COVID-19 Precautions and Procedures: (updated 10/2020)

We have always taken our client’s safety with the utmost of care, and with the implementation of state mandated procedures during this post COVID world, means we are tripling our sanitization efforts!  Our top priority  is to ensure the safety and well being of both clients and our staff, here’s a look at the procedure changes we will be making to achieve this standard:

•    Masks are a must:  Please wear a mask throughout the duration of your appointment and upon entry of the building.
•    Sanitizer is your friend:  We will have hand sanitizer stationed throughout the shop, you are encouraged to use it, we will have you wash your hands upon entry.
•   Please come alone :  We ask that only the client who is getting tattooed come to their appointment, no peanut galleries or support groups please!
•   No waiting rooms:   We can’t use our waiting rooms right now, your artist will greet you at the front, get you through the checking in, and will guide you to their room which will be your home for the day.
•   Bring your own snacks:  Unfortunately we cannot use our water dispensers or offer candy right now, so please bring any nourishment with you! (we always have bottled water just in case!)

As well as implementing these new procedures to the tattooing process, we have needed to adjust some overall shop policies to accommodate the current climate.  Here are the policy changes that will be taking effect:

• No walk-ins:  We will be doing away with walk-ins temporarily to adhere to state occupancy limitations, we apologize for any inconvenience, if you would like to get tattooed you need an appointment.
• Minimal consultations in person:  Unless absolutely necessary to do in person, we will be handling the majority of consultations via email directly with the artist (some artists still offer in person consultations).
• Shop minimum change:  Due to limitations to how many appointments we can have a day, and the rapid increase in cost of supplies, we will no longer be doing a shop minimum of $100, our shop minimum will be our hourly rate of $150.
• Changes to reception hours:  All phone calls and emails will be answered from 12-6PM Monday-Saturday.  We apologize for inconveniences, all calls made while reception is out of the office will be returned in that 12-6PM time window.
• Laxer deposit rules:  We understand times are different, if you are feeling unwell, or are unsure if you want to get tattooed, please reschedule!  We have no problem honoring your deposit for a later date, we want everyone getting tattooed to be safe and healthy.  All COVID related reschedules will have their deposits honored, your goldfish dying still doesn’t count as an emergency.

Our rules for deposits are as follows: (amendments for COVID-19 updated 7/2020)

-This is a non-refundable deposit. If you are unsure about getting tattooed, please hold off leaving a deposit.

-Please arrive on time for your appointment, if you are more than 15 minutes late without notice your deposit will be revoked.

-No call no showing is an automatic forfeiture of your deposit

-If you need to reschedule your appointment we require at least 48 hours notice before your scheduled appointment. If you must reschedule with less than 48 hours notice you will lose your deposit and a new deposit will need to be left. (we will be more lenient post COVID-19 reopening, if you are sick or unwell please reach out to reschedule, your deposit will still be honored!  Deposits are honored at the artist’s discretion).

-If you are booking a multiple session tattoo, your deposit will be rolled over to each new appointment and will be taken off of the final session of the tattoo.

-Last minute alterations to your tattoo design that was not discussed at the time of the consultation may result in a new deposit to be left or we will possibly need to reschedule your appointment to a later date.

-For rescheduled appointments, deposits can only be held 90 days without a new appointment being scheduled (we will be extending this policy temporarily, if you are unwell or financially unable to get tattooed currently, we will honor your deposit for when you are ready to be tattooed again.  Deposits that expired prior to policy changes will not be retroactively returned).

-We can only allow two reschedules before the deposit is revoked (if you need to reschedule due to illness, please feel free to do so!  We will not penalize you for being responsible).

Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?

We are located in Newington, Connecticut at 2719 Berlin Turnpike.

Nautilus Tattoo is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Office/reception hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash as well as Visa and MasterCard.

How old do you have to be to get tattooed?

We tattoo anyone 18 years or older with a photo ID. We do not tattoo minors.

Do you accept walk-ins?

(currently due to COVID-19 reopening restrictions, we will no longer be able to accept walk-ins and will be temporarily appointment only for the foreseeable future)

Some of our artists typically are able to take walk ins, however it is on a first come first served basis and depending on the intricacies of the design we may not be able to fit you in. Its always best to call ahead to make sure we have time. If we have time available to tattoo you we can, but we do encourage people to take the time to schedule an appointment so we can have something drawn up for you.  

How much do you charge?

