Tattoo FAQ's
How can I book a custom project with you?
I only book custom tattoo projects through my custom inquiry form. When my books are open, the form will be available in my auto-response and my social media bio. Everything I need to know about your project will be covered in the form submission, and including as much detail as possible helps me out a lot!
I don’t do consults or bookings over DM’s. DM’s are for memes and fun things. Please respect this boundary.
I book customs differently for guest spots, and will post specific instructions when I am accepting new projects during my travel.
How to book a pre-drawn design?
Email me at rachelcooktattoos@gmail.com with the location in the subject line (ie Portland, OR, etc.) and include the desired design, placement information (where on the body and side), and any scheduling limitations or preferences you are working around.
I like to keep most of my designs as one-of-a-kind, however if you have someone you'd like to match with I'm open to booking matching tattoos.
I only book custom tattoo projects through my custom inquiry form. When my books are open, the form will be available in my auto-response and my social media bio. Everything I need to know about your project will be covered in the form submission, and including as much detail as possible helps me out a lot!
I don’t do consults or bookings over DM’s. DM’s are for memes and fun things. Please respect this boundary.
I book customs differently for guest spots, and will post specific instructions when I am accepting new projects during my travel.
How to book a pre-drawn design?
Email me at rachelcooktattoos@gmail.com with the location in the subject line (ie Portland, OR, etc.) and include the desired design, placement information (where on the body and side), and any scheduling limitations or preferences you are working around.
I like to keep most of my designs as one-of-a-kind, however if you have someone you'd like to match with I'm open to booking matching tattoos.
What is your rate?
I will be charging $250/hour plus tax for custom work. I set flat rate prices for a lot of my pre-drawn designs, which I include when posting the designs I make available.
My prices do not include tip.
I can give general price estimates, however I cannot anticipate exactly how long sessions will take due to the nature of the process.
What is your deposit policy?
I require a deposit for each project booked, which ranges in price depending on the size of the piece and the amount of sessions required. This will be between $250-500, sent at the time of booking to secure your appointment and applied to the cost of your tattoo over the sessions.
Deposits are non-refundable, and can be transferred if your appointment needs to be rescheduled, as long as it is at least 72 hours before your appointment.
Rescheduling more than 2 times will result in a forfeiture of your deposit, as well as failing to show up, or showing up more than 30 minutes late for your appointment without notice.
I will be charging $250/hour plus tax for custom work. I set flat rate prices for a lot of my pre-drawn designs, which I include when posting the designs I make available.
My prices do not include tip.
I can give general price estimates, however I cannot anticipate exactly how long sessions will take due to the nature of the process.
What is your deposit policy?
I require a deposit for each project booked, which ranges in price depending on the size of the piece and the amount of sessions required. This will be between $250-500, sent at the time of booking to secure your appointment and applied to the cost of your tattoo over the sessions.
Deposits are non-refundable, and can be transferred if your appointment needs to be rescheduled, as long as it is at least 72 hours before your appointment.
Rescheduling more than 2 times will result in a forfeiture of your deposit, as well as failing to show up, or showing up more than 30 minutes late for your appointment without notice.
Can I see my design before my appointment?
As a general rule, I don’t send out my drawings before appointments. Art gets stolen a lot in the digital age, and this protects me and the hours of time I have spent creating your design.
I include an area on my custom form, and give multiple opportunities for any of my clients to describe their ideas, include references, sketch something up for me, and to be as specific as possible so that by the time your appointment is here, there is only excitement left. If necessary, I can make small adjustments to the design the day of your appointment. I am happy to make changes to any of my drawings to align more with my clients' visions, and can allot time during our session for such adjustments.
As a general rule, I don’t send out my drawings before appointments. Art gets stolen a lot in the digital age, and this protects me and the hours of time I have spent creating your design.
I include an area on my custom form, and give multiple opportunities for any of my clients to describe their ideas, include references, sketch something up for me, and to be as specific as possible so that by the time your appointment is here, there is only excitement left. If necessary, I can make small adjustments to the design the day of your appointment. I am happy to make changes to any of my drawings to align more with my clients' visions, and can allot time during our session for such adjustments.
I have had clients send me slideshows, pinterest boards, documents and collages to help give a good idea of what they are envisioning. If you find that you are feeling particularly anxious about not seeing the tattoo design, any of these are great opportunities to make clear what you're wanting and I highly encourage sharing with me as a part of the booking process.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I only accept cash the day of the appointment. There is a bank with an ATM conveniently located on the ground floor of the building the tattoo studio is located in if you forget, or across the street.
Deposits are paid via Paypal, Zelle, or Venmo to secure a booking.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I only accept cash the day of the appointment. There is a bank with an ATM conveniently located on the ground floor of the building the tattoo studio is located in if you forget, or across the street.
