FAQ

Got Questions?

Below are a list of answers to questions we get asked often here at Welcome Tattoo. Hopefully they answer some (or all) of yours!
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General Questions:

Yes, we are a fully licensed tattoo studio, committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. We comply with all North Carolina State permitting, rules, and regulations. All needles we use are single-use, disposable, and our artists strictly adhere to health and safety protocols. Additionally, we partner with certified medical waste and sharps disposal contractors to ensure proper and responsible handling of all materials.

Yes, we do! We use vegan-friendly inks, including brands like Dynamic Black, Intenze, and Eternal Ink. If you prefer vegan ink, please let your artist know before your appointment so we can accommodate your request.

No, we don’t offer piercings. However, we highly recommend checking out Clarity Piercing for professional piercing services.

You can visit us in person, give us a call, or text us at 919-808-8606. For smaller, simpler tattoos, we can often book your appointment directly over the phone, via text. For more complex or larger pieces, a consult is required to discuss your ideas in detail and make sure we bring your vision to life.

A consultation is your chance to meet your potential artist in person and discuss your tattoo ideas in detail. Feel free to bring any reference images—photos on your phone work perfectly. This meeting is essential to ensure you and your artist are aligned on your tattoo design. During the consultation, your artist will provide an overview of pricing and availability. Please note that a consultation does not guarantee an appointment; it’s an opportunity for both you and the artist to determine if moving forward together feels right.

This initial consultation is complimentary and typically lasts between 5 to 20 minutes, though it may take longer if you're discussing cover-ups or large pieces. After the consultation, we can schedule your appointment. A $100 cash deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot.

Walk-ins are always welcome, and we’ll do our best to fit you in if we can. Walk-ins are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended. Saturdays are dedicated to walk-in tattoos, and spots fill up quickly, so be sure to come early to secure your place.

If you’re looking to walk in on a weekday, you can call or text us at 919-808-8606 to check availability.

It depends on the artist and the size or complexity of your chosen piece. Availability can range from same-day openings to several months out. It’s always worth checking, as schedules can shift and appointments may become available sooner than expected.

  • Age Requirement: You must be 18 or older to get tattooed, and a valid ID is required on the day of your appointment. Parental consent cannot be accepted for those under 18.
  • Health Considerations: We cannot tattoo you if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have any medical conditions, such as a bloodborne virus, please inform your artist during your consultation.
  • Aftercare Awareness: Avoid swimming, heavy sun exposure, or tanning beds for the first three weeks of the healing process.
  • Deposit Policy: A non-refundable $100 cash deposit is required when booking your appointment. This deposit will be applied toward the total cost of your tattoo.

Tattoo designs are not shared before the appointment. However, on the day of your appointment, you’ll have the chance to review your design and request any small adjustments. This approach ensures a collaborative process and consistently leads to the best results for both artists and clients, ensuring satisfaction with the final design.

  • Rest and Hydration: Arrive well-rested and hydrated. Eating a meal 1–2 hours before your appointment is highly recommended.
  • Avoid Alcohol: Avoid excessive alcohol the night before, as it can thin your blood. Please note, we cannot tattoo anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed.
  • Shaving: Please don’t shave the tattoo area yourself; we’ll handle this for you.
  • Companions: Limit companions to one friend or partner during your session, as large groups can be distracting and may interfere with the process.
  • Studio Rules: Under-18s, babies, pets, and bicycles are not permitted in the studio.
  • Time Management: Plan your day with flexibility, as we take the time needed to ensure your tattoo is done with care.

We do not recommend using numbing cream. It can make the skin more challenging to tattoo and may negatively affect the healing process. Additionally, once the cream wears off there is the potential for increased sensitivity or discomfort.

Yes, you’re welcome to bring one friend or partner to sit with you in the tattoo area during your session. If you bring more than one person, we kindly ask they wait in the waiting area.

Our tattoos start at a minimum of $80, with the final cost based on factors such as size, detail, complexity, and placement. Larger, more intricate pieces are typically charged at an hourly rate, and each artist sets their own pricing. Your artist will discuss the cost with you before starting your tattoo. If they don’t, feel free to ask—it’s always okay to confirm pricing beforehand.

We can often provide a price estimate during your consultation. To secure your appointment, a non-refundable cash deposit is required, which will be applied to the total cost of your tattoo. The remaining balance is due at the end of each session. Please note that all deposits are non-refundable.

A deposit is required to secure your tattoo appointment and will be applied toward the total cost of your tattoo. Deposits are non-refundable and the amount is determined by your artist based on the scope of the project. The remaining balance is due at the end of each session.

We accept both cash and credit cards for payment.

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for all appointments. This deposit will be applied to the total cost of your tattoo and, for tattoos requiring multiple sessions, it will be applied to the final session.

If you need to reschedule, we require at least 72 hours’ notice via email, text, or phone call. Failure to provide this notice will result in forfeiture of your deposit—no exceptions.

Please note that completely changing the design after the consultation may also result in forfeiting your deposit at the artist's discretion.

Welcome Tattoo offers walk-in tattoos every Saturday on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-ups start at 10:00 AM outside the shop, and the shop opens at 11:00 AM. The first few people on the list will return at 11:00 to begin their tattoos. Others will receive a text with an estimated time to return. Walk-in Saturdays are perfect for flash tattoos or simple and straightforward tattoo ideas.

In addition to Walk-In Saturdays, we also accept walk-ins during the week when availability allows. For weekday walk-ins, it’s best to call or text us at 919-808-8606. You can also follow our social media for the latest updates on availability.

The time required depends on the size, detail, and placement of your tattoo. Small tattoos may take less than an hour, while larger or more intricate designs can require multiple sessions. Your artist can provide an estimated timeframe during your consultation or prior to starting the tattoo.

If you’re running late, please call or text us at 919-808-8606 as soon as possible. Arriving more than 15 minutes late without prior notice may result in forfeiture of your deposit and the need to reschedule your appointment.

For safety reasons and to maintain a calm environment, children under the age of 18 are not allowed in the studio.

Your artist will provide detailed aftercare instructions specific to your tattoo and you can also find them at the top of this page. In general, keep the area clean, avoid picking at the tattoo, and avoid swimming, heavy sun exposure, or tanning beds for at least three weeks. If you have any questions during the healing process, feel free to contact us.

Yes, we offer touch-ups on tattoos done by our artists. Touch-ups for issues related to the healing process are typically free within the first 3 months, but fees may apply for extensive corrections or after this period.

Absolutely! We’re happy to work with your design ideas. If you have a specific design in mind, please bring clear reference images to your consultation.

We offer tattoos on hands, fingers, and faces, but it’s important to note that these areas are more prone to faster fading and require additional care. Pricing for tattoos on hands, fingers, and faces starts at $150.

Yes, we do cover-ups and reworks! These projects are more complex and require an in-person consultation to determine what’s possible. Consultations must be approved by the artist beforehand, as we take on a limited number of cover-up projects. Please bring clear photos of your existing tattoo, as well as any ideas for your new design. In some cases, laser removal may be recommended before moving forward with the cover-up to ensure the best results.

If you’re feeling unwell, we ask that you reschedule your appointment. Tattooing when sick can slow the healing process and put others at risk. Please notify us at least 72 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting your deposit.

Yes, we offer gift cards that can be purchased in the shop. They make a great gift for anyone considering a tattoo!

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