Pre-Appointment Information

Here's a list of things that you will need to do before your appointment to make your experience, as well as my own, as comfortable as possible. 
 
7 Days before your tattoo:

• Moisturise the area that will be tattooed every day. Moisturised skin is much easier to work with, especially on rougher areas such as the knees, elbows, hands etc.
• Hit your water intake goals! 2litres a day is recommended. This will help to keep your skin hydrated. 

The Day Before:

• Get a great nights sleep. You'll have a much better time with the pain if your body is well rested.
• If you've forgotten to moisturise throughout the week, at very least moisturise the day before.

A Couple of Hours Before:

• Eat a big, carb filled breakfast. Ensuring you have plenty of sugar in your system will make things more manageable during your session. This is the most important factor for pre-tattoo prep. Do not skip this one. If you don't have time for a big breakfast, have a sugary drink or snack (chocolate for breakfast is totally acceptable).

 

• Do not consume alcohol or drugs at least 24 hours before your tattoo. Showing up to your appointment drunk or on drugs will immediately result in cancellation and loss of deposit. 
• Do not sunbathe or use sunbeds for a couple of weeks before. Sunburnt skin cannot be tattooed. 
• If the skin has been recently scarred, scratched etc, it cannot be tattooed and placement may need to be reconsidered. Fully healed, silver looking scars are absolutely fine though!
• Are you going on holiday or planning on going swimming 1-3 weeks after your appointment? Unfortunately you cannot swim for 4 weeks after getting a tattoo. Please allow for this when booking.

Ensure that you wear something comfortable, and something you don't mind potentially getting ink on. It rarely happens but ink can get onto your clothes. In other words, don't wear your Sunday best!

Forearm & Elbow - Short sleeve t-shirt.

Upper arm - Vest / tank top. No sleeves

Shoulders - Tube top or any top you can easily pop your arm out of.

Back - Zip-up hoodie or cardigan worn back to front

Chest & Neck - 'scoop' or low cut vest top. Ladies - you will need to go braless under your top to avoid inaccuracy in stencil & tattoo placement. 

Stomach & Ribs - Loose top you can easily lift up to access the area. I may need to see your entire front to ensure it's totally central, so please be aware of this.

Sternum (inbetween & beneath breasts) - Front-clipping bra (bikini top would work too) & zip up hoodie/cardigan. Nipple covers can be provided if needed. Plunge tops can also work.

Hips, Bum & Upper Thigh - Bikini bottoms with that fastened with a string. 

Thigh & Knee - Shorts or skirt.

Lower leg - Shorts, or trousers that can be rolled above the knee easily. 

Feet - Shoes that do not touch the tattoo (Sliders) or ones that cover the entire foot (boots, high tops). Avoid shoes that will rub against the tattoo.

You can get dressed appropriately in the bathroom before we start. For areas that require more skin to be out in the open, you are welcome to use the complimentary blanket, or bring your own. For intimate areas, we will soon have a private room to ensure your comfort. 

Whether you're booked in for an hour or a 10 hour session, here's some items you may want to bring with you. 

• Under 25? Bring ID! If you are visibly under 25 and can't present ID, your appointment will be cancelled.

• Cash, or make sure you're able to bank transfer. Especially if you're with Nation Wide or require a card reader (I think that's what they're called).

We do not have a card machine, so please consider this before. We have the option to Klarna, however this will need to be done prior to your appointment. Find this option on the Inkglorious website. 

Klarna at Inkglorious

You will need to buy vouchers for the amount of your appointment & pay for those with Klarna.

• Snacks / Lunch; make sure to bring sugary or carb heavy snacks to keep your energy up during the session, especially if you'll be with me for 3h+. For a full day sit, bring some lunch along or you can always grab something from the chippy next door / uber eats it. We'll have a good 30-45 min lunch/dinner break. Please note I do usually have some snacks at hand for my customers, but bring some just incase you don't like anything from my selection.

• Don't feel like chatting? Bring along your ear/headphones. Feel free to stick a movie on your phone to distract yourself from the tattoo. 

•Bring any distractions you may find helpful. I've had someone knit during their appointment before which was a really interesting way of distracting themselves. Feel free to bring a book, iPad if it'll benefit you. Otherwise I'll just chat your ear off (unless you'd like me to be quiet).

 

Whether you're booked in for an hour or a 10 hour session, here's some items you may want to bring with you. 

• Under 25? Bring ID! If you are visibly under 25 and can't present ID, your appointment will be cancelled.

• Cash, or make sure you're able to bank transfer. Especially if you're with Nation Wide or require a card reader (I think that's what they're called).

We do not have a card machine, so please consider this before. We have the option to Klarna, however this will need to be done prior to your appointment. Find this option on the Inkglorious website. 

Klarna at Inkglorious

You will need to buy vouchers for the amount of your appointment & pay for those with Klarna.

• Snacks / Lunch; make sure to bring sugary or carb heavy snacks to keep your energy up during the session, especially if you'll be with me for 3h+. For a full day sit, bring some lunch along or you can always grab something from the chippy next door / uber eats it. We'll have a good 30-45 min lunch/dinner break. Please note I do usually have some snacks at hand for my customers, but bring some just incase you don't like anything from my selection.

• Don't feel like chatting? Bring along your ear/headphones. Feel free to stick a movie on your phone to distract yourself from the tattoo. 

•Bring any distractions you may find helpful. I've had someone knit during their appointment before which was a really interesting way of distracting themselves. Feel free to bring a book, iPad if it'll benefit you. Otherwise I'll just chat your ear off (unless you'd like me to be quiet).

 

If you're booked in for your 1st or 100th tattoo, it's completely normal to feel nervous or anxious. Here's what to expect & some things to put your mind at ease:

• Placement - I am very precise when placing the stencil. This might take a few attempts, especially if it needs to be central to a body part. If you're even 5% uncertain, please say something. I'm always happy to move it! 

• If you've booked in for flash, please come with 2 placements in mind if not discussed and agreed prior. Your 1st option may not be the best placement (doesn't flow nicely, doesn't fit the gap, placement is too small for it etc).

• The first 2 minutes will be the worst of it, after that, your body adjusts to the pain.

•99% of my customers who were really worried realise that it's actually not that bad after a few minutes. 

•Lining feels like a cat scratch but without the stingy-ness. Shading feels like angry vibrations. 

•Need a break? That's absolutely fine by me! I usually take a 5 minute break every hour anyway to keep my eyes fresh & stretch my back. If you need one before then, it's not a problem at all.

•Uncomfortable in the position you're sat? Feel free to have a stretch, or I'll see if there's a different way I can position you (this won't be possible with some tattoo placements).

•I have cooling foam that'll help if it's especially sore. 

•If you have piercings but no tattoos, just know that piercings are so much worse than getting a tattoo. At least in most people's experience.

•I'm always happy to help with any concerns or questions you may have. Tattoos can hurt and I want all my customers to feel safe & comfortable during the experience. 

• If you're like me, and worry about being 'annoying' for asking for any accommodations, breaks etc, rest assured that I am here to help. Please don't be afraid to ask anything of me, or ask for something that'll make your experience easier. As long as I can perform my duty in giving you the best tattoo possible, I'm happy!

I am based out of Inkglorious in Derby City Centre. The address is as follows:

Inkglorious

2a City Road

Derby

DE1 3RQ

Parking

We have two carparks either side of the studio. There is a large NCP car park to the left of the shop which is £2.95 for a full days parking. On the right of the shop there is a small, free carpark - parking is limited here. 

Travelling by Bus? 

I am a 15-20 minute walk from Derby Bus Station, or a 4 minute taxi. There will be yellow cabs & plenty of Ubers available around the station. You can take a scenic walk from the back entrance to the bus station, alongside the Derwent River to the studio. Be sure to follow maps or shoot me a message if you're stuck. 

Travelling by Train?

I am a 30 minute walk from Derby Train Station, or a 5 minute taxi ride. Once again, there's a yellow cab rank outside the station. 

Running late?

If you are running late, please let me know! Whether you are estimated to be 5 minutes or 30 minutes+ late to your appointment, please let me know as soon as possible incase I have to notify and push back any clients I may have after you. All I ask is to be considerate & communicate. If you are more than half an hour late to your appointment and do not let me know, we will have to reschedule. 

• Unlimited tea, coffee & water to make you feel at home.

• A blanket if you're cold.

• Sugary snacks - it varies but I normally have chocolate bars, haribos & lolipops. I try to have at least 1 vegan/vegetarian option. I occasionally have juice boxes too.

• A conversation - I love getting to know all of my customers & talking about the most stupid topics. I'm normally a little quiet in the first 5-10 mins of the appointment whilst I'm getting into the piece. Feel free to chat my ear off! 

• Phone charger - you're welcome to use my iPhone charger or USB-C if you're running low.