Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about booking with Maladriela at Ink Tattoo.
Booking & Contact
How can I book an appointment?
You can book by sending us a message on Instagram or Facebook, or by using the booking form on this website. The form lets you describe your idea and attach references, and your message goes directly to our email inbox.
We do not publish a direct phone number because it is much easier to keep track of ideas and references in writing.
Do you take walk-ins?
Normally we do not take walk-ins. The studio is open only when the artist is working with booked clients.
From time to time we may announce a special walk-in day on our social media. Outside of those occasions, please always contact us first and book a time.
Do I need a consultation before booking?
Most projects are discussed online first via DM or the booking form. That is usually enough to book your session.
If you feel more comfortable with an in-person consultation, that is also possible, but it must be arranged in advance. We do not accept unannounced visits, because when the artist is in the studio she is usually tattooing.
How far in advance should I book?
It is best to contact us a few weeks before your ideal date, especially if you need a specific day or time.
Appointments are limited and we often book up several weeks in advance, particularly for larger pieces. The sooner you write, the easier it is to find a time that works for you.
Pricing, Deposits & Payments
How much does a tattoo cost?
The price depends on the size, style, placement and detail of your idea. We work on an hourly basis and the current rates are shown on the Booking page.
You are billed only for the actual tattooing time on your skin. Preparation, placing the stencil, setup and breaks are not counted into the paid hours. Simple tattoos can take around 20 to 40 minutes, while more detailed or larger pieces may take several hours. We will estimate a time range and budget for your idea after we see your references and placement.
What is your minimum price?
Our minimum price for a tattoo is usually:
- 200 zł for small, linework-only designs
- 250 zł for small designs with colour
This covers the cost of sterile equipment, setup time and the artist's time, even for the smallest pieces.
How do half-day and full-day sessions work?
For bigger projects we sometimes talk about half-day or full-day sessions, but the price is still based on the hourly rate.
- A typical half-day booking gives us around 3 hours of tattooing time.
- A typical full-day booking gives us up to 6 to 6.5 hours of tattooing time, and you are in the studio for around 7.5 hours including breaks.
The exact time we need depends not only on size, but also on complexity and placement. We will suggest how long to book once we have seen your idea and photos of the area.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes:
- Anime tattoos: 10 percent off the session price
- Your 4th tattoo with us and every one after that: permanent 10 percent loyalty discount
Discounts apply to our work on the tattoo itself. The minimum price for a session still applies.
How do deposits work? When do I lose my deposit?
To confirm your appointment we usually take a deposit:
- 100 zł for minimum or small tattoos
- 200 zł for half-day and full-day sessions
Your booking is fully secured once we receive your deposit. Dates held without a deposit may be offered to another client if they confirm with a deposit.
You can reschedule or cancel up to 72 hours before your appointment without losing your deposit. With shorter notice the deposit is forfeited.
In most cases you can reschedule once without paying another deposit. A second reschedule will require a new deposit. If we need to reschedule on our side, this does not count against you or your deposit.
Age, Legal & Studio Rules
What is the minimum age for getting a tattoo?
We tattoo clients from 16 years old with parental consent.
Clients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must sign an additional consent form. For legal and safety reasons we do not tattoo anyone under 16.
Do I need to sign any forms?
Yes. Every client fills in a consent form before the session. This covers your basic health information, confirms you understand the risks, and records your consent.
Clients under 18 complete an additional form that must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Can I bring a friend or child with me?
Please plan to come alone to your session. The studio is a small, focused workspace and extra people make it harder for the artist to concentrate and for you to relax.
A short visit from a friend or family member (a quick hello) may be possible if we agree in advance, but we do not allow guests to stay for the whole appointment.
For safety and comfort reasons no children under 16 are allowed in the studio at any time. We also reserve the right to refuse entrance to anyone who behaves inappropriately or makes the space feel unsafe.
Health, Safety & Pain
Are there situations when you will refuse or postpone a tattoo?
