FAQ

Where do you work?

I work at 444 Tattoo in historic South Austin! We share a parking lot with Radio Coffee. Our address is:

2008 Fort View Rd , Austin, Texas 78704

What are your hours?

I am in the shop & can accept appointments during the following times:

Tuesday: 10AM-5PM
Thursday: 10AM-6PM
Friday: 10AM-6PM
Saturday: 10AM-6PM

How do I book an appointment?

You can request an appointment for a custom tattoo by filling out a booking form here! For flash or pre-drawn design requests, please fill out a form here. Typically it takes about 1-3 days for me to review and respond to requests via text or email.

I require a deposit of $75 to secure an appointment time and compensate for my time spent designing the tattoo. This deposit goes towards the final cost of your tattoo. This deposit is NON-Refundable, even in the event of an emergency. I accept deposits via Venmo, Cash App, and Paypal, or you can pay in person with Cash. You can find more information as well as all of my payment accounts here.

I will send you the deposit information after we correspond via email or text, so no need to pay the deposit in advance of contacting me. I will only ask you for a deposit when we’ve secured a date / time.

How do I pay my deposit?

You can find my full deposit policy & all of my payment account information here.

How much will my tattoo cost?

I price my work individually per piece with a minimum of $150. If you have a budget you are looking to spend, there is a section for this in the booking form!

I determine prices based on design complexity, tattoo placement / size, and time. My hourly rate is $150 per hour for all pieces. I keep a stopwatch so your appointment will be priced accurately down to the minute!

Can I get multiple tattoos in one session?

Absolutely! I am happy to bundle tattoos since it saves us both time and money. This is usually a much more cost-effective way to get your small pieces done. Since my work is priced by the hour with a minimum of $150, if you want to get 2-3 small tattoos (small meaning 1-2″) this will probably take under an hour, and will be priced accordingly as a bundle.

I want a tattoo but I’m not 100% sure of my idea. Can I book a consultation?

Yes! I am always happy to book a consultation to flesh out an idea. We can do this either in person at 444 Tattoo or virtually via text/ Instagram DM. You can fill out a consultation request form here.

Do you accept walk-ins?

Yes I do! I have occasional time for walk-ins between my scheduled appointments. You can check my Instagram story for announcements about walk-in availability or DM me directly via my Instagram @zigzag_tattoo.

What payment methods do you accept?

I accept Cash, Card, and various payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Paypal as payment!

The $75 deposit is paid in a separate transaction from the total tattoo cost. More detailed information about the deposit policy can be found here.

How long have you been tattooing?

I began an 8-month apprenticeship in April of 2021, and graduated/ started professionally tattooing in December of 2021. I have been at 444 Tattoo since March of 2022.

How much should I tip?

Tipping is never required but always appreciated. Standard tipping is 20-25% of the cost of the tattoo. I am also always grateful for gifts, snacks/ drinks, and fellow artists’ work as substitutes for tips.

Will I see my tattoo design before my appointment?

Short answer: no. For more complex designs, I may send a sketch and/ or mockup preview 1-2 days in advance to get an idea of the composition and ensure our visions align. However, this is not guaranteed, and it is most likely you will not see the fully rendered / colored drawing before you arrive.

Please try to understand that I cannot possibly accommodate every client with a fully finished piece of art before every appointment. It is risky for me to give away my art like this and it opens up the potential for theft of my designs. It is also much easier to make design changes together in person so there is no miscommunication via text. I always schedule with enough time during our appointment slot to make changes if needed! Trust that I care about you and your tattoo enough to ensure we are both happy with the design before it goes on your body, and I will not take offense to any requests to change my work.

What is your cancellation/ rescheduling policy?

You may reschedule your appointment if you contact me within 48 hours of your tattoo appointment time. If you contact me with appropriate notice, you will not lose your original deposit. If you cancel or reschedule after the 48 hour period, you will need to pay another $75 deposit and the original deposit will not go towards the cost of your tattoo. If you need to contact me to cancel or reschedule, my information can be found here.

If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, please send me a message on my Instagram or via text to let me know. If you are 30 minutes late or more your appointment will be automatically cancelled and considered a no-show. See below for information on my no-show policy.

I understand that things happen that are out of our control and my intent is not to punish anyone for unexpected changes in their schedule. However, tattooing is my only source of income and every cancelled appointment is lost money for me. Please be respectful of my time and I will do the same for you.

What happens if I no-call, no-show?

If you give me no notice whatsoever that you will not be coming to your scheduled appointment, I will not accept any appointments with you in the future. No exceptions. This includes touch-up appointments and consultations.

