Frequently Asked Questions

I waited til I was 24 years in the industry to open my own shop because I had seen too many amazing artists become owners and lose the art to the business/ money mind. I built a shop based on serving you as well as possible, giving you amazing art, and keeping our families first. And the artists I work with are not only among the best in the greater Raleigh area but have the same values. We do this because we love it. We love interacting with you. We love doing something for you that will impact your life. We love helping you in all the ways a tattoo can. We have worked triumphs in your life. We refuse to lose that to min/max profitability charts or the grind that owning a business can be.

Research is the key to find someone that fits you best in the Cary and greater Raleigh, RTP area. There really isn't a single objective best in this art form. The choice is personal enough that it can change person to person. Between friends and even spouses the choice may be different.  Research tattoo art that speaks to you. Pieces that may not show exactly what you want but that show the artist is capable of making the art fit the person. One trick ponies are only good if that trick exactly fits you.  The best choice is often an artist like ours at RTP Tattoo Lab. Artists with general tattoo expertise and the ability to offer a range of styles so they can tailor both art and style to you.. We can do almost anything, and if we can't we will be the first to tell you.  We also do things typically faster, more comfortably and less expensively than some comparable local artists who may need multiple days to complete what we can in one.

Our shop minimum is $100. We go above and beyond the minimum requirements to protect your health. Premium equipment, down to sterile water for our rinse cups, makes your tattoo safer and more comfortable.  We charge $150/hr for tattoos, and our clock starts once we are setting up and dedicated to your tattoo. 

We definitely prefer appointments. If you're interested in a walk-in text the shop phone in the morning and we will let you know if we can get you in that day or not. It's best to email the shop with the details and art – info@rtptattoolab.com and then text to ask if there are any same day openings. Life being what it is things can change last minute here. We will be offering walk-ins in 2026. But as always appointments will be preferred. How far out depends a lot on the complexity of the art work. Larger pieces need more lead time to be drawn and fit to you. But we seldom book more than 2 months out. We don't book out a year in advance because our lives change too much over that time to honestly present you with a commitment of our time. We want to serve you best and an honest answer requires an understanding of our families needs that far out.

Please don't. Also hand sized, or my whole forearm doesn't work either. We aim to make your tattoos as precise as humanly possible. That starts with universal measurements that aren't vague. We always ask for size estimate in inches. We have an artist who is 5' tall, and another who is 6'6”. A full half sleeve on one would be a medium sized piece on the other. Measurements in inches allows us to avoid misunderstandings.

We can often get your consultation in within a week for larger projects (half to full sleeves and over 10”x10”). For the tattoo we typically need a week or two after the consultation to get the art generated for your tattoo. We live lives as complicated as any so we don't typically book out more than 2 months as things change too much for us as well in that time frame.

Preparation for your tattoo shouldn't differ too much from your normal routine. Except in avoiding certain things. Don't add a bunch of moisturizing to avoid breakouts. Don't drink alcohol the night before. Don't alter your brain at all, typically that can result in tunnel vision on the pain instead of relief. Don't apply any lotion or ointment to your skin without discussing it with your artist. Don't have a sunburn that is still healing, or worse, fresh from a day at the pool. Don't come hungry or thirsty. Hydrate starting the day before and eat healthy food (sugary snacks aren't bad for quick energy during the tattoo).
The only thing new you may need is aftercare products. You can see our preferred aftercare on our blog here.

The short answer is anything that makes you more comfortable- within reason. No bean bags chairs, or any friend/partner who might it funny to mess with you during the process. Pillows, blankets, snacks, drinks, extra clothing that may be more accessible are some examples. We have a great blog post detailing a lot of things you may want or need, and a detailed list of examples for clothing options depending on the area being tattooed here.

No, but your arm falling asleep might! Just kidding. Pain is all about perspective. If you've broken bones, given birth or recovered from an invasive surgery tattoos don't compare. To minimize the pain it's best to be hydrated, fed, rested and stretched. (seriously sometimes your shoulder or arm is more annoying than the tattoo.) See the above answer for other ideas on what to bring to make you more comfortable.

