360.253.7169 (studio) / 360.990.2159 (cell)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the studio?
Lunatic Tattoo is located in the upper parking lot of the Avenida del Sol business complex in Orchards, immediately next to Subway Restaurant on Gher Rd. We're just south of Fourth Plain and just north of the SR-500 on the west side of the road. The address is 5620 NE Gher Rd., STE-B, Vancouver, WA
Do I have to make an appointment?
Leif and Danielle are by appointment only and do not typically have availability for any walk-in consultations or tattoos.
Jesse is normally booking out 2 weeks, and will normally be in the studio Thursday-Monday from 12-6pm.
If you'd like to inquire about a new tattoo idea, please contact your artist directly to make arrangements for a consultation or tattoo. They each control their own calendar and operate independently.
Leif - lunatictattoo@gmail.com
What are your studio hours?
We're typically in the studio and tattooing 7 days a week.
Primarily by appointment, so times may vary, but our hours are generally 10am-6pm all week, closing at 4pm on Wednesday/Thursday.
Please feel free to start with an email to your artist to get any feedback that you may be looking for or to inquire about future availability.
How much are your tattoos?
We have three different artists here and each tattoos at their own hourly rate. We're normally basing our hourly rate or charge on the time that we spend actively tattooing you, not for the artwork, the setup, breaks, lunches, etc...
So for example, if we do a five hour session, but if we only actively tattooed you for 3 hours, then that's what we would charge you for. If it's a small tattoo that we can easily estimate, then we'll just give you a solid quote before we would commit and stick with that.
Leif (lunatictattoo@gmail.com / @lunatictattoo) charges $200/hour, has been tattooing for 21 years, and is booking about a year out for work.
Danielle (yesithurts@gmail.com / @danielle_lunatictattoo) has been tattooing for 19 years, charges $180/hour, and is currently booking about 5+ months out for tattooing.
Jesse (skinandbonetattoos@gmail.com / @jesswaller_85) has been tattooing for 12 years, charges $150/hour, and is normally 1-2 weeks out for tattooing.
Do you do piercing?
No, we don't offer any piercing services or jewelry. Google and Facebook/Instagram will only categorize us as 'tattoo and piercing', but our focus is tattooing. Finding a good piercer is like looking for a tattoo artist. Be sure to look at portfolios or examples of their work, check the general cleanliness of the location, as well as the piercer, and don't be afraid to inquire about their experience.
Can I bring in my own design?
Certainly! Although sometimes a design must be made 'tattoo-able'. Not every design will transfer well into the skin and you may have to be willing to compromise a little. As artists, we prefer to do something original every time and we can always customize a piece just for you.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Gift certificates are available in person at the studio, or can be mailed via certified USPS after a secure online transaction ($8 processing fee).
As a note, Leif and Danielle are booked out quite a ways and occasionally close their calendars to new work. Someone who is already on the schedule would be jazzed to get a gift card, but someone who isn't may be a little disappointed that they can't get in quickly.
*Any one of our original "Lunatic" tattoo holders is welcome to come claim their annual $100 gift certificate during the month of September. Just bring your tattoo and ID.*
How old do I have to be to get Tattooed?
18. In Washington and Oregon it’s illegal to tattoo a minor, regardless of parental consent.
Should I eat before I have work done?
YES! Your body produces it's own natural painkillers to fight off the sensation of being tattooed. This is a natural part of the 'fight or flight' mechanism when you're injured. Food becomes the fuel your body uses to manufacture endorphins (painkillers) and adrenaline (major liquid energy). So *yes, please*, eating a (large) good meal about an hour or so before you come in definitely helps make getting tattooed a good experience. We often hear people say that they don't normally eat in that way or that early in the day, but it's so helpful that it's well worth it!
Can I bring food with me to my appointment?
Please be sure to eat a large and filling meal about an hour before you arrive for your tattoo. We need to keep food completely away from our work areas, although we do have a fridge and microwave in our break room to store lunches or snacks if necessary, as well as a side area to eat.
Can I take meds or have an alcoholic drink?
Talk to your physician if you are suffering from any ailment or are currently taking regular medication prior to getting a tattoo. Being hung over makes getting a tattoo suck! People who've even only had a few alcoholic beverages tend to bleed (and repeat themselves) much more than others, which can complicate your tattoo. If you've tied one on, we're not interested in tattooing you. Drunks don't always want what they're asking for, they wobble, they bleed more and they're just more irritating . *($ which does affect price $)*
Should I tip the artist?
We charge what we feel the work is worth, but tips are always a welcome way of showing appreciation for our efforts towards your permanent skin art.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Cash (always preferred), credit, debit, and some touch-free payment options are accepted. Each artist operates independently and payment is expected at the time of service, so please be sure to communicate with them about cost prior to starting.
Can my friends/family watch me get my work?
We have a fairly small waiting area and it can get a little boring watching someone get tattooed after 3 hours, but yes, you are more than welcome to invite a friend or family member along for support. For sanitary and safety reasons, however, we kindly ask anyone not being tattooed to remain on the other side of the counter while we are actively working, thanks!
Can I bring in my own music?
We usually have a wide variety of music pumping through our speakers, but please feel free to bring a device with headphones if you have a certain sound/video to get you in your tattoo time groove. Each station has a Roku television with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, and more! Good time to catch up on your shows if you're not feeling too chatty, although we do try to engage and be entertaining, whatever helps you get in your groove!
Are you hiring? / Are you looking for an apprentice?
We currently have a full house and are not officially looking for any additional artists, nor apprentices at this time. We have considered expansion, and if you have a great portfolio, shoot Leif an email at lunatictattoo@gmail.com with a brief history of yourself and a link to examples of your work.
Can I buy/Do you sell tattoo or piercing equipment?
Nope!
Can I get tattooed while I'm pregnant or nursing?
Short answer: No, you should not (and we will not)! The body goes into a pretty intense fight or flight response to being tattooed and the process can result in a miscarriage. Being tattooed while still nursing not only opens the body up to infection, but can cause hormonal changes that could affect the quality or overall production of milk.
What should I look for when choosing an artist or studio?
If you want a tattoo that will look good and be something that you can be happy with for the *rest of your physical life*, take the time to find the artist that will do the tattoo that's right for you. The best way to do this is will be to find an artist whose portfolio and personality most closely matches the style of art or design that you are looking for.
Today, disease is rampant. Getting a tattoo involves breaking the skin, which exposes you to a whole mess of potential health issues. Be sure that the environment you are in and the person performing the procedure have had training and present themselves in a professional manner. Here are some good things to look out for:
The Artist: A good tattoo artist should be willing to talk about their experience and show you a portfolio or examples of their previous work. A clean appearance and professional demeanor will give you an idea of how the tattoo experience will be. Filthy clothes and dirty hands should be a huge red flag and is something to be payed attention to. A good artist should have no problem creating a custom design for you. Don't settle for someone who makes you provide the design and/or won't work with your regarding your ideas. Remember, this is *your* tattoo.
The Studio: A good studio should be clean and well lit. The condition of the bathroom (if available) can help give you an idea as to the cleanliness of a tattoo studio behind the scenes. The work areas and waiting areas should be separate to help avoid cross contamination. All of the areas should be void of debris and clutter. If you see layers of filth on stuff, eye a rat scurry across the floor and/or notice your artist eat a hamburger on the same tray they plans to tattoo you from...run away! It's your life, not just a bad tattoo.
And the rest...
If your questions haven't been answered here, please give us a call or send us a message. Thanks for checking us out!