Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about booking a session with Maladriela at Ink Tattoo.
Booking & Contact
How can I book an appointment?
You can book by sending me 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 my email inbox.
I do not book sessions over the phone, because it is much easier for both of us to keep track of ideas and references when they are written down.
Do you take walk-ins?
Normally I do not take walk-ins. The studio is only open when I am working with clients who have booked in advance.
From time to time I announce a special walk-in day on my social media. Apart from these exceptions, please always contact me first and book a specific time.
Do I need a consultation before booking?
Most projects are discussed online first, via messages or the booking form. This is usually more than enough to book a session.
If you prefer an in-person consultation, that is possible, but it has to be booked in advance. I do not accept unannounced visits, because when I am in the studio I am usually in the middle of a session.
How far in advance should I book?
It is best to get in touch a few weeks before your ideal date, especially if you care about a specific day or time.
The number of available slots is limited and my schedule is often full several weeks in advance, especially for larger projects. The sooner you write, the easier it will be to find a date that works for you.
Pricing, Deposits & Payments
How much does a tattoo cost?
The price depends on the size, style, placement on the body and level of detail in your idea. I work based on an hourly rate and the current prices are shown on the Booking page.
You only pay for the actual time spent tattooing your skin. Preparation, placing the stencil, setting up the station and breaks are not included in the paid hours. Simple tattoos can take around 20-40 minutes, while more detailed or larger pieces can take several hours. After I see your references and the placement, I will estimate the time and budget.
What is your minimum price?
My minimum price for a tattoo is usually:
- 200 zł for small linework-only designs
- 250 zł for small designs with colour
The minimum covers the cost of sterile equipment, setup time and my work, even for the smallest pieces.
How do half-day and full-day sessions work?
For larger projects I sometimes talk about half-day or full-day sessions, but the price is still based on the hourly rate.
- A typical half-day session is about 3 hours of actual tattooing.
- A typical full-day session is around 6-6.5 hours of tattooing, and you spend about 7.5 hours in the studio including breaks.
The exact time depends not only on size, but also on the complexity of the design and the placement. After I see your idea and photos of the area, I will suggest how long a session you should book.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes:
- Anime tattoos: 10% off the session price
- Your 4th tattoo with me and every one after that: a permanent 10% loyalty discount
The minimum price for a session still applies.
How do deposits work? When do I lose my deposit?
To confirm your appointment I usually take a deposit:
- 100 zł for small or minimal tattoos
- 200 zł for half-day and full-day sessions
Your booking is fully confirmed once I receive the deposit. Dates reserved without a deposit may be given to someone else if they confirm faster with payment.
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 a new deposit. A second reschedule requires an additional deposit. If I have to reschedule for any reason, this does not count against you and your deposit remains valid.
Age, Legal & Studio Rules
What is the minimum age for getting a tattoo?
I tattoo clients from 16 years of age with parental consent.
Underage clients must come with a parent or legal guardian and sign an additional consent form. For legal and safety reasons I do not tattoo anyone under 16.
Do I need to sign anything?
Yes. Every client fills out a consent form before the session. It includes basic health information, confirms that you understand the possible risks and that you give informed consent to the tattoo.
Clients under 18 fill out an additional form, which must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Can I bring a friend or child with me?
Please come to your session on your own. The studio is a small space and extra people make it harder for me to concentrate and also make it harder for you to relax during the session.
A short visit from a friend or family member (a quick hello) can be possible if we agree on it beforehand, but I do not allow guests to stay for the whole session.
For safety and comfort reasons children under 16 cannot stay in the studio. I also reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone whose behaviour is inappropriate or makes the space feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Health, Safety & Pain
Are there situations when you will refuse or postpone a tattoo?
Yes. For your safety and for good healing I may refuse to tattoo you or postpone your appointment if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are ill (fever, infection, flu and similar)
- You have fresh tan or 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 problems in the area to be tattooed
If you are not sure whether your health or medications allow you to get tattooed, please let me know when you book. In some cases I may ask you to consult a doctor before the session.
How painful is a tattoo? Which areas hurt the most?
Pain is very individual, but most people find it manageable. It is more often described as scratching or burning than as a sharp cut.
In general, fleshier areas (outer upper arm, calf, outer thigh) are easier, while bony areas and thin skin (ribs, spine, ankles) tend to feel more intense.
I can break the session into shorter stages, take breaks and adjust the pace if you are having a harder moment. Being well-rested, well-fed and hydrated helps a lot. If you are very worried about pain, mention it when you contact me, we can then choose a suitable placement and session length.
Do you use numbing creams?
In the vast majority of cases I do not work with numbing creams and I do not recommend them.
Stronger numbing products are often treated as medicines in Europe and are not easily available without a prescription. Used incorrectly they can affect circulation, change the surface of the skin and worsen tattoo healing.
If you are thinking about using a numbing product, you must tell me in advance. I may decide that I cannot work safely with it. Overall my recommendation is: no numbing creams.
How long does a session last?
The length of a session depends on the complexity of the design, its size and placement on the body.
Very small and simple tattoos can take about 20-40 minutes of actual tattooing. Medium pieces often take between 1 and 3 hours. Larger or very detailed work may take several hours and be split into more than one session.
You only pay for the tattooing time. Preparation, stencil placement and breaks are not counted in the paid hours. After I see your idea and placement, I will give you a realistic time range.
Before Your Appointment
How should I prepare for my session?
Good preparation has a huge impact on your comfort during the session and on the final result. Healthy, rested skin heals faster and looks better.
- Hydrate well for a few days before your session by drinking water regularly.
- Moisturise your skin for a few days before your session.
- If possible, do a gentle scrub/peeling of the area a day or two before your appointment. This makes the skin smoother, the session easier for both of us and the final result better.