Most artists here charge a flat hourly rate, some do pricing by the piece. Since the nature of each tattoo is different there are many factors that go into the pricing of a tattoo. The complexity of the design, whether it’s in color or black and gray, and the size of it all go into how long it will take. It is best to come in prepared with a general idea of what you are looking for so we can give you a ballpark figure. If you call or come in asking how much a sleeve or a back piece will cost we will not be able to give a quote. We generally cannot give quotes over the phone or e-mail. It’s best to sit down with the artist you are interested in getting tattooed by if you are looking for a quote.  Quotes are provided during the consultation process directly with your artist whether in person or via email correspondence.

For large scale tattooing we can only give general estimates, not set in stone figures.

Our shop minimum is our base hourly rate of $150

Do tattoos hurt?

Every person’s body handles pain differently so it is hard to say how you personally will be able to deal with getting your tattoo. Most people say that tattoos are an annoyance more than anything. Keep in mind that a tattoo will only hurt while getting it done; it won’t hurt for the rest of your life.

Why do you take a deposit?

We here at Nautilus Tattoo require a deposit in order to book your tattoo appointment. Deposits save your place in the artists schedule and covers the time it takes to draw up the tattoo that was discussed at your consultation. By taking a deposit it locks both you and your artist into the appointment. The deposit will be taken off the price of the tattoo.
If you aren’t at all sure you want to get tattooed, we advise waiting to book your tattoo appointment until you are fully able to commit to getting tattooed.

Why don’t you have any flash designs in your shop?

Nautilus Tattoo is a full custom shop. We chose not to have flash designs because we enjoy giving every client a one of a kind piece instead of a design that 500 other people have. We feel tattoos are a very personal experience and we enjoy the challenge of working with each client to create a one of a kind tattoo for them.

Are your needles and other equipment clean and sterile?

Yes. Our clients’ safety and well being is very important to us. We are a fully disposable studio, which means that our needles and tattoo grips are pre-sterilized and single use only. Nothing is being re-used and are then thrown away after each client. We also cover our equipment in single-use, disposable plastic barriers and are changed after each client. We are also a latex free studio as well.

I want to make an appointment. What’s the best way to go about doing that?

(amendments for COVID-19 updated 6/2020)

(Currently the best way to set up an appointment with us would be to email us directly with a detailed description, references of the piece you are looking to get, and the artist you would like to be tattooed by.  Most consultations will be held through email with your artist of choice.  If you do not know who you would like to be tattooed by we can recommend or pair you with who we feel is the best artist for the job.).

We at Nautilus strongly encourage you to come to the shop and sit down with one of our artists and talk about the piece you are thinking about getting. By being able to sit with your artist, you are able to bounce ideas off of each other and it allows the artist to get a better sense of what you are looking for. If you are traveling a far distance and coming the shop ahead of time is not feasible, e-mail correspondence or a phone conversation with your artist would be best. If you are interested in getting tattooed our staff would be more than happy to assist you in starting the scheduling process. Please give the shop a call at 860-372-4841 or send us an email at Nautilustattoo@live.com

We cannot draw a tattoo for you without a deposit being left and also an appointment date set. Since all of our artists have a drawing schedule to keep, we cannot simply draw up the tattoo and give you a call when it is done. Since we are constantly drawing for appointments, the drawings for scheduled appointments will always take precedent.

We do require a 100 dollar deposit or more depending on the size of the piece for all appointments made. This locks you as well as the artist into the appointment. It serves as a placeholder in their schedule as well as covers the time it takes to get the tattoo drawn up. For multiple session pieces, the deposit will be rolled over to each new appointment and will be taken off of the final session of the tattoo.

What should I bring to my consultation?

(amendments for COVID-19 updated 10/2020)

(consultations will be held electronically via email with your tattoo artist.  We will update everyone when we have more information on when we will be able to take in-person consultations again)

(Some of our artists are now taking in-person consultations again, if you have a preference on in-person or digital please let us know when booking your consult!)

We can’t tell you the subject matter for your tattoo. Subject matter for your tattoo is very personal and we don’t know what you do and don’t like so its better to have a general direction or idea of what you want your tattoo to be. You can begin to look at styles of artwork in books, photography, museums and internet image searches. The more ideas you have the better. Gather pictures or objects on your own and bring them in to your consultation. Even if you can bring in styles of artwork you don’t like this will help your artist figure out and design a tattoo that you will love.

Please bring in printed materials and not just photos on your phone.

Come prepared to make your own decisions about your tattoo. No one knows you as well as you know yourself, and since this tattoo is for you we won’t consult with anyone else about your tattoo.

Can I get tattooed if I’m sick or on antibiotics?

(Please reschedule if you are feeling unwell or have come into recent contact with an infected individual, deposits will be honored in these cases)

If you are sick it is generally a good idea to reschedule your appointment. Your immune system is already fighting an infection and doesn’t need any other complications. You won’t be able to heal the tattoo as well and your healing time may be much longer. Antibiotics can hinder the healing process and we recommend rescheduling your appointment until after the course of medication is finished.

