FAQ
Where is your studio located?
I work at Daydream Tattoo located at 2426 NE Broadway in Portland, OR. We are located at street level and are wheelchair accessible. Free street parking is available in the area, please give yourself some extra time to find a parking spot for your appointment.
Do you do custom tattoos?
I do! While my practice is primarily flash based, I do take on custom work in a limited capacity. My custom books open 1-2 times a year for my Custom Waitlist, where I choose 10-15 customs to book and spread them out over a 6 month time period. My next custom booking period will be some time in the Spring of 2023.
What is “Flash” and where can I find it?
Flash refers to a pre-drawn designs that are available to book as is. Flash designs typically cannot be altered (aside from size) but I occasionally will make minor design changes depending on the circumstance. I also am open to custom variations on flash pieces, if the design is flexible enough to allow it!
Available Flash designs are dropped right before I open my books and you can find them in my Instagram Highlights. If there is no “Available Flash” highlight, it means that there are no currently available pieces to book.
Is your only available Flash what you share on Instagram?
Right now yes, but I am currently working on an in person “Secret”Flash Book as well, which will debut some time in 2023! Once this is available, I will be able to take appointments where you choose a flash design from the Secret Flash Book day of. Secret Flash won’t be available to view beforehand on Instagram.
Is your flash repeatable?
Non-repeatable flash is flash that will only be tattooed once on one person. Repeatable flash is flash that will be tattooed multiple times on multiple people.
Most of my flash (aside from Secret Flash) is not repeatable, but I do sometimes offer repeatable flash as well. If a design is repeatable, I will make a note of it on the post, but if you’re unsure whether a design is repeatable or not, just ask!
How do I claim a flash design?
Submit a Booking Form (as long as my books are open)! Flash designs are considered claimed after we have decided on a date and I have received your deposit.
What is your tattoo process like?
I think of my process as a combination of machine tattooing and handpoke - while I do use a machine for the entire tattoo, I stipple all of my shading and values with individual dots (much like handpoke technique). I love the depth and texture that this gives to my work, but it can be time consuming to get things saturated evenly. If you’re getting a large piece with a lot of darker values, prepare to sit through a lottttt of dots! Occasionally for bigger pieces, we may split your tattoo into two sessions for your comfort and my own (you can also always request to split a session regardless of anticipated length!)
Most of my work falls within the 1-4 hour range. I will do my best to quote how long I expect your tattoo to take, but sometimes things go more quickly or take much longer then expected! Please give yourself ample time to get tattooed and to rest and recover at home afterwards.
I use high quality vegan ink.
How long have you been tattooing?
I started learning how to tattoo in spring of 2018 as a tattoo school student (it’s an Oregon thing) and I got licensed in September 2018. I have been working out of Daydream Tattoo since I started!
Do you tattoo all skin tones and body types?
Absolutely! I will tattoo every skin tone and body type.
I’m aware of how white my page often looks (although many of my clients do not identify as white, I still tattoo lighter skin more often than darker skin). Being inclusive in my practice has always been important to me, especially when racism in the western tattoo industry is still very prominent. Black folks have historically been gatekept from the tattoo industry by their white peers (both as clients and artists). With this in mind, I have implemented a sliding scale policy to offer my work at a discounted rate to all BIPOC clients.
I am always open to hearing feedback on this!
Are there areas you won’t tattoo?
Yes, I do not offer palm, finger, neck, rib, or face tattoos to the general public. Due to chronic pain making certain areas more difficult for me to tattoo on a regular basis, I am selective about how many stomach and torso placements I take on.
Will you tattoo over scars?
I will tattoo over scars on a case by case basis- scars need to be completely healed (recommended 2 years) before I can safely and effectively tattoo over them. I will ask for photos and a description of how your scars have healed. I offer sliding scale payment for anyone seeking a self harm scar cover up.
Do you do coverups of other tattoos?
Typically no- my work utilizes thin lines and dotwork without heavy fill. Because of this, any existing tattoo underneath will likely show through the new tattoo. That being said, I’m happy to tattoo over parts of other tattoos or even entirely over an old tattoo, if it makes sense stylistically and you are okay with your old tattoo not being entirely concealed.
What is your touch up policy?
Touch ups are always free- I want you to be happy with your tattoo!
Adding new elements onto an existing piece does not count as a touch up and will follow the same booking process as a new tattoo.
Do you offer Tattoo Tickets for other artists to tattoo your work?
I do not currently offer Tattoo Tickets or allow other artists to tattoo any of my designs. I hope to travel for more guest spots in the future so I can tattoo folks who live outside of Portland!
If I’ve purchased a Tattoo Ticket from another artist, will you do the tattoo for me?
It depends! I have tattooed designs from illustrator Heidi Chanel and am open to doing more of her work. Please reach out to me via instagram or email if you have questions about whether or not I will book you with a Tattoo Ticket from another artist.
