How old do I have to be to get a tattoo, do I need I.D. and can my parents sign for me?

In the state of NH, you MUST be 18 to get a tattoo.  No exceptions, no parental permission.  We need a legal form of I.D. with a photo.

Forms of I.D. we accept; State issued license or non-drivers I.D., Military I.D. or a Passport. I.D. must have a recognizable photo.

Every person getting a tattoo MUST provide an I.D. no matter your age.

If you show up to your appointment without your I.D., we will have to reschedule so please do not forget! 

How do I book an appointment for a tattoo?

We get very very busy. Often our books will be closed and we will be unable to accept new tattoo projects. We will post when our books will open and we will accept new projects for a short time until all of our spaces are full. When we open our books, please fill out an appointment form by clicking a link on the bottom of the page. If you have images, you can attach them to an e-mail at GRIMNORTH@ME.COM.  Describe your tattoo as accurately and thoroughly as possible. Please explain your placement on your body (left or right), your size guess, the correct spelling of any words in your tattoo, and a description of your design. It should only take one or two messages to get your idea across. The less back-and-forth emailing we do, the faster we can get to your tattoo. That means you need to include your thoughts on size and placement, and any budget or time constraints. You also need to include any previous correspondence from me so that we know what we’re discussing.

What’s the process for getting a tattoo?

1. Look at the artwork of each artist and see who’s style you like. We are a custom studio, so we primarily only tattoo our own artwork. It’s important to find an artists who’s art you like, and who’s style can illustrate your vision. Make a list of a few people you love. Not every artist will be a good match for you, and that’s ok. You never want an artist who doesn’t feel comfortable with your idea to tattoo your body.

2. Once you find an artist, read their FAQ.

3. Gather your ideas. Think about size, and placement, grab a ruler and measure the area you want to fill. Save any reference photos.

4. Next you’ll need to get on a waiting list for your artist. Because we are very booked, our books are closed much of the time. We will open our books multiple times during the year. When we open our books we will ask customers to submit appointment request forms and fill them out thoroughly.

5. Books will be open for a few hours. At the end of the time we will begin sorting through our requests and responding to emails. Again, because of the large volume of requests, we can not accommodate all tattoo requests, or answer all emails personally.

6. If the artist you chose thinks your project would be a good fit for their style, they’ll ask you to leave a deposit. (Info below)

7. Once you leave a deposit, you will go on the waiting list. (Info below)

NOTE on current wait times and E-mail:

We have been very busy with many tattoo requests and we are unable to accommodate everyone. Because of this, and the increasing amount of emails we receive, we will be changing our scheduling method for the time being. We are unable to respond to every email or do every tattoo.

While we are honored so many people trust us and love our art, we are only capable of doing so much.

We are all fully booked for an avg of 2-3 months.

After I email you, then what?

Once we receive your appointment request form, we will take a little time to read over everything. We may request that you send additional photos or info. If everything clicks, we may ask you to leave a deposit. Because our large workloads and many requests, we can not take on every single tattoo inquiry. We might send your idea to another artist that we think will enjoy your design more or tattoo it better. Requests for tattoos must be made when our books are open, and customers must fill out an appointment form. Otherwise we may not respond to your email about an appointment.

What’s a deposit? And how does it work?

Once I message you about your design, you will need to leave a deposit. Do not leave a deposit until you are asked to do so. I WILL NOT draw your tattoo without a deposit and an appointment. The deposit varies depending on the tattoo size from 100-500$. (If we would like you to leave more than $100, we’ll let you know ahead of time.  Otherwise it will be $100) Please do not leave extra money.

• All deposits are non-refundable and holds your appointment.

• It will be deducted from the cost of your last appointment.

• It is not to purchase the artwork itself, but as a payment for the time spent discussing your ideas and planning your tattoo.

• If you must cancel, please give us at least 48 hours of notice.  (more would be preferable)

• If you cancel 48 hours (or more) ahead of time, you will not lose your deposit the first time. The second cancelation will result in a forfeit of the deposit.

• If you cancel within 48 hours, your deposit is forfeit and you’ll need to pay for your next appointment in advance to reschedule.

• If you no show/no call, you lose your deposit and you will have to leave a deposit in the amount of the entire tattoo, (or in the case of a large multiple session tattoo, $400) before we will reschedule you. 

• If you show up more than 15 minutes late, you lose your deposit.

• Please make sure that you are prepared to be tattooed, for the time that you have scheduled. (i.e.. on time, do not leave early, have the appropriate amount of money as agreed upon or the hourly rate for the hours that you are scheduled.)

• If you have a budget for the appointment, make sure to let us know while scheduling you so that there aren’t any miscommunications.

