Synergy Shop FAQ

Each artist sets their own rate, which will vary per artist, based off what tattoo design you want. Generally, the shop charges $100 an hour with a $60 minimum. Christian charges $100 an hour with a $200 minimum, while Troll charges $100 an hour with a $100 minimum. Smaller pieces and lettering will be charged based on a size and complexity criteria. We will not haggle on the rates, but if you are on a budget, we are more than happy to work with you. It is better to let us know up front, rather than be surprised when we tell you what you owe. For the larger pieces, we cannot give you an exact quote, but instead will give you a rough estimate based on hours (4-6 hours for example).

The deposit policy is to set up an appointment for a tattoo - there is a minimum of $40 required to set it up. This $40 is there to secure your time spot, and does go towards the total cost of the tattoo. We do this, not only to give you more incentive to make your appointment on time, but also to compensate for the time involved in the design process if you decide not to show. Now, we understand that things do come up, and upon occasion, you may not be able to make your scheduled appointment. Unless it is a medical or family emergency, we prefer a 24 hour notice and we can move you and your deposit to the next time that works best for you. If it is a medical or family emergency, we would prefer a notice as soon as possible, and you have no worries about the deposit. However, if we learn that your emergency was falsified for any reason, your deposit is forfeited. It has happened a few times in the past that someone had canceled their appointment claiming a family emergency only to have another friend/family member tell us that there was no emergency and they just got scared.

All tattoos hurt, but the degree of pain really depends on the person and the area that is being tattoo.   Some people will describe tattoos as a mild irritation, while others will describe the pain more severe.

Generally not, due to the fact that the majority of pain killers or alcohol will affect your blood stream.  If your blood is thin, then it will dilute our pigments that we use.  At that point, it is harder to get the ink in, for it to heal without it looking spotty, and will take longer to do the tattoo.  That, in turn, will cost you more as we charge by the hour.

Each artist sets their own rate, and will vary per artist and based off what you do.  Generally, the shop charges $80 an hour with a $40 minimum.  Christian charges $100 with a $200 minimum, while Troll charges $100 an hour with a $100 minimum.  Lettering will be charged based on a size and complexity criteria. We will not haggle on the rates, but if you are on a budget, we are more than happy to work with you.  It is better to let us know then be surprised when we tell you what you owe.   For the larger pieces, we cannot give you an exact quote, but instead will give you a rough estimate based on hours (4-6 hours for example).

Our shop focuses towards custom artwork, so what flash we have is drawn by the artists in the shop.  A lot of times, our customers will bring in a picture of what they would like.  From there, our artist can either do the tattoo as it is in the picture, or they can modify it to suit your needs.

A lot of times, people will want to jump into something such as this without looking into some major things about it.  First of all is time.  We have only had a couple people sit through such massive sessions in one go.  Our records up to this time are: a sleeve in 12 ½ hours straight or a back piece in 24 hours over 3 consecutive days.  Our average customer can handle 2-4 hours before getting to uncomfortable.  With this in mind, you can figure 2+ sessions on completing the tattoo, depending on your budget and size.  The next is a general theme.   With so many things out there that can be translated in tattoos, there is a lot of choices.  We have done sleeves from your basic tribal, to biomechanical, to recreations of Leonardo da Vinci paintings, to sleeves based off the lyrics of songs.  The possibilities are endless.   Once you have your theme, and then work with an artist on what elements and general layout will work best.  We will work with the natural shape and movement of your body to ensure that there is something that compliments your body, no matter the position you move into.  From there, it is a matter of piecing together the elements and then doing the outline.   With that, it is better to get the whole piece laid out at once vs. piecing together the tattoo one at a time.  This ensures that we have a much better fit.

