Renton's Oldest & Finest . Best Artists . 100% Custom Art
Sacred Soul Tattoo
"Top 10 BEST Tattoo Studio's in Washington State"
TATTOO FAQ
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo in WA state?
According to WA state law you MUST be 18 years of age to get tattooed.
But what if my parents are willing to sign for me since I'm a minor?
This is still illegal and can get your parents and the artist in major trouble. Idaho is the closest state allowing minors to get tattooed with guardian permission.
What is the difference between a custom shop and a street shop?
A street shop caters more to walk-in clientele as they have pre-made designs on the wall, called "flash art", readily available for the client to choose a design to be tattooed immediately. A custom shop does not have any "flash art" or pre-made designs available. The artist will draw you up a unique original design unlike anyone else's to be tattooed on you. Sacred Soul Tattoo does not have any flash available and we do not duplicate tattoos, we strive to give every client a one of a kind design.
How do I choose the right tattoo studio?
RESEARCH!! Ask your friends & family for referrals, look up studios online, and study the artwork in the portfolios. You want to make sure the studio is licensed by both the city and the state. Make sure the artists have artist licenses, and that the studio has a location license so you know they receive health inspections. Make sure the studio provides sterile tattoo services. If the studio doesn't use all disposable tools you may ask to see the autoclave and ask about their sterilization process. GO TO THE STUDIO! Do not call around or price shop. Look around once you arrive. Is the studio extremely clean, smell clean, and in compliance with all health and safety requirements? Do they provide friendly artists who care about your tattoo and your tattoo experience?
My friend tattoos out of his/her house and says they will do it cheaper!
NEVER GET TATTOOED AT A RESIDENCE!!! Even if your friend has gone through an apprenticeship, or used to work in a studio. This is illegal and qualifies your friend as a "kitchen magician", “scratcher”, or “tattoo hack". It's irresponsible, and dirty, and if they are willing to tattoo you illegally then they don't care about your health. And if they have previous experience in a studio but still choose to tattoo illegally it's a huge red flag. This usually happens because they can’t get hired anywhere, or they don't want to comply with the legal requirements set in place to protect you. It is not scientifically possible to contain the microscopic off-spray that happens during the tattoo process & therefore it is not possible to contain the environment within a residence, NO MATTER WHAT THE ARTIST MAY SAY. This increases your risk of infections including HIV, AIDs, HepC, MRSA, COVID-19, and a plethora of other infections. Kitchen magicians will tell you what you want to hear because they want your money. However,, no amount of money is worth damaging your health... invest in a good tattoo applied by a good artist in a reputable studio.
Is your studio licensed by the state?
YES! In addition to the studio license, each artist is licensed by WA state with our master licenses, city of Renton licenses, shop licenses, and artist licenses. Each SST artist is also Blood Borne Pathogens Certified, and has been certified in COVID-19 prevention through the World Health Organization.
How do you provide a sterile tattoo procedure?
All SST artists use a disposable set up, including needles, PPE, and all surface barriers. Each needle arrives blister packed and sterilized from the manufacturer with an expiration date. After a needle is opened and used on a client it gets disposed of in a sharps container. We follow all CDC, OSHA, DOH guidelines. We set up with gloves, and wrap all equipment (ie. tattoo chair, bottles, clip cords, metal trays, etc) with barrier film to make sure we keep all equipment clean. When done tattooing we dispose of all disposables and use a hospital grade, EPA cleaner & disinfectant called Cavicide, to clean and sterilize all surfaces. This cleaner kills all bacterial, viral, and fungal microorganisms such as COVID-19, AIDS, HIV, Hep A, B, C, MRSA, etc. in only 2 minutes. We disinfect the floors, light switches, door handles, and more between every client and follow all the OSHA & CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.
Which artist should I choose?
Look through each artist's portfolio, take note of the quality of their tattoos, and the styles they specialize in. For example, if you want a watercolor tattoo, you want to choose the artist with well executed watercolor tattoos in their portfolio. Ask a lot of questions. Ask the artist what kind of tattoo work they like or enjoy the best, and what kind of art most influences them. A good artist with good morals will point you in the right direction. We have a moral obligation to recommend the best artist for the tattoo you desire and so we will refer you to an artist within the studio or an artist within another studio who can do the best job for you if you are unable to choose an artist.
What does the custom tattoo design process consist of?
It takes time to create a good custom tattoo. Your artist will draw inspiration for your design from many resources such as books, internet, art history, and their creative mind. Most of the time we've already imagined a design as we listen to you describe your idea. Part of customizing your tattoo is making sure your tattoo fit and flows correctly on your body.
How much will my tattoo be?
