Hello, little flying pigs!! Welcome to the Q&A portion of the website! If you are new to tattooing or if this is your first-ever tattoo, take a beat and read through the whole Q&A. There's some good info in here and you aren't going to want to go into this half-assed. As with anything that counts in life, never half-ass anything: always use your full ass. So read up, friends and we'll get to the poking later!

Q: Does it hurt?

A: This should be obvious, but yes. It hurts. You are getting stabbed by a tiny needle over and over; if you are human you are going to feel this. How much or how little pain is different with every individual, as no one's pain threshold is the same.

Q: Do I need an appointment to get a tattoo?

A: Yes! You can use our scheduling system by clicking HERE. Please note, this only schedules the consultation, which is required for all new tattoos. Full booking dates will be offered once the consultation is completed.

Q: Do you take walk-ins?

A: Yes! We are a fully browse-able retail shop in addition to a tattoo parlor, and our resident tattoo artist offers flash tattoos for walk-ins. If you have something custom in mind, please stop down at the shop to discuss it, but it is unlikely that Courtney will be able to tattoo you that day.

Q: Can I bathe/go swimming after a tattoo?

A: No! Expect to keep your tattoo clean and dry and free of sunscreen/sun exposure for at least 1 month. This means no hot tubs, waterparks, pools, beaches and tanning beds. 

Q: How long will my tattoo take?

A: It always depends on the size, but you can expect to be there at least an hour for smaller tattoos, and upwards of 3-4 hours or longer for sleeves/large tattoos

Q: How much does it cost?

A: For custom work, Soaring Swine will charge $100/hr. Flash art/tattoo is excluded in this pricing, as that is normally a smaller, flat rate and promoted as specials.

Q: Is tipping required for tattoos?

A: Tipping is not required for tattoos, but it is strongly suggested, much like tipping your server at a restaurant. You probably should, so you don't seem like a dick. And it will ensure that you get quality service and be welcome back for future tattoo sessions. Seriously. Tip your server. Don't be that guy.

Q: Are tattoos safe?

A: If your tattoo is done at a licensed establishment, yes they are 100% safe. Now, if you go into your buddy Steve's dark basement cuz he got some discount ink and will do it super cheap.., that's not exactly safe. Don't do that. Go to a licensed establishment with a licensed tattoo artist; this is always the best option. A clean facility is the best place to start for having a clean tattoo. OSHA recommends it and so do we!

Q: Do you do custom tattoos?

A: Absolutely! Custom ink is our favorite! Send us the piece you already have in mind, or send us a message with a vague idea of what you want, and our resident Human Photocopier will create an absolute masterpiece for you.

Q: How do I care for my new tattoo?

A: Simply put, keep it clean and dry. It is a wound that is healing on your body; treat it as such. For a more comprehensive list of do's, don'ts, and watch out for's, go HERE.

Q: Can my tattoo be covered up?

A: Most tattoos can be covered up, as long as its not a solid black area. A good tattoo artist can transform an old bummer-of-a-tattoo into something you no longer regret looking at! It is quite like magic, but it's actually art and mad skill.

Q: Do you offer tattoo removal services?

A: Unfortunately, at this time we do NOT offer tattoo removal services. We know that there is an increasing demand for this type of service, and we do have plans to expand into that eventually. So, stay tuned!

Q: How are my tattoos going to age?

A: If you take care of them, don't pick at them while they're healing, and don't expose them to tons of sunlight, they will age just as gracefully as you, you Majestic Being.  Do the things we just said not to do, and they will age more akin to a piece of leather that has smoked cigarettes its whole life. Again, care for your body; it's the only one you get.