F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions
Get in touch if you have further questions <3
Booking, Pricing & Policies
How do I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment by filling in the booking form or emailing bookings@manitattoo.com with all the necessary information. I will respond to you with a quote and the next steps going forward.
How much are your tattoos?
Most of my flash designs are priced from £150 to £500 depending on size & placement, but some of them will require more than one day-session to be finished. Custom designs have a minimum price of £240. Script/text tattoos fall in the category of custom designs.
If you want to book me for the day (1-6pm) and get multiple designs or start a big piece for a fixed day rate, that would cost £650 (flash/pre-drawn designs) and £750 (custom).
I also offer the option of spreading the cost of your tattoo in instalments via GoCardless.
If you have a specific budget, please mention it in the booking form so we can work reasonably within that.
How do you take payments?
Deposits are made via GoCardless or alternative option if necessary.
For the rest of the payment, you have the options of using GoCardless again, doing a bank transfer, or paying by card. A 2% fee is added to card payments.
Why is the deposit non-refundable?
The deposit protects my time, ensures administrative work is covered, and—for custom requests—covers the design creation time.
After your appointment is booked, if due to any unforeseen circumstances you need to reschedule your appointment, and you let me know with at least 72 hours notice, your deposit will remain valid. The deposit will be withheld, though, if you cancel at any time, don’t show up on the day or reschedule more than once.
The deposit is valid for three months from the date of payment.
Do you accept tips?
Yes, tips are accepted and welcomