At Classic 13 Tattoo we do take walk-ins but it's best to plan ahead. Have a few concrete ideas about what you want done and how you want your tattoo to look on your body. Then, we invite you to come into the shop and cruise our many references, examples, and photo books of each artist's work for inspiration or clarification of your ideas. Choose an artist whose work or energy you like. Now you are ready to come in or call and set up a consultation with the artist you choose, and they will be glad to help realize your vision.
You can come in any time to talk to an artist. We take walk-ins and appointments. If you have a particular artist in mind, you can contact the artist through his/her social media or through email to set up a consultation. During your consultation you will discuss your design with your artist and set an appointment to be tattooed at a later date. A deposit is required for all appointments and is non refundable. We ask that you give at least 48 hours notice if you can not make it to your appointment. If sufficient notice is not given, you will be asked to leave another deposit in order to set another appointment.
On the day you come in to be tattooed, it is important that you not consume alcohol or take any aspirin. Please be clear-headed, healthy, and have a full belly! These conditions will ensure the best possible start for your tattoo, and help make the experience positive. How well your tattoo heals has everything to do with how well you take care of it afterwards, so be prepared to follow the aftercare instructions your artist provides.
Many people have concerns about the safety of being tattooed. At Classic 13 Tattoo, we are serious about our cleanliness and sterilization procedures. Our autoclaves are spore-tested by a third party laboratory every week, needles are never reused, and we use only the highest quality inks and pigments. Our artists will be happy to discuss any concerns that you may have about tattoo safety. It is important to us that you are, and feel, safe in our shop.
Yes, as a general rule, it hurts. However, people experience the pain in different ways, and some places on the body hurt more than others. Most people find that the fear of being tattooed is far worse than the pain they actually experience. All kinds of people get tattooed, and almost everyone is able to tolerate the sensation. Some people even find that they really like being tattooed!
Although tolerances for pain are different from person to person, we haven't yet had a client who asked us to stop due to excessive pain.
Please check with us for rates. You will find that we offer incredible rates given the high quality of our work, a reputation we have long earned in the Birmingham tattoo community. We recognize that tattooing is not cheap, but we are sure that your positive experience and your satisfaction with your permanent ink is worth the expense. The artist will give you an estimate, but how much your tattoo ends up costing depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the design, how long it takes to place it on your body, and how well your particular skin takes the ink.
We accept cash, all major credit cards and now we have financing available when approved via American First Finance.
It's common practice to tip your tattoo artist if you are happy with your tattoo, or felt you got extra attention. If you can afford it, a good tip is 15-20%, just like a restaurant, but any token of appreciation is welcome.
Please take a look at our Aftercare information, and read the instructions.
Many people are worried about the possibility of getting an infection from being tattooed. It is very, very rare for a person in good health who takes good care of their tattoo to get an infection. However, some people do have a reaction to the inks, or (more often) to the ointment or lotion used during the healing process. When this happens, the tattooed are may become itchy, or a pimply rash may develop. These reactions are not serious, but they can affect the way the tattoo looks when it heals, and they are sometimes uncomfortable.
We will try to include any support person you bring along, and we are mostly able to. Sometimes our space is limited and we are not able to fit another person in the tattooing room, but they will always be comfortable in our studio.
All the products we recommend may be purchased at our shop.
1. Keep the tattoo bandaged for approximately 2 hours.
2. Wash hands prior to removing bandage.
3. Carefully remove bandage and wash the entire area with a mild soap and water. Dry the area and apply a very thin layer of the ointment we supply. Apply 2-4 times per day for at least 3 days.
4. Do NOT re-bandage the tattoo, as it could stick to the bandage and damage could occur.
5. Avoid sunburn, salt or chlorine water, or hot tubs until the tattoo is completely healed.
6. In the event mild scabbing occurs, DO NOT pick at or attempt to wash off the scab. Allow scabs to fall off naturally. You may use a mild skin lotion to keep flaking to a minimum.
7. NOTE: In the first few weeks, the colors of your tattoo may look "hazy" or not as bright as when it was first done. Do not be alarmed as it is a normal course of healing and will clear up in a few short weeks.
Click on the link below to learn more about tatoo aftercare:
IMPORTANT: ANY COMPLICATIONS OR SIGNS OF INFECTION SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY!
Visit the Association of Professional Piercers website to learn detailed information about aftercare for each type of body piercing.