- Get a good night's sleep before your session.
- 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 your appointment.
If you have chronic conditions or take medication, please mention this when you book so I can better take care of your safety.
Can I bring snacks or order food during the session?
Yes. For longer sessions I encourage you to bring snacks and drinks. During breaks there will also be a chance to order food from nearby restaurants.
Just let me know if you need a short break for food or coffee. I am used to it.
What should I wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that makes it easy to access the area to be tattooed. Ideally choose dark clothes or items you will not mind if they get a bit of ink or ointment on them.
For example:
- Arm tattoos: a loose T-shirt or tank top
- Leg tattoos: shorts or loose trousers that you can easily roll up
If you are not sure, ask me when we confirm your appointment. I will suggest what works best for your specific placement.
What if I am late?
If you see that you may be late, please let me know as soon as possible.
A small delay usually just slightly shortens the tattooing time. A bigger delay may mean we cannot finish your tattoo or that we will have to move the session, especially if someone is booked after you.
Being significantly late without notice may be treated as a no-show and your deposit may be lost. Please also avoid coming too early. Arriving a few minutes before your time is perfect, but coming much earlier can mean I am still cleaning or working with someone else.
Design, References & Cover-Ups
How does the design process work?
I start with your idea and your references. You can send me photos, drawings or tattoos you like, as well as notes about style, size and placement on the body.
The more inspiration you send, the better I can understand what you like. Based on that I create a custom design in the style we agreed on.
When will I see my design?
As a rule, I show the finished design on the day of your session, before we start tattooing.
This allows me to focus on drawing and avoids endless rounds of changes online. In exceptional cases I may share sketches earlier, but this is up to me and not a standard rule.
Can I change my mind or ask for changes to the design?
Small tweaks on the day, like changing the size, moving the stencil slightly or adjusting tiny details, are normal and included in the price.
If you want to completely change the concept at the last minute or a full redesign is needed, we may have to move the session to another date and charge for the extra drawing time.
If you already know you want to go in a different direction, please tell me before the session so we can plan for it.
Do you do cover-ups or fix old tattoos?
Yes, but not every tattoo can be effectively covered or reworked.
For each cover-up or rework request I ask for clear photos of the existing tattoo, assess the size, colours and placement, and check whether your idea is realistic and suits my style.
For larger or more complex projects I may ask for an in-person consultation, because photos do not always show the real condition of the skin, shape and colours. In such cases we will look at everything together in the studio before confirming the project.
I may refuse a cover-up or rework if the area, existing tattoo or idea does not give a good chance of a satisfying result. In that situation I can suggest alternative solutions or a different approach.
Placement, Style & What We Do Not Do
Do you tattoo hands, fingers, neck or face?
I generally advise against tattoos on hands and fingers, especially fingers, because they tend to fade faster, blur more and are very visible in everyday life.
I can tattoo necks and faces, but I consider each request individually, taking into account your existing tattoos, lifestyle and expectations.
Are there designs or symbols you will not tattoo?
Yes. I do not tattoo hate symbols, racist, homophobic or extremist imagery, or designs that promote violence, hatred or discrimination.
I want my studio to be a safe space for everyone, and that is not compatible with tattoos that spread hate.
Are there body areas you do not tattoo?
I do not tattoo:
- Genitals
- Eyeballs
- Armpits
- Soles of the feet
- Inner sides of the hands (palms)
In general I also advise against finger tattoos for durability reasons. For other body areas I will explain what is realistic and what is likely to heal well.
Aftercare & Touch-Ups
How should I care for my fresh tattoo?
After the session you will receive detailed aftercare instructions. In short:
- Keep the tattoo clean and gently moisturised.
- Do not scratch or pick the peeling skin.
- Avoid swimming pools, the sea, saunas, tanning beds and direct sun on the tattoo until it is fully healed.
- Follow my instructions about the "second skin" (protective film).
Full aftercare information is available on the Aftercare page, and I will explain everything before you leave the studio.
When is a touch-up free and when is it paid?
If a touch-up is needed because of normal healing, the first touch-up is usually free within about four weeks of getting the tattoo.
If it is clear that the aftercare was poor, for example the tattoo was badly sunburnt, picked at, or my instructions were clearly ignored, touch-ups are paid.
Any further touch-ups (second, third, etc.) are also paid, usually based on the time needed or with a minimum fee of 200 zł. I will always look at the tattoo first and explain what I recommend before we book a touch-up.
Hygiene, Photos & Privacy
How do you take care of hygiene and safety in the studio?
I follow professional hygiene standards for tattooing. In practice this includes:
- Using single-use, sterile needles and cartridges
- Using disposable gloves and protective covers
- Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the workstation and equipment between clients
- Using a medical autoclave to sterilise reusable metal machine parts
- Storing inks and tools according to sanitary requirements
- Working only with REACH-compliant inks that meet current EU regulations
If you have any questions about my hygiene procedures or the inks I work with, you can always ask, I am happy to explain everything.
Will you take photos of my tattoo? Can I say no?
I often take close-up photos of fresh tattoos for my portfolio and social media.
I always ask for your permission. You can refuse photos completely, or agree only to photos of the tattoo itself, without your face or anything that could identify you.
I respect your privacy and will adapt to whatever you feel comfortable with.
LGBTQ+ Friendly & Safe Space
Is your studio LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes. I welcome LGBTQ+ clients and want the studio to be a safe and respectful space for everyone.
I do not accept hateful or discriminatory behaviour in the studio, towards my clients or from anyone else. I am also open to projects that involve covering scars or transforming old hateful designs 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 a paid public car park 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 flight of stairs at the entrance (about five steps) 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 enter the studio safely, please write to me and we will discuss your situation together.