• If you don’t show up/call, disappear for 6 months etc… you’ll lose your deposit.

• If I feel like you don’t respect my time, or value my services, I will probably discontinue our work relationship.

•  If you cancel, consider if you think it would be a legitimate excuse for us to use on you. (i.e.. you get offered double time to work instead.  Would you think it’s acceptable to cancel our appointment because another client offered me more money than you did, despite our scheduled appointment?)

Please understand that these rules might seem harsh, but we are a very small business and your tattooer and you work one on one.  Please consider that your cancelation may cause someone a day of work.  We all understand that there are occasionally emergencies and legitimate reasons, but we will do our absolute best to be there and ready to work, and we ask that you will too.

How do I leave a deposit?

After you have discussed your ideas with your artist, they will ask you to leave a deposit. You may click on our store and you will see the item deposit listed. You must purchase through the website with a credit card. Purchase that and you will go on the list to be scheduled. Do not leave more than you were asked to leave, and do not leave a deposit before being asked to.

After you leave a deposit, what happens?

• After leaving a deposit, you will go on the waiting list. Each tattooer has their own personal waiting list. The length of your wait will depend on the artists workload, and the time of year. Tax season and summer are often much busier than winter or spring. The waiting list is broken into 2 sections, Saturday appointments and weekday appointments. When you leave your deposit you go on the list in order. If you are working on a multiple session tattoo, your name will go on the list each month for the amount of appointments you need. You will keep your place on the list for the duration of the tattoo, moving up as tattoos started before yours are finished. When you are a new client/ starting a new tattoo, or have taken a break, you will be placed on the list in order, after the people who are already on the list. Because Saturday appointments are limited, that can make the Saturday lists fill up very quickly.

• Each month (a month ahead of time) we begin calling people on our lists. We call our Saturday waiting lists first, and after 3 days, we begin calling the rest of the list in order. We offer clients all of the appointments available, so returning our calls, or answering is the best way to get a date that works for you. If you wait days to return our call, do not be surprised that there are less appointments.

• If you are put on the waiting list and are called, and you decide to skip that month, you will be added to the next month’s waiting list at the end of the list. If you skip your appointment for 3 months, you will forfeit your deposit and will be taken off of the waiting list.

• If you tell us that you can do weekday appointments, and then change your mind and ask to be moved to Saturdays, please understand that you will need to wait until the current projects are finished, which could be more than a year. Please be realistic with your availability so that you get the best options for you.

• When we begin scheduling the month, the shop manager will call you, and we will set up the appointment. We do not schedule by email, or DM on instagram or facebook. You must answer or RETURN OUR CALL to be scheduled. Consider putting us in your address book so you know it’s us calling. Keep in mind that the appointment waiting list varies in time and may be a few weeks or a couple months.

• If you have a specific time restraint, like you’ll only be here for a week on vacation, or will be moving away, please give the shop a call to discuss possible options before purchasing a deposit.  If you have time constraints, or days that you might be late/ or have to leave early, please let us know so that we may schedule appropriately. 603-433-2616

Can I come into the studio to discuss my ideas?

First we ask that you fill out an online consult form. If its a complex tattoo, a sleeve, a back piece, or a cover-up we will ask you to come in to do a zoom call or an in person consult. We may need to trace out the shape of your body and take photographs. If you are getting a small tattoo, we don’t do in person consults. When you come in for your appointment, we can discuss any thoughts or design changes before your appointment.

What hours do you work?

The shop is a private studio at this time. Each of us has a changing schedule, but generally schedule tattoo appointments at either 11:30 or 3:30 pm. We close at 7pm. We will not come in on our days off, or stay late, as there are child care issues and we are humans who need days off.

What do you charge?

• Smaller work (can be completed within 3hrs) is not based on hourly rate, it is quoted by each individual piece. (based on size and body placement). 

• The shop minimum is $150, though we rarely have availability for smaller tattoos.

• Large color work (3+hrs)  $200 per hour, with a minimum of 3 hours/$600 per session. If you are getting a smaller tattoo, it will be priced based on size and placement at a flat rate. (see above)

• Large black and grey shaded work (3+hrs)  $200 per hour, with a minimum of 3 hours/$600 per session. If you are getting a smaller tattoo, it will be priced based on size and placement at a flat rate. (see above)

• Large Black line work with stipple shading (3+hrs)  $225 per hour, with a minimum of 3 hours/$675 per session. If you are getting a smaller tattoo, it will be priced based on size and placement at a flat rate. (see above) This style of art can take a long time to draw and is much faster to tattoo, so the price reflects this.

