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TATTOO AND PIERCING POLICIES

WELCOME TO
CROWNED RAVEN 

Tattoo & Piercing

Fully Custom Tattoo & Body Piercings

We want you to be happy with your tattoo, and we stand behind our work.  

There are a few shop policies that are in place to ensure a comfortable studio experience for both our clients and our artist.   

If you have any questions about our shop or any of our policies, please feel free to contact us at any time to discuss them

DEPOSITS

Each client is required to put down a non-refundable deposit when scheduling a tattoo appointment.  

Pay your deposit online :

Deposit & Appointment Cancellation Policy

 

Client is required to put down a non-refundable deposit when scheduling a tattoo appointment. A minimum of $50, or 30% of quoted price, whichever is greater, is required to hold your date and time. Deposit will be honored towards the agreed price of tattoo desired. In the event that you need to reschedule, we require an contact us 48 hours in advance. We will move your deposit with your appointment up to two times before it is forfeited. Completely changing a design (resizing that costs an artist to lose appointment times that were held or changing content after a consult) will also forfeit a deposit at the artists' digression. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. For multi-session tattoos, the deposit will be held as payment towards the last session of the tattoo.

 

Upon paying a deposit I acknowledge that I have communicated my tattoo design idea to the artist to my satisfaction and have reviewed the artist's prior works to decide that the artist can implement my idea to my satisfaction. I understand that creating a tattoo design based on a client's concept is subjective, and that variations may exist between my concept and the finished design. If the finished design is not to my liking, minor changes will be made at the artist's discretion. However, I understand that substantial changes to the design or the request of an entirely new drawing or draft will require a new deposit, and the original deposit will be forfeited as payment for the artist's drawing time. All deposits are valid for up to 6 months from initial appointment date.  Any deposit not applied to services shall be forfeited after 6 months, even for multi-session pieces.

 

Why do I have to put a deposit down? Deposits are required for a few reasons. Artists can spend upwards of 8 hours of their free time working on a design. Also, if the attendance policy is not followed, many times it can be very difficult to fill the opening at the last minute and our artists are left with reserved chair time and no client to tattoo. Deposits ensure the artists are compensated for their creative time and/or their chair time that did not result in a tattoo.

 

I understand that for multiple sessions, the deposit is required to stay on file until the tattoo is complete, no exceptions.

I understand any changes to my tattoo may change the pricing of agreed price.

 

I understand my artist has the right to reschedule my appointment at any time for any reason.

I understand it is my responsibility to be in communication with my artist if I need to reschedule.

I understand I am only allowed to reschedule a total of 2 times within 6 months of original appointment date before my deposit is void. 

By making a deposit I acknowledge and agree to all shop policies.

The Premier South Bend Tattoo and Piercing Studio

The Premier South Bend Tattoo and Piercing Studio

The Premier South Bend Tattoo and Piercing Studio

Deposits

The Premier South Bend Tattoo and Piercing Studio

WELCOME TO
CROWNED RAVEN 

Tattoo & Piercing

Fully Custom Tattoo & Body Piercings

This custom modern studio, located near South Bend, is fully loaded with the most up to date technology for clients new and old to come check out the work of our very talented staff of artists. Come find out why we are the number one South Bend Tattoo Studio.


Offering the most up to date techniques in tattooing and body piercing. Come get pierced by one of our highly trained body piercers, using only the highest quality materials for our body jewelry and aftercare products. 

Our Tattooers styles Range from new school, realism, American traditional, script, black And grey, portraits, and illustrative style tattooing. You will find that each of our artists specialize in what your looking for. Weather it's your next big piece, or a specialized piercing, come 
check out why our customers keep coming back.  Crowned raven is The South Bend tattoo studio, one of the top spots for a custom tattoo in US, and the only area piercing specialty shop rocking out the best art, tattoos and piercings in the area!

APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT ​

There are a few simple things that you can do to ensure you have the best experience possible, as well as to help the overall health of the tattoo. What you can & should you do in preparation for a tattoo session:

 

Get hydrated. Drink at least one (1) to two (2) liters of water a day. When you are hydrated, your skin is hydrated and will be able to maintain a better heal and withstand longer sessions.

Apply lotion the area to be tattooed every day, or twice daily. Again, the healthier your skin, the better the results.

 

Shave & Exfoliate the area 1-3 times weekly. If you are very hairy, this will make a big difference. It’s hard for lotion to get in there well if you look like Chewbacca. If you experience razor burn, stop shaving a week prior to your appointment. Exfoliation should be gentle with a loofah or basic body scrub.

