Please read this page fully before your appointment
Before your session please make sure you have done the following -
- Please shower before your appointment to ensure your skin is as clean as possible and to avoid any cross contamination.
- Please carefully shave the area you're getting tattooed. (I can do this in the studio but the less razors I use the better for the environment).
- Please rid your skin of any fake tan before coming to your appointment.
- Please avoid sunbeds before your appointment or sitting in the sun for too long. If you turn up to your session with sunburn on the area we are tattooing, your appointment will be cancelled and you will loose your deposit.
- Do not drink alcohol 24hrs before your appointment.
- Please make sure you eat something before your appointment. Carbs are good slow release energy and will help with your blood sugar levels and the pain.
- Stock up on some food and a sugary drink to bring with you on the day.
- Please don't wear anything you aren't prepared to get ink on.
Appointment day
- If you are running late please contact me via email (I do not receive notifications for social media messages so email is always best).
- If you are over 30mins late your appointment maybe forfeited and you will loose your deposit.
- I kindly request for you to come alone to your appointment. Unless you need a carer to assist you.
- The remaining balance of your tattoo can be paid in cash or bank transfer. We do not have a card machine in the studio, there are however cash machines walking distance from the studio if needed.
- For clients travelling from over seas, Paypal is my preferred method of payment.
- Strictly no under 18's allowed in the studio.
Deposit Policy
- All bookings require a non-refundable deposit.
- If you need to cancel your appointment you need to give me 3 days notice via email, otherwise you will lose your deposit.
- You can only move your appointment one time, after that if you cannot attend your appointment for any reason you will lose your deposit.
- Your deposit must be used within a year of payment, unless agreed otherwise.
Deposits are there to protect me from loss of earnings. If you cannot attend your appointment I lose a days work and do not get paid.
Design Process
I don't send out designs before tattoo appointments, this is for a number of reasons.
Mainly because I like to show my clients their design in person. The design itself is only ever an outline, so it can be adapted into a stencil. So I like to take the time to describe to my clients where all the shading and highlights will go etc, as it can be hard to visualise it when you're not looking at a finished tattoo.
Then if you wanted any changes making it's far easier to do in person, as emails can get misinterpreted and are not always clear. There is always time on the day to make sure the design is absolutely perfect before starting and I will never draw something you haven't asked for, so there wouldn't be any surprises on the day.
There is also a level of trust needed between artist and client for me to be able to produce my best work for you. If you have seen all my work on social media and love it, then you know by booking in with me that you'll love your new tattoo. However if you are extremely picky about the design then I wont be able to exercise my artistic flare to create you a piece as beautiful as the ones you've seen before booking in.
I spend roughly 3 hours drawing each design. So make sure when sending your tattoo idea you give a clear description and if you change you mind about any specific details you'd like including, please contact me at least 2 weeks before your session so I can alter it in time for your appointment.
Please remember you are booking in for the tattoo directly related to your booking form and your deposit is to secure this particular design. So if you drastically want to change the entire tattoo and/or placement, then you would need to fill in a new booking form and potentially book a new appointment.
Studio Location & Parking
Southern Gothic is easy to find as we are right on the high street. The studio shows up on google maps so it should be easy to navigate yourselves to.
Here is the full studio address -
Southern Gothic Tattoo Theatre
367 Charminster Road
Bournemouth
BH8 9QS
Parking is also super easy and free. If you go down either Acland Road or Firbank Road you can usually find a space where you can leave your car all day without any restrictions.
Sometimes there are spaces directly in front of the studio however this is only limited to an hour at a time, so please don't leave your car here if your session is longer then an hour.