Come well rested, well fed, hydrated. This will make the pain level more tolerable and your tattoo will come out nicer. This is not just for you, but your artist as well. When your blood sugar is low, your body can twitch, making it difficult to tattoo.

NO ALCOHOL IN YOUR SYSTEM! Take care of your body. Please don’t go out and drink the night before. This can dramatically affect your tattoo experience, from the pain level, to how long it will take, how much you will bleed, and how well it will heal.

Bring a valid ID, any reference materials or ideas for your tattoo design, and wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed.

A combination of being skilled, realistic and good communication with the client. I think it’s really important to listen to my clients. I also make sure I am realistic about what will look good after the healing process is finished. I really like to ensure they are going to LOVE the work for years to come.

There are a lot of trendy tattoos I won’t do because I don’t believe people will be in love with them for years to come.

The healing process for a tattoo typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the size and placement. During this time, it's crucial to follow the aftercare instructions provided by Raven to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.

For more detailed aftercare instructions, please visit our Aftercare Instructions page

Every client is a little different. I love having open communication with clients who tell me very directly what they want, rather than process of elimination. There are a lot of clients who will tell me everything they don’t want before they get into the thing they do want. If I’m able to have a conversation to better understand what you do want, this is more helpful.

Education, understanding styles, and how things work is also an important part of a tattoo. When the client is realistic and openminded about what is possible and what is going to look good, they will end up with a far better tattoo. Please be careful with your Pinterest boards as many of these tattoos are AI created.

I think it’s important to consider how the tattoo will heal and the longevity of it, rather than what’s going to look good in the moment for a picture.

Yes, Raven provides a preview of the tattoo design before the appointment. Designs are typically shared a day or two before the session to allow for any minor adjustments. If you have specific ideas or changes, it's best to communicate them in advance. Raven’s goal is to ensure the final design aligns with your vision, resulting in a tattoo you’ll love for a lifetime.