Can I bring a guest to my appointment?

You may bring up to 1 guest to your appointment. However, your guest will not be able to sit with you while you are being tattooed. They are welcome to hang out in the lobby or next door at Radio Coffee. We are a small shop and this policy helps keep everyone safe and comfortable. No person under the age of 18 is permitted in our shop.

What should I do to prepare for my tattoo appointment?

All pre-appointment info can be found on this page here!

How should I care for my new tattoo?

If you are not using a bandage, you can skip to the section below.

If you are using a Saniderm adhesive bandage, you can leave this on for 3-5 days. Blood, plasma, and ink will accumulate under the bandage. This is normal and harmless. You should remove your bandage as soon as the edges begin lifting and expose your tattoo to the air, or if the bandage begins leaking. Remove the bandage in the shower under warm running water to soften the adhesive. Peel slowly from one corner and stretch the skin to reduce discomfort. Once removed, begin basic aftercare.

How to care for your new tattoo:

Wash your tattoo as soon as you get home. Use warm water and perfume-free antibacterial soap like Dial or Softsoap. Do not scrub or use a washcloth; your hands are all you need. Wash it one more time before bedtime.
Dab the tattoo gently with a clean paper towel to dry. Use only clean, disposable paper products when caring for your tattoo.
Apply a very thin layer of healing ointment like Aquaphor or Lubriderm to the clean tattoo to keep it moisturized. You want just enough so the tattoo is slightly shiny but you should not see an obvious layer of ointment sitting on the surface.
After 1 week, you may switch to an unscented lotion to keep your tattoo moisturized. I personally like using Aquaphor ointment for the entire healing process, but it is up to your preference.
Repeat aftercare process twice a day for 3 weeks, even after the tattoo “looks” healed. Once the skin of your tattoo looks no different from the surrounding area, it is fully healed.

Some important things to note:

Remember that your tattoo is essentially an open wound, much like a severe sunburn. Treat it as carefully as you would treat any injury.
Sleep with freshly washed sheets the night of your new tattoo.
Oozing and bleeding is a normal part of the tattoo healing process. It should stop after about 3 days.
Keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Wear clothing that covers the area to reduce exposure.
Do NOT soak your tattoo in water. Standing water harbors bacteria and soaking your tattoo can easily introduce this bacteria into your healing tattoo. No swimming or bathing for at least 2 weeks.
Do NOT scratch your tattoo. Scratching introduces bacteria into your healing tattoo and can cause an infection. Your new tattoo will probably itch. This is normal. Some people like to pat/ slap the tattoo to alleviate the feeling.
Do NOT pick any scabs or “peelies” that form. Your tattoo may form scabs, especially if it is colored. The skin covering the tattoo may also “shed” and peel away, much like a snake shedding its skin. This is all normal. It is extremely important that you leave these alone and resist the urge to pick, otherwise you risk infection or damaging the appearance of the tattoo.
If you experience extreme redness, tenderness, swelling, or oozing more than 3 days after your new tattoo, please contact me and I will evaluate the situation and advise you if you should seek the care of a physician. If you are experiencing fever, chills, or any other signs of an infection, please be safe and immediately contact a doctor.

The most important thing you can do for your new tattoo is keep it clean and moisturized. Moisturize as often as your tattoo needs. If it looks dry, it probably is.

My tattoo has healed and some of the color is faded or patchy. What is your touch-up policy?

I am happy to offer one touch-up free of charge within the first year of getting the tattoo. I can do a second additional touch-up if needed for $75 (within the first year of getting the tattoo), and any additional touch-ups after that or any touch-ups requested after the first year of getting the tattoo will be charged at my standard rate of $150 per hour.

Some important information about my touch-up policy:

I will only do touch-ups on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. I do not do touch-ups on Saturdays.
I am happy to touch up a previous tattoo during your appointment if you are coming in for new work, but only with approval in advance. Usually it’s a matter of timing. Please let me know before your appointment if you’d like to touch something else up while you’re here.
The point of a touch-up is to correct tattoo errors that occur during the healing process, not to change the tattoo afterwords. If a tattoo has healed well but you want to change or add new color (ex. you asked for a flower to be colored yellow at the appointment but now want it to be pink), this is not considered a touch-up. This is essentially a new tattoo and I will have to treat it as such, and charge at my standard rate of $150 per hour with a minimum of $150.
The only exception to the standard policy is for cover-up tattoos. If a cover-up needs a touch-up because the original is still showing through, I am happy to do a “second pass” over it to get it fully covered. Sometimes cover-ups, especially over very dark tattoos, need extra time and attention and I am always happy to put this work in to make sure you are happy with the result. Essentially, you get a second pass & a touch-up free of charge with any cover-up.
My cancellation & no-show policy apply to touch-up appointments as well. I need 48 hours notice to reschedule a touch-up appointment. If you cancel or ask to reschedule a touch-up after this period, I will require a $75 deposit to keep your rescheduled appointment, which you will get back after the appointment (provided you show up). If you no-call no-show a touch-up appointment, your forfeit your right to the free touch up and will be charged my standard rate of $150 per hour with a minimum of $150.
Touch-ups are something that I offer to my clients as a courtesy. I have a right to deny any touch-ups at my discretion. This is extremely rare for me and has only happened a few times. I will not tolerate being disrespected or harassed and I will not tattoo anyone who makes me uncomfortable, which extends to touch-ups. Please be respectful when reaching out. If you are unsatisfied with any tattoo I have done for you, I will be more than happy to help fix the situation if you handle it respectfully.

Please contact me via email or text to set up a touch-up appointment. My information can be found here.

I want a tattoo of another person’s art. Will you do it for me?

I will decline any requests to copy any tattoo or original design by another artist. However, I am open to tattooing other artists’ work if it meets at least one of the following conditions:

It is open-source tattoo flash from a flash book, wall flash, or other public domain tattoo art.
It is “fan art” or tribute art to an artist or franchise (i.e. cartoon characters like Betty Boop, fine artists like Andy Warhol) that I can openly credit. The original subjects are another artist’s intellectual property, but the design is unique.
You have purchased an official “tattoo ticket” from an artist who has sold or authorized the use of their design.
You personally know (or are) the artist of the work.

Integrity as an artist is very important to me. I care very deeply about being original and respecting my fellow artists. You can also always ask for clarification and send me a photo of your idea to see if it fits my policy.

Art theft is not a victimless crime. Please be thoughtful about this when requesting a tattoo with me.

My tattoo is done & I’m not happy with the result. What can I do?

While this is extremely unfortunate, it can happen. Sometimes an idea doesn’t translate well to a tattoo, sometimes tattoos heal differently than they look on day 1, sometimes you may just not like how I executed the design on a technical level. Whatever the reason, I want my clients to be totally happy with their tattoos. If for any reason you are not happy, please let me know, I will be happy to discuss your options with you. We may be able to re-work what’s already there, or even potentially cover it up with a different design entirely. If you are currently in this situation, please reach out via my general inquiry form here.

A lot of this is preventable with good communication during the early stages of the design process. Send all the references you can during our initial correspondence, be as specific as possible when requesting your tattoo, and please take a long look through my portfolio to make sure I am the right artist for you. You can submit a general inquiry form here for any questions before booking or request a consultation for a more in-depth planning session with my consultation request form here.

Do you ever do service trades?

Yes I do! I am open to requests to trade services with other artists / craftspeople / personal service workers. My main caveats with this are:

I will only accept requests for a true exchange of services, not products. For example, if you make rugs, I would love to exchange a custom tattoo for a custom commissioned rug, but I will not select from your existing inventory.
I will maintain my pricing of $150 an hour for all service trades to keep price exchanges fair. For example, if you want to trade your products / services in exchange for a 2 hour tattoo ($300), I would appreciate $300 credit in return.
If you plan on getting a lot of tattoos and would like to establish an ongoing / regular trade of services, I am open to these requests if you provide a service that can be considered continuous. This would include hairdressing, esthetics, massage, nails, or other similar personal services. **I am currently not seeking a nail trade**
I am open to trading tattoos with other tattoo artists, but I rarely get tattooed myself for personal reasons (yes, even though I am a tattooer) so I may postpone my end of the trade until a later date or ask if I can “gift” my credit to a friend or loved one.

You can DM me on my Instagram @zigzag_tattoo to request a service trade, preferably via your professional / business account, or submit a general contact form here on my website.

If I deny a service request, please know it isn’t personal! I have limited availability for free work and it likely has nothing to do with you.

I want to become a tattoo artist too, where should I start?

I have lots of advice on how to get a traditional apprenticeship, and this is my one and only recommendation for how to begin. If you are interested in this information, send me a general contact form here and I’ll email you my advice.

I am not taking any apprentices at this time, nor will I give out any advice on how to DIY tattoo at home.

Why “Zigzag Tattoo”?

My last name is Gonzalez with two Z’s and over the years I’ve been nicknamed “ZZ”, “Double Z” and “Zigzag”, so it felt natural to make this my tattoo moniker!