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Let’s talk about your next tattoo. 🤘

Don’t hesitate to reach out with the contact information below, or send a message using the form below.

I love tattooing. I love the art, the challenge and the rush it gives me, and I am eternally grateful to the people in my life who have helped me get into tattooing, whether it be financially, or the people who let me tattoo them when I first started, or even my friends who totally believed that I could do it, even when I wasn’t sure.
That being said, there are a lot of misconceptions about tattooing, at least where I am tattooing at now, so I figured I’d take advantage of this blog, which I rarely use, to dispel some of these myths and kind of vent to everybody about things you do that drives me crazy and is sometimes just plain offensive to your artist.
First off, I am not interested in tattooing anything I didn’t draw. I have a style that I do, that I like and that I’m good at and that’s what I specialize in. If you’d like to bring me some flash or pictures, as a reference, or to show me for some ideas, that’s awesome, that’s what I like, someone who’s done their homework and isn’t just going to pick some random tattoo off the wall.

A tattoo is the perfect way to express your individuality, however, be yourself, because a tattoo isn’t going to make you something you’re not.
Second off is pricing, my pricing is totally based on the client and the piece. A lot of tattoo artists charge by the hour, however, I feel it’s unfair to the client and limits my creativity. I am doing a tattoo which will be on you for life, neither you nor I wants to feel hurried, so I don’t charge an hourly rate. I usually just charge by the piece and what I think it would take if I charged roughly $$120- $150 an hour.
Like I said before, I go by the piece. If you have a budget let me know I will work with you as much as possible, but this might limit the size or potential of the tattoo.

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“So how do I get you to draw me a tattoo,” you ask??

Well, the best way is for you to come into the shop and get a personal tattoo consultation from me. If you’re not local, I can do email consultations. During this consultation, you bring me all the reference material you have, and you will sit down with me and pretty much explain to me, in as much detail as you can, the tattoo you would like to get. I will tell you what I think about the piece and make some suggestions.  If I have the time that day, I am always down to do a tattoo. However, if I am booked the day of your visit, I will require a deposit for the drawing and the appointment. This just makes sure that your serious about your tattoo, and I will put that money towards the price of the tattoo.

The day of your appointment I will show you what I drew, if you don’t like it, be honest, I have tough skin and I can make whatever changes you need the day of the tattoo, no sweat, however afterwards, yeah, its going to be a little tougher.

NOTE: If you cancel your appointment, or if you’re a no show, or super late for the appointment, you lose the deposit. My time isn’t free, and I’d rather not spend my time drawing things that I’ll never get to tattoo, when I could be working with another client.

I will not allow you to leave with the artwork, until the tattoo is complete. I do not draw for other artists, nor do I appreciate other artists tattooing my work. I am available for guest spots and am going to try and hit a few large tattoo conventions, all dates will be posted on http://www.bobbyrotten.com at least a few months before.
I will do touch-ups only for 6 months after you receive the tattoo. If your tattoo needs a touch-up you will know with-in the first month, and it’s included in the price of your tattoo. I do not touch up tattoos after 2 months, nor touch up tattoos due to fading caused by sun or tanning beds. If you are dark skinned my vibrant colors might not be as bright on your skin tone.

Please, DO NOT listen to friends, family, co-workers, etc. on how to care for your new tattoo, they are not artists and can fuck your whole new tattoo up. If you have any soreness, redness, or concerns please contact me, all my info is listed below.

FAQ

Where is your shop?

What are your hours there?

Do you have a shop minimum?
Yes, the shop minimum for tattoos is $75

But “blah blah ink” is cheaper, why so much? 
I don’t compete with any other artists or shops. My price is my price. If you don’t like it go ahead and pay someone else do your tattoo. My work is worth more than I charge and if the price is that big of an issue, I don’t want you as a client anyways. Nothing is more offensive to an artist when you try and put a price tag on what you think their art is worth to you.
That being said, I understand we’re in a recession, and times are hard. If you are working with a budget, please, just be up front with me in the beginning, and let me know what you’re working with, so I don’t draw a sick $500 piece and you’re working with $60 bucks. So many times, I’ve asked someone what their budget is like, and everybody always says “oh, no budget, man,“ so I draw the sickest tattoo I can, only to find that it’s too steep for Mr. Moneybags and then they’ll try and haggle with me, just so you know, that’ll get you kicked out of my chair.
All I ask is that you just be honest with me.

Will you do my tattoo party?
Hell no. No amount of money in the world could get me to do another tattoo party. I totally believe they are ruining the industry, at least here, is more than likely adding to the blatantly rampant AIDS problem in DC.  Honestly, if you go to Youngstown, Ohio, where I started tattooing, and said something about a tattoo party, they wouldn’t know what you were talking about, and probably would look at you like your crazy. TATTOOS ARE MEANT TO BE DONE IN A STERILE SHOP ENVIROMENT, not on a dirty kitchen table, which hasn’t been cleaned since who knows when?!

What would you charge me for “blah blah” tattoo?
It’s nearly impossible for me to give a accurate tattoo price quote over the phone, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter etc, so I don’t even try.  I draw nearly every tattoo I do custom for the person, and I would have to see the area to be tattooed. The best thing I would say is to come in for a personalized tattoo consultation, that way I can know for sure what I’m getting into and we can start on the sketch and make an appointment to get your ink started.

Would you draw me a tattoo and send it to me?
HELL NO. All my artwork that I draw, I tattoo. You actually think I’d let my artwork leave the shop for someone else to do? I will commission some art; however, I barely have time to draw someone’s tattoo unless it’s dead winter and I don’t have a lot going on.

Do you do Piercings?
I am no longer piercing. I’ve had a good run but I’ve officially called it quits to focus 100% on tattoos

Do I need an appointment? 
No. I take walk-ins. But it’s always best to schedule an appointment, to make sure that I am available.

How do I make an appointment? 
Send me a super detailed email with as much reference you can find and be sure to tell me where you wanna get the tattoo and approximately how big you want it

How much are Touch-ups?
I stand by all my work, and sometimes tattoos DO need touched up, especially large-scale color pieces. If you think your tattoo is going to need a touch-up please get a hold of me within 6 months, and I’ll be sure to get you scheduled for a touch-up, it will be included in the price of your tattoo, however you may have to pay a small sitting fee for the shop.

Do you do Apprenticeships? 
Um, perhaps? I would have to be very impressed. If you have a serious art portfolio, and a real drive to learn how to tattoo, get at me.

What is the best way to contact you?
The best way to get in contact with me is to call the shop on a day that I work.  You can also email me: bobbyrotten@bobbyrotten.com

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/bobbyrotten13
WEBSITE: http://www.bobbyrotten.com
EMAIL: bobbyrotten@bobbyrotten.com

Thanks guys,
Bobby Rotten