How do I book a tattoo?

Fill in the enquiry form with as much detail as you can: your idea, size, placement, references and your availability. I reply to every enquiry the same day, then we'll talk through the design, time and price before you pay a deposit to secure your date.

Do you take walk-ins?

No. The SelfMade Tattoo Company is a private, appointment-only studio with a locked door policy, so I can give every client my full attention. If you're at the door, scan the QR code to send an enquiry.

Do you offer consultations?

Yes. Consultations are 30 minutes for £45, paid upfront. If you book your tattoo within 7 days, the £45 comes off the price, making it free.

How much does a tattoo cost?

My rate is £90 per hour, which is also the minimum charge. Day sessions are £450 for 6 hours or £600 for 8.5 hours. Saturday appointments carry an additional £100.

How much is the deposit?

50% of the tattoo price, capped at £100 for bookings of £200 or more. It's non-refundable and comes off the total on the day.

Bank transfer only. There's no card machine at the studio.

What styles do you tattoo?

Black and grey realism, colour realism, fine line, Japanese, blackwork, watercolour, traditional, anime and pop culture, and cover-ups of all sizes. I work with all budgets, from small commemorative pieces and names and dates to multi-session custom projects.

Yes, cover-ups of all sizes. Tick the cover-up box on the enquiry form and, if you're comfortable, upload a photo of the existing tattoo.

I do black and grey portraits and colour animal and pet portraits. I don't do full colour portraits of people.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes, a maximum of one additional person.

How old do I need to be?

18 or over, no exceptions. Please bring valid photo ID.

Can I use numbing cream?

Only if you've discussed it with me first. Some creams are unregulated and can affect healing.

Hampton Road, Wolverhampton, WV10. Clients travel from right across the West Midlands and beyond. The exact details are shared when you book.

Important information

Everything worth knowing before you book: what tattoos cost, how deposits work, the studio rules, my full aftercare routine and answers to the questions I get asked most. Read it through and ask me anything that isn't clear.

Pricing

Hourly rate: £90 per hour; This is also the minimum charge.
6 hour day session: £450; A full day in the chair.
8.5 hour day session: £600; Longer sitting for larger projects.
Saturday appointments: +£100; An additional £100 on all bookings, big or small.
Consultations: £45 for 30 minutes; Paid upfront. If your consultation turns into a booked appointment within 7 days, the £45 comes off your tattoo, so the consultation is effectively free.
Payment: Bank transfer only; There is no card machine at the studio, so contactless and credit cards are not accepted.

Booking information and deposits

All bookings require a deposit, paid by bank transfer. Deposits are 50% of the tattoo price, capped at £100 for any booking of £200 or more. For example, a £90 tattoo requires a £45 deposit, while a session of up to £450 requires a £100 deposit.

Your deposit is non-refundable. It comes off the total of your tattoo on the day, providing you attend your appointment, and it covers all drawing and design work including adjustments.

If you'd like to pay in full or more than the agreed deposit, that's no problem. Please be aware that any amount paid above the original deposit is also non-refundable. If you cancel, you only lose the original deposit amount and anything extra is held as credit on your account.

Your date isn't confirmed until the deposit is paid. When we agree a date, I'll provisionally hold it for 24 hours from the day you've agreed to pay your deposit, so it isn't given to anyone else. I'll try to contact you once during those 24 hours. If I don't hear back, the appointment will be released and we'll need to discuss a new date.

By transferring your deposit, you agree to all of the terms on this page. Please read everything carefully and ask any questions before paying.

Moving your appointment

If you contact me at least 48 hours before your appointment, I'm happy to rearrange and carry your deposit over, providing we agree a new date before your original appointment date. A deposit can only be carried over once per original booking.

Whatever the circumstances, if you don't let me know at least 48 hours before your appointment, your deposit will be lost and a new deposit will be needed to rebook.

Studio rules

Age

Strict no under 18s policy. You may be asked for valid, in-date photo ID on the day, such as a driving licence, provisional licence or passport.