Can I get tattooed if I’m pregnant or nursing?

We don’t recommend getting tattooed while you are pregnant or nursing. Everything that enters your body is also introduced to the baby through the placenta and milk. There is a very small chance of being introduced to an allergy while getting tattooed and although insignificant to you, could be devastating to the baby. So we recommend rescheduling your appointment until after you have given birth and finished nursing.

What should I do in preparation for my tattoo?

In the weeks prior to your tattoo, especially if it’s a large sitting, try to eat healthy and take a multi-vitamin daily. Tattoos are an attack on your immune system and by being proactive about keeping your immune system healthy will mean you can sit better and the tattoo will heal better as well. We recommend not drinking or doing drugs 48 hours before your tattoo. Alcohol thins your blood and you tend to bleed more if you have consumed alcohol the night before your tattoo appointment.
Make sure to get a good nights sleep before your tattoo. The day of your tattoo make sure to eat a healthy breakfast and wear loose fitting clothing that can allow easy access to the part of your body being tattooed. You can bring juice or water with you as well as a snack. Keeping your body hydrated and nourished will allow you to sit better.

We do not recommend bringing small children to your appointment. A tattoo studio is not the best environment to expose to a child, and they can also pose distractions to the artists as well. So we respectfully ask to find other arrangements for the care of your child during your appointment.

Can I bring alcohol to drink during my tattoo?

Absolutely not. Nautilus Tattoo has a very strict policy regarding alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants in the studio. We hold to right to refuse service to anyone if you bring alcohol or any drug into the shop or we suspect that you are under the influence we will not tattoo you. This rule may seem harsh, but we are concerned about your safety and feel that alcohol or any sort of drug can put you in jeopardy while getting tattooed.

How do I heal my tattoo?

1. Leave the plastic on for 2 hours (can be left on up to 5 hours). Once removed, gently wash your tattoo with a non-fragrance anti-bacterial soap. A liquid or foaming soap works best. Wash until dried blood, ointment, and excess ink is removed. Sensitivity, swelling and redness is common for the first few days.

2. To dry, pat with a clean cloth or paper towel. Apply a very thin coat of A & D ointment, or Aquaphor Healing Ointment to the tattoo. Only apply enough to make the tattoo moist. Applying too much ointment can actually damage the tattoo, so less is better. As the tattoo dries continue to apply very thin coats 3 times a day for 3 days. Make sure to wash your hands and tattoo before applying the ointment.

3.On the fourth day switch to a skin moisturizer, like Lubriderm or cocoa butter. Apply the moisturizer once every 3-4 hours each day or whenever the tattoo seems dry. Do not use ones that contain a lot of alcohol, perfumes or dyes. Scabbing is completely normal during this period. Picking or scratching WILL damage the tattoo. An itchy tattoo is normal. It means that it is healing. Use the lotion for about 2 weeks or until all of the scabs have fallen off.

-Don’t scrub or soak your tattoo. Just wash it gently. Showers are fine, but avoid baths, hot tubs, pools and the ocean during the initial 3 weeks after getting tattooed. Soaking your tattoo during this time will result in loss of ink and possible infection.

-Don’t pick or scratch your tattoo! If the itchiness becomes intense it may mean that the tattoo is too dry. Instead of scratching it, lightly slap the tattoo.

-Don’t let your tattoo see the sun or tanning lights, especially while healing. Failure to do so will result in premature fading of the tattoo. The sun is your tattoos biggest enemy. When out in the sun make sure to use a high SPF sun block to keep your tattoo looking fresh and bright!

-Don’t listen to your friends. If you have any questions or concerns please call us or come down to the studio.

Do you offer touchups?

Yes!  We offer free touchups for our clients up to 90 days after your appointment.  After this 90 day window, touchups will be charged by that artist’s hourly rate.  This policy excludes finger tattoos  as they are prone to premature fading from constant use and skin shedding, the client assumes all risks when getting a finger tattoo.

Can I go to the gym and work out while I’m healing a tattoo?

You can but we air on the side of caution. A healing tattoo is a wound and since exercise involves a lot of movement it is possible to tear or rip the skin. Also public gyms aren’t the cleanest areas to be exposing your tattoo too. Be mindful of what is coming into contact to your tattoo. It’s better to stay away from gym equipment for the first week or so during healing just to be safe.

Do you do piercings?

Yes, we do!!!

Do you do cosmetic (permanent makeup) tattooing?

No we do not. Cosmetic tattooing requires different equipment and pigments from normal tattooing.