I called the studio and the voicemail message referred me here. What do I do now?

Thanks for calling us! Unfortunately we are rarely able to answer the phone, as we are busy tattooing by appointment only, but we do attempt to return phonecalls in a timely manner. However, almost all basic client questions can be easily and quickly answered here. Please scan through the FAQ below to see if your question is covered!

I don’t feel like reading through the following Q and A, is there a more quick and convenient answer?

Based on how our studio operates, almost every question can be answered with this advice: contact the tattoo artist of your choosing through their artist page on our website, or through their own website/Instagram (linked on their artist page). Every artist at the studio sets their own schedules and client policies, so studio management likely does not have the answer to any specific artist related questions.

I’ve already tried emailing my chosen tattoo artist, but haven’t heard back. What do I do now?

All of the artists at Art Realm work by appointment only, and are fortunate enough to almost always be booked well in advance. If you’re a new client and you’ve already emailed your chosen artist with no response, the most likely reason for not hearing back is that they are not accepting new clients/proposals at this time because their schedule is already full for their current booking period. They may also have a delay in getting back to people due to their current workload. On rare occasions, an email may have simply been missed by that artist.

If you’ve had trouble connecting with your chosen artist, we suggest sending them a followup email, looking through their personal website for info on their booking process or when their schedule will be open to new clients, or sending them a DM through their Instagram account.

If all else fails, then please try contacting another artist on our team whose work comes close to the style you’re looking for. Some of our artists are very selective in which proposals they accept, but others may be very happy to take on your request! Regardless of who you choose, you can expect to wait anywhere from a few days to a few months for a tattoo appointment. We apologize for any inconvenience that causes, but rest assured, the reason for it is that our artists are in demand because they’re good at what they do!

Where is Art Realm located?

6203 N Capitol Of Texas Hwy Austin, TX. 78731

What are your hours?

Our studio is open 7 days a week, 11am-7pm, with our tattooers working by appointment only, and our piercer available during those hours Wednesday through Sunday, and by appointment only Monday and Tuesday.

With so many tattoo shops in Austin, what sets Art Realm apart?

We believe what sets us apart is both our attention to detail, and our focus on raising tattooing to the level of a fine art form. Our award-winning tattoo artists go to great lengths to create amazing art and ensure that every client is welcome and comfortable. We will not only listen to your ideas, but we will counsel and give insight on size, placement, and overall design so that both client and artist can achieve the best possible outcome. Our artists are knowledgeable in all aspects of tattoo design and application, so you can trust that you are in good hands.

What does Art Realm do to ensure customer safety?

Art Realm is a fully disposable studio, with all needles and setups being single use. This means that we don’t need an autoclave, because nothing that contacts you or your skin during the tattoo procedure is reused. We are very cautious in our sterile practices, and work to create a safe and hygienic environment for you and us. In the wake of the recent pandemic, we have increased our safety and sanitation protocols above and beyond our already stringent standards, and have increased the number of hand sanitizer pumps and disinfectant wipes available for artists and clients to use through out the studio. If you have questions or concerns, please ask your chosen tattoo artist for more information about their cross-contamination prevention and cleanliness procedures.

Do you take walk ins, or do I need an appointment?

We are a custom tattoo studio working by appointment only to ensure that the proper amount of preparation has gone into each and every tattoo. Whether small or large, every tattoo is treated respectfully, in order to meet the client’s needs and ensure the artist is confident in the work they are producing.

Piercings, however, can be done on a walk-in basis from 11am - 7pm Wednesday through Sunday.

I have an idea for a new tattoo, but need help developing the idea further. What is my next step?

We recommend first looking through each of our artist’s portfolios to see what style of work appeals most to you, or that most closely aligns with your tattoo idea. When you find the right artist for you, contact them through their artist page on our website, or through their personal website, and they will lead you through their preferred consultation and appointment booking process.

Through discussion with an artist, your idea can often be explored in ways you may not have been able to come up with yourself. Photo or other art references are always helpful to start out with, as are written descriptions and lists of artistic do’s and don’ts—in short, anything you can provide to help your artist understand your tastes, preferences, and goals for the project.

I’m ready for my tattoo, how do I make an appointment?

All artists can be reached through the contact button on their personal page on the studio website, or through their own websites and emails. Most appointments will not become final without a deposit. Each tattoo artist has their own booking and deposit policies, which they will explain to you when you schedule your appointment with them. If you email the main studio email and not an individual artist as described above, we will refer you back to the artist pages of the website, as all artists handle their own scheduling independently of the studio management and need to be consulted with directly.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Each of our tattoo artists has their own cancellation policies, which in some circumstances involving short notice, may involve forfeiting a deposit. Please check with your artist to see how they prefer to handle cancellations and reschedules. In general, as much advance notice as possible is always appreciated.

How much will my tattoo cost?

Each of our artists determines their own pricing, usually based on an hourly rate. Every tattoo is unique, so there is almost never a concrete, universal cost. Pricing and cost estimates will be addressed by your artist during your consultation process.

What should I do to prepare for my tattoo appointment?

To help you feel your best on appointment day, we recommend a good night’s sleep beforehand, a balanced healthy meal before you arrive, and plenty of hydration before, during, and after. If you’ll be at our studio all day, bringing a healthy lunch or snacks can keep you going strong throughout.

Comfortable, tattoo appropriate clothing is helpful for longer sittings, or for accessing the body part that you will be getting tattooed. If clothing needs to be removed to reach an area, bringing a large towel to wrap and cover various parts of your body can help you feel at ease. Having a sweater on hand in case you get cold is also a good idea.

Feel free to bring books, or your preferred music and video player with headphones, in order to not disturb our other artists at work.

If you have privacy concerns or any special needs, please let your artist know beforehand so that we can do our best to accommodate you!

Can I bring friends/family members with me?

Please check with your artist beforehand if you wish to bring another person or people to your appointment, to ensure there will be space to accommodate them and that your artist feels comfortable with other people around during your appointment.

Now that I have my tattoo, what should I do for aftercare and healing?

We always recommend you follow your artist’s instructions, as they know what’s best for the type of work they do. We also have some general aftercare guidelines available here, along with links for aftercare products that we use and endorse, like Vitalitree.

How do I follow up with you and stay in the loop after my tattoo is finished?

Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and sign up for our email newsletter for occasional announcements about things like travel appearances, studio parties, art workshops, and gallery openings in our exhibition space. If you post about your experience on social media, tag us or use the hashtag #artrealmtattoo so we can share the moment with you!