Tattoos & Special Effects Makeup

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Get to know the artist and definitely check out their portfolio. If you and the artist vibe and have the same vision of what you are looking to do, and they have a good portfolio, then you have found your artist. In tattooing, you are getting a piece of art on your body, price should not matter. It is not like going and getting new shoes, getting your hair done, or getting the latest electronic device.... you are wearing this art for the rest of your life.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Make sure the artist can draw, and they know what they are talking about. Ask a lot of questions, sterility procedures, sterile packaging..... You should know how the procedure works.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Can I see your portfolio?
How long have you been tattooing?
What sterile procedures do you follow?
Can I see your sterile process?
Are you licensed?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Do you know exactly what you want to put on your body? Do not be pressured into getting a tattoo if you are unsure about what you want, you are not ready to get a permanent mark on your skin.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I specialize in portraiture and pinups. Photorealism is key, you want a piece of art on your body, not a sticker. We have no flash on our walls, we work with the client, and draw their idea up with their specifications. If course allow for artist interpretation. We are artists that create in all different mediums. Take a look at our site, search sikink las vegas and you will see the difference. We are not rockstars, we care about the clients needs. Located secomds fromas vegas blvd, behind trump towers and circus circus.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Our studio offers a live art environment. On any given day you will see us painting, airbrushing, taking a lifecast for a theater or movie production, sculpting with clay to create the next halloween mask. For licensed tattoo artists we offer refinement courses to help continue to enhance their skills. We also offer classes to other artists that want to create in multiple mediums. Check out our website sikink.com and goto Project MDR to learn more about what we have to offer. On the site we ask you to submit samples of your work, like drawings, paintings, sculptures.... so we know what level you are artistically.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. How do I pick an artist?

First and foremost, look at their work. I appreciate that the person that is new to the tattoo world is at a great disadvantage, and may not REALLY know what to look for. First off, don't expect to see the exact image that you're looking for in an artist's portfolio.
Also, clients sometimes art direct a piece, and it doesn't come out as it would have had the artist been left to their own devices. And, you may not fully understand a chosen image on another person. Look at QUALITY, not necessarily the specific image.
You should see clean lines, solid color, and smooth gradations. Also look for style. If you want a portrait, or photorealistic piece, and there's NOTHING like that in an artist's book, be careful. Graphic tattoos require a different skill set and sensibility than photorealism. They are not mutually exclusive, however. Most good artists can do both. Just be logical and objective. Don't let anyone bullshit or pressure you. An artist's work should speak for itself.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. How much does a tattoo cost?

Really? That is the VERY FIRST question?! While it is a concern, it shouldn't be the most important factor, should be can I see your portfolio. First off… What do you want, how big, and where on your body, color or black and grey, a custom piece? There is no easy way to answer this question, without sitting down with you for a consultation, we can give you a ballpark range… but until you come in, we cannot give you an exact rate. We charge by the piece or by the hour, it depends. If you want a sleeve, back piece… large scale work, we do sessions. The more you come in, we give you time on your session. We also give group discount rates, military & service discounts as well.
In short, the best answer I can give you: shop minimum is $100. If it is going to be a tiny piece, yes we will work with you. We DO NOT do $20 tattoos. We've got to set up, lay out ink, consume various disposable supplies to ensure sterile procedure, use up needles, disposable tubes... If we do it for less, it costs US money. We do the highest quality tattoos at very reasonable prices so please do not try to haggle price. This is not a flea market!!! If you are looking for bargain basement prices, go to your local basement scratcher and don't waste our time. And we will see you to fix up the work. Good work is not cheap and cheap work is not good.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Should I Tip My Artist?

If you go to a restaurant, you will more than likely tip your waiter or waitress for good service. You'll tip a bartender, a cab driver, maybe even a delivery person. Have you ever thought, though, of tipping your tattoo artist or piercer? Do they expect a tip? If you do tip, what should it be or how much?
Gratuity for a tattoo or piercing can't really be determined by the percentage rating most use for tipping a restaurant server. Even ten percent of a $200.00 tattoo would be a very substantial amount just to give as a tip. A tip, instead of a percentage, should be based on:
(1)how much you can afford and
(2)how much you feel it is worth.
A $5.00 tip would certainly be accepted more graciously than nothing at all.