Deposits are paid via Paypal, Zelle, or Venmo to secure a booking.
Where are you located?
I’m at Cygni Tattoo in Downtown Tacoma.
Our address is 950 Pacific Ave Suite 812, Tacoma WA 98402.
Can I bring a guest to my appointment?
Sure! We have a waiting area with a few couches that they can hang out in, and the shop is pretty spacious so as long as it’s just one or two people coming with you there is no issue.
Is there anything I should disclose to you ahead of time?
If you have a heart condition, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Hemophilia, a latex allergy, take blood thinners, or have any other communicable disease, please let me know ahead of time and be sure to consult your doctor before booking a tattoo session.
I’m at Cygni Tattoo in Downtown Tacoma.
Our address is 950 Pacific Ave Suite 812, Tacoma WA 98402.
Can I bring a guest to my appointment?
Sure! We have a waiting area with a few couches that they can hang out in, and the shop is pretty spacious so as long as it’s just one or two people coming with you there is no issue.
Is there anything I should disclose to you ahead of time?
If you have a heart condition, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Hemophilia, a latex allergy, take blood thinners, or have any other communicable disease, please let me know ahead of time and be sure to consult your doctor before booking a tattoo session.
It’s my first tattoo, what should I know?
Give yourself enough time before and after your tattoo to relax. Make sure to hydrate, and eat a good meal before coming in to the shop. If it makes you comfortable, the general rule of thumb is to bring it. That could mean you have headphones to listen to a podcast, or bring a blanket to keep warm. I always suggest bringing snacks to replenish your energy while getting tattooed.
Tattooing is a service, and it is etiquette to tip. The amount that you give is up to you, but the percentage ratio is essentially the same as other industries. You should budget for this as well when planning your new tattoo. As an artist, I never expect a tip, and there are many ways to tip beyond monetary (food, plants, I've even received jewelry). It is a gift to receive whenever it happens.
What should I wear?
This depends on the location of the tattoo you’re getting, but bring some options for yourself just in case. Wear loose fitting clothing that gives the artist access easily to the area.
As always, if you are getting an area tattooed and you are feeling sensitive about being exposed, make sure to let your artist know. We have screens that we can put up around the station that make it a more discreet experience. Your comfort throughout the process is very important to me.
Give yourself enough time before and after your tattoo to relax. Make sure to hydrate, and eat a good meal before coming in to the shop. If it makes you comfortable, the general rule of thumb is to bring it. That could mean you have headphones to listen to a podcast, or bring a blanket to keep warm. I always suggest bringing snacks to replenish your energy while getting tattooed.
Tattooing is a service, and it is etiquette to tip. The amount that you give is up to you, but the percentage ratio is essentially the same as other industries. You should budget for this as well when planning your new tattoo. As an artist, I never expect a tip, and there are many ways to tip beyond monetary (food, plants, I've even received jewelry). It is a gift to receive whenever it happens.
What should I wear?
This depends on the location of the tattoo you’re getting, but bring some options for yourself just in case. Wear loose fitting clothing that gives the artist access easily to the area.
As always, if you are getting an area tattooed and you are feeling sensitive about being exposed, make sure to let your artist know. We have screens that we can put up around the station that make it a more discreet experience. Your comfort throughout the process is very important to me.
What subject matter do you tattoo?
I take on projects that I know I can do well, and that excite me. Currently I’m most interested in pieces that include elements of whimsy, animals doing human things, surreal combinations of things that don't occur in the natural world, astrology correlations, skulls and botanicals, sea creatures, fish out of water, whales, amphibians, fruits and veggies, scenes of metamorphosis, dream imagery and stories, meaningful experiences culminating into symbolic imagery, bugs, unusual flowers, asymmetrical projects, and large scale flowing designs with a lot of negative space. I've even been feeling open to designing around song lyrics, if I really like the words. Maybe even a poem, a very short one anyway. Inspire me with your vision.
I take on projects that I know I can do well, and that excite me. Currently I’m most interested in pieces that include elements of whimsy, animals doing human things, surreal combinations of things that don't occur in the natural world, astrology correlations, skulls and botanicals, sea creatures, fish out of water, whales, amphibians, fruits and veggies, scenes of metamorphosis, dream imagery and stories, meaningful experiences culminating into symbolic imagery, bugs, unusual flowers, asymmetrical projects, and large scale flowing designs with a lot of negative space. I've even been feeling open to designing around song lyrics, if I really like the words. Maybe even a poem, a very short one anyway. Inspire me with your vision.
Do you do coverups or rework tattoos done by other artists?
