Question 1

What should I do to prepare for my tattoo?

Accepted Answer

To ensure you have the best tattoo experience, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

Stay Hydrated: drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Hydrated skin is easier to tattoo.

Eat Up: eat a solid meal before your session to keep your blood pressure stable.

Avoid Alcohol: steer clear of alcohol at least 24hrs before your tattoo. Alcohol is a blood thinner, which can negatively affect the tattooing process and healing.

Dress Comfortably: make sure you're wearing something comfortable while keeping your tattoo placement in mind. For example, if you're getting a thigh tattoo, bring shorts!

Shave (optional): if you'd like, you can shave the area we'll be working on either the night before, or morning of your appointment. I do keep razors stocked at the studio, so no worries if you're feeling a bit lazy, I've got you! If you are unfamiliar with shaving, please leave it to me. I cannot work on razor burned skin.

Relax: you might be here a while, but lucky for you, the hard part is up to me! So bring your favorite snacks, some entertainment, and enjoy yourself.

Question 2

Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

It is required by Illinois state law that clients provide a valid ID in order to get tattooed. Acceptable forms of IDs are a valid passport, state ID, or driver's license. It cannot be expired, and it must be the physical copy, we cannot accept pictures or photocopies of your ID.

Question 3

Can I go swimming or tanning with my new tattoo?

Accepted Answer

No and no. It's important to avoid exposing it to certain elements while it heals. Here’s what you need to know:

Swimming: You should avoid swimming for at least 3-4 weeks after getting your tattoo. It is an open wound, and submerging your tattoo in water can introduce harmful bacteria, increase the risk of infections, and slow down the healing process.

Tanning: Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds during the healing process. UV rays are incredibly damaging to healing skin and can cause the tattoo to fade or heal improperly. Once your tattoo is fully healed (usually after about 4 weeks), you can begin tanning, but it's still a good idea to apply sunscreen to protect your tattoo.

Question 4

Can I work out after a tattoo?

Accepted Answer

It's best to avoid intense physical activity for the first few days after getting a tattoo. Excessive sweat can loosen your bandage. However, mild exercises are generally fine. If you are using shared gym equipment. it is very important to avoid direct contact with those surfaces.

After each workout, be sure to gently clean off your tattoo to remove sweat and bacteria.

Question 5

What is your touchup policy?

Accepted Answer

I offer one free touchup within the first 6 months of your appointment. Anything after this timeframe will cost $20 to cover setup materials.

If you are returning for another appointment with me, as long as I'm given advance notice I will do touch ups for free, regardless of how long it's been!

You can email me directly at maeyi.tattoos@gmail.com to schedule a touchup, do not go through my booking process unless you are looking to get a new tattoo AND a touchup while you're at it.

There are a few exceptions to this policy:

- I do not offer free touchups for tattoos on the face, hands, feet, or ears.

- If I suspect improper aftercare or neglect, the touchup will be charged for (improper aftercare refers to swimming/picking/tanning with your new tattoo before it's fully healed, not that you forgot to moisturize it once).

- Tattoos done during any of my flash sales are not covered under my touchup policy.

Question 6

Can I bring a guest with me?

Accepted Answer

Yes! My room can accommodate a maximum of two guests. Please be respectful, if at any point your guests are affecting my ability to tattoo, they will be asked to leave.

Question 7

Can I get tattooed as a minor?

Accepted Answer

No. Minors cannot be tattooed regardless of parental consent in the state of Illinois.

Question 8

Do you do coverups?

Accepted Answer

No, my style is too light to effectively cover highly saturated or dark tattoos. I don't have a strong eye for creating coverup designs either.

Question 9

Can you tattoo over scars?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as they have been healed for at least one year. Depending on the scar and your skin, it could impact the healing and touch-ups may be necessary. This will vary from person to person.

Question 10

Can I use numbing cream?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do ask that you notify me if you plan on using numbing cream.

Keep in mind that numbing cream can sometimes affect your skin, making it more difficult to tattoo, and may impact how your tattoo heals. In some cases, touch-ups might be needed, but this can vary from person to person.

It's generally best to go without numbing cream if you can, but you know your pain tolerance best, so if you're more comfortable using numbing cream then I can definitely work with that.

Question 11

How do fine line tattoos really heal?

Accepted Answer

This is a tricky question, as there are many factors that can influence how a tattoo heals such as skin type, lifestyle, and aftercare. Fine line tattoos, being a relatively modern style, haven’t been around long enough for us to fully understand how they will age long term. However, it does tend to fade faster than bolder styles such as American Traditional or Neotraditional, and may require more maintenance over the years.

For reference, I have a "healed" highlight on my Instagram (@mae.tattoo), where you can view how my work has held up over time.

If you choose to get a fine line tattoo, it’s important to keep in mind that sunscreen will be your best friend going forward. UV rays are extremely damaging to both the skin and the tattoo itself. Touch-ups can also help maintain the original clarity of your tattoo.

In my personal opinion though, it’s better to have a tattoo you love for 5 years than one you’re unhappy with for 10 years. Tattoos are a personal expression, and they should be something that makes you happy.

The tattoo industry is rapidly evolving with new techniques and styles emerging all the time which makes it hard to predict exactly how a certain style will look in 20 years. But one thing is certain: life is short, and if a tattoo means something to you, it’s worth getting.

Question 12

Is your ink vegan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are vegan. The brands I use are Allegory,. Fusion, and Industry inks.

Question 13

How does your booking process work?

