First, research artists whose style fits your idea. Then contact the studio or artist directly via email, text, or online form. Be ready to share your design, size, placement, and budget. Most bookings require a deposit and sometimes a consultation.

Want to book at Aloha Tattoos? Here’s the simplest way to do it:

Go to Our Online Booking Form
Select Your Category (Tattoo Appointment, Consultation, and Drawing/Design)
Fill Out the Inquiry Form
Submit the Form & Wait for a Reply
Pay the Deposit
Prepare for Your Appointment

Let’s break down what happens at each stage, what to prepare for, and how to make sure your booking experience goes smoothly.

How to Book a Tattoo Appointment

The process varies from studio to studio, but at Aloha Tattoos, and honestly, at any professional shop worth your time, it follows the same rhythm.

1. Define Your Idea, Budget, and Timeline

This is where it all starts, and where a lot of folks either get stuck or rush it. Don’t be that person who walks in saying they just want something cool.

That's like going to a mechanic and asking for “whatever fix feels right.” Tattoos are personal. They’re storytelling, so they deserve a little clarity.

Here, you need to:

Dial in the Idea

Start with what the tattoo means to you or doesn’t. Not every piece has to carry deep symbolism. Sometimes cool art is cool art. But know your why and your where.

The main things are…

Design/theme. What’s the story or look you’re going for?
Placement. Arm, leg, ribs, back? Placement affects size and detail.
Style. Realism, black and grey, full color, mandala, tribal, etc.
Size. The more specific, the better.

Pro tip:

We, at Aloha Tattoos, encourage our clients to bring reference images. That may include: Pinterest boards, rough sketches, or screenshots. They help us understand your vision and translate it into something custom and clean.

Be Real About Budget

Here’s the truth.

Good tattoos cost more because you're paying for experience, quality, and safety.
Pricing can vary by artist, style, complexity, and location.
Deposits are almost always required, and yes, they go toward your final cost.

Think About Timing

Some clients hit us up wanting a full back piece next weekend. Not happening. Large or custom tattoos often require weeks (sometimes months) of lead time for drawing, prep, and scheduling.

If you’ve got a vacation, beach trip, or big event coming up, plan accordingly. Tattoos need time to heal.

2. Find the Right Tattoo Artist for Your Vision

You have an idea. Now, you need the right artist to turn it into something that lives and breathes on your skin. And no, that doesn’t mean whoever has the most Instagram followers. You want skill, consistency, and someone whose style matches your vision.

Here’s how to narrow it down without getting overwhelmed:

Look at portfolios, not popularity. Don’t get distracted by big followings. Find an artist whose work matches what you want.
Zoom in on the details. Check the linework. Are the lines clean and crisp? Is the shading smooth? Do they show healed work?
Ask yourself, could you sit with this person for 3–5 hours? You’re going to be sharing energy for a while, so make sure it feels right.
Check their reviews on Google, Yelp, or the studio site to see what other clients are saying.
Watch for red flags. If they ghost you, dodge questions, won’t show healed work, or give off weird energy, walk away.

3. Contact the Artist or Studio

There are a few different ways to reach out depending on the studio:

Online form is the easiest and most organized. We use it to collect all your info in one shot.
Email is great for longer, detailed inquiries, especially if you’re attaching references.
Text or phone calls are fast, friendly, and yes, we absolutely take bookings this way.
Instagram DMs are common, but not always ideal. Some artists don’t check DMs regularly, and it’s easy for messages to get buried.

Tip: If the artist or studio gives clear instructions on how to book, follow them. Nothing slows things down than someone messaging every platform at once with “hey u free 2day?”

When you do message, here’s what to include:

A short description of your tattoo idea
Approximate size in inches
Placement on your body
Color or black & grey
Any reference images
Your budget (be honest, we’ll help you make it work)
Preferred dates or timeline

Sample message:

Hey! I’m looking to get a black and grey raven tattoo on my left forearm, about 6 inches tall. I’d love it to have some Norse elements and realistic shading. I’m aiming to book in the next month or two and can be flexible with dates. I’ve attached some reference pics. My budget’s around $400–500. Let me know if this sounds like something you’d be into.

4. Consultation: When Do You Need It First?

Let’s clear this up. Not every tattoo needs a consultation. But some definitely do. And knowing the difference can save you time and frustration.

If you’re getting something small, straightforward, or choosing from flash art, you can go straight to booking. But if your tattoo is big, custom, highly detailed, or needs to flow with your body shape (like a sleeve or back piece), you’ll want a consultation first.

Our tattoo shop offers both in-person and virtual consults, depending on what works for you. These take 5–20 minutes and cover all the key stuff like:

Finalizing the concept and placement
Talking through size, detail, and style
Discussing healing and lifestyle concerns (travel plans, gym routines, medical issues)
Answering any questions you’ve been holding back

Some people think they need to have every detail figured out before a consultation. You don’t. The point is to collaborate, to let your artist guide you where needed and make sure the design fits your body and your vision.

Now, if major changes come up during or after the consultation, you might need a follow-up before booking.

And if you’re the kind of person who’s nervous, has anxiety, or has a medical condition you’re worried about, this is your moment to speak up. We’re not here to judge. We’re here to help. The more we know upfront, the better we can take care of you.

5. Secure Your Appointment

You’re not officially booked until that deposit is paid. Sending a message or having a great consultation doesn’t lock in your spot. Money does it for most tattoo shops. Until then, someone else can grab that time.

The deposit depends on the piece, but most deposits range from $50 to $200. We’ll let you know upfront, and we take both cash and card to keep it easy.

How to Book for Special Situations

Life throws in some curveballs. Maybe you’re flying in from out of town, booking for two people, or you’ve got a medical condition you’re not sure how to bring up.

There’s a way to make it work. You only need to plan ahead and be upfront.

Booking for Multiple People

This one takes coordination. Don’t assume you and your best friend can walk in and get matching tattoos at the same time.

Artists have different schedules and pacing. If you want to book back-to-back or share an appointment block, let the studio know early so we can set it up right.

Traveling in From out of Town

If that’s you, be extra clear about your availability and travel dates. Mention you’re visiting when you fill out the booking form or message us. We’ll try to prioritize you where possible, and if we can’t, we’ll be honest about that too.

Medical Condition or Skin Issue

We're not doctors, but we are professionals. If you’ve got something going on that might affect the tattoo or healing process, tell us during the consultation or booking.

It will help us give you the safest and best experience possible.

Anxious or Nervous

Tattoo anxiety is normal. If you’re anxious or unsure, let us know. We’ll talk you through it. Some people feel more comfortable booking a consultation to meet the artist first, and that’s 100% okay.

What to Expect After Booking

You’ve locked in your appointment. paid your deposit, picked your artist, and got the date circled on your calendar. Now it’s all about preparation and knowing what comes next.

First,

You’ll Get a Confirmation

Studios make it clear you’re officially booked. You’ll get a confirmation message with all the details, such as date, time, artist, and how to prepare. If you don’t see it, don’t be shy. Reach out. We’d rather double-confirm than leave you wondering.

See The Design

This depends on the artist. Some will send you a preview ahead of time, especially if it’s a big custom piece and you’ve had a consult. Others prefer to show it the day of. It keeps the piece from getting overworked by last-minute opinions or stolen before it hits skin.

How to Reschedule

Things come up. We get it. If you need to move your appointment, let us know as soon as you can, ideally at least 48 hours in advance. That gives us time to rework the schedule without losing the slot.

If you ghost or cancel last-minute, you risk losing your deposit, and depending on the situation, it might make it harder to book again.

So the best move is to communicate early, be honest, and we’ll work with you. Simple as that.

Not sure if you’re actually booked?

And you didn't miss any step here.

Deposit paid
Confirmation received
Date and time locked in

Shoot us a message. We’re here to make the process smooth from start to finish.

Prepping Before the Big Day

This is your time to keep your canvas clean and ready. A few simple steps go a long way:

Stay hydrated
Moisturize the area lightly in the days leading up
Avoid alcohol, tanning, or exfoliating products
Get solid sleep the night before
Eat something before your appointment—you’ll need the energy

Day-of Appointment Tips

The big day’s here. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fiftieth, showing up prepared makes all the difference for your comfort, for the artist’s workflow, and for how that ink heals up.

What to Bring

Come prepared and you’ll walk in confident. Carry:

Valid ID (you’d be shocked how many people forget this)
Payment method (some artists prefer cash, some take cards, so ask ahead)
Reference images (even if you’ve already shared them, bring them again in case)
Water and snacks for long sessions.
Layers (tattoo shops can be chilly, and you may want to adjust based on the area being tattooed)

What to Wear

Dress for access and comfort. If you’re getting your thigh tattooed, don’t wear skinny jeans. If it is an arm piece, then choose a sleeveless or something you can roll up. Think loose, soft clothes, nothing tight or scratchy over the area.

Aftercare & Post-Tattoo Follow-Up

The tattoo doesn’t end when the machine stops buzzing. In fact, that’s when the work starts, on your part. Healing is half the process, and if you don’t treat that fresh ink right, even the cleanest lines and richest colors can fade, blur, or get infected

Every artist has their preferred method, and you should always follow your artist’s specific advice. But in general, here’s what we recommend:

Keep the bandage on for the time your artist suggests (24–48 hours).
Wash with mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water.
Pat dry, don't rub.
Apply a thin layer of recommended ointment.
Keep it clean, moisturized, and out of the sun.
No swimming, no tanning beds, no hot tubs.

Most artists offer free or low-cost touch-ups within a certain window, especially if it's part of the healing process and not something you scratched up in your sleep. But you’ve got to communicate. If something looks off, send a photo, ask questions, come in.

If something looks weird, feels wrong, or starts to scab badly, let us know early. That’s why we emphasize the consult stage too. If you’ve got allergies, autoimmune issues, or sensitive skin, we’ll factor that into ink choices, aftercare products, and healing advice from the jump.

When NOT to Book (Yet)

Sometimes, the best move is to wait. I know that might sound strange coming from a guy who owns a tattoo studio, but tattoos are permanent. Booking when you’re not ready doesn’t do you, your skin, or your artist any favors.

These are the times to slow down:

You’re not sure what you want.
You’re emotionally raw or tattooing for someone else.
You’re under the influence.
You’re about to travel, tan, or do something rough on your skin.
You’re on a tight schedule.
You’re not ready to follow aftercare instructions.

Booking a Tattoo Shouldn’t Feel Like a Test

Let’s be honest, getting a tattoo should feel exciting, not intimidating. Yeah, there’s a process. Yeah, you’ve got to come in prepared. But this is not a secret club or a test you have to pass. It’s a collaboration. You bring the idea. We bring the craft. That’s it.

So take your time. Ask questions. Be honest about your vision, your budget, and your boundaries. And if you’re not sure what comes next? That’s what we’re here for.

Ready to Book Your Tattoo? Let’s Make It Happen

We, at Aloha Tattoos, make booking easy, whether you’re local, flying in, or finally ready to get that dream piece started. Fill out our booking form, text us with your idea, or call the studio directly. We’ll match you with the perfect artist and guide you through every step.

How to book a tattoo appointment. Easy steps to follow

How to Book a Tattoo Appointment