Healing can very depending on a lot of factors, from your skin type to the amount of color saturation in your tattoo. But the general rule is it heals like a sunburn. The skin will flake and peel, and while closed at that point it is so thin it should be cared for the full 2 weeks up to a month. The pinch test is a great indicator of healing progress. If you gently bunch the skin over the tattoo it should have the same look as skin off the tattooed area before it can fully be considered healed. For multiple session tattoos we wait at least 3 weeks to allow for this process.

We do offer free touch-ups within 6 months of the tattoos completion. Some larger pieces require a final session to add highlights and tweak contrast between colors, these are not the same thing. Touch ups are needed due to artists and clients being human sometimes. If there's a small issue missed or a spot heals poorly that is covered. If you went swimming and or went to the beach the day after and the whole tattoo faded evenly....that is user error and you will need to pay for that session.

No sun, soaking or abrasion. The tattoo area will be swollen and irritated after done. To limit the length of the irritation stage we ask you to use ice during the second hour bandaged. No more than 15 min on, 30 off and 15 on applied with a towel and the bandage between ice and skin. Once the swelling is dealt with the tattoo will heal faster. A lotion of your choice but one that is reputable and free of any dyes or fragrances will be applied 2-3x daily, nothing that is sticky or thick enough to block air should be used. Flakes much like those over a sunburn should appear within 3-5 days (DON'T PICK AT THEM). They will come off as you apply your lotion but don't be aggressive with them. Once the flaking starts the skin is fully closed, but very thin. You should still use lotion and protect it for 2 more weeks after that. If you work/play/live in any shared space (especially a gym or shared bath) assume everything is dirty. Only touch the tattoo to things you have cleaned yourself.

The gym is possible with extra care. You don';t want to overtax the skin with excessive movement while it heals. Or big bulk stretches. So light workouts are OK. Just remember if someone else sweat on it its FILTHY and shouldn't touch your tattoo. Nor should your tattoo dirty and area for the next person to use. Bottom line is listen to your skin. If it feels tight or stiff don't push it.

Comfortable is key.  For us as well as for you.  WE need access to the area. But we want you comfortable and to feel safe, so we have a visual guide for various areas here//(link).  On a side note what to wear is important too. We have to be close to work. Please leave the perfume/cologne off for the tattoo.  A couple of us have allergies that can aggravated by strong fragrances.

We take everything but livestock... as long as you don't offer my wife free goats!  We take cards, and cash. We do not take venmo, paypal or zelle but can support google wallet and apple pay as well. 

You're welcome to bring a friend, but pick wisely. You'll need a supportive friend who understands the decisions here are yours. If you bring someone who makes you second guess yourself or tries to make your decisions for you, we will be mean to them.  If they can't stop making you laugh when we ask you to sit still there can be a problem. If they get bored easily and you're in the chair a long time they maybe forced to annoy you to entertain themselves, so choose accordingly.

Deposits are required to protect our time and effort. Whether you book online or in person at your consultation a 20% deposit will be required.

Deposits are refundable up to 48 hours before the appointment. After that they will be forfeit for the efforts taken to prepare for you.  If you wish to book again a new deposit will be required.

We do lots of cover-ups. From small names you regret, to poorly aged smudges, to massive black tribal – we can cover it all.

“Specialization is for insects” a quote from Robert Heinlein is something we live by.  We have things we prefer to do but we want to be able to offer you whatever option fits you and your inspiration best.  Want crazy color, photo realism (color or black and gray), delicate soft shades or abstract weirdness, we are your shop.

We not only fulfill all state requirements for sanitation and cleanliness. We go above and beyond. Sterile ink, sterile water, barriers on everything (even you sometimes) are just some of the extra steps we take to protect you while making amazing art on you.  We also use professional continuing education like the Alliance of Professional Blood Borne Pathogens seminars, and actively encourage the use of the newest and best technologies to make your experience here as safe as it is fun.

Yes, as skin ages the color can mute a little. The worst thing for color is sun exposure. Just like a car interior without UV protection in the glass. The color can be bleached by the sun and fade quickly without care to protect it.