 

Get a good night sleep the night before. Please don’t party too hard. Getting tattooed hung-over is not fun for you or me.

 

Please EAT BEFORE your session. If you don't eat and hydrate it is possible to faint or pass out due to nervousness or from not eating beforehand. This is a massive workout for your body and IT NEEDS FUEL for a big session. When you are hungry, pain management is much more difficult.

 

Bring drinks, snacks and lunch. You probably won’t have enough time during our short breaks to leave, get food, come back and eat it, so bring it with you! We have a microwave and a fridge at the studio for your convenience. It is also a good idea to bring small snacks that you can eat one handed without making a mess in case you need a distraction during your session. And as a side note, Our artists typically like to take breaks every 2-3 hours depending on the length of the session.

 

Please be cognizant of our deposit and rescheduling policy, we understand emergencies happen, again our policies are here to ensure a positive experience for both client and artist.

 

THINGS TO AVOID BEFORE A TATTOO SESSION

 

No tanning, fake tanning, chemical peels, sunburns, Nair™ or any other hair remover creams, major cuts or scrapes, in the area to be tattooed within one month prior to your session. Artists cannot work on freshly damaged skin...it will not heal properly.

 

No extreme weight lifting in or near the area to be tattooed at least 2 days prior to your session to prevent unnecessary swelling & soreness.

DAY OF GUIDELINES

 

Please do not bring the entire family or crew unless they are also getting tattooed.  While we are family friendly, they get bored and they can be a distraction to artists and clients alike. One person is okay but please be aware that they must wait in the designated waiting areas and unless invited to view ongoing tattoos by our artists.

For safety reasons, please do not bring small children or babies.

Dress comfortably and appropriately. Be prepared for it to be cold & warm. Also bring socks or flip flops to prevent walking around the studio barefoot during breaks if you will be taking your shoes off during your session.

 

You are also invited to bring your own pillow for laying or sitting on during your tattoo.

ABSOLUTELY NO VIDEOTAPING OF SERVICES UNDER ARE ALLOWED

Bring some form of entertainment for yourself like an IPOD, IPAD, Laptop, portable DVD player, etc. MUST HAVE your own Headphones or Ear Buds.(please be considerate of other people around, and Keep your entertainment to yourself)

 

Please do not schedule something immediately after your tattoo...in case we are running behind or long.

 

Please do not use any numbing products on the area to be tattooed and please do not come in under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. For pain, Ibuprofen ,Advil and Tylenol are acceptable during your session.

 

WHILE YOU ARE GETTING TATTOOED

 

Please be aware of cross contamination. Do not touch your fresh tattoo during your session. Do not let anyone else touch your tattoo either!

 

Do not touch any of the tattoo equipment or work space.

 

Talking is fine during you session, but please do not talk with your hands, nod your head, or excessively move other body parts as this can cause the area being tattooed to move as well.

 

Be mindful and do not touch any other possibly contaminated areas.

Apt Guidelines

AFTERCARE

CARING FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO 

Proper aftercare is essential to the vibrancy and longevity of tattoos.The steps you take to protect your new tattoo will keep your tattoo looking the same for decades. Improper care can lead to faded tattoos, tattoos with blurry edges, lost color, or distorted designs or skin infections. 

Please consider that everyone heals differently, and each tattoo should be given the appropriate attention to aftercare every time. It should not be assumed that all heals will be the same even if you have previously been tattooed! The following aftercare is a general guide for the average heal. However, when necessary, you may have additional steps which will be addressed during your session.

 

Clean your tattoo. Remove the bandage after twelve (12) hours, but no more than twenty four (24). DO NOT remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild soap such as Dr. Bronner's Castille soap or Cetaphil, and warm water. Rinse it well with cold water, thoroughly cleaning off all of the slimy coating that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for ten (10) or twenty (20) minutes.

 

Apply Aquaphor™ healing ointment to the tattoo. Sparingly, but thoroughly, massage a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to give the tattoo a slightly satin shine, after rubbing the Aquaphor™ into the tattooed area gently blot with a clean paper towel. Your skin will take in all the ointment it needs, so do not leave excessive ointment on the skin. For the next three (3) to seven (7) days, clean and apply ointment to your tattoo every six (6) hours, (about 3-4 times daily), blotting the small amount of excess fluid that may be secreted from the tattoo in between cleaning. Ensure that extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the ointment by blotting and air-drying after every washing. Only apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel or become flakey, usually three (3) to seven (7) days. When the peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. AT ALL COSTS avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. You may also use Bactine™ Antiseptic Spray if you are unable to get to a area to use the soap and water. Lightly spray the tattooed area and gently blot the area with a clean paper towel to remove any dirt or build up, spray the tattooed area again with the Bactine™ and let air dry for a average of ten (10) minutes then apply the Aquaphor™ healing Ointment. 