Accepted Answer

Please read carefully, understanding this process helps things go smoothly for everyone involved!
​
How Booking Works
Booking opens every 2 months, usually on the 1st day of the month.
When open, a booking form will be made active under the “Appointments” tab on my website. The form stays active for 3 days, closing at 10 PM CST on day 3.
After the form closes, I take 1-2 days to review submissions. Due to high demand, submitting a form does NOT guarantee a spot.
Selected clients will receive a booking link through email. This link will take you to my calendar, where you will be able to choose from any available spot. In order to keep things moving, the link will expire after 48hrs and I will move on to the next in line. 
Please be aware that this grace period does not guarantee that I will have availability by the time you go to schedule. This is especially true towards the tail end of booking when my calendar starts filling up, so it's best to secure your time and pay your deposit ASAP. 
​
Details & Policies
Appointments require a deposit of $50–$150 to secure your time. After selecting an appointment time, you will be prompted to pay your deposit through Stripe before your appointment is confirmed.
No appointment is guaranteed unless the deposit has been paid and you have signed the deposit form.
For group bookings, submit one form for everyone involved. There is an "add member" feature that allows you to keep all information neatly separated. 
For handwriting, signatures, or hand-drawn designs, please attach the original photo in your submission.
For pet portraits, include multiple clear photos of the pet. You may request a specific photo for the tattoo, but final choice depends on stencil suitability.
Submissions without required reference photos for handwriting or pet portraits will not be considered. 
​
Important Reminders
My booking process is NOT first come first served. Slow down, and make sure your information is entered correctly.
Ensure your phone number and email are correct. If we cannot reach you, we will move on to the next submission. 
​
I understand that my booking process can be frustrating and may not be the right fit for everyone. This is what works best for me and has allowed me to maintain a good work/life balance. If I'm not the artist for you, that's totally ok! I am more than happy to assist in finding an appropriate artist for your needs.

Question 14

How do I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

To book an appointment, simply submit a form when my books open. The form will be available under the "Appointments" tab on my website.

Question 15

How can I book a touchup appointment?

Accepted Answer

There is a booking form underneath the "appointments" tab where you can request a touchup appointment. Make sure you are familiar with my touchup policy, details can be found in the General FAQs!

This form is only for existing work that I have done. If it's another artist's work you want touched up, please send in a submission during my regular booking rounds.

Question 16

What type of tattoos are you more likely to book?

Accepted Answer

microrealism
pet portraits
birds birds birds
fantasy inspired art
baroque/renaissance paintings
trinkets
dainty script
vintage illustrations

Question 17

What type of tattoos are you less likely to book?

Accepted Answer

coverups
comprehensive sleeves
traditional-style tattoos
large scale color
large scale realism
human portraits
tribal
armbands/wrap tattoos

Question 18

Can I see the tattoo design before my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no. Your design isn't finalized until the day before your appointment, and due to past instances of art theft, I no longer share them beforehand. I follow the details from your booking form closely, so as long as the information you provided is accurate, it's rare that there’s an issue with the design. On the day of your appointment, there will be time to make any necessary tweaks or adjustments.

Question 19

Can I book for a group session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, just submit one form for everyone involved and please utilize the "add member" feature on the booking form. It makes things much more organized on my end.

Question 20

Can I get more than one tattoo per session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Please include all of your ideas in the booking form. Please note that while I will do my best to accommodate all of your requests, it’s not always guaranteed that I’ll be able to tattoo everything in one session due to time constraints or the complexity of the designs.

Question 21

Do you offer flash?

Accepted Answer

I mainly do custom work, but when I do have flash available it will be posted to my Instagram (@mae.tattoo).

Question 22

Do you accept walk-ins?

Accepted Answer

No, I am by appointment only. I do have the occasional walk-in tattoo event, which will be announced on my Instagram page (@mae.tattoo).

Question 23

Why do you only book yourself out for 2 months?

Accepted Answer

I choose to book appointments in two-month intervals to ensure a healthy work/life balance. This allows me to stay focused on providing the best possible experience for my clients while allowing myself to recharge. By limiting my bookings, I can avoid overcommitting and ensure that I’m always able to dedicate the necessary time and energy to each project.

Question 24

Do you have a waitlist?

Accepted Answer

As of April 1st, 2023, I will no longer have a waitlist. Moving forward, any last-minute openings will be announced and booked through my Instagram broadcast channel. You can find the channel in my Instagram bio under "Updates and Openings." I recommend joining for notifications about last-minute availability.

Question 25

I submitted multiple times, why haven't I gotten in yet?

Accepted Answer

I do my best to accommodate as many people as possible with each booking round, but as a solo artist with limited time, I can’t fit everyone in. I have received over 300 appointment requests in one booking round, so not everyone will be selected. For reference, I can only schedule 75-90 people in the span of 2 months.

I prioritize submissions that align with my tattoo style and vision with a focus on artwork that will help me grow as an artist. From there, the selection process is random. If your submission wasn’t chosen, it doesn’t mean I don’t like your idea—it just means it wasn’t the right fit for that particular round.

Question 26

I have an idea for a tattoo, can you draw it so I can see if I like it?

Accepted Answer

No, I do not draw designs unless you have an appointment with me.

Question 27

Are there any other artists that I can go to?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! If you're unable to get into my books, I encourage you not to wait around, as I can't guarantee a specific timeframe for when I'll be able to accommodate you. Feel free to explore the talented artists listed below. While I can’t speak for their availability or the types of projects they are currently taking on, all of them have styles similar to mine. Be sure to review their booking guidelines and procedures before reaching out.

@familiarshape
@faithjohnsentattoo
@evergreenstudios.chicago
@silverliningtattoogeneva
@k_inx (has a story highlight with fine line artists from the Milwaukee/Chicagoland area)