FAQ — AJEM Tattoo

I currently tattoo out of my studio, Over the Moon Tattoo Studio, in Plymouth, MA!

My studio is a suite inside of a building called Image Studios, it’s 55 Commerce Way, Plymouth, MA 02360. It’s Suite #2 (it will say Image Studios on it) - in that building, my space is Suite 109!

Your confirmation email will say how to access that space if you have an appointment there!

My studio is wheelchair accessible and has 3 fully accessible bathrooms.

On my booking form, I include a section where you can tell me about any accessibility needs you may have, as well as the ability to select a silent appointment if you’d like one.

I strive to be as accessible as possible, so I’m also happy to hear any suggestions that might make my space more welcoming.

There is a huge parking lot next to my studio, and parking is free. That parking lot is behind the strip with the 110 Grill, Five Guys and Chipotle.

I currently charge $200/hour with a minimum of $150. My minimum covers tattoos that are 45 minutes or less.

On occasion for flash sales / events, I will do a flat rate instead of an hourly rate, as well.

I can take cash or credit/debit card payments at my studio.

Additionally, I often am asked if I would prefer a cash tip vs other types of payments! I have no preference for this, and for tips I can take cash, you can leave the tip on the card or you can Venmo / Paypal me if you’d like. Really, whatever is easiest for you!

My booking form is in the in the “Booking Forms” tab (booking forms for guest spots & conventions will be listed under that section as well.) Filling out a form acts as your tattoo proposal, and if accepted, either my assistant or I will reach out to you via email and we will start the booking process.

The only situations where you can bypass the booking form are:

when you need a touch up appointment booked (on a tattoo that I did for you)
when we’ve already started a piece and you want to book another appointment to finish it/continue working on it (meaning we’ve already lined out a piece and you need a follow up color session on it)

For these situations, you’re welcome to just email me!

Yes! I do require a booking fee to book with me (some places also call this a deposit.)

I have different booking fees for different amounts of time booked with me. These deposit amounts are:

$100 for a 1 hour session
$150 for a 2 hour session
$200 for a 3-4 hour session
$350 for a 5+ hour session (note that I typically don’t tattoo for more than 5-6 hours at a time)

I require a booking fee for all tattoo appointments (with the touch ups being an exception) - these ensure that I am compensated for time spent preparing for your appointment in the event that you don’t show up for it.

Booking fees are nonrefundable, will come off the total cost of your tattoo appointment (so long as you show up on time to your appointment) and will hold your spot. If your piece is multiple sessions, it will be taken out of the last session of your piece in order to continue holding your appointments.

If you cancel your appointment, show up 20 minutes (or more) late, or reschedule within 48 hours of your appointment, your booking fee will be forfeited, and you will be required to pay a new one before rescheduling. You’re allowed to reschedule your appointment in advance of the 48 hour window without forfeiting your booking fee.

I have a new booking system where I’ll send you a link to my calendar where you can book your own appointment. You will not be able to book without paying the booking fee there.

If we are booking for a guest spot or convention, please note that your appointment will not be considered officially booked until your booking fee has been received.

The only times I do not require a booking fee are for touch up appointments, which are free.

Filling out a booking form does not guarantee a spot in my schedule. My booking form essentially acts as a place where my clients can send me proposals for their projects which I, in turn, can accept or deny, depending on a variety of factors (including, but not limited to, space in my schedule, budget restrictions, whether I feel I’m the best artist for your tattoo, etc.)

If your booking request was accepted, I will reach out to you via email within 2-8 weeks to get you on my schedule. You will only hear back from me if your request has been accepted.

In the past, I have tried to let everyone know either way, but unfortunately, due to the amount of requests I receive vs the limited amount that I’m able to take on, this is no longer sustainable for me.

I currently do not have a wait or cancellation list as they’re too difficult for me to keep track of. That being said, I always post about my last minute openings on my Instagram story! I also have created a newsletter for folks who don’t have Instagram or haven’t been seeing my posts there for whatever reason. You can sign up for that under the “About & Contact” section of my website.

For multiple reasons, no, I do not send tattoo designs out in advance. You’ll see your tattoo design at the beginning of your appointment, and there will be some time to make small changes as needed. If your tattoo needs a full redesign, we’ll use your scheduled time as an additional consult/drawing session and will reschedule your appointment.