 

 If there is excessive swelling or irritation to the Tattoo area instead of using the Aquaphor™ healing appointment you may use an anti-inflammatory Ointment such as Preparation-H Ointment™ (not the cream) for the first two (2) days, after two (2) days return to using the Aquaphor™ Healing ointment 

 

You are now in the peeling phase. DO NOT apply any more ointment. The area will become dry and itchy, sometimes very itchy. A good quality, fragrance-free lotion (Lubriderm for Sensitive Skin) can now be used three (3) to four (4) times daily INSTEAD of the ointment. Repeat each day until the skin returns to its normal texture. If you feel a heavier lotion is required to prevent over drying in between application (physically dry to the touch and not just skin that feels tight), you may either apply additional Avocado Oil to the driest areas or switch up to a heavier lotion like Lubriderm for Normal to Dry, or Dry Skin. If you get any pimples in the area tattooed during this phase, you need to decrease lotion application times or switch down to a lighter or different lotion.

 

 Scabs are the body’s natural way of protecting wounds while they are healing. HOWEVER, it is very important to maintain the appropriate aftercare to PREVENT scabs from forming as they can prolong and complicate the healing process which can lead to uneven healing and even scarring. The first signs that may lead to scabbing often are moisture bubbles that appear during the first few days of a new tattoo, usually caused by negligent cleaning or the over application of ointment. At the first signs of these, clean the tattoo thoroughly and allow to completely dry. Do not waterlog (soak) the tattoo. Only apply ointment sparingly to the areas of the tattoo that does not have bubbles, allowing the bubbles to dry on their own. If scabs do form, once the tattoo is in the full peeling phase, sparingly apply lotion to the entire area making sure to thoroughly massage and not over apply or soak scabs with lotion. Any developed scabs should not be picked at or prematurely removed.

 

DIFFICULT & SLIMY HEALS

 

Clean your tattoo as explained in the previous section.

 

When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using tape as needed to hold it in place. Do not use any healing ointment or moisturizer.

 

 For the next one (1) to three (3) days, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap, 24 hours a day. It is crucially important to wash the tattoo every four (4) to six (6) hours, except at night for a maximum of 8 hours, or after any period of sweating. Let it completely air dry after washing. Apply a new piece of plastic wrap each time. After the tattoo no longer forms a slimy coating underneath the wrap, and just body moisture is left, it is okay to cease wrapping and switch to applying ointment.

 

 It is also important not to over-wrap the area as covering large areas of untattooed skin can trap excess moisture. Too much plastic wrap on the surrounding skin - or not changing the wrap often enough - can lead to MOISTURE RASH. This will appear as bright red irritation with tiny pimples in the affected area, and will likely feel painful and itchy. If this happens, ice the area for no longer than 20 minutes at a time while it is covered with the wrap. If this does not relieve the pain or itching, unwrap the area, clean and let it completely dry, switching to using ointment ONLY on the tattooed area.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A TATTOO SESSION IS HEALED (EITHER IN BETWEEN MULTIPLE TATTOO SESSIONS OR THE FINAL SESSION.)

 

After all flaking and peeling is gone, normal activities in water can be resumed.

 

The use of sunblock on the tattooed area may be resumed after all the flaking and peeling is gone. When in the sun or swimming, it is vital to apply and allow to dry, a sunblock of at least 60 SPF every two (2) hours as listed by FDA regulations. Please be aware that sunblock of 100 SPF and higher are available. Sun burning will permanently damage and fade your healed tattoo.

 

Intentionally tanning your skin will make tattoos look dingy. If you must tan, use a minimum of 60 SPF on your tattoos even if you choose to use other methods for the rest of your non-tattooed skin.

 

After all flaking and peeling is gone, light to moderate cardio may be resumed. However, muscle specific training involving the tattooed area may be resumed when the collagen returns to the area. This takes roughly three (3) to four (4) weeks to allow for complete return of elasticity to the skin.

 

Daily moisturizing and staying hydrated (8 glasses of water a day – 64 fl. oz. or 2 liters) keeps the skin healthy which inevitably keeps the tattoo looking good. The healthier the skin, the better the tattoo will look. Exfoliating and/or shaving/trimming the hair on the tattoo can also keep the tattoo looking better.

 

The Premier South Bend Tattoo and Piercing Studio

Aftercare
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