I live to tattoo. I love the art, the challenge and the rush it gives me when I’m watching something I drew come to life on a client’s skin.

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 tattoo even when I wasn’t sure of it. 

That being said, there are a lot of misconceptions about tattooing, at least where I am, so I figured I’d take advantage of my blog to dispel some of these myths and kind of vent to everybody about all the shit that you do that drives us crazy and sometimes is just plain offensive to your artist.

CHOOSING YOUR TATTOO

First off, I am pretty much done doing flash tattoos, its keeping me awake at night knowing that at least once a day I put a design on someone that 1000 other people in the world have. I have a style that I do, that I like, 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 some ideas, that’s awesome. That’s what I like, someone who’s done their homework and just isn’t going to pick some random tattoo off the wall.

Challenge me, be creative, use your minds and pick a tattoo that means something to you or is something that you like. I’m tired of doing tattoos that don’t fit the person. A tattoo is the perfect way to express your individuality, however, be yourself because a tattoo isn’t going to make you something your 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 its unfair to the client and limits my creativity. After all I am doing a tattoo which will be on you for life, nobody wants to feel hurried, so I don’t charge a hourly rate. I usually just charge by the piece and what I think it would take if I charged $120 a hour, which is way under the normal tattoo hourly rate. Don’t believe me, call your local artists and test me. 

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.

Which brings me to the next issue:

Obviously, I’m not going to charge someone who comes to me once a week the same as someone who I’ve never tattooed before, so don’t come at me with a price I gave someone else as a reference for what your tattoo will cost.

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT

“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 your not local, I can do email consultations.

During this consultation, you bring me all the reference material you have and we will sit down and you 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, plus, its only $50. 

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 over 1 hour 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 artist, 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 www.bobbyrotten.comat least a few months before. 

TOUCH-UPS

I will do touch-ups only for 3 months after you receive the tattoo. If your tattoo needs a touch-up you will know with-in the first month, and its included in the price of your tattoo, however you may be asked to pay a small sitting fee of $25 for equipment.

I do not touch up tattoos after 3 months, nor touch up tattoos due to fading caused by sun or tanning beds. If you are dark skinned my bright colors might not be as bright on your skin tone.

AFTERCARE

After 2-4 hours remove the wrap/bandage.
After removing the bandage, wash your tattoo with warm water and liquid anti-bacterial soap firmly (make sure all blood and ink has been removed).
Pat dry with a clean towel.
Wash with liquid anti-bacterial soap and wrap with seran wrap before bed. In the morning remove the wrap.
After removing the wrap, wash your tattoo with warm water and liquid anti-bacterial soap firmly (make sure all blood and ink has been removed).
Pat dry with a clean towel, and apply a thin layer of A&D ointment 3-5 times daily.
Do this for 48-72 hours. After tattoo begins to flake off (like a snake skin). You may begin to use non-scented lotion. Rub lotion completely into skin.
No swimming, hot tubs, sun or soaking in a bath tub for 2 weeks.
DO NOT pick, scratch or pretty much even touch your new tattoo.
Be sure to apply SPF 50 to tattoo after healed when in the sun or tanning bed.
Please, do NOT listen to friends, family ,co-workers, etc. on how to care for your new tattoo, they are not artists and can mess your new tattoo up.
If you have any soreness, redness, or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me, all my info is listed below.

FAQ

 Where is your shop?

I work at X2 Tattoos

17 Hampton Park Blvd

Capitol Heights, MD 20874.

(301) 333-1236

It’s a short drive from DC, and is accessible via Metro Blue Line, the closest stop is Morgan Blvd. 

Mondays 3-9

W F Sat. 1-9

 Do you have a shop minimum?

Yes, the shop minimum for tattoos is $50, and $40 for piercing. 

 

But “blah blah ink” is cheaper, why this price?

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 then I charge and if the price is that big of a issue, I probably don’t want you as a client anyways. Nothing is more offensive to a 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 your working with, so I don’t draw a sick $500 piece and your 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 its 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 for life. 

All I ask is that you just be honest with me.

 

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 and is more then likely adding to the blatantly rampant AIDS problem in DC.

Honestly, if you go back to 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 BY PROFESSIONALS, not on a hotel room table, which someone was probably getting gang banged on the night before. 

 

Its 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 a appointment to get your ink started.

 

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?

 

Yes, I do piercing as well. My piercing prices follow below:

Ears (lobe) $25

Nose $50

Eyebrow $40

Lip $50

Labret $50

Navel $50

Tongue $50

Nipple $60 or 2 for $100

Septum $70

Industrial $75

Hood $100

Labia $100

Ladder $100

Prince Albert $150

 

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

 

Call the shop: (301) 333-1236 or send me an text message to my cellphone (240) 498-6527

I stand by all my work, and sometimes tattoos 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 3 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 nominal sitting fee towards the shop. 

The best way to get in contact with me is to call the shop at 301-333-1236 on a day that I work. You can also email me: bobbyrotten13@aim.com or send me an message at any of the sites below.

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/bobbyrotten13

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/bobbyrotten

WEBSITE: www.bobbyrotten.com

EMAIL: bobbyrotten13@aim.com

Thanks guys, 

Bobby Rotten