FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU ACCEPT WALK-INS?
NOTE: WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ABLE TO ACCEPT WALK-INS OR SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS. All tattoo appointments must be scheduled ahead of time directly with your artists. Additionally, all of our artists generally book appointments out at least a month or more in advance. Artists may have last-minute cancellations they need to fill every so often; the best way to find out about these is to follow us and our artists on Instagram!
HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
The most efficient way to set up an appointment is to reach out to the artist you are interested in directly, as all of our artists handle their own client booking/scheduling. If you are not sure who you'd like to do your tattoo for you, feel free to email the shop with some information about the tattoo you are looking to get and we are happy to provide you with a recommendation. Contact information/booking inquiry instructions for individual artists may be found on their websites and/or social media pages (links provided on the artist pages on this website). If no contact info is provided, or if it is noted that books are currently closed, the artist is not booking new clients/projects at that time. Generally speaking, our artists open their books once every few months and book out at least a month or more in advance.
HOW MUCH DOES A TATTOO COST?
DO YOU REQUIRE A BOOKING FEE?
Tattoo pricing varies based on size, level of detail, and artist, so we are unable to quote prices over the phone/via email--the best way to get a quote is to have a consult with one of our artists. Some of our artists have hourly rates; some have flat half or full day rates only. Our shop minimum is $150 per client for any pieces that take up to an hour to complete, or $150/hour.
Yes, all tattoos require a booking fee (deposit) be put down prior to scheduling an appointment. Booking fees are non-refundable, and are taken off from the total cost of your tattoo. The specific amount of the fee for each tattoo will be determined by your artist and is generally based on the overall size of the tattoo.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
DOES GETTING A TATTOO HURT?
We accept cash, credit/debit, as well as PayPal (for booking fees only).
CAN YOU FIX OR COVER UP AN OLD TATTOO?
Yes, there is pain involved with the tattoo process. The pain is only temporary & far from unbearable. Making sure to eat some food and hydrate before your appointment will help.
CAN I USE NUMBING CREAM FOR MY TATTOO?
We might be able to, yes! The tattoo industry has come a very long way in a short period of time. We would love to breathe life back into your older tattoos. Stop in and show us what you'd like to get done, or shoot us a photo via email to unkindnessart@gmail.com. Please keep in mind that not all tattoos can be covered; we may instead recommend contacting a laser tattoo removal specialist company to lighten it first. We work very hard to ensure every tattoo is as great as it can be. Feel free to call/email for a consultation about the best option for your fix.
We do not recommend the use of numbing creams, as these can interfere with the tattooing process. We will NOT be able to tattoo you if you apply numbing cream on the day of your appointment without discussing it ahead of time with your artist.
DO YOU TATTOO MINORS?
We CANNOT tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with parental consent.
Maybe! We will give you aftercare instructions and information on how to prevent fading. A proper sunblock should always be placed over a tattoo when exposed to the sun. Years after getting the tattoo, there will likely be some wear & fading; however, keep in mind that the skin you have without tattoos will also look different in years down the road as your body ages!
WILL MY TATTOO FADE?
DOES YOUR SHOP DO PIERCINGS?
IS IT SAFE TO GET A TATTOO?
No, we do not have a piercer at our shop and do not have the ability to put in or take out piercings, nor do we sell piercing supplies.
Yes!! Unkindness Art utilizes hospital-grade sterilization throughout the entire tattoo process and only uses disposable, one-time use products. We employ this fully disposable process in order to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of our staff and visitors. We adhere to extremely strict standards for sanitation throughout the shop in order to keep our staff and clients as safe as possible.
WHERE SHOULD WE PARK? WHERE CAN WE STAY OVERNIGHT?
WHAT IS YOUR RECOMMENDED AFTERCARE?
Please be aware that we are located in downtown Richmond and do not have off-street parking available for client use. Many of the streets around the shop are metered or have hourly parking limits. Your best bet for unregulated street parking may be found in the residential neighborhoods between West Broad Street and West Leigh Street going south-north, and from Belvidere and 2nd Street going east-west. The parking on Broad Street directly in front of the shop is limited to 3 hours, so this is a good option for those clients who have shorter sessions scheduled. Alternatively, there are multiple public parking lots nearby that offer low hourly/daily rates (a list of these may be found on the Richmond City website). The GRTC Pulse bus system runs directly down Broad Street in front of the shop. You may also wish to consider using Uber/Lyft!
For those clients who are coming from afar and need overnight lodging, there are multiple hotels within walking distance of the shop, plus plenty of local Airbnb options!
In order to ensure the best possible healing of your new tattoo, we use Recovery Derm Shield, a medical-grade adhesive breathable bandages as part of our aftercare routine. We also recommend using Griffin Salve for ointment and Griffin Wash for soap while your tattoo is healing; both the salve and wash are available for purchase in our shop. You will be provided with verbal aftercare instructions by your artist, as well as written instructions to take home with you, and can always call or email the shop if you have questions about how your tattoo is healing.