiting until the timing is right for your budget, your skin deserves the highest quality art and care!
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I do my absolute best to work within your budget, please just be honest as well as realistic when considering what you’re willing or able to allocate to a project.
A few things to keep in mind - Smaller doesn’t equal quicker, less elements are cheaper and location does matter. Sleeves, half sleeves and med/large scale pieces aren’t achievable within a $500/budget (Remember, my minimum is 2 hours). Scaling that down to 4x4 inches also doesn’t make it achievable within that budget (and it crowds things/makes them age less-gracefully). Really processing your ideas and scaling back on the necessary content included in your tattoo could make things work in a smaller budget. Simpler is often better, so consider this when you’re considering your new piece.
One of the best ways to accommodate budgets is splitting your tattoo into multiple sessions (lining, shading, color) so that you pay in smaller more spread out chunks versus one bill after a full day. I do ask that if you do want to split your tattoo into different sessions to please still respect my two hour minimum (no half hour this day, one hour this day business). I know this is often times inconvenient (more days off work, moving obligations/priorities), but ultimately its on you forever, so this could be worth it in the end.
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I am more than happy to offer free color test swatches to help you find the perfect palette for your skin! If you’d prefer not to get permanent test dots, we can schedule a consultation to chat about how different colors interact with your unique undertones. I'll even provide you with the specific ink brand names and shades we discuss to take with you.
My studio is a safe, inclusive space for everyone. While no artist can guarantee an exact healed outcome, I have a deep understanding of color theory across all skin tones. If you’ve ever been told that your skin tone isn't suited for color, please know that is false and outdated information. I strive to create an inclusive space and am always happy to help clients navigate color tattooing safely and confidently, whether you choose to book with me or not.
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It is standard practice to tip your artist and if you're getting a free touch up, you absolutely should 100% definitely tip! Tattoo artists put a lot of work, thought and time into creating the perfect piece for you, and we only charge you for tattooing hours, so tips are incredibly appreciated. Cash is preferred, but I also accept tips via cash app/venmo/square!
Cancellations
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Rescheduling & Cancellation Policy
Deposits are non-refundable, but can be rolled over to a new date one time if you give at least 72 hours notice.
Late Reschedules & Cancellations: If you reschedule or cancel with less than 72 hours notice, your deposit is forfeited to cover the lost studio time, and a new deposit will be required to rebook.
A Note on Dates: Please choose your date carefully. Last-minute openings are incredibly difficult to fill, which directly impacts an independent artist's livelihood. True emergencies happen—if you face a sudden crisis, please email me at laurenbolesart@gmail.com as soon as you can so we can chat.
If I need to reschedule: On the rare occasion that I face an emergency or illness, I will notify you immediately. Your deposit will automatically roll over, and you will receive priority rebooking.
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No-Shows: Missing your appointment with zero notice will result in a charge for my daily minimum ($400), and you will not be rebooked.
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What DON’T you tattoo?
Ribs, modifications of other artists' work, sacred geometry, women who are breast feeding or pregnant, minors, genitals, anyone who's intoxicated and any and all offensive/racist content.
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My color palette will always HEAL to be softer versions of what you'd see on the color wheel. I don't like to say muted, but colors that are well balanced within the piece, work well together, and look great on the skin. Keep in mind that tattoos lighten up A LOT when they heal so a color piece will be darker day of versus how it will in 3 weeks post tattoo. Don’t go with color if you have tight expectations on how you want them to look over time.
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Tattooing is a biological process, not a print job! Because ink heals under your skin's unique pigment, healed colors will always vary slightly from a digital reference or fresh ink. As your tattoo matures, the tones will soften, settle, and evolve beautifully with your body.
I specialize in choosing custom color palettes that harmonize with your specific skin tone and design, and I just ask for your trust in that process. If you find yourself wanting exact, rigid control over the final hue, a solid blackwork piece might be the perfect alternative for you.
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Yes! Just make sure they are at least 2 years old. If they aren’t, I suggest waiting a little while longer until they’re fully settled!
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Unless it's a pre-drawn piece or flash, no. Custom drawings are only shown at the start of your appointment. We will have ample time to make edits together, but please ensure all specific requests are included in your initial proposal.
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It is common practice to not see your design in the tattooing industry for the following reasons:
1. Your first reaction is your real reaction. I can usually pick up through body language if you're not feeling it, in which case we can talk options from there (see question below for more information about if you dislike a design day of).
2. Often times what happens when I have sent out drawings is the client gets super excited about it and shows it to family, friends, spouses/significant others or all the above, all of whom have different tastes, which leads to a flood of opinions about the design and 'what they'd change' even though its not going on their body. This then makes clients feel not only self conscious about the design (even if it has everything they asked for) but also causes a string of back and forth emails of 'change this, change that' which adds tons of drawing time on top of the amount I already have. Usually when this scenario happens clients end up going with the first rendering anyways, making the entire drawing process for a piece not only stressful for me, but also you. Be confident in your ideas, and trust that what you're getting on your body is best for you and the opinions of those around you about a permanent addition to your body don't matter!
3. Designs are my art and my intellectual property. By sending clients my designs in an email form, I run the risk of people taking my work to other artists and having them do it. This is stealing and unethical within the tattoo industry.
If you're uncomfortable with any of these reasons listed above then I might not be the artist for you. I need your trust and if not seeing your design before the day of your appointment is a deal breaker, then I completely understand! There's artists out there that do practice showing designs before their appointments, it just requires a little research!
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Please never hesitate to tell me if a design isn't hitting the mark—I want you to absolutely love your tattoo, and you won't offend me!
To set us up for success, please be as detailed as possible in your initial proposal. Send over references for subject matter, color palettes, and shading styles. If you're hoping for a very specific detail, call it out! If you prefer to give me total creative freedom, that’s amazing—just ensure you're fully open-minded to the result.
If a design needs minor tweaks, we'll fix it on the spot. However, if a complete, fundamental redraw is needed due to a shift in your concept, we will have to reschedule your session. In rare cases where we are entirely on different pages, we may have to part ways, and the deposit will be forfeited to cover the lost studio and drawing time.
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Absolutely! All inks I use are always vegan!
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Fresh tattoos will always look darker and more intense than their final result. As it heals, the tattoo will typically lighten up by three to four shades.
Think of your skin like a tinted window. On the day of your appointment, the fresh ink is sitting right on the surface of an open wound. As you heal, your skin forms fresh new layers over the piece, meaning the ink will ultimately sit several layers beneath the surface. This naturally softens and settles the colors. Because of this, I always apply colors with the "healed" version in mind.