Frequently Asked Questions
Our artists cover a wide range of styles including realism, neo-traditional, Japanese, fine line, blackwork, geometric, dotwork, illustrative, and color work. Each artist has their own specialties — check our Artists page to find the perfect match for your vision. If you're not sure what style you're looking for, that's totally fine. During your free consultation, we'll help you explore options and find the style that best suits your idea.
Yes! We welcome walk-ins during all studio hours, subject to artist availability. Walk-in availability is best for smaller pieces and flash tattoos. For larger custom work, we recommend booking an appointment to ensure your preferred artist has dedicated time for your piece. Follow us on Instagram @earthgangtattoo for flash sheet drops and same-day availability updates.
For custom work, we recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for larger pieces that require design time. For smaller pieces or flash tattoos, same-week or even same-day appointments are often available. Weekends fill up faster, so if you have flexibility with weekday appointments, you'll have more options.
Absolutely. Cover-ups are one of our specialties, particularly Johnny Venus. During a consultation, we'll assess the existing tattoo and discuss what's possible. Most tattoos can be covered or incorporated into a new design. Factors like the age of the existing tattoo, ink density, and colors used will affect the approach. We're honest about what's achievable — we won't take on a cover-up unless we're confident in the result.
Of course! You're welcome to bring one guest to your appointment. We ask that you keep it to one person to maintain a calm, focused environment in the studio. For longer sessions, your friend is welcome to step out and return — we have plenty of great coffee shops and restaurants nearby.
Pricing depends on several factors: size, complexity, detail level, style, body placement, and the artist you choose. We have a shop minimum of $150 and an hourly rate of $200. Your artist will provide a detailed estimate during your free consultation. We believe in transparent pricing — you'll know the cost before any ink touches your skin.
Our shop minimum is $150. This covers the setup time, sterile supplies, and the artist's time for any small piece. Even the smallest tattoos require the same level of preparation, hygiene protocols, and equipment as larger work.
Yes, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required to book all appointments. The deposit is applied to the total cost of your tattoo, so it's not an extra fee — it's part of your payment. The deposit secures your date and time, and it's forfeited if you cancel with less than 48 hours notice or don't show up.
We accept cash, all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo. We recommend bringing cash for tips, though card tips are also accepted.
You can book through our online booking form, call us at (404) 555-0137, or visit the studio in person. The easiest way is through our booking page — select your preferred artist, service type, and available date, then submit your request. We'll confirm your appointment within 24 hours.
Your free consultation is a 15-30 minute conversation with your artist. You'll discuss your vision, reference images, placement preferences, and any concerns. Your artist will assess the design, provide a time and cost estimate, and answer all your questions. For larger custom pieces, the artist may create a preliminary design after the consultation for your review.
Absolutely, and we encourage it! Reference images help your artist understand your vision — whether it's style references, specific design elements, color preferences, or placement ideas. You can bring printed images or show them on your phone. We also accept reference images through our booking form.
We understand that life happens. Please contact us at least 48 hours in advance to reschedule your appointment. We'll work with you to find a new time that works. Rescheduling with less than 48 hours notice may require an additional deposit to secure the new appointment.
Yes, but the level of pain varies significantly depending on the placement, your pain tolerance, and the type of tattoo. Most people describe the sensation as a scratching or buzzing feeling rather than sharp pain. Areas with more fat and muscle (outer arm, thigh, calf) tend to hurt less than bony areas (ribs, spine, feet, hands). Our artists are experienced at working with clients who are nervous — we take breaks when you need them and keep the atmosphere calm and comfortable.
Least painful areas typically include: outer forearm, outer upper arm, upper back, outer thigh, and calf. More sensitive areas include: ribs, spine, sternum, inner arm, feet, hands, neck, and face. That said, everyone's pain tolerance is different. During your consultation, we can discuss placement options and help you choose a spot that balances your vision with your comfort level.
Yes, absolutely! Eat a full meal 1-2 hours before your appointment. Being well-nourished and hydrated helps your body manage the stress of the tattooing process. Bring a snack and water for longer sessions. Low blood sugar can make you feel lightheaded or nauseous during a tattoo.
No. Alcohol thins your blood, which can cause excessive bleeding during the tattoo process. This makes it harder for the artist to work and can affect how well the ink takes. We recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Being clear-headed also ensures you're making good decisions about your permanent body art.
Every needle we use is brand new, individually packaged, and sterilized. Needles are single-use only — they are opened in front of you and disposed of in a sharps container immediately after your session. We never reuse needles under any circumstances.
We follow and exceed all Georgia Department of Public Health regulations for tattoo establishments. This includes: single-use sterile needles, hospital-grade autoclave sterilization, FDA-approved inks, disposable tubes and grips, fresh barrier covers on all surfaces, hand hygiene protocols, and regular staff training on bloodborne pathogen safety. We're licensed, insured, and inspected annually.
Yes. EarthGang Tattoo holds all required licenses from the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta. We carry full general liability and professional liability insurance. Our licenses and inspection reports are posted visibly in the studio — transparency is important to us.