INKHEART TATTOO



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



do you take walk-ins?



We are appointment based for all services. You can view our piercer's availability and book online through the link on our piercing page.

For tattoos, we recommend you view each artist's profile on the website. On each artist's page, you will find the artist's contact information on how to book with them. We love to take walk-ins, or same day appointments when we can, but that may not happen every day. Please call to check for any last minute availability!



How much does a piercing cost?



The grand total of a piercing can vary significantly depending on the jewelry you choose. You can view price quotes for each service specifically on our booking site, by clicking the link in the "Piercing Policies & Booking" tab. These price quotes include the most inexpensive jewelry, service, aftercare, and tax, and can go up depending on the jewelry chosen.




do i need an appointment just to buy jewelry?



Our piercer handles all jewelry and piercing related sales to ensure you get the appropriate style and sizing for your jewelry. Planning a time to purchase jewelry is extremely helpful for us.

You can view our piercers availability using the link in the "Piercing Policies & Booking" tab. You can select 'Jewelry Shopping Only,' or a 'Jewelry Change' if you would like assistance installing your jewelry.

There may be a wait for any walk-in sales or services if we are working with clients.



i can only wear certain metals,
can I still get a piercing?



This is our most commonly asked question! We only pierce with (and install) implant-grade materials that are verified, and compliant with the Association of Professional Piercers and the Minnesota Department of Health. This includes implant grade titanium, implant grade steel, niobium, 14k gold, and 18k gold. These materials are nickel free, hypo-allergenic, and polished to a mirror finish to eliminate the risk of any unpleasant reactions.



my child wants their ears pierced but they don't have a photo ID. what else can we use?



In compliance with state regulation, minors of any age do need a photo ID in order to receive a piercing. This has to be a state issued ID, passport, passport card, permanent resident ID, tribal ID, or a military ID.

We can also accept a school ID, LifeTouch Smile Safe ID card, or a digital school portal ID AS LONG AS they have the minor's name, photo, school name, and they have to be current and cannot be expired.


As always, this has to be accompanied by the minor's birth certificate/similar document, and a parent/guardians government issued ID.


If the minor does not have an ID listed above, we are unfortunately not able to perform any piercings. We cannot accept yearbooks, recreation passes, library cards, etc.

The fastest and easiest form of ID to obtain is to apply for a state ID. In the state of Minnesota you will be issued a temporary paper ID with the photo, and and name of the minor. We can accept the temporary ID and you would not have to wait for the physical lD card to arrive. Please do your own research to see what is required to apply for a state ID.




What kind of payment do you take?



We accept cash, all major credit/debit cards, but no checks.


**Customer Pricing Notice**

A 3.99% customer service charge is applied to all credit card sales.




do you sell gift certificates?



We do have gift certificates available for purchase. Gift certificates can be used studio-wide for piercings, jewelry, tattoos, aftercare products, and merchandise. Gift certificates are valid for 12 months after purchase.


Gift certificates purchased with a credit/debit card do have a 3.99% processing fee, gift certificates purchased with cash do not have a processing fee.



How old do you need to be to get a tattoo or piercing?



YOU MUST BE 18 TO GET A TATTOO - THIS IS STATE LAW. ​

As of July 1, 2010, it is a violation of Minnesota state law to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, regardless of parental consent. We will not make exceptions.


YOU MUST HAVE A VALID ID TO GET A TATTOO OR PIERCING

You must present one of the following valid & unexpired forms of photo ID:

  • State ID/Driver's License
  • Military ID
  • Permanent Resident ID
  • Passport/Passport Card
  • Tribal Photo ID

If your driver's license is expired/clipped, you MUST bring the renewal papers with you as well.


PIERCINGS FOR MINORS WITH PARENTAL CONSENT

Earlobe piercings are offered for children ages 8 and older.

Other piercings on the ears and nostrils - 13 and older.

Navel piercing - 15 and older.


FOR ID REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS, PLEASE VIEW THE "PIERCING POLICIES" TAB.​ ​​



Do i need to make a deposit for a tattoo?



