Services

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO !

The staff at Bella Arte Tattoo are a group of very talented, friendly ,and professional artists. All of our staff have years of experience in their field. Although each artist may have his/her own style, they are all well versed in all styles of tattooing. We are confident that no matter what style you are looking for our artists can accomplish what you want and exceed your expectations. We firmly believe that our customers are our #1 priority and we strive to keep you 100% satisfied with everything we do. Whether you are getting a full sleeve tattoo or a simple shopping product you will be treated with the same respect and professionalism as everyone else. Thanks for checking out our site and we look forward to working with you.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! SOME POINTERS FOR YOU…..

Choosing a tattoo shop is essential when deciding to get a new tattoo, but equally as important is choosing the artist that will be leaving a permanent mark on your body. Just because you could be drawn to a particular tattoo shop, doesn’t mean the artists there are fully qualified or capable of working with you, on you and performing a service that is beneficial to your well-being.

You see a tattoo you like? Ask where they got it done and by whom. Check out their work, their pictures, and their website, anything that will give you an idea of the type of artist he/she is. Is their work clean, crisp, and precise? Do their lines meet up? Are their outlines consistent throughout the tattoo? Do the colors blend completely? Does the artist have a style that is compatible to what you are looking for? These are all important questions you should be asking yourself when carefully choosing a tattoo artist. When all is said and done, we are not unlike many hairdressers and bartenders, your tattoo artist just might become your best friend and confidant.

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to do the leg work. We’ve all been there. You’re shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, and here he comes, that car dealer that just rubs you the wrong way-trained to dodge your questions about safety and reliability. In most cases, if you were smart, you’d turn and walk out, going elsewhere to get what you are looking for. Why, then, doesn’t the public feel the same when they enter a tattoo shop? DO NOT be intimidated by tattoo artists and their craft!!! Most of us are honest people trying to make an honest living doing what we love to do! I say most of us because, unfortunately, there are many people out there that claim to be tattoo artists because they have the know-how to operate a tattoo machine, period! Picking it up and putting it to skin doesn’t make for a tattoo artist in the least, never mind a good one!

A good indication you are in the wrong shop is if they cannot answer your questions about procedures and/or policies in a straight forward and timely manner. Dodging your questions about cleanliness, sanitary procedures, and/or your own health and well-being is your cue to high tail it outta there in search of a tattoo shop that meets your standards of cleanliness and professionalism. High standards are not a character flaw and should not be treated as such, by anyone! Make sure the personnel are willing and able to answer all questions you have regarding the procedure in question. Keep your eyes and ears open and absorb in your surroundings. The cleanliness of the front of the house is a good indication that the rest of the establishment will meet and/or exceed your expectations as well.

TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH!

You’ve decided who. You’ve decided where. Now it’s time to decide what you want and where you want it to be placed. You should always walk into a consultation or appointment with an open mind. Of course, you will probably have a design and location/size in mind, but always remember that your artist is the professional, and if they are a good one, they will steer you in the right direction for the perfect tattoo that will suit your desires. That may mean design restructuring, going smaller, larger, or even changing the location of the tattoo entirely. Use your best judgment, but remember that you had the confidence to put your faith in that particular artist for a reason. Let them prove themselves to you! Always, always keep in mind that tattoos are forever. Don’t ever think “laser removal is always an option”. If you feel that way, take a step back and re-evaluate your decision. You need to feel like you will love it forever! Remember that tattoo removal is twice as expensive and hurts twice as much as getting the initial tattoo you thought you loved so much. Whether you are getting your first tattoo or have become a “Collector”, remember it is in your best interest to put much thought into what goes on your body. Following simple guidelines, such as these, are sure to bring you a lifetime of happiness with your new tattoo!

GOOD TATTOOS AREN’T CHEAP AND CHEAP TATTOOS AREN’T GOOD

Remember this! As long as we are keeping your best interests in mind, never shop around for the best price in town! Your chosen tattoo artist would not be entering into this relationship lightly and neither should you. With years of training under their belts, they should be providing you top notch service and in accordance you will be paying for that service, usually at an hourly rate. Rushing a tattoo to not hurt your pocket benefits no one! If the price of the tattoo you want is too steep, start saving now for a sweet reward in the end!