This depends a lot on the tattoo that you’re trying to cover up and where it is on your body. Generally speaking, I don’t do either of these, but I have made exceptions. My style uses the skin and negative space a lot, and this generally does not cover other tattoos well.
What do you not tattoo?
I don’t take on any of the following: Script, letters, or words, religious imagery or symbols, full color pieces, photo-realism, other artist’s work, traditional tattoos, or anything that I don’t feel I could draw well. I will only do work that I am 100% confident in.
Will you tattoo over scars?
Yes, absolutely. This has been something that many of my previous clients wanted as a way of reclaiming their body, or changing their body image, and it can be very powerful. Something like a surgery scar will need to heal well enough and settle in before it should be tattooed over, so make sure to consult your doctor if you have concerns about when it is okay to proceed with your tattoo project.
Will you tattoo darker skin tones?
Also, yes, absolutely. I accept projects based off the ideas, so I don’t know what any of my clients look like before they come in for their appointment. If your project resonates with me, I’m up for it.
How do touch ups work?
I give free touch ups for any of my own work. I ask that you wait 2-3 months to really let the tattoo heal and settle in before making a touch up appointment. All you have to do is email me, and we can get you taken care of!
Yes, absolutely. This has been something that many of my previous clients wanted as a way of reclaiming their body, or changing their body image, and it can be very powerful. Something like a surgery scar will need to heal well enough and settle in before it should be tattooed over, so make sure to consult your doctor if you have concerns about when it is okay to proceed with your tattoo project.
Will you tattoo darker skin tones?
Also, yes, absolutely. I accept projects based off the ideas, so I don’t know what any of my clients look like before they come in for their appointment. If your project resonates with me, I’m up for it.
How do touch ups work?
I give free touch ups for any of my own work. I ask that you wait 2-3 months to really let the tattoo heal and settle in before making a touch up appointment. All you have to do is email me, and we can get you taken care of!
How do I care for my tattoo?
For the first three days clean 3-5 times a day with an unsweetened mild liquid soap or dial gold antibacterial liquid soap.
After washing, let the tattoo air dry COMPLETELY before applying a LIGHT layer of an unscented lotion (i.e. Aveeno or Curel).
After 3 days, clean morning and night or as needed and lightly apply lotion throughout the day as needed.
During your 2 week or longer healing period, do not submerge yourself in any water (shower is fine). Do not pick at your tattoo. Do not expose your tattoo to the sun for long periods of time. Do not tan. Do not let people touch your tattoo.
Please refrain from working out for 2-3 days after getting a fresh tattoo.
If you have an issue healing, contact me immediately via Instagram so I can quickly help guide you.
For the first three days clean 3-5 times a day with an unsweetened mild liquid soap or dial gold antibacterial liquid soap.
After washing, let the tattoo air dry COMPLETELY before applying a LIGHT layer of an unscented lotion (i.e. Aveeno or Curel).
After 3 days, clean morning and night or as needed and lightly apply lotion throughout the day as needed.
During your 2 week or longer healing period, do not submerge yourself in any water (shower is fine). Do not pick at your tattoo. Do not expose your tattoo to the sun for long periods of time. Do not tan. Do not let people touch your tattoo.
Please refrain from working out for 2-3 days after getting a fresh tattoo.
If you have an issue healing, contact me immediately via Instagram so I can quickly help guide you.
Don’t know what you want?
I have a highlight that features all of my own pre-drawn designs that are up for grabs. If you see something and it inspires an idea, feel free to submit it to my custom inquiry form while my books are open.
I also love drawn-on projects. I have examples of plants that I would love to do a freehand tattoo for, but I am not limited to just those. If you have an idea that you think would be up my alley, always ask! Collaborative work can be extremely rewarding, so let’s come up with something together!
What about fine line tattoos?
I don’t personally do exclusively fine line tattoos. I like to use a variety of needles to create hierarchy and visual interest in my tattoos, and I also like to use fine line needles. None of my work is particularly heavy linework, and if you’re familiar with my social media then you’ve seen a pretty wide array of the style I work in.
I have a highlight that features all of my own pre-drawn designs that are up for grabs. If you see something and it inspires an idea, feel free to submit it to my custom inquiry form while my books are open.
I also love drawn-on projects. I have examples of plants that I would love to do a freehand tattoo for, but I am not limited to just those. If you have an idea that you think would be up my alley, always ask! Collaborative work can be extremely rewarding, so let’s come up with something together!
What about fine line tattoos?
I don’t personally do exclusively fine line tattoos. I like to use a variety of needles to create hierarchy and visual interest in my tattoos, and I also like to use fine line needles. None of my work is particularly heavy linework, and if you’re familiar with my social media then you’ve seen a pretty wide array of the style I work in.