Q: How old do I need to be to get a tattoo?
A: In the state of Victoria you must be at least 18 years old to get tattooed. We also ask that you refrain from bringing anyone under the age of 18 into the studio, especially children.
Q: How do I make a booking?
A: We recommend that you start by visiting our Artists page to get an idea of which tattooist you would like to choose for your piece. Here you will find examples of work from each artist, along with a description of what style they work in, and a link to their Instagram page. If your selected artist has their email address listed in their Instagram bio, you are welcome to email them individually. However, if the email address is not listed or you need advice on which artist would be best suited for your idea, please send an enquiry to us via the Contact page. If you are after a short notice walk-in style tattoo, feel free to call the shop Tuesday-Saturday on (03) 9600 0440 and our shop manager will do their best to help you!
Q: It’s my first time getting a tattoo and I’m very nervous. Will it hurt?
A: It’s true that tattoos do hurt, however the degree of this will depend on a range of factors including the style, placement and size of your tattoo. Most clients find the pain to be quite bearable and often compare the feeling to a hot scratching sensation, similar to the feel of scratching sunburnt skin. A small tattoo on an outer arm will feel a lot more comfortable than a huge tattoo on the ribcage, but if you’re worried about pain the best thing to do is discuss this with your artist during the booking process. The vast majority of first-timers say that once the initial line has been tattooed they relax a lot more. Oftentimes the anticipation is much worse than the actual experience, and many are surprised to realise that the pain is not constant throughout the process and only occurs when the needle is actually in the skin.
Q: What is the process of getting a tattoo?
A: After you arrive at the studio and fill out our online sign-in form, your artist will retrieve you from the waiting area and bring you over to their station where they will begin the process of figuring out the exact size for the piece. Once this is established a carbon line-work stencil of the design will be made and transferred onto your skin. The stencil will appear purple but it should give you an accurate idea of how the design will sit on your body, and allow the artist to tattoo precisely. Once you are 100% happy with the stencil, your artist will either lie you down or sit you up on a massage table depending on the area being tattooed. The entire set up for your tattoo is 100% disposable which means that each needle and work-space is made up and then disposed of for each client. As a result, you can be sure to expect the highest degree of sterilisation and cleanliness for your tattoo. During the tattoo process, a machine holding very tiny needles is dipped in ink and through an electromagnetic current or rotary motor, will penetrate the top layers of your skin to form the tattoo.
Q: How should I prepare beforehand?
A: We highly recommend not drinking or taking any other kinds of recreational drugs the day before or the day of your tattoo as this may greatly increase your discomfort on the day. Make sure you are well hydrated and have had a decent meal before coming in, and bring some sugary snacks/drink with you for your appointment as these things will help to keep your blood sugar levels up and avoid any faintness. Be sure to bring a valid form of ID that shows proof of age. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and ones that will make the area you are getting tattooed easily accessible by your artist. You might also want to consider wearing black in case of any ink spray to your clothing. Black clothing will also help your artist get a great photo of the finished piece. Try to arrive about 5-10 mins early to your appointment so you can fill out our online sign-in form. We are a cash-only shop however there is no need to bring cash with you if you would prefer not to, as you are welcome to go to a nearby ATM once your appointment is finished and you know the full amount payable.
Q: Can I use numbing cream for my tattoo?
A: More often than not it is best to avoid using numbing cream if possible. Most numbing creams need to be applied 1-2 hours in advance and certain types of creams can actually make the skin a lot harder to tattoo, which in turn can make the tattoo take longer and be more painful. Most numbing creams also only last for 1-2 hours tops so if you are getting a larger piece it may become a lot more painful once the cream wears off, as you have not had time to slowly adjust to the pain. If you truly think you may need numbing cream to get through a session, please discuss this first with your individual artist and get their thoughts on what they think would be best.
Q: How much privacy will I have while I’m getting my tattoo?
A: Hidden Moon comprises of two main tattooing rooms hosting up to 9 artists in total. These spaces are open and give us a chance to interact with other artists and clients in a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Although most clients feel completely comfortable in this situation, we understand that certain tattoos require bodies to be more exposed and not everyone feels comfortable amongst strangers in this circumstance. For this reason we have screen dividers that can be assembled around your artist’s station to create more privacy. Usually your artist will offer this to you if the tattoo is in a more private area on your body, but if not feel free to request this.
Q: Can I bring a friend?
A: While we understand that getting a tattoo can be a daunting process, please keep in mind that our studio can be very busy and there isn’t always a lot of spare space for plus ones in the tattooing rooms. For this reason we generally ask that you come alone or that your friend remains in the waiting area or leaves the studio and goes for a walk while they wait for you. Please ask your artist prior to your appointment what will be best for the day. Please refrain from bringing anyone under the age of 18 into the studio, especially children. There are no pets allowed in the studio.
Q: What is the price of a tattoo?
A: The pricing of your tattoo will largely depend on several different factors including size, placement and style. The minimum charge in the shop is $150 and most artists generally charge around $200/hr. Having said this, different artists may charge less or more based on their work process. Please remember that a more experienced artist with a higher rate may complete the same piece as a less experienced artist with a lower rate, at a faster pace, which means sometimes the piece could end up costing the same price or even less. Please talk with your individual artist to get more information on their pricing system and a rough quote of what you should expect to pay on the day based on the specifics of your design.
Q: Does the studio do walk-in appointments?
A: Our studio falls somewhere in between a street shop and a private studio, as most of our artists require bookings in advance rather than a walk-in approach. Having said this we are often still able to organise walk-ins with various resident and guest artists who have free time, so if you’re after something small or last minute, feel free to give us a call or send through an enquiry using the booking form on the Contact page.
Q: Can I pay with card?
A: Unfortunately we only accept cash in the studio. Prior to the tattoo however, a PayPal deposit for the shop will usually be taken by your artist which will be deducted from the overall cost of the tattoo on the day. This deposit will only be refundable at the discretion of your artist, and usually only if there has been enough notice given for the cancellation/reschedule. There is no need to bring cash with you if you would prefer not to, as you are welcome to go to a nearby ATM once your appointment is finished and you know the full amount payable.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: When you book an appointment with your artist you will most likely be asked to transfer a deposit via the studio’s PayPal which will vary in amount, usually depending on the size of your tattoo. At Hidden Moon we recognise that things pop up in life that cannot be avoided, however please understand that the purpose of putting down your deposit is to secure your appointment day and ensure our artists will not suffer from lost work. Our artists work 100% on commission rather than a wage, so if you don’t arrive for your appointment or fail to provide enough notice, they will not be paid at all. Additionally, people often don’t realise is that our artists work a lot of unpaid hours outside the studio to draw up your design and prepare for the appointment ahead of the day. For this reason, when cancellations or reschedules are requested last minute your deposit will most likely be forfeited. The deposit will only be refundable at the discretion of your artist, and usually only if there has been enough notice given for the cancellation/reschedule. If you are running late for your appointment on the day, please call the studio as soon as possible to give notice so that we know you are still coming.