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Before You Book

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t see your question here, send us a note via the consultation form — we’ll get back to you.

01

Booking & Appointments

Can I get an appointment? Can I request a certain artist?

Yes for appointments — we don’t accommodate walk-ins. Submit the consultation form and we’ll review your request. You can request a specific artist; we’ll match you up if their schedule allows.

Sixteen. If you’re under 18, both you and your parent or legal guardian need matching photo IDs, and the parent or guardian must be present for the entire session.

No fingers. They don’t hold ink and the work won’t honor your investment. Hand and neck placements are evaluated case by case during consultation.

Depends on the project and the season — busiest months are summer and around the holidays. Most consultations are answered within a few business days; first available appointment can range from a few weeks to several months out.

Form submission does not guarantee a spot on the calendar.

Booking runs in five steps:

  1. Submit a consultation request through the form on this site.
  2. Leah will call you with a quote, deposit information, and artist availability.
  3. Deposits are 50% of the lower end of the quote, with a $100 minimum, and are non-refundable.
  4. No deposit, no appointment.
  5. Your deposit is applied to the final cost of your tattoo. All tattoos are subject to South Dakota sales tax.

02

Design & Process

Can I bring in my own artwork or ideas? What if I don't know what I want?

Bring whatever you have — reference photos, rough sketches, mood boards, or just a general direction. Matt has 29 years of pattern recognition. We’ll narrow it down together until we find the version that works.

Most of the design work happens at the appointment, with prep time built into the session. If a project needs significant pre-work, that’s discussed during consultation.

Sometimes. Depends on the size, color, and condition of what’s there. Send photos with your consultation request and we’ll evaluate.
Think about visibility — your job, your social settings, what you’ll be comfortable showing or covering. Some placements age better than others; we’ll talk through the trade-offs during consultation.

03

Pricing

How much does a tattoo cost?

Pricing depends on size, detail, placement, and time required. You’re paying for the artist’s time, training, and the supplies it takes to do the job right.

Estimates are provided after consultation, not before — every project is different.

04

Safety & Hygiene

How safe is it?

Single-use and disposable everything. Autoclave for sterilization. We follow APT and OSHA standards. Matt has been a member of the Alliance of Professional Tattooers since 2002 — safety isn’t optional, it’s the foundation.

Yes and yes — but pain tolerance is personal. Bony areas (ribs, ankles, sternum) are tougher than fleshy ones.

Best advice: eat well, hydrate, sleep, and don’t show up hungover.

05

About the Studio

Do you do body piercing?

No, we do not.

Tebori is the traditional Japanese hand-poke technique — “te” (hand) + “bori” (carving). The pigment is laid in by hand using a needle bundle on a wood or steel handle. The discipline is roughly 400 years old, and Matt is one of relatively few American artists practicing it.

Yes. Annually:

• Sturgis Rally at Exit 55 (August)
• Deadwood Tattoo Convention

Still Have Questions?

Send us your project details and we’ll get back to you.
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