No, I do not require a consultation before booking an appointment! My booking form is quite thorough and answers a lot of the questions that would be asked during a consult.

I do find consultations are helpful for clients who want large scale pieces such as sleeves, full back pieces, etc, but again, they aren’t necessary.

There are several ways that you can prepare for your tattoo appointment! These include (but are not limited to):

Making sure that you’re well rested, fed, and hydrated before your appointment. This is especially important before a long session!
Making sure you have snacks/water on you for your session.
Making sure that you wear tattoo appropriate clothing that allows me to tattoo the area without that article of clothing pulling at your skin.
Making sure you’re not wearing clothes that you care about to your appointment (I do my best to make sure ink doesn’t get on clothes, but sometimes it does happen.)
Making sure you do not shave the area in advance if you are not already accustomed to shaving there (sometimes this can create bumps/a rash that make the area difficult to tattoo.)
Making sure that you have a valid, government issued form of identification for your appointment.
Making sure you come to your appointment sober.

There are 2 main ways that I’ll bandage your tattoo. These are with Recovery Derm (adhesive bandage) or with Saran Wrap. Below are the Aftercare Instructions for both of these.

Aftercare Sheet (Cling Wrap)

• After you get home from your appointment, remove the plastic wrap and wash your tattoo with unscented soap and warm water. Liquid or foam soap is preferred for this step – if you have to use a bar of soap, do not place the bar directly on your tattoo – lather it between your hands, and then use the suds on your hands to wash your tattoo.

• Your tattoo will feel slimy, but do your best to wash and rinse away as much of that slime as possible. This will help to reduce scabbing. Make sure you also rinse all of the soap residue off your tattoo.

• Pat it back to dry. Pat, don’t wipe/scrub it. Make sure that your tattoo is completely dry – if you touch it and it feels tacky, keep patting it until it feels completely dry to the touch.

• Once you take the initial wrap off, do not rewrap it. It’s important to let your tattoo breathe.

• For the first few days, leave the tattoo alone. For all intents and purposes, your tattoo is a light skin abrasion (an example would be if you fell and skinned your knee), so you don’t need to clean it constantly or put a lot of goop on it.

• After that first 2-3 days, you’re welcome to put a little bit of unscented lotion on it. Make sure you wash your hands before you touch your fresh tattoo, and make sure that the lotion you use is unscented, does not have alcohol in it, and is not petroleum based.

• Your tattoo will flake, peel, and possibly have some scabs on it. It’s imperative that you do not pick at these scabs or scratch at your tattoo as this can result in scarring and loss of pigment.

• Some recommended lotions/ointments are Hustle Butter, Ink-eeze, Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Lotion, Aquaphor and Eucerin.

• Make sure that you do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight or submerge it in water or any other liquid while your tattoo is healing as both of these could interfere with the healing process and lead to infection or scarring. Showering as normal is fine, but make sure you pat your tattoo back to dry after each shower.

• After your tattoo is healed, make sure you wear sunscreen to prevent accelerated fading and sun damage.

Aftercare Sheet (Recovery Derm)

• The adhesive bandage placed on your tattoo is Recovery brand Derm Shield – this is a breathable, flexible bandage for your tattoo. Fluid will collect under the derm bandage – this is normal! This bandage is designed to help you re-absorb fluids that are beneficial to the healing process.

• Try to leave this wrap on for 24-48 hours if possible. You can shower with the bandage on, but please be mindful! You need to wait at least 2 hours after initial application to get this bandage wet. If water gets into the bandage while you’re showering, take it off immediately. If the bandage leaks, or you notice excessive redness or irritation, take it off immediately.

• When taking this wrap off, it’s helpful to get into the shower and let the steam loosen the adhesive from your skin. It’s also helpful to grab one of the bottom corners and pull the wrap down and away from yourself, slowly, like you might pull a command strip off the wall. Try not to rip this off.

• When you remove the wrap (whether it’s after that 24-48 hours or sooner than that) wash your tattoo with unscented soap and warm water. Liquid or foam soap is preferred for this step – if you have to use a bar of soap, do not place the bar directly on your tattoo – lather it between your hands, and then use the suds on your hands to wash your tattoo.