Guests

Please bring a maximum of one additional person.

Being late

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, I have the right to refuse the appointment.

Alcohol and drugs

If I believe you're under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, I will refuse to tattoo you and the deposit will be forfeited.

Sunburn and dry skin

In warmer months or if you've just come back from holiday, make sure the area isn't sunburnt or dry. I can't tattoo sunburnt or damaged skin, and the deposit will be forfeited.

Numbing cream

Please don't arrive with numbing cream applied without talking to me first. Some numbing creams are unregulated and can affect healing and your health. Arriving with unapproved numbing cream means I will refuse to tattoo you and the deposit will be forfeited.

Questions? Email lewis@theselfmadetattoocompany.co.uk. I look forward to tattooing you. — Lewis

Aftercare

What you'll need before removing the film

A new pack of sensitive baby wipes, just for you (wipe the pack down with an antibacterial wipe when you get it home).
A new bottle of one of these creams, also wiped down: Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Aveeno cream, or Sensitive E45. Bottles open for more than 12 months can cause adverse reactions.

Removing the film (around 24 hours after your appointment)

1Only remove the film when you can get straight in the shower afterwards.
2Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water.
3Start by lifting the corners and edges, then remove it bit by bit. Don't pull it hard from one side to the other in one go. Be patient.
4You may see plasma built up under the film. This is completely normal and washes off in the shower.
5Get in the shower and let the water run over the tattoo. Wash your hands again, then gently clean the tattoo, removing any excess plasma, blood and ink.
6Once it looks clean, get out and pat it dry with a clean towel.

Feel free to send me a photo once the film is off, or get someone to take a few straight-on photos, so I can check in on it for you.

Moisturising

1Choose one of the three creams above, ideally one you've used before without a reaction, and stick with it until it's fully healed.
2After removing the film, washing and patting dry, wash your hands once more and apply a thin layer of cream over the entire tattoo. Don't miss any areas, as a tattoo left to its own devices will dry out and scab heavily.
3Moisturise around 3 to 4 times a day. If your skin still feels dry or tight when you wake up, increase to 5 times a day.
4Before each new application, remove the old cream: wash your hands, wipe the tattoo gently with a sensitive baby wipe, then apply fresh cream.

My rule: your tattoo should go from fresh to healed without a severely dry, itchy, scabby or overly sore stage in between.

FAQs

Fill in the enquiry form with as much detail as you can: your idea, size, placement, references and your availability. I reply to every enquiry the same day, then we'll talk through the design, time and price before you pay a deposit to secure your date.
No. The SelfMade Tattoo Company is a private, appointment-only studio with a locked door policy, so I can give every client my full attention. If you're at the door, scan the QR code to send an enquiry.
Yes. Consultations are 30 minutes for £45, paid upfront. If you book your tattoo within 7 days, the £45 comes off the price, making it free.
My rate is £90 per hour, which is also the minimum charge. Day sessions are £450 for 6 hours or £600 for 8.5 hours. Saturday appointments carry an additional £100.
50% of the tattoo price, capped at £100 for bookings of £200 or more. It's non-refundable and comes off the total on the day.
Bank transfer only. There's no card machine at the studio.
Black and grey realism, colour realism, fine line, Japanese, blackwork, watercolour, traditional, anime and pop culture, and cover-ups of all sizes. I work with all budgets, from small commemorative pieces and names and dates to multi-session custom projects.
Yes, cover-ups of all sizes. Tick the cover-up box on the enquiry form and, if you're comfortable, upload a photo of the existing tattoo.
I do black and grey portraits and colour animal and pet portraits. I don't do full colour portraits of people.
Yes, a maximum of one additional person.
18 or over, no exceptions. Please bring valid photo ID.
Only if you've discussed it with me first. Some creams are unregulated and can affect healing.
Hampton Road, Wolverhampton, WV10. Clients travel from right across the West Midlands and beyond. The exact details are shared when you book.