Frequently Asked Questions

There are a variety of factors that go into pricing your tattoo. We use a tattoo cost calculator to determine how much your ink may cost. To quote each tattoo we look at how big it is, will it be in full colour, black and grey, or monochromatic, and how difficult the artwork is to achieve on skin in the spot you’d like to get it.

So, are tattoos expensive? We will give you a quote for the entire job, rather than a per hour rate which can really add up. That way, you know exactly how much to expect to pay for your tattoo upfront. With the freedom to take our time and do a great job, we ensure that you walk away happy with every tattoo.

You can pay for your new tattoo with cash, card (debit or credit card), Paypal, bank transfer, or InkPay.

Similar to Afterpay or Zip Pay, InkPay allows you to get your tattoo now and pay later! Ask about InkPay at your local Celebrity Ink™ studio.

You won’t pay anything! Your tattoo design is totally free.

Unfortunately, deposits are non-refundable, however, we are happy to offer a store credit.

To read more about our Refund & Cancellation Policy, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.

Getting your first tattoo can be both exciting and pretty scary since you’re not sure what to expect. To prepare yourself for this amazing experience, talk to friends and family members who have had tattoos and get their thoughts. You can also jump online and browse our social media pages (Pinterest is a good place to start!) to find styles and designs that resonate with you.

Check out this Ultimate Tattoo Style Guide to learn more about the different tattoos and their history, or visit our Pinterest to browse and pin your favourites.

The short answer is yes, however there are varying degrees of pain for every person. Some people use numbing cream to take the edge off, while others practically fall asleep in the chair. It comes down to how you deal with pain personally, you might even enjoy it! Depending on how big the tattoo is, where it’s located, and what the design is, your first might be your last or it could be the catalyst for many more to come.

If you’re thinking about getting a big piece that means a lot to you as your first tattoo, consider getting something small first in a similar spot so you get an idea of the level of pain to expect. No matter where you fall on the pain threshold, your tattoo artist will ensure you are as comfortable as possible. It helps that you get a lolly too.

The time it takes to complete your tattoo will vary greatly. The size of your tattoo, as well as the placement, design and detail all play a role in the time it will take your artist to complete your new piece. For example, there are tattoos that take 1 hour and others that can take several days! Discuss your design with your tattoo artist and they will be able to determine the time needed to complete your artwork.

When cared for appropriately, your new tattoo should heal within 2-3 weeks. However, everyone is different, and we all heal in different ways and within different timeframes.

The length of the tattoo healing process depends on how big it is, where it’s located on your body, and the design. For example, a tattoo with heavy colouring-in or shading will take longer to heal than a simple fine line design.

Once your artist completes your tattoo and you’re absolutely loving your new ink, we’ll apply plastic wrap to the area. Remember, a brand new tattoo is vulnerable to infection so it’s important to keep this on for at least one hour. Do not rewrap the tattoo, it’s not necessary and may actually cause more harm than good.

Two days after you get your new tattoo, you can begin to apply a very thin layer of tattoo aftercare lotion daily. This is a special aftercare cream designed specifically for tattoos. You can grab some from any Celebrity Ink™ location.

IMPORTANT: Your new ink will peel and scab! This is absolutely normal and a necessary stage of the healing process. Do not pick the scab; if you do, you’ll risk harming yourself, as well as your design.

Simply keep your tattoo clean with clean hands, using warm water and unscented antibacterial soap. There’s no need to scrub, just let it heal naturally.

Do not swim or soak in a spa, bath or ocean for at least 2 weeks, as you may risk infection or the integrity of the ink in your design. Showering will not affect your new tattoo, but do not scrub it.

It’s possible that excess tattoo ink may stain linen, so we suggest you protect these items. 

If you have any questions or concerns about tattoo aftercare instructions, please contact the studio where you received your tattoo immediately.

After you’ve removed the plastic wrap (waiting at least 1 hour to do so), you may shower. Be sure to only use a mild, unscented antibacterial soap and DO NOT use a washcloth or loofah. Allow your tattoo to air dry, as lint particles left in the fresh tattoo can lead to infection.

Do not swim or soak in a spa, bath or ocean for at least 2 weeks, as you may risk infection or the integrity of the ink in your design. If you do have to go swimming, make sure to wrap your tattoo in waterproof material and clean it as soon as you are out with antibacterial wash and clean water, then allow to air dry.

Yes, we have artists that specialise in the traditional bamboo style called Sak Yant, in Thailand and Indonesia.

Yes, you’re welcome to visit our studio as a walk-in without an appointment. However, we may not have availability at that time. If that’s the case, we’ll book you in for a time that suits you best. Also, booking in advance gives us time to allocate the best artist for the style of tattoo you are after.

We adhere to the laws of the countries that we operate in. For instance, in Australia it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, while Thailand and Bali have a minimum age of 15. We maintain the right to refuse anyone who is underage or cannot produce proof of their age. This is to protect you and our artists.

You can get a tattoo all year round, however some activities such as swimming, tanning, excessive sweating and general exposure to the elements can affect the way your tattoo heals.

If you are on holiday, we recommend that you book your tattoo appointment towards the end of your trip. This way you do not miss out on enjoying things such as swimming, sunbathing, diving and other activities that could affect the overall look of the tattoo once it is healed.

Yes, tattoos are perfectly safe as long as you adhere to all recommended safety procedures. To ensure the artist’s safety, as well as your own, you must be upfront and honest about any medical conditions you may have, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

We do not tattoo individuals who are pregnant. This is for the health and safety of the individual.

We use single ink pots that are vegan-friendly from the USA. We can provide proof of purchase receipts along with all SDS (Safety Data Sheets) if necessary.

We absolutely do cover-up tattoos, however given the nature of tattoos we recommend working very closely with your tattoo artist to find the perfect design to fit over the old tattoo. If your original tattoo is quite dark or large, you may opt for a few sessions of laser tattoo removal to lighten it up before getting to work on your new ink.

A few great questions to ask your tattoo artist would be:

• What do they think about the tattoo? Your artist is an expert, and they may have insight into a better spot for your ink or tweaks to the design that will make it even better.
• Can you film or take pictures while they work? Every artist is different, they may love being the star of your Instagram stories or they may prefer to let their finished artwork shine once it’s complete.
• What happens if you change your mind? If you change your mind about the design, if you can’t endure the pain, or any other reason you might not want your tattoo anymore – let your tattooist know right away. They’ll work together with you to find the right solution.

If you’re keen to open your very own Celebrity Ink™ tattoo studio, please visit our Franchising page to learn more.