BOOKING
What does it mean when your books are open/closed? How far in advanced do you typically book appointments?
Because I do all of my own scheduling, I open my books for a short period of time every couple months. My Instagram bio will state whether my books are open or closed. Please check before submitting a proposal.
When my books are open it means I am currently accepting proposals for tattoos and scheduling appointments via my booking form. Response time may take up to a week, but I do respond to all proposals.
When my books are closed, it means I cannot process any more proposals- please do not submit a booking form while my books are closed. You will need to wait until the next booking period.
I typically book about 1-2 months in advance.
Due to Covid, my availability is extremely limited and not as flexible as it has been in the past. I currently schedule appointments on Mon, Tue, Thur, and Fri during the school year. In the Summer my schedule changes to accommodate weekend appointments.
What are your rates?
Please visit the Booking page for info on rates and deposits.
Do you have a cancellation/rescheduling policy?
Deposits are non-refundable to cover the time that I put into booking and balancing my calendar and to help cover lost income from cancellations. I am happy to transfer a deposit to a new date if you need to reschedule due to Covid OR if you give me at least 7 days notice before the date of your apt and your new date is no more than 4 weeks out.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know with as much notice as possible so that I can attempt to fill that spot. If you “no call no show” your appointment, I will not rebook you.
When does it make sense to come in for a consultation?
I usually prefer to discuss appointments and designs via email. I am able to do this work from home during the hours that I designate to booking clients. However, I’m happy to do an in person consultation upon request. I may also request that you come in for a consultation if I feel it will benefit your design for me to look at placement in person.
Consultations happen at the shop (Daydream Tattoo) and are free. They typically last 15-30 minutes and are scheduled usually 1-2 weeks before your appointment. I will only schedule you for a consult if you have already been booked/paid a deposit for your appointment (unless previously discussed). I will not have a fully finished design for you at your consult, but I will have a sketch and be able to answer any questions you have!
Can I send you reference photos of other tattoos/art that I like?
Yes, but this can be a tricky one! I know some people have a very specific vision in mind for what they want their tattoo to look like and sometimes sending photos helps get that idea/concept across. Please be mindful when sending photos of other artist’s tattoos or other artwork in general- I will decline a proposal when I feel like I’m being asked to copy another artist’s work or emulate another artist’s unique style, as I feel like this creates an unrealistic expectation for the piece that I will be designing for you. Ideally, I want folks to book with me because they like my work and trust that I will create a unique piece for them!
What is your design process for custom work?
I work really hard to make sure that I’m designing a piece for you that is entirely unique and that you feel excited about putting on your body!
I send designs 1-3 days before your appointment so that you can sit with your design and to give me ample time to make any changes before your appointment, if needed. I can accommodate small changes (resizing and minor adjustments to the design if necessary) at your appointment, although I ask that any design changes be expressed via email before you come in, if possible.
Larger changes and adjustments to your design requested at the time of your appointment are often not possible given the time I have scheduled out for your tattoo, and will result in rescheduling and forfeiture of your deposit. For certain more complex designs, I’ll sometimes send a rough sketch for you to see before I put the time into finalizing your design. If you are having trouble visualizing or describing your tattoo, please inquire about setting up a consultation before your appointment.
Seeing a design beforehand is a courtesy that I really like to offer, as I believe that it gives my clients the time and space necessary to sit with their design and decide if it is right for them, without the pressure of seeing a design for the first time the day of their appointment. If for some reason we do not follow through with our appointment, please do not take my design(s) or sketches to another artist to get tattooed.
What if I am not satisfied with my design?
If you don’t completely dig your design, that’s ok! That’s why I send designs beforehand, so that we have time to talk about what you want and make changes. I don’t start drawing until I feel like I fully understand what you’re wanting your design to look like based on the info you’ve provided me.
I typically do not charge for changes to your design, but if the change is major (such as wanting a different type of animal or plant than what you originally requested, or otherwise changing your concept in a way that requires me to re-draw it entirely) I reserve the right to charge a $50-100 design fee based on how much time I’ve put into your design already. This will not be deducted from the overall cost of your tattoo.
Although it’s a rare occurrence, if I ever feel that I cannot make the change to your design that you’re wanting, I will let you know and may refer you to another artist. I don’t cancel appointments often, but if I feel that I can’t quite nail what you’re asking for, I will not move forward with your tattoo. As a client, you also have the right to decide not to move forward with your tattoo at any time for any reason- while deposits are non-refundable, I will never charge a cancellation fee if you decide not to move forward with your appointment.
Will you send a reminder about my appointment?
Yes, I check in with clients via email 1-3 days before your appointment to confirm. If I do not reach out to you the day before your appointment, please check in with me through email or Instagram. In the super rare case that I get sick or have an emergency and need to cancel, I will contact you with as much notice as possible. Due to Covid, I highly recommend checking your email (or Instagram if that’s how we’ve been communicating) before leaving for your appointment just in case.
