Important Notes

Please read the following information carefully. These guides will give you an insight into the booking process and answer the most frequently asked questions.

Booking and appointments

How can I make an appointment for a tattoo?

Please fill out the form found under the „Tattoo Request“ menu item. You can use this form to send me your tattoo idea.

Please be brief and concise! If you have reference images such as photos, drawings, sketches or tattoos, please attach them so that I can better visualize your tattoo idea.

If you contact me in any other way to request a tattoo, I will send you a link to this form in response.

What happens after I send my tattoo idea?

After you have sent me your request, I will contact you and we will arrange a free tattoo consultation at the Old Barrel Tattoo Studio. I usually hold these consultations Tuesday through Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 9:00 am; they last about 20 minutes.

During this consultation, we will go over all the details of the tattoo and discuss the exact date. If I don't have any appointments available in the next six months, you will be put on a waitlist. I will contact you as soon as I have an available appointment.

If a smaller project does not require a personal consultation and I have an appointment available, I will send it to you right away.

How should I prepare for the free tattoo consultation?

Please read all the relevant information on my website before you come in for a consultation so we can focus on your specific tattoo ideas. If you fill out the form with your tattoo idea in detail and include reference pictures, it will be a great help to me and I can prepare for our meeting.

How does the deposit work and when do I have to pay it?

A deposit is charged to book an appointment. You can pay this amount at the first consultation either in person or by bank transfer. This amount will later be deducted from the total amount of the tattoo once it is finished. If the tattoo requires multiple sessions, this amount will be deducted from the first session.

It is important to know that you can lose the deposit if you cancel an appointment. All appointments can be rescheduled only once with the deposit held, but please let me know at least 4 days before the appointment so we can reschedule it. However, if you do not show up or cancel the appointment last minute, your deposit will be lost and you can only reschedule by making a new payment. In this case, I am unable to give the appointment to another client, which is both a loss for me and unfair to those who have been waiting a long time for an available appointment.

When and how can I receive information about the exact price of a tattoo?

I will inform you about the price of the tattoo during the personal consultation or directly before the session. As every pattern, every part of the body and every skin type is unique, they all influence the duration of the tattoo and therefore also the price. But don't worry! You will know the price before I start tattooing, so there will be no unanswered questions.

When do I see the tattoo design for the first time and what happens if I want to change it?

I will show you the tattoo design on the day of the tattoo. If you want to make small changes, we can do this on the same day in person. However, if you want to make major changes, please let me know at least one week before the appointment. For example, if we have discussed a portrait of a woman, but you would like to have a rose tattoo on a different part of the body, it is important to let me know in advance.

I take many details into account when designing, e.g. where you want the tattoo on your body. The design process can take 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size. If you want a completely different tattoo and have not told me in time, we may have to postpone the appointment.

How flexible is the design process and how much time is there to make changes?

In some cases, the tattoo design is just a rough sketch that I add to freehand on the day of the appointment in order to fully customize the final result. As I only see one client a day, we have enough time to make changes if necessary.

If you have given me all the essential information, in 99% of all cases no changes to the design are necessary. Of course, we only start tattooing when we are both 100% satisfied with the tattoo design.

Do you accept any tattoo idea?

Although I am interested in many tattoo trends, unfortunately I cannot fulfill all wishes. However, I will be happy to help you find the best artist for the style you want. In our studio you will find a specialist for almost every tattoo trend.

How do you choose the projects?

I choose the projects based on the requests I receive. I prefer ideas that interest me and that I enjoy implementing.

My current favorite themes include:

Animals, unique animals, insects
Comic, manga, anime and cartoon characters
Nature, roses, flowers, leaves
Faces
Monsters, creatures in horror and fantasy themes
Skulls (human, animal, fictional)
Bioorganic and biomechanical figures

If you have a special idea, feel free to send it to me, as I am always open to other topics and unique ideas.

However, there are some topics that I am currently not engaging with:

Clocks and compasses
Tribal tattoos
Geometric designs
Religious or political designs.

Do you also do cover-ups?

Yes, I do cover-ups, but in this case a personal consultation is always necessary. Not all tattoos are easy to cover. The possibility of a cover-up depends on the body part, the original tattoo and the new idea.

If you would like a cover-up, please send me a picture of the tattoo you would like to have covered in the menu "Tattoo Request" and we will arrange a consultation.

What happens if there are no appointments available and I am put on a waitlist?

I work with seasonal six-month calendars, and when all the appointments for the next six months are booked, I temporarily stop taking appointments. If there are no appointments available during this period, you will automatically be put on the waitlist. As soon as I open a new six-month calendar, I will contact you to make an appointment.

Can I bring someone with me to my tattoo appointment?