Yes. For your safety and for good healing, we may refuse or reschedule a tattoo if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are ill (fever, infection, flu, and similar)
- You have fresh sunburn on or near the tattoo area
- You are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- You take certain blood-thinning medications
- You have untreated skin conditions on the tattoo area
If you are unsure about your health or medications, please tell us when you book. In some cases we may ask you to talk to your doctor before getting tattooed.
How painful is a tattoo? Which areas hurt the most?
Pain is very individual, but most people find it tolerable. It feels more like a scratch or burning sensation than a sharp cut.
In general, softer and fleshier areas (outer upper arm, calf, outer thigh) are usually easier, while bony or thin-skinned areas (ribs, spine, ankles) tend to be more intense.
We can break the session into shorter blocks, take breaks and adjust the pace if you are struggling. Being rested, fed and hydrated helps a lot. If you are very anxious about pain, mention it when you contact us and we can discuss placement and session length.
Do you use numbing creams?
In almost all cases we do not work with numbing creams and we do not recommend them.
Stronger numbing products are often regulated as medicines in Europe and are not easily available over the counter. Used incorrectly they can affect your circulation, change the skin surface and negatively impact how the tattoo heals.
If you are considering using a numbing product, please tell us in advance. We may decide that we cannot safely work with it. In general our recommendation is: no numbing creams.
How long does a session last?
The time it takes to do a tattoo depends on its complexity, size and placement.
Very small and simple tattoos can take around 20 to 40 minutes of actual tattooing. Medium pieces often take 1 to 3 hours. Larger or highly detailed work can take several hours and may be split across more than one session.
You are billed only for the tattooing time. Preparation, stencil placement and breaks are not counted into the paid hours. We will give you a realistic time range when we review your idea and placement.
Before Your Appointment
How should I prepare for my session?
A few simple things make a big difference:
- Hydrate well for a few days before your session by drinking water regularly
- If possible, do a gentle peeling or exfoliation of the area a day or two before. This makes the skin smoother, the session easier for both you and the artist, and can help the overall result.
- Sleep well the night before
- Eat a proper meal before you come so you do not arrive on an empty stomach
- Avoid alcohol and drugs for at least 24 hours before
If you have any medical conditions or take medication, mention them when you book.
Can I bring snacks or order food during the session?
Yes. For longer sessions we encourage you to bring snacks and drinks. You will also be able to order food from nearby restaurants during breaks.
Just let us know if you need a short food or coffee break. We are used to it.
What should I wear?
Wear loose and comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area we are tattooing. It is best to wear dark clothes or items that you do not mind getting ink or ointment on.
For example:
- Arm tattoos: a loose T-shirt or tank top
- Legs: shorts or loose trousers you can roll up
If you are unsure, ask when we confirm your appointment. We will suggest what works best for your specific placement.
What happens if I am late?
If you are running a bit late, please let us know as soon as possible.
Being a little late usually just shortens your tattoo time slightly. Being very late may mean we cannot complete the piece or may need to reschedule, especially if another client is after you.
Arriving significantly late without notice may be treated like a no-show, and your deposit can be forfeited. We also prefer you not to arrive too early. Coming a bit before your time is perfect, but please avoid arriving much earlier while we are still cleaning up or working with another client.
Design, References & Cover-Ups
How does the design process work?
We start from your idea and references. You can send us photos, drawings or tattoos you like, plus notes about style, size and placement.
The more references you send, the better we understand what you are drawn to. We then create a custom design inspired by your input in the style you booked.
When will I see my design?
As a rule, we show the final design on the day of your appointment, before we start tattooing.
This lets us focus on drawing and avoids endless back and forth online. In some special cases we may share sketches earlier, but this is at the artist's discretion.
Can I change my mind or request changes to the design?
Small adjustments on the day such as size tweaks, moving the stencil slightly or minor details are normal and included.
If you want a large or complete redesign of the idea at the last minute, we may need to postpone the tattoo to a new date and charge a redesign fee for the extra drawing time.
If you know you want to change direction, please tell us before the session so we can plan for it.