APPOINTMENT
What is your Covid protocol?
As of 2023 we are still requiring masks to be worn by all clients and artists inside the shop regardless of vaccination status. I personally ask that you wear a new or lightly used KN95 or N95 mask as opposed to a cloth mask. I can provide you with a surgical mask if you do not have one. I am fully vaccinated and boosted and require that my clients be as well. If you bring a friend with you to your appointment, they will also need to wear a mask and be vaccinated/boosted.
What is your studio like?
I work in an appointment only studio called Daydream Tattoo. Our group of artists is made up of primarily other trans / nonbinary folks and women.
The shop has an open layout (no dividers between stations) and there may be other artists and clients present during your appointment (the maximum amount of artists working at a time is 5, although most days it’s typically no more than 3 of us at a time). If you prefer more privacy, I can set up screen barriers upon request.
For further privacy I have pasties when needed and paper towels can be cut to cover larger areas of the chest. Table barriers can also be used as well to cover areas that are not being tattooed from being exposed. I never want anyone to feel like they have to expose more than they are comfortable with and I am happy to work with you to make you feel comfortable in our space!
What should I bring?
Your ID! The state of Oregon requires that you provide a govt issued unexpired photo ID to get tattooed. I cannot accept birth certificates, expired IDs, or non-govt issued IDs (like school IDs).
Bring a bottle of water and a snack. You will be asked to eat and drink outside, but it’s important to stay hydrated and not get tattooed on an empty tummy.
Dress comfy and remember to wear or bring clothing that allows access to the area being tattooed. You will be required to wear a mask the entire time. If you need to remove your mask for any reason, you may do so outside the studio.
It’s never a bad idea to bring headphones as well!
Can I bring a friend?
You may bring one guest along with you to your appointment if you’d like. They need to wear a mask and be vaccinated / boosted, as well.
This is my first tattoo, what can I expect?
First tattoos are super exciting, but can often be little anxiety inducing for clients who aren’t sure what to expect. Here’s a brief rundown of the process and some helpful suggestions to make your experience as comfy as possible:
Think about where you want your tattoo. We will apply a stencil (a print of the design) to the spot you want tattooed. I’m happy to try the stencil in different spots if you’re undecided and we can re-apply it as many times as we need until your happy with the placement! This is the stage where we can experiment and exhaust all of our options.
Allow yourself enough time in your schedule for your appointment. Do not schedule something immediately after your tattoo. I always try and give a rough estimate of how long your tattoo will take, but it’s important to schedule your tattoo on a day with plenty of flexibility and down time, in case it takes longer than expected. You may also feel tired after your tattoo and need some time to relax or eat afterwards.
Be prepared to properly take care of your tattoo as it’s healing. Your tattoo will take about 4 weeks to fully heal. Getting tattooed right before a big backpacking trip or a vacation where you’ll want to swim is not recommended. Feel free to review my aftercare sheet before you come in or reach out with any questions or concerns before your appointment!
Will you take a photo and/or post a photo of my tattoo on your Instagram or Website?
I always ask if we can take a photo in the shop before you leave. Having a photo of your tattoo is vital to me being able to learn and have a record of all of the tattoos that I’ve done. If you ever are in need of a touch up, I always want to have a photo of your fresh tattoo to refer to. You never have to expose more than the area of your tattoo in a photo. However, if you are not comfortable with being photographed at all, please understand that you can decline.
I am happy to send the photos to you as well so you have them to share yourself! Your photos will never be shared privately.
I will always ask your permission before posting a photo on my Instagram or Website. You can absolutely decline to have your photo posted and do not have to provide a reason. In the past I have been inconsistent with this, based on the area of the tattoo, but I am now making this a universal part of my practice regardless of where your tattoo is located. You can also retract consent at any time if you decide later that you no longer want your photo featured on my IG or Website.
I cannot guarantee that a photo of your tattoo will be posted. I post only about half of the tattoos that I do, as my Instagram and website are heavily curated. If I don’t post your photo, it’s not personal!
What forms of payment do you accept?
I am cash only. There is an ATM across the street at the Food Mart, but I believe it has a $200 limit, so please plan ahead.
Do you accept tips?
Yes! I am always super appreciative of tips of any amount, although I fully understand that budgets do not always allow for tipping.
Do you do trades?
I do full or partial trades every once in a while when I can afford it! I typically trade with other artists, but I am sometimes down to trade for professional massages, pet sitting, or other things. Trades need to be discussed and agreed upon beforehand.
THANKS FOR READING! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS NOT ADDRESSED HERE OR ON MY BOOKING PAGE, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL!
STRANGEVESSEL.TATTOO@GMAIL.COM