Of course you can bring someone with you, but in my experience it is usually better to come alone. The person accompanying you has to wait for several hours and you can't relax as much during the tattooing process as if you were alone. However, if someone is coming with you, please let me know in advance.

The tattoo process and preparation

What should I keep in mind when I come to my tattoo appointment?

Please make sure to arrive on time!

When you arrive, I will first show you the design. We will only start tattooing when you are 100% satisfied with it.

During the tattooing process, I work in 2.5-hour blocks, with a 20-minute lunch break in the middle of the process.

Of course, there is also the option to take a restroom break or stretch if needed.

How should I prepare myself for the tattoo?

Please read all the information on my website carefully first so that you are fully aware of the process.

It is important to moisturize the area you want to have tattooed regularly in order to promote good skin quality, which makes my work easier and faster. If you have dry skin, use a more oily cream. For oily skin, I recommend a highly moisturizing cream. Even after the tattoo has healed, it's worth moisturizing the skin with cream to ensure longevity.

Give yourself some time to rest 1 or 2 days before your appointment, because tattooing is not a pleasant process, especially if it takes a long time. Get a good night's sleep. If you are exhausted, your pain tolerance may be lowered.

In addition to rest, make sure you stay hydrated, but avoid alcohol and energy drinks.

Eat a balanced breakfast on the morning of your tattoo. Even if you don't usually have breakfast, please try to eat a sandwich! If you get a tattoo on an empty stomach, you run the risk of feeling nauseous or passing out. If you eat a good breakfast, at least you won't have to worry about a growling stomach.

Come to the appointment preferably clean and well-groomed.

If you have allergies, please let me know in advance and ask your doctor about the possibility of a tattoo.

What can I bring to a tattoo appointment?

You can bring lunch or anything you like. During the tattoo, you can drink beverages of your choice - be it water or sugary drinks that are good for keeping your blood sugar levels steady.

You can bring a book, an iPad to watch a movie or any other device that will help you relax. You can also bring your headphones, as good music often helps you relax. Many people have found that music increases their pain tolerance and helps them relax during the process.

Dress comfortably, preferably in clothing where the area that is going to be tattooed is easily accessible. For example, a tank top is ideal for shoulder tattoos. Choose an item of clothing that you don't mind accidentally getting a little dirty.

What should I pay attention to before getting a tattoo?

Avoid alcohol, drugs and energy drinks during the days before the tattoo, although a coffee in the morning is fine. Tattooing is not recommended on freshly burnt or scabbed skin. So avoid sunbathing and thus sunburn before tattooing. Do not shave the area you want to have tattooed beforehand. Do not use any numbing creams before tattooing, as these can lead to irritation, bleeding and healing problems.

How should I look after my tattoo and what should I keep in mind during the healing phase?

After the tattoo, you will receive detailed information about the aftercare. You will need a simple cling film and Bepanthen cream, which is easily available at the pharmacy. In my experience, Bepanthen is one of the best and most commonly used products for healing tattoos.

If you do heavy physical work or come into contact with dirt, dust or oil at work, you should take a few days off after the tattoo.

Avoid direct sunlight, the beach, swimming and physically challenging activities, and don't start your summer vacation shortly after getting the tattoo. Also avoid sports, tanning beds and saunas for at least two weeks.

What should I do if I feel unwell on the day of the tattoo?

If you do not feel 100% comfortable, please do not come to the appointment. We will be in close proximity during the tattooing process. So if you have a contagious illness, there is a good chance that you will infect me. As an artist, I can't take sick leave, so the lost work days would pose a serious problem for me.

If you feel unwell, please let me know immediately. We can reschedule the appointment for a later date.

What should I do if I can't make it to my appointment on time?

If you are late for any reason, please inform me immediately by e-mail or phone. If you are more than 30 minutes late, we may have to reschedule your appointment for another day. If you do not inform me of the delay and do not show up, you will lose the appointment and the chance of further appointments.

I have other questions. How can I contact you about them?

If you have any other questions, please send me an e-mail to: robitattooart@gmail.com
You can also use the form in the menu item "Contact" to send a message.

How should you choose a suitable tattoo artist?

The most important aspect of choosing a tattoo artist is mutual trust. Look for an artist with a portfolio and style that matches your expectations, as well as with professional experience and a hygienic environment.

Choose a tattoo artist whose personality is in tune with you. Don't choose an artist who can't realize your ideas, because the tattoo will be with you for life. Quality work requires time and financial investment; don't just rely on superficial images on social media.

A good tattoo artist will combine their own style and expertise with your ideas to ensure that the end result meets all your expectations. Finding the ideal tattoo artist requires focus and energy, but it's worth it because a well-chosen artist will bring your concept to life enthusiastically and authentically, ensuring a mutually satisfying result.

Do you want a tattoo from me?

Click on the button and request a new tattoo! Don't forget to read the "Important Notes" page first!