Our studio minimum is $100 + tax for small tattoos that take 30 mins or less to complete, otherwise we charge an hourly rate of $150 - $175 + tax per hour depending on the artist. We charge by the hour and use a timer to make sure you only pay for actual needle-to-skin time. The price of your tattoo will depend on how long it takes to complete. Small to medium tattoos can be done in one session. Large tattoos and full body parts like sleeves, back pieces, etc., take many sessions to complete. The number of sessions needed to complete your tattoo will depend on the design, the detail, the placement, the artist and your skin. Because every SST artist tattoos at a different speed the price can vary between artists.
How long will I have to wait to start my tattoo?
Each artist's availability is different. Some artists are booked out days, or weeks, months, even a year. Each SST artist is responsible for booking their own clients so email the artist directly to determine the estimated wait time.
How can I best prepare for my tattoo?
Make sure you get a full 8 hours of sleep the night before and drink plenty of water. You want to be well rested and hydrated to make the tattoo process go well for you. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and anything containing niacin in it 24 hours prior to getting tattooed. You will want to eat a larger meal prior to getting tattooed to avoid feeling lightheaded when getting tattooed.
What can I expect on the day of my tattoo appointment?
Your first day can be pretty long as you and your artist have to finalize your design, make and print the stencil, get all the line-work done and (if this is a tattoo that can be done in one session) shading. Don't make plans or rush your tattoo artist. You will also be required to follow all the new COVID-19 policies posted in the shop and posted above.
Does it hurt to get tattooed? What does it feel like?
Yep, getting tattooed does hurt. But it is more of an annoying pain tolerable to most clients. It's not a slicing sensation but rather a sharp hot sensation. it will feel like a tender or bruised, and swollen sun burn for 24-48 hrs post tattoo.
Can I take a pain pill or consume alcohol before getting tattooed to relax?
No. Consuming alcohol or taking pills of any kind can thin the blood and make it hard for the artist to do the best job possible. This can also lead to excessive plasma leakage during the healing process. It is illegal for us to tattoo someone who is under the influence. Also, any and all prescriptions MUST be disclosed to your artist to make sure your prescription will not have an adverse effect on your tattoo.
Can I have an allergic reaction?
Although not common, allergic reactions can happen. We try to reduce the risk as much as possible. We only use organic inks, and most of the products we use on the skin are all natural or vegan. We ask each client about allergies before we begin the tattoo. It is important to be honest with your artist so they can use a different product if needed in order to avoid a reaction.
How should I take care of my new tattoo while it heals?
Your artist will give you an aftercare sheet with instructions to follow. All SST artists use a hospital grade transparent bandage called Saniderm. Your artist will apply it before you leave and then you just leave it on for 5 days and you're healed! It's the easiest way to heal your tattoo while protecting it from any elements, AND it's breathable while being waterproof. If you are allergic to adhesives please let your artist know in order to avoid a reaction.
What can I expect to see during the healing process?
Swelling, bruising, slight redness, and hot to the touch for 48 hours post tattoo. Your tattoo will leak plasma during this time as your body try's to form a scab. Tattoos that cause more trauma to the skin like color work, can result in heavier plasma leakage. Don't worry this is normal and the fluid will stay inside your bandage and eventually your body will reaborb the plasma which contains antibodies specific to your immune system which actually helps heal your tattoo. More plasma leads to more scabbing if you don't use Saniderm. If your tattoo looks abnormal during the healing process or if you have questions about the healing of your tattoo call the studio at (425) 923-4772.
How can I protect the longevity and life of my new tattoo?
Try your best to avoid excessive sun exposure. Your immune system responds to the tattoo ink. Your liver will naturally break down your tattoo's appearance as you age as your body detoxes and rids itself of the tattoo ink. Sun exposure has been proven to speed up this process.
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES
At Sacred Soul Tattoo we are dedicated to providing our clients and artists with the safest tattoo experience possible. Safe tattooing now involves more than simply using sterile tools and equipment in a clean and secure environment. At Sacred Soul Tattoo we also care about the health of our clients, artists, and their families, especially during these uncertain times. So we go above and beyond basic safety measures to ensure you receive the safest tattoo procedure in the safest environment possible. In order to maintain these high safety standards we require all clients, staff, and anyone entering the studio to wear a mask at all times despite the changes on March 12th, 2022. All Sacred Soul Tattoo artists are fully vaccinated and we’re currently maintaining the following safety protocols:
- Wearing a mask is still encouraged, however it's no longer mandatory for anyone other than Michelle Haley's clients. We thank her clients for understanding and respecting her health conditions.
- Each artist has their own private room to offer private one-on-one sessions for ultimate social distancing.
- We only have availability for 1-2 walk-ins each day. First come, first to put down a deposit, first served.