IN LAYMAN’S TERMS

Remember I mentioned earlier to keep your eyes open? That means always, throughout the entire tattoo process, from start to finish. It’s unfortunate, but not all customers know what to look for in terms of their own safety and well-being in this situation. Putting your high standards to work, make sure your artist is wearing disposable gloves from the initial set-up of the tattoo all the way through to the clean-up process, for both your safety as well as their own. A good tattoo artist will have you seated in the room/area where they will be performing your tattoo, in full view of their set-up procedure. Pay attention! Make sure you see them remove a new needle and tube from their sealed wrappers. Watch carefully as they pour new, clean ink into fresh ink caps. Again, ask questions, even if you asked them earlier, if there is still doubt or confusion, ask again. Make sure you are comfortable with your surroundings as well as your artist. If they are not willing to fully answer questions regarding your safety and well-being, or any other issue you may still have, it’s time to find yourself a more willing, qualified and professional participant!!!

THINK BEFORE YOU INK

Just as you should be particular about your tattoo artist, your tattoo artist should in turn be particular about you. A good tattoo artist should NEVER tattoo a customer that is clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The following practices will thin your blood, among other things, making it harder for the ink to absorb into the skin: alcohol consumption, drug use, (including but not excluding aspirin, prescription drugs and/or pain killers) and blood thinners. Going in clean and sober, having your wits about you is best for all parties involved.

Another concern is body modifications during pregnancy. It is advisable to NOT undergo any procedure that will exert undo stress on the body and its unborn child, regardless of how far into the pregnancy they may be. That being said, this tattoo shop will refuse services to any customer that is pregnant at the time the procedure was to be performed. In addition to pregnant individuals we also will not tattoo someone that is nursing a child.

You must be at least 15 years of age to be tattooed in our tattoo shop. All minors, ages 15-17, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will be required to fill out a Parental Consent Form. The parent or legal guardian must provide a state issued form of photo identification and the minor must provide their birth certificate. In the event that the parent or legal guardian and the minor have different last names and/or addresses, a court document stating such must be provided as well. In the situation of a divorce, only the party with legal custody will be able to sign the consent form. All adults 18 years and older are required to provide state issued photo identification. Photocopies or images presented on the phone will not be accepted so please provide the physical government issued form of identification, as per state guidelines.

TATTOO VIRGIN

You may have heard this term before, the person who has no tattoos being referred to as a virgin or having virgin skin. This term is used loosely, but has some merit. Being tattooed is an experience that varies greatly from one person to another. For some, the pain is near unbearable, for others, it’s been known to be euphoric. From my past experience, most customers fall in between these two extremes. Never let someone else’s experience (good or bad) influence your decision to get a tattoo or make an impression in your mind as to what to expect. Know that there will be some blood, but the amount will vary from person to person. There should not be much bleeding, since it is technically a surface wound, but it will bleed accordingly.

Key points to remember:

  • Do not drink alcohol, it will dehydrate you, among other things, and cause you to tense/cramp up, in turn, intensifying the pain.
  • Eat before your procedure, be well rested and relax. Having low blood sugar can cause you to become light headed and have an increased level of discomfort.
  • Be sure to inform your tattoo artist if you feel faint. They will completely understand if you need to take a break for this reason and have experience handling these types of situations. Trust me you do not want to faint mid tattoo if it truly could have been prevented by just speaking up. In most cases taking a break and getting hydrated is all it takes to get back into the frame of mind to complete the tattoo. The only stupid question is the one that is not asked!
  • Do inform your tattoo artist if you need to take a break, change position, stretch, or make any sudden movements, as this will keep them from making a sudden, permanent mark that you will both regret.

All tattoo procedures should end with tattoo aftercare instructions, preferably written as well as verbal. Be prepared for normal flaking, shiny skin, and/or slight scabbing. This is all part of the normal healing process. If your skin produces scabs, LEAVE THEM ALONE! Resist the urge to pick at any scabs as this will only lead to an infection, scarring, and sometimes permanent damage to your tattoo. Keep your tattoo moist, as per your tattoo artist’s instructions, and within 3 weeks your new tattoo should be completely healed (keep in mind this time frame is approximate and will vary from person to person).