Where do you work?

I tattoo in Philadelphia, PA. My private studio is called Rabbit Ear, located at 5141 Walnut Street. I work by appointment only.

Are you taking appointments? How do I request an appointment?

My books are currently closed. I open the appointment request form approximately twice per year. During the open booking periods, you can visit the appointments page to submit a proposal for a tattoo.

While my books are closed, you are invited to provide your email address on the Booking page, and I will send out a message when I’m ready to review new appointment proposals.

How can I find out about future openings?

When my books are closed, you can join my email list on my Booking page.

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

Yes, you can bring one guest.

Will you/I wear masks?

Masks are optional. If you prefer I wear a mask I am happy to of course. I may wear a mask anyway.

What is the deposit policy?

When you book an appointment, you will be asked to put down a deposit. Deposits are non-refundable.

If you need to reschedule, your deposit may be transferred to a different date/time only with more than 14 days notice. Within 14 days of your appointment, you will forfeit your deposit, and you will be asked to put down a new deposit for the new appointment. If you cancel your appointment or don’t show up for your appointment, you forfeit your deposit. Deposits can not be used by anyone other than the person who has booked the appointment. Please make sure you can make your appointment before booking.

What if I have to reschedule?

If you need to reschedule, your deposit may be transferred to a different date/time only with more than 14 days notice. If you need to reschedule and it is within 14 days of your appointment, you will forfeit your deposit, and you will be asked to put down a new deposit for the new appointment.

*If you have to reschedule because you are sick with COVID or another illness or if you have been exposed to COVID, you will not lose your deposit.

What if I have to cancel?

If you cancel your appointment or don’t show up for your appointment, you forfeit your deposit.

What is your minimum price?

I have a $350 minimum.

Can I get a price quote for my tattoo?

I price each piece individually based on a number of variables. I can only give a price quote after reviewing all the details in the appointment request form. Once I have a clear idea of the design you want tattooed, as well as the placement, size, etc, and if it’s a project that I can take on, then I will provide an estimate of the cost along with scheduling information.

I don't take any additional fee for making a custom drawing for your tattoo. The only charge is for the tattoo itself. However, if you want to change the concept to another subject matter after I've started designing, or if you come up with new requirements later in the process, this additional work may be reflected in the final cost of the tattoo.

Do I need to/can I schedule a consultation?

Most projects don't require an in-person consultation, but certain designs and other situations may call for a consultation at the shop. If I think we need to schedule a consultation I will let you know. If for your comfort or any other reason you definitely want to have an in-person consultation, please indicate that in your appointment request form. Due to demand, I can’t guarantee a consultation.

I’m not offering consultations prior to scheduling an appointment. If you have an idea that is not fully formed, you can still submit a form when my books are open. Please tell me as much information as you can provide about your idea.

Can I get an appointment if I’m willing to wait?

I can’t guarantee an appointment, regardless of the timeline. I get more proposals than I am able to take on, and I choose the projects that I think suit me best. Please be as specific as possible in your appointment proposal to help me understand your idea and see if it’s a good fit for me.

Can I get a design that I found tattooed?

Probably not. I typically design all of the tattoos that I do.

I won't replicate a tattoo that someone else has. I might be open to designing a custom piece based on the same subject.

On a case by case basis, I may make a tattoo based on someone else’s drawing with the artist's permission.

When will I see a drawing?

You can expect me to send you an image to review the day before your appointment date.

Most artists I know show you the design when you arrive at your appointment; I like to give you a chance to sleep on it and look it over. That being said, the design I send you is the product of my own lengthy and recursive drawing process. Reasonable changes will be considered of course and accommodated as well as I can—I want you to be completely satisfied with your tattoo—however I will let you know if there is a technical or practical reason for one design decision over another. Tattoos function and age differently than art on paper and sometimes you need to design for that. For significant edits we may have to reschedule, in which case you may forfeit your deposit and be asked to put down a new deposit for the new appointment.

What does the the day of the appointment look like?

The day of your appointment, you should be sure to eat something before you come in. You can bring someone with you if you want to. Some people like to listen to music in headphones; some people like to talk with a friend or sit or read in silence. You can bring water or something to drink and/or candy or a granola bar or something if you want to. 

Plan to wear something that makes sense for where you are getting tattooed. Tattoo pigment stains clothing. If you are getting tattooed on your back, a button-down shirt that you can put on backwards is ideal. If you are getting tattooed on your hip, loose shorts or a bathing suit that ties on the side is ideal.

Before you arrive at the studio or once you arrive, you'll fill out a consent form. When you arrive, ring the door bell, and I will greet you. Once you’re settled in, we will find the exact best size and placement. Then we will typically apply a stencil of the outline of the tattoo, which we can adjust and replace if we need to. Once you are satisfied about the placement, I will make the tattoo, and then I will put a bandage on your tattoo, and we will go over aftercare instructions. 

You will receive written aftercare instructions as well as oral instructions the day of your appointment. During the healing process your tattoo will peel and may form scabs. Don’t pick at it or scratch it. You can exercise, but use good judgement and clean your tattoo afterwards. Don’t let your healing tattoo touch any shared gym equipment, or any other surface, or any other person or animal, or any bodily fluid. You should keep your healing tattoo away from direct sun. It is fine to get your tattoo wet in the shower, but you should not soak your tattoo or go swimming while it is healing. You can always ask me questions. Of course if you have any concern about possible infection you should contact your doctor. 

Do you accept credit cards?

I take cash or cards. Cash is always appreciated, but either is accepted.

Can I get a tattoo on the side of my finger/inside of my finger/underside of my finger/bottom of my foot?

No, tattoos typically do not heal well in these areas, and I usually won’t tattoo them.

Can you add a pet’s ashes to the ink?

No.

I live far from Philadelphia. Will you design a piece for me to get tattooed by an artist who lives closer to me?

No, I’m not offering to do commission tattoo designs.

Can I buy a gift certificate?

No, I don’t sell gift cards.

Are you available for hire for non-tattoo design work?

Yes, I will consider non-tattoo design work for very interesting projects. Please email justinturkustattoos@gmail.com.