This is a rather broad question, and can vary from time of year to artist in particular.  Generally we can tattoo you on the day you stop in.  If the artist that you would like is unavailable, then you may make an appointment at the soonest convenience for both yours and the artists schedule.  At the time that you make the appointment, there will be a required deposit ($40 shop minimum or $100 for Christian), which goes towards the final sitting of your tattoo.  If your tattoo is completed in one session, then the deposit is subtracted at that time.  The deposits are non-refundable, but can be transferred to a different day with a 24 hour notice.  For multiple sitting pieces, you will be scheduled on average of 3 to 4 weeks in between appointments.

If you are outside, then push the door into the shop.  Press then handle down, and then push hard with the handle still down.  If you are inside, push the door towards the street, push the handle down, and then pull hard with the handle still down.  We have attempted to fix the door several times, but the building is over 100 years old and the best solution is to re-build the door frame.  For now, it works great at keeping those that have had one too many to drink out.

Our policy is that if you come back within the first 6 months and return to the original artist, then there is no charge.  Our concern is that the tattoo was done to the best ability of the artist, and any faults on the artist behalf or minor healing issues will be corrected in a timely manner.  After the 6 month part, a charge will be effect (usually shop minimum but will vary from artist to artist).  If a touch up is required due to the negligence of the customer or not following the instructions given to them at the time of the tattoo, then the full rate will be charged.   For larger tattoos that take over one session, the touch up will be done during the final session, or once the last session has had a chance to heal.  There will be no charge for the touch up if done in a timely manner.

Since this will vary so much from person to person and will be determined from placement and detail of the tattoo, it is hard to give a single solid answer for this.  The best thing you can do is to stop in to the shop and talk with any of the artist.  We can tell you if it looks normal, or if you need to change the healing methods laid out for you.  As a rule of thumb, a doctor will ALWAYS tell you it is infected, and friends and family generally have old and bad advice.  Always listen to the artist(s) at the shop where you got the tattoo since they know what is best for the type of work they do.

As a shop, we will not do any tattoos of a racist or pride basis.  We also do not tattoo faces or do cosmetic tattooing.  We will not do any tattoos that will hinder you in your daily life and work force.  From that point, discretion of the artist and their own personal tastes.  We will reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason that we see fit.

By state law, you must be a minimum of 16 to have any piercing or tattoos done.  The only exception to this is earlobes, which we can do at any age, but prefer no younger than 6 (due to the fact that they will have a 18g needle hanging from the earlobe for a few seconds until the jewelry can be moved into place).  You will both need some form of state or armed services issued photo ID (a school ID or yearbook photo is allowed, but must be accompanied with a birth certificate).  The child’s ID must have a date of birth printed on it, and if not, then we will need a copy of the birth certificate.  The adult must have a photo ID with matching last name.  If they don’t have the same last name, they need to provide proof of name change (marriage/divorce certificate or name change certificate) or guardianship.  We will photocopy all information and hold them for up to 5 years for our protection.  This information will not be shared other than with law enforcement officials.

We will answer your question with another question.  Would you ask a doctor or a dentist if they would sell you their equipment or where they purchase them from?  Tattooing is a specially trained profession, one over 4000 years old, passed from mentor to apprentice since that time.  Just like any trade, we will not sell or provide information pertaining to the dangerous prospect of tattooing out of you r house.  There are many health risks involved with tattooing, and someone doing it unprofessionally may not be aware of said risks.  It is illegal in many states to tattoo without training. On the other hand, we are more than willing to trade tattoo work for your equipment, giving you full value for trade.

We have a lot of requests on a daily basis to do something like this.  If we are not currently with another client, we can sit and draw up a rough sketch, or sit down and show different references online.  If you would like a finished sketch on a complex drawing, then we simply require that you set an appointment and pay a minimum deposit of $40.  By the time of your appointment, we will have a finished drawing ready for you.  If there are any changes that you would like to make, then we will handle those immediately.  At that point we will discuss colors/shading values with you, getting input.  If you are not happy with the sketch, then we may reschedule the appointment and have you in at the soonest possible appointment.  Keep in mind, that even if you are not satisfied with the drawing, the deposit is non-refundable, and we will strive to meet your expectations.