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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Please read carefully, understanding this process helps things go smoothly for everyone involved!

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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 call from Thin Line’s front desk. During this time you will be able to pick from any available time slot.

• If you miss our call, we'll leave a voicemail. You must return our call within 48 hours to confirm your appointment, otherwise we will have to move on. Front desk does continue booking during this period, so it is best to respond ASAP before my schedule fills up.

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Front Desk Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday

11:30am-6:30pm CST

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Details & Policies

• Appointments require a deposit of $50–$150 to secure your time.

• After confirming your appointment by phone, please return to the “Appointments” tab to complete the deposit form and submit your deposit within 48 hours. No spot is guaranteed until both form and deposit are received.

• For group bookings, submit one form for everyone involved.

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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

• microrealism

• pet portraits

• birds birds birds

• fantasy inspired art

• baroque/renaissance paintings

• trinkets

• dainty script

• vintage illustrations

• coverups

• comprehensive sleeves

• traditional-style tattoos

• large scale color

• large scale realism

• human portraits

• tribal

• armbands/wrap tattoos

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.

Yes, just submit one form for everyone involved and please make sure all ideas are clearly labeled.

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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)