Do you do cover-ups or rework old tattoos?
Yes, but not every tattoo can be covered or reworked successfully.
For each cover-up or rework request we ask for clear photos of the current tattoo, evaluate the size, colour and placement, and decide if the idea is realistic and fits our style.
For larger or more complex pieces we may ask for an in-person consultation, because photos do not always show the skin, shape and colours accurately. In those cases we will look at the area together in the studio before confirming the project.
The artist may refuse a cover-up or rework if the placement, existing ink or your idea would lead to a poor result. In that case we may suggest alternatives or a different approach instead.
Placement, Style & What We Do Not Do
Do you tattoo hands, fingers, neck or face?
We discourage hand and finger tattoos, especially fingers, because they tend to fade faster, blur more and are very visible in everyday life.
We can tattoo necks and faces, but we decide this case by case, taking into account your existing tattoos, lifestyle and expectations.
Are there designs or symbols you refuse to tattoo?
Yes. We will not tattoo hateful, racist, homophobic or extremist symbols, or imagery that promotes violence, hate or discrimination.
We want the studio to be a safe space for everyone, and this is not compatible with hateful imagery.
Are there body areas you will not tattoo?
We do not tattoo:
- Genitals
- Eyes
- Armpits
- Soles of the feet
- Palms
We also discourage finger tattoos in general for durability reasons. For all other placements we will discuss what is realistic and what will heal well.
Aftercare & Touch-Ups
How should I care for my new tattoo?
You will receive detailed aftercare instructions after your session. In short:
- Keep the tattoo clean and slightly moisturised
- Avoid picking or scratching the healing skin
- Avoid swimming, saunas, tanning beds and direct sun on the area until it is fully healed
- Follow our instructions about second skin
Full aftercare information is available on the Aftercare page, and we will explain how to care for your tattoo before you leave the studio.
When is a touch-up free and when is it paid?
If a touch-up is needed due to normal healing, the first touch-up is usually free within about four weeks after your tattoo session.
If there is clear evidence of poor aftercare such as sunburn, picking, or ignoring instructions, touch-ups are paid.
Additional touch-ups such as a second or third are also paid, usually based on the time needed or with a minimum charge of 200 zł. We will always look at the tattoo and explain what we recommend before booking a touch-up.
Hygiene, Photos & Privacy
How do you keep the studio hygienic and safe?
We follow professional hygiene standards for tattooing. In practice this means:
- Using single-use, sterile needles and cartridges
- Using disposable gloves and protective barriers
- Cleaning and disinfecting the workspace and equipment between clients
- Using a medical-grade autoclave to sterilize reusable metal machine parts
- Storing inks and tools according to sanitary guidelines
- Working only with REACH-compliant tattoo inks that meet current EU regulations
If you have any questions about our hygiene procedures or the inks we use, you are always welcome to ask. We are happy to explain how everything works.
Will you take photos of my tattoo? Can I refuse?
We often take close-up photos of finished tattoos for our portfolio and social media.
We always ask first. You can say no to any photos, or allow photos only of the tattoo without your face or identifying features.
We respect your privacy and will follow whatever you are comfortable with.
LGBTQ+ Friendly & Safe Space
Is your studio LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes. We welcome LGBTQ+ clients and want the studio to be a safe and respectful space for everyone.
We do not tolerate hateful or discriminatory behaviour in the studio, whether towards our clients or from anyone else. We are also open to projects that involve covering scars or transforming old hateful imagery into something new and positive.
Location & Access
Where is the studio and how do I get there?
The studio is located in Elbląg, close to public transport, an ATM and a supermarket. There is a small parking area very near the studio, and if it is full there is paid public parking about 200 metres away where you can usually find a free space.
Is the studio accessible for people with disabilities?
The studio is on the ground floor, but there is a short staircase of about five steps at the entrance and there is no ramp or lift.
Unfortunately this means the space is not fully accessible for all mobility needs. If you are unsure whether you will be able to access the studio safely, please let us know and we can talk through the situation together.