client guide | WoodrowWilsonCowher

(You’ll notice I’m using words like “typically” or “sometimes” a lot in this section. Many aspects of my approach to designing vary on a case-by-case basis.)

I seldom draw out designs ahead of time. I find that I do my best design work in person with my client present. This allows me to personalize the design to you and your style, and it allows you to give your input each step of the way.

Typically, the first hour or two of an appointment is spent discussing and planning your design. Before tattooing, we will usually put together a fully rendered design or a mock-up of the idea, often leaving some room for improvisation to adapt for better flow with your body.
(See more info about what to expect at your appointment in "Tattooing")

We may also schedule an in-person planning session, video conversation, or phone call before the day of your appointment. For larger projects like sleeves, an in-person planning session is usually necessary before your appointment.

For cover-ups, an in-person consultation is required before scheduling an appointment. I do cover-ups tattoos often, and don’t mind doing them, but please be aware that you have to approach cover-ups with an open mind. Not everything can work for a cover-up, and often, more than one session is required to fully cover pre-existing work.

If we’re doing a portrait or a character, it is best to have 3 or more reference photos to choose from. Being able to view a face from multiple angles helps me discern the shape of the subject’s features more accurately, and with multiple options: we can better fit the design to flow with your body.

If we’re doing something inspired by a tattoo you saw somewhere,
please be aware that I will not copy another artist’s work.

When I ask a client what they’re looking for, and they show me an image of someone else’s tattoo: we discuss the design, identify which attributes of the tattoo that appeal to you, and design your version to fit you.

If you don’t know what you want, that’s no problem.
Often, I get clients who will say they’re open to whatever I have in mind. When I hear that, I don’t take it as permission to just do whatever I feel like with no consideration for my client.
Ultimately, if my client isn’t happy with the tattoo, I’m not happy with it either.

Fortunately: I have a variety of methods for figuring out what would appeal to you in this scenario.

For example, you can show me pictures of your favorite album art, craft beer labels, or movie posters; you can give me a description of what sort of tone/vibe it should have, or what sort of reactions you’d like to hear from people.
There are many ways to identify your aesthetic and use it to design a tattoo.

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Tattooing

Prior to tattooing, I was a professional oil painter and I continue to paint in my free time.

Much of my approach to tattooing is informed by this experience.

Patience is key to making a high quality work of art,
whether it’s on canvas or on skin.

If you’re going to see my work every day,
I want it to look the best it can possibly be.

Have patience working with me,

and I’ll make sure you get a tattoo that we can both be proud of.

I recommend that you eat a full meal before you come in for your tattoo. Your body needs calories to recover after a tattoo, and most clients report that the experience is less painful overall, when they aren’t hungry.
We have a variety of delivery options available locally.

Often we'll take a short break to eat at some point during your tattoo, especially if it’s a longer session.

In general, I take a 5 minute break every hour for the long-term health of my wrist and back.

Numbing spray is available, but it is not used for everything, has little effect until a fair portion of the tattooing has been completed, and can distort my view of the tattoo while I’m working, if used excessively. When we’re at a point where we could use numbing spray without compromising quality, I will usually offer it.

Numbing creams are available on line, but please consult me before using any topical numbing cream prior to your appointment.

Some may adversely affect your skin’s ability to properly take ink.

In general, I prefer you to be comfortable while I'm tattooing.

People sit still better that way.

Many tattoos, especially larger, more detailed, or more textured pieces, will require more than one session to complete.

Generally, I allow 2-3 weeks for a tattoo to heal before continuing work, but you may also schedule more than one day in a row.

I can’t tattoo you if:

You’re sunburnt. (Sunburns make the skin brittle, making it easy to cause damage to the skin.)
You have a rash or skin problem that I cannot identify or that I am not fully confident identifying. (Why risk it?)
There is excessive acne or irritation in the area to be tattooed.
(There may be other exceptions that currently escape my memory. In general, it is rare that I have to deny a client a tattoo due to a skin condition.

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other FAQs

What is your hourly rate?

$175/hour plus 7.25% sales tax

For coverups: $200/hour plus 7.25% sales tax

Can I get an estimate for how much the tattoo will cost?

Usually, yes.

If it’s a small- to medium-sized piece:
I can typically provide a rough estimate of the timeframe you can expect and a quote for the total price.

In these cases, the price I quote acts as the cap for the price of the tattoo.

For example, if I estimate 6 hours at $175/hour, the quote will be $875*;

>If the tattoo takes the full 6 hours, the price will be $875*;

>If the tattoo takes less than 6 hours, the price will be less than $875* according to the hourly rate;

>If the tattoo session exceeds 6 hours, the price will remain at the quoted $875* and will not rise.

*plus 7.25% sales tax

Sometimes, especially with cover-ups or large projects, I am unable to accurately predict the amount of time it will take to complete the entire piece.

What if I need to get my tattoo touched-up?

Pricing varies on a case-by-case basis for touch-ups.

Often, finger tattoos (and tattoos in areas where they tend to fade more than other parts of the body) will require touch-ups as a matter of course.

In these cases, we will typically schedule a second appointment before you leave your first appointment,
and the price of the touch-up will be included in the price you pay at your first appointment.

Is there anything you won’t tattoo?

There aren’t many things that I will reject altogether, but if there’s a particular style that you want, and I know someone who does it better, I may refer you to them.

Please don’t take this as a rejection of you or an implication that I think your idea is a bad one.

Referrals are a great way to make sure clients get the best version of their tattoo,
and I’d appreciate it if those tattooers sent clients my way for tattoos I’d enjoy,
so it’s a win-win-win, as far as I’m concerned.

If you don’t have any other visible tattoos, I won’t tattoo your face or hands.

(I don’t want to be the reason you don’t get a job that you need.)

Why does it take you (Woodrow) so long to reply to messages?

I organize my approach to tattooing to serve my clients to the best of my ability and maximize the amount of time I have to work on tattoos as well as several other ongoing projects.

To these ends, I focus my attention on individual clients at the time of scheduling, during their tattoo sessions, and while their tattoos are healing.

Additionally, I schedule appointments in blocks of a few months at a time to allow for scheduling flexibility.

(If we need to reschedule, I’d rather not have to make you wait several months before your new appointment.)

If it takes a while for me to get back to you, I apologize in advance. Please know that you’re waiting because I want my clients to be happy with their tattoos, not because I’m ignoring you.

For questions regarding aftercare while your tattoo heals, I recommend that you call the shop at (412) 668-0849 and ask for me for the fastest response.

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