About the Booking Process

Welcome to Delaine Smith Tattoos, a private tattoo studio that offers a safe and comfortable environment for clients. Please read through this page to understand how to book with me, the tattooing process, and my policies.

I require a deposit to hold your appointment, deposits are non-refundable and goes towards the final cost of your tattoo. The cost of the deposit depends on the session booked. For smaller tattoos, I offer 2-hour sessions. I also offer half and full day sessions for those interested in larger scale work or looking to get multiple tattoos in one sitting. If you’re not sure which session to book, I can give you more guidance.

My minimum is $150. This minimum covers the cost of materials, studio rent, and my time. Projects are priced based on size, detail, placement, and whether you want color or black and grey. Larger scale work, tattoos with lots of detail, and/or difficult placements tend to take more time, increasing the price. Color tattoos are typically more expensive than black and grey tattoos due to the cost of inks. Flash designs are generally available for a flat rate but are subject to change depending on size, placement, etc. My rates are non-negotiable. I understand tattoos are an investment, so if you're working within a budget, please let me know so I can do my best to accommodate you. I strive to be transparent about my pricing so if you ever have any questions please reach out!

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Design Policy:

All designs will be shown at the start of the appointment. I do not send anything in advance. You will be able to sit with your design for a few minutes at the beginning of the appointment and I will be more than happy to make changes if need be! If you do end up wanting to change over half the design it may require us to reschedule.

*This will not require a second deposit*

All major design changes (changing your original design idea or more than half of it) must be communicated 7 days prior to your appointment. Otherwise, it may result in a reschedule and loss of deposit.

Consultation Prep:

Please bring at least 1 reference photos for your tattoo and be prepared to tell me the things you like or don’t like about each reference so I can best understand your vision. It is also helpful to see which tattoos/designs I've already done that you are more drawn towards.

How to prepare for your appointment:

Please be sure to eat at least 45 minutes prior to your appointment and make sure to stay hydrated! Moisturizing the area we will be tattooing prior to the session will help the skin take the ink better, making the process faster and easier!
If you are feeling unwell, please reschedule your appointment. I allow one reschedule with each deposit, after that another deposit must be made to secure a new time slot. I understand emergencies happen and will always do my best to accommodate so don’t hesitate to reach out at any point!
I keep drinks and snacks at the studio but bringing your favorite snack & (non-alcoholic) drink is encouraged for appointments lasting more than 4 hours.
Make sure to wear something comfy, that gives easy access to the area we are tattooing. Here are some recommendations:

Leg placement- Shorts or skirts
Arm placement- tank top or loose t-shirt
Stomach/sternum/back- flannel or sip up jacket

Wearing a jacket or layers is recommended to help regulate your temperature.
You may be asked to lay down for your tattoo, feel free to bring a pillow or blanket if it makes you comfortable. If you are unable to lay down for an appointment please let me know.
I, along with many tattoo artists do not recommend using numbing cream for tattoos preferring to work on untreated skin to ensure the best results. If you choose to use one, be aware that many numbing creams are not FDA- approved & may carry additional risks. Always do your research! Some numbing creams can leave your skin feeling rubbery or spongy. This texture makes it harder for ink to penetrate properly and could lead to abnormal healing of the tattooed area. If the numbing wears off mid- session, the returning sensation can feel even more intense. The sudden switch from numbness to pain might catch you off guard and make the rest of the session harder to endure. Numbing cream isn't guaranteed to be effective. Some clients find it doesn't fully numb the area or wears off too soon, so they end up feeling the pain anyway. It might interfere with how your tattoo heals, contributing to slower healing, scarring, or even infection if the cream isn't fully removed and the skin doesn't recover properly. There's a chance of reacting badly to the cream's ingredients. Some clients experience itching, redness, burning, or rashes from numbing products, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Booking Forms

Small Tattoo

Half Day

Full Day