- We no longer answer the studio phone when artists are tattooing in order to avoid equipment changing hands too often. EMAIL the artist you wish to work with directly to get an appointment booked sooner.
- We keep the doors locked WHILE TATTOOING ONLY to avoid un-screened visitors from entering and possibly exposing everyone inside OR disrupting your tattoo. If you decide to stop by without calling first you risk of having to wait for assistance.
– When you arrive to your appointment:
- Come alone. Please don't bring visitors to your appointment unless you've made prior arrangements with your artist.
- Only bring essential items to your appointment, including a small snack and beverage to maintain blood sugar levels.
- Maintain good hygiene by using the hand sanitizer & tissue stations throughout the studio.
STUDIO POLICIES
WALK-IN POLICY:
We have very limited availability for walk ins, only 1-2 openings most days. These openings go extremely fast and so we are only able to accommodate on a first come first served basis. If our doors are open or we answer the phone, it means we still have an opening that day. If you come by and the doors are locked we are either booked for the day or currently in the middle of a tattoo. It's best to call as close to 1pm to reserve your spot or email the artist you wish to work with the day before. (Please note Michelle is unable to accommodate any walk ins as she is booked out.)
APPOINTMENT POLICY:
To book an appointment you must contact the artist directly via email to first pay a deposit and book a consultation if needed. Your artist will schedule you a start date and any follow up dates needed at your consultation.
DEPOSIT POLICY:
Deposits are made electronically to Sacred Soul Tattoo on Venmo. Deposits range from $100-$200 depending on the size of your tattoo. Your deposit is a down payment for your tattoo and will be deducted from the cost of your final session upon completion of your tattoo. You will not have access to your deposit prior to your final session.
Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE no matter the circumstances, and NON-TRANSFERABLE to another person, or design if you change your mind about getting tattooed. DEPOSITS EXPIRE 1 YEAR FROM THE DATE THEY WERE PAID whether your tattoo is finished or not as a year is a significant amount of time to complete most sized projects with monthly sessions. This holds clients accountable for making progress & not waiting too long in between sessions. Waiting too long in between sessions can have a negative impact on the final results of the tattoo and cause it to heal inconsistently.
LATE POLICY:
It is your responsibility to make contact with your artist if you are going to be late for your appointment. If you arrive more than 30 minutes late to your appointment without notifying your artist ahead of time, you will be considered a no-call no-show resulting in the immediate loss of your appointment and deposit.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
(1) A 72 hour notice is mandatory to cancel your appointment without any penalty to your deposit. Your artist's time is very limited and valuable, please respect this by allowing him/her enough time to fill your spot as 24-48 hrs is not enough time to fill a cancellation. Exceptions to this are made for those feeling sick only.
(3) Canceling two appointments in a row (regardless of giving ample notice) will result in the immediate loss of your deposit and all scheduled appointments. A new deposit will be required in order to schedule with your artist again.
(4) You must speak directly with your artist via phone, facebook, email, etc. in order to properly cancel your appointment. We do not have a counter person or manager, The studio voice mail is only checked a few times per week so please do not cancel via voicemail as you could risk losing your deposit. If your artist is unaware of your cancellation it's on you. It is your responsibility to make contact with us.
PRICING POLICY:
The studio minimum for a tattoo is $100 + tax, the hourly rate is $150 - $200 per hour + tax depending on the artist. Upon signing the waiver at your appointment you agree to pay your artist for the time spent on your tattoo. Failure to pay your artist is considered theft according to WA state law and will be prosecuted as such.
DESIGN POLICY:
A design created by your artist is property of your artist. Taking a design to another studio without paying your artist for the drawing is considered theft and will result in prosecution to the fullest extent. You will be given the opportunity to approve your design either upon arrival to your first tattoo session, or virtually depending on your artist's preference. Your deposit allows one rework if you are unhappy with the imagery created by your artist. If your rework request requires drawing a completely new concept you will be required to pay a new deposit.
ARTWORK, CONSULTATION, & DESIGN PROCESS:
(1) To schedule a consult email the artist you wish to work as each artist has a different booking process.
(2) At your consult please have all reference photos/materials you would like to discuss with your artist.
(3) Your artist will finalize a design 24 hrs prior to your appointment and go over it the day of your appointment.
NO EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE ALL CLIENTS ARE TREATED FAIRLY & EQUALLY. ACCORDING TO WA STATE LAW, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE BUSINESS TO ANYBODY & WE DO NOT TOLERATE DISRESPECT, BAD ATTITUDES, OR RUDE PEOPLE OF ANY KIND. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO ANY OF THE ABOVE POLICES WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC FORFEIT OF YOUR DEPOSIT.