Our Tattoo Studio Policies

Tattoos

  • Touch-ups will be free for two years from the first appointment date, if several appointments are needed to complete (we call this our “guarantee”). After that, there will be a minimal charge to touch up your tattoo.
  • Water color/no black outline or white tattoos are not guaranteed. There will be a charge for every touch-up.
  • Finger/hand/toe or what we call “high maintenance” areas are not guaranteed. There will be a charge for touch-ups.
  • Tattoos that we at Alter-Ego originally did, but the client went to another establishment to have worked on, are no longer covered under our guarantee. You will be charged for the touch-up.

Cancellations

A 24-48 hour notice for cancelling an appointment is suggested. We understand that things come up, sickness happens (and we appreciate you not bringing your germs). A lot goes into your appointment before you get here. We spend our time researching and drawing for you, all of which we have not required retainer fees for. Simply not showing up for your appointment time is not okay and has resulted in us putting more strict policies in order.

  • Parties for 2 or more people will need a retainer fee one week prior to the appointment. If we do not receive a retainer fee one week prior, we will automatically take you out of the book.
  • 4 hour appointments will need a retainer fee one week prior to the appointment
  • 3 strikes, you’re out… That doesn’t mean we will not work on you, but after cancelling your appointment 3 times, you will need a down payment to book any future appointments.
  • No Shows — If you do not show up for your appointment, we may require a retainer fee for you to book your next appointment. We have taken time away from our lives and other clients to research and draw for you. This has become a much bigger problem this year. We have always believed in our clients and maintained a trusting relationship. You are putting your trust in us to come up with quality art for you, in return we have trusted that you follow through with the tattoo that we have worked hard to create for you. If this continues to be a problem, we will have to further change our policy and require retainer fees for all tattoos. Sorry to all who have integrity with our business.

Body Piercing

Just some thoughts to keep in mind… We are always happy to help you with piercing questions or concerns. We are willing to help change jewelry and assist in any way we can. With all of the “great deals” out there on body piercing, there has been a recent flood of people coming to us with problems. They have decided to go and get those “great deals,” only resulting in “not so great” results! Again, we are here to help, but keep in mind it is best to do it right the first time.

All policies are to be implemented at our discretion. We understand that each person is unique to every situation, so with that being said, we will take each circumstance on an individual basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How old do you have to be to get a tattoo?In the state of Wisconsin, it is a state law that you must be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo. There is no such thing as “Parental Consent” for tattoos. You must have a valid ID, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate with a photo ID.

  • How old do you have to be to get a body piercing?The State of Wisconsin allows 16 and 17 year olds to get a piercing with parental consent. The client will need a valid ID, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate with a photo ID. Their parent also needs a valid ID. We will not accept another relative to step in the place of the parent. Please don’t ask us to break the law.

  • How is the sterilization of instruments handled?The needles are new, sterile, and single use. Once used, Alter-Ego Tattoo Studio breaks off the used needle and places it into a sharps container for proper disposal! Everything that is disposable is one time use, and non-disposable items are cleaned and sterilized in an autoclave. The autoclave is tested every month by doing a spore test. It is then sent to a lab for further inspection. We record all results from spore tests in our log, which is checked by the Health Inspector.

  • Does it cost more to get color in the tattoo?Color is not more or less expensive. This also depends on the size, time, and detail of the tattoo. Gray shading can take just as long as color, but when doing multiple colors, the cost will be more because it will take more time. For information regarding the pricing for your tattoo, please contact the studio directly.

  • Should I tip the tattoo artist?We at Alter-Ego Tattoo Studio do not expect a tip, but we don’t discourage it either! Just like any other service type of job, if you are happy with the tattoo service you received, go ahead and tip your artist!

  • Can I bring in my own tattoo design?You are more than welcome to bring in your own design when you have a consult! You may pick a design from one of ours or sit down with one of our artists to help you come up with ideas for an original piece of art! You may bring in reference material to show the artist. It doesn’t matter what the picture is on (t-shirt, phone, book, your own drawing, etc.) for us to work with. We even like your chicken scratching! Just describe your idea to us, we will ask questions, and then come up with a custom piece of work, just for you!

  • Are consults needed?No, they are not! If you have a simple design that you found or have, you may just send it to us with a description and we will take it from there! We will have it ready for you when your appointment comes up. Send it to us via email or private message on Facebook! If your design is more complex, a consult is always welcomed.

  • Do you require a down payment?Please check out our Policies section (above) for more information. We don’t consider it a “down payment” but a retainer fee.

  • Do you do tattoo cover ups?All of our artists are capable and confident in doing cover ups! Because each situation is unique, there is no one definite answer for every cover up. Clients need to be flexible and realistic in design choices and have trust in their artist in order to get a successful cover up! Pictures sent online, or conversations over the phone are not an acceptable substitute to seeing a tattoo in person and coming up with a realistic plan face to face. We will be happy to talk with you, so stop on in!

  • How should I prepare for my tattoo?Make sure you are well rested, well hydrated, and eat something before coming in. Please take a shower and wear clothing that will allow us to get to the area that you want tattooed. Please don’t wear WHITE!!! Wear comfortable clothes (we don’t care about your fashion sense when getting a tattoo)! Another little tip: Please get a babysitter for your children! The artists and receptionists are there to work for you, not babysit. Children tend to get bored and fidgety after a while. This is your time to get a piece of artwork; they will enjoy it at home for a long time, just like you! However, family/friends are welcome to come along with you! Matter of fact, we love it when people bring in friends, we just don’t need a whole group! One of two family members or friends is fine and always entertaining!

  • How long does it take for my tattoo to heal?A few days after the tattoo is completed, the skin around the tattoo starts to flake and peel. This is like a sunburn. Do not pick or scratch at the tattoo because doing so can damage the artwork or cause an infection. 7-10 days after the tattoo was finished, the peeling process should be completed. You can then go swimming again, go in a hot tub, bath tub, and be out in the sun! Remember, the after-care process is important to the healing of your tattoo! Listen to your artist to see what instructions will work for you.If you have any more questions that aren’t answered here, please let us know and give us a call at 262-626-4445. Thank you for taking the time and caring about your tattoo and your experience at our studio!