Stephanie Cootware

Want to get a tattoo from me? 

I have been tattooing in San Luis Obispo, California for the last 3 years.  I do typically have lots of time for walk-in tattoos so walk on in and see what I'm up to or text the shop to find out before you show up!   Should you want to make an appointment to talk face-to-face about your tattoo design, I would love it if you could take a look at my past work and see if I can do the sort of thing you would like. Just email me from the contact tab above to get a free consult appointment!  I love hearing your ideas and making the perfect tattoo for you.  It is very satisfying to me to help you get a great tattoo.
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Before your consultation appointment please look at all kinds of images from anywhere: books, magazines, photos you've taken, images of example tattoos that you like on the internet.  These will help you better communicate with me what you would like to see in your new tattoo or painting.  I love trying new styles and working with outlandish ideas so feel free to think outside the box when you are researching your new piece.   I like to tattoo illustrative blackwork of florals, plants, leaves, crystals.  I also like doing symbolic design, mini black and grey realistic pieces, girl faces, dot work, animals, sacred designs, some tribal styles, Japanese or native American style anything, sketchy style and American traditional.  Black designs are a favorite of mine right now.  

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The cost of your piece

Please realize when I quote you a price if we are not ready to tattoo you that it is simply an estimate.  I have a vague idea of the time it will take.  For large custom pieces there is really no way for me to know how long it is going to take me to make a tattoo on you until I've at least made a drawing. Think about it this way: would you call a car dealership and ask the lady at the desk how much cars cost?  There are many things to take into consideration when pricing a tattoo. For session work (anything more than 2 hours) I charge $200 an hour. My minimum is $120. I'd like to also say that I can get a lot done in 1 hour. So obviously the bigger tattoos are a better value. 

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About the deposits:

All appointments and drawings require a deposit and all deposits are non-refundable.  

This is why:  If I ask you to leave a deposit with me for drawing or holding your appointment it is for my time.  Time is money.  Especially drawing time. I only charge $10 an hour to draw for you and I feel like this is super reasonable. That deposit you paid me is for researching images, printing images on paper, making several sketches, and making the final drawing.  Most of the time that time is at home on my day off so that I can focus and make an awesome creation for YOU.  If you don't want to leave a deposit, that's fine, but please don't expect me to do all these things for free. Because I won't.  :D

 

By the time I start tattooing on you I have already spent my time and energy working for you and I LOVE WORKING FOR YOU, but I also have bills, a family. and I like to eat.  Just like you.  This is my job.  

 

Want to hear the good news about deposits?

The amount you leave me comes off the cost of your tattoo. Keep in mind that if you are doing session work then that deposit pays for the last hour of tattooing on that tattoo.  If you decide you don't want my design tattooed, I will keep the money and email you a high resolution image of your drawing for you to keep if you wish.  Also no call/ no show results in loss of deposit and I require another to rebook you.  Please make sure to contact me or the tattoo shop AT LEAST 24 hours before your scheduled appointment to let us know if you wish to reschedule so that you can keep the deposit and remain on professional working terms with me.

 

Thank you for your awesome support and incredible ideas! I feel so blessed to get to do what I love every single day!