• Hourly appointments less than 3 hours will be priced according to size and placement. They will NOT receive the hourly rate. Make sure to discuss budget with your artist if you have limitations.

• If you book an hourly appointment slot, you will pay for the time you have booked, even if you ask to finish early.

• Large tribal pieces are faster than other styles and are priced at $250 an hour.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes, we accept all cards.

How does the tip thing work?

Tips are kind of the same as they are with hairdressing. They’re not required, but more of an act of gratitude and appreciation for the extra effort or pleasant experience. There is no set percentage or amount. We all appreciate any amount and the gesture.

How much is a sleeve/back piece?

I can not give you an estimate on most large tattoos. It’s calculated per session, hourly. (so you pay for the time you get tattooed each time). An average sleeve might take 40+ hours. It varies depending on detail of the design, color and how well you heal. Please discuss this with your artist.

How long is your waiting list?

It can really vary depending on the time of the year. Sometimes it is a month, sometimes it’s 5. The summer  and tax return season is generally very busy and book out in advance.

Can I see my design ahead of time?

No. I draw my designs either of the day of, or a couple of days before the appointment. I like to have the design fresh in my mind. That’s why I ask that you be thorough in your consult e-mail. I’m assuming that you looked at my portfolio and liked the work that you saw there. If my ideas are out of my normal style, I will call or email you to discuss. I’m not going to give you something you don’t like/want. If you don’t like what I’ve drawn, we can discuss or make changes on the day of the appointment. It’s really not a big deal to change drawings at the appointment. We will make sure your design is what you want and you love it! 

Can I bring my child or friends?

You can NOT bring children, it’s not a safe environment for them and it will distract you/me and stress you/me out. You can bring 1 friend, but please not a crew. It’s not only distracting for you, but it’s very disruptive for me. If you bring a child with you, your appointment will be canceled and you will lose your deposit.

What should I bring/do for my appointment? 

• Arrive on time, or 5-10 minutes early. Do not show up more than 15 minutes early.

• Please DO NOT wear perfumes or colognes, they’re too strong and will cause Stina to have a migraine.  (which will result in a rescheduled appointment.) It’s a small studio, so your scent will spread even if you have an appointment with someone else.

• MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE A SUNBURN! You can NOT get a tattoo on sunburned skin.  

• Wear appropriate clothing.  You will need to expose whatever body part you’re having tattooed and the ink could stain the surrounding clothing.  

• Please make sure to bring a snack, and a bottle of water. 

• You might want to bring a pillow, and a sweatshirt. It can get chilly when you’re half dressed.

• Please make sure to read the aftercare info AHEAD of time

Should I do anything special before/after?

A tattoo puts a lot of stress on your body. You’ll have a higher pain tolerance if you’ve had a good night of sleep and had a healthy breakfast/lunch. Also this applies to the healing. If you want to heal better make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, eat well and get plenty of sleep.

I E-mailed you and got no reply!

Unfortunately we can not accommodate all tattoo requests. We get dozens of emails a day and we can not keep up. Please follow the faq to book an appointment. If you have other questions we are not trying to ignore you, but emails can get lost in the rush of mail. If we did not respond to you, give the shop a call at 603.433.2616

Can I buy a gift certificate?

Yes, we sell gift certificates in our store. They vary in price and can be used toward merchandise, tattoos, piercings, jewelry, or anything in the store. They do not guarantee a specific appointment day or time, so you’ll have to schedule an appointment. If you have not spoken to an artist about a tattoo appointment, please understand that your idea may not work for the artist that you want. Before purchasing a large gift certificate, make sure that you have spoken to an artist. Gift certificates are not returnable, refundable, and have no cash value. They do not expire.

I messaged you on facebook or instagram and no reply?

We do NOT respond to Facebook or Instagram dms. I need all of my messages together in one place. I can not hunt down each message and respond in 5 places. Please send messages to my e-mail instead. Fill out the appointment form on the bottom of this page and always respond to my messages with the CC so that I know what we were discussing.

I need to cancel my appointment, what do I do?

We require a 48 hour notice to retain your deposit.  You must CALL 603.433.2616. Facebook is NOT acceptable. EMAIL IS NOT  acceptable. CALL. If you leave me a message on Facebook or e-mail, I will probably not see it and you will lose your deposit. Please call.

How do I take care of my new tattoo?

Our tattoo page has a button that says aftercare. Please click the button and print your aftercare instructions.

Where are you located?

167 High street, Portsmouth, NH.

Do you have free parking?

No. We ask our customers to park on the street, or in one of the lots, or parking garages. Parking info is listed on our home page. You may not park in the spaces in front of the studio.