We require an in-person deposit of $50-$200 (cash/card) to set and hold tattoo appointments, cost will depend on size of the tattoo. Deposits are non refundable, and will be forfeited in the event of a no call no show.


In the event you need to reschedule, you must call with 48 hours notice during normal business hours to move the deposit to a different appointment time. We will reschedule your appointment up to 2 times before your deposit is forfeited. If you do not provide us with at least 48 hours notice by phone, your deposit will be forfeited.



Are kids allowed in the shop?



NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY ANY TATTOO SERVICES. We need to maintain a sanitary environment, and it can be extremely disruptive to other clients and artists if children are running around the studio.



Do you do finger tattoos?



Finger tattoos are tricky - the underside of your finger, the side of the finger, the wrinkly part of the knuckle, are all places that don't take tattoos very well. The skin is either very thin or is constantly sloughing off so you might get a tattoo that looks cool at first but after a very short period of time you end up with something blurry looking or parts of it will be missing entirely.

Some artist will do them, but we want our clients to be fully informed and have the right expectations for healing results. Certain artists will do Wedding Ring Tattoos: again, because tattoos do not stay on the underside of the finger, we suggest doing a half-ring tattoo or a simple design on the back of the knuckle. The design has to be very simple since details will be prone to blurring together. A single letter, a plain band, heart, star, moon or other very simple shapes or patterns in black ink are the best kinds of things to put on the knuckle as they will be most likely to last a long time before having to get it re-touched.



Do you do white ink tattoos?



Some of our artists will do white ink tattoos. We always want our customers to be informed about the limitations of white ink before proceeding. The biggest problem with using just white ink for a tattoo is that the results are unpredictable.

Once white ink is in a healed tattoo, it does not look pure bright white because you're looking at it through the pigment of your own skin. Generally it will show as a few shades lighter than your skin tone, but skin tones can vary from spot to spot on your body so it may heal in a splotchy, uneven tone (especially if used as a solid fill). Also, white works better as a highlight color with contrast, rather than a solid fill.

When against a dark color, white will look brighter than if it is on its own. White ink tattoos tend to be very subtle, very faint, and after 5 years or so (depending on how much sun exposure it gets), might hardly be visible at all. You would have to continue to get the tattoo retouched at your expense much more frequently to keep it looking fresh.

White ink designs need to be fairly simplistic linework designs, using thicker lines (things like small lettering are not advisable). Images of amazing white tattoos on Pinterest have been very popular lately. However, many of the images do not show what happens when the tattoo is healed, they don't show when a tattoo goes unexpectedly wrong.

White ink tattoos can backfire fairly often- a client's skin tone will tint the ink a strange color, which is impossible to predict, and the reason why many of our artists have decided to not offer them. It is always our #1 goal to give you the best looking tattoo possible and if we ever feel that can't be achieved we will advise against it.



Can I bring you my ideas and have you draw them? What's the process?



If you need a custom drawing done, you'll need to schedule a consultation. This is a free, 30-minute appointment where you'll meet with the artist of your choice and discuss your ideas and plans for your tattoo. It is a good idea to bring drawings, sketches, photographs, notes, etc. to help illustrate your ideas. Don't worry if you can't draw! Even stick-figures help us visualize what you want for your tattoo. At the end of your consult there is no obligation to continue, but if you and the artist both decide to go forward and start working on a drawing, you will be required to pay a draw fee and/or a deposit. These fees are non-refundable. The draw fee pays for the time the artist takes to complete your drawing, and ranges from $50-$200 depending on the size and complexity of the drawing. Sometimes if the artist determines your drawing is small and/or easy enough they may waive the draw fee. The Deposit holds your appointment and is applied to your bill for tattoo time. It is not refundable under any circumstance, but you are allowed to reschedule your appointment if needed. As long as you call to reschedule 24 hours in advance we will still honor your deposit. If you decide not to do the tattoo, if you don't show up for your appointment, or are more than 30 minutes late for your appointment YOU WILL LOSE YOUR DEPOSIT. The artist may schedule you a tattoo appointment, and may also set a drawing review appointment before the tattoo date to review the tattoo with you. This may depend on the complexity of the tattoo, or the artist's drawing process.