Booking Policies and Information
I tattoo most days of the week, please let me know several days of the week that you are available (weekends book out the earliest so a midweek option always helps if possible!)
I do not tattoo anyone:
•under 18
•pregnant
•breastfeeding
•inebriated
Rates
My full day (10:30-5) rate is $1200, half day rate (10am-1pm/ 1:30pm-4:30pm) is $700 and smaller pieces will be quoted individually.
My minimum charge is $200. I do not charge an hourly rate as this would not fairly reflect my experience or time spent researching and drawing prior to our appointment.
If you would like an exact quote please send exact measurements as well as a well lit image of the space to be tattooed and I will let you know a total cost. Please note that last minute change of design may incur an additional drawing fee. Quotes are valid for 3 months.
The balance of payment is due on the day in cash.
Deposits
I require a $300 deposit for full day appointments and a $150 deposit for half day bookings and shorter. All deposits are non-refundable and non-negotiable. Deposits are valid for one client reschedule and held for a year. Deposits will come off of the cost of your final appointment. Deposits can be paid via bank transfer directly to the studio via payID linked to hamsatattoomelbourne@gmail.com (please include your appointment date as the reference and attach a screenshot of your deposit via email to me once paid)
Please note that a deposit must be paid within 24 hours of an appointment being offered, otherwise the time may be offered to another client.
Cancellations, Reschedules and Lateness
I ask for 72 hours notice to reschedule appointments, inside of this timeframe your deposit will be forfeited and a new deposit will be required to rebook. No-shows without adequate reason will forfeit their deposit and not be rebooked. Deposits will be held for 1 reschedule by a client, a new deposit will be required after that. I do understand that losing a deposit is not ideal, however please understand that your deposit cost goes towards my administration and drawing time prior to your appointment. Please note that if you are more than 15 minutes late to your appointment you will need to reschedule and a new deposit will be needed. Please also note that if you have booked a day session and cannot complete the appointment a minimum charge of $800 will be applicable (or more, if we have completed a significant portion of the day, charged accordingly)
On the Day!
Please arrive 5 minutes prior to your appointment to allow time to get comfy and fill in a consent form. This is a legal requirement each time we tattoo together and I will be right there to answer any questions you might have (I know it’s boring - but also an acknowledgment of how important I feel it is to have your full knowledge and consent prior to tattooing.)
Wear comfy clothes! Unfortunately sometimes getting tattooed means laying/sitting in weird positions - think loose, stretchy clothes. Layers and clothing that are comfy for you to wear while the tattoo area is exposed are important and can make your experience much more comfortable.
Come with a full tummy! It might not feel like you’re doing much while getting tattooed but you are activating your Fight or Flight Response - and that burns calories! If you’re hungry we’ve always got you covered with lots of snacks though, so don’t worry. (Vegan and gluten free pals I’ve got you covered!)
Friends and Visitors
As a neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD) person and artist I ask that you not bring friends with you into the space, unless necessary as a support person. This is to allow us to speak one on one about the tattoo you are dreaming of without outside distractions. I am quite animated leading up to the tattoo process itself and then will work quite quietly while we tattoo. I want to give my full focus to the tattoo we are creating and work to the best of my ability! Please arrange childcare if needed as children cannot be accommodated in the studio.
Sensory Information
I am very happy for clients to use headphones during appointments. Please feel free to bring any items that might make you feel safe and calm in the space. I will often use a noise cancelling earphone in one ear to drown out sound or concentrate with a podcast. I will always be able to hear you. We have fidget toys available and privacy screens can be used at any time for comfort. Our studio lighting is quite bright and runs along the entire ceiling. If you are light sensitive feel free to bring sunnies or an eye mask. We play music throughout the studio at a background level. Please let me know in advance if you would like to be tattooed upstairs in a private area to allow me time to set up an appropriate station.
Privacy/Nudity
At Hamsa Tattoo we have privacy screens available at all times. I will usually pop these around us for any tattoos not on the arm or lower leg. Please feel free to ask for privacy screens at any time, no questions asked.
You will only be asked to have the area we are tattooing accessible.
Stickers are available to cover nipples while tattooing the torso.
Feel free to bring button up clothing that can be worn backwards for back pieces, a clean towel or bathrobe - whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable in our space.
Accessibility
Hamsa Tattoo is wheelchair accessible. Our toilets are not yet wheelchair accessible (I’m working on it!) however, wheelchair accessible public toilets are located 2 blocks away at the Coles centre.
Parking/ Public Transport
Hamsa Tattoo is located 130m from Footscray train station, 50m from the 82 tram and surrounded by bus routes which terminate at our doorstep.
For those driving, Footscray Market (100m) parking is $10 daily, and Kmart/Coles (300m) further down Paisley Street also has paid parking.
Street parking in Footscray is rare and usually only an hour. Please do not park somewhere that will involve you needing to move your car mid-appointment. Please keep this in mind when timing your visit.
COVID-19/ Health Safety
We ask all clients and artists at Hamsa to wear facemasks while in studio. Surgical masks are available for all clients.
I ask that we do our best to keep each other as safe as we can by following the best health advice. If you are symptomatic of any illness please reschedule. If a client were to come to the studio showing signs of infectious illness they will be turned away and a new deposit will be needed to rebook.
I also ask that if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days leading up to your appointment, let me know as soon as you can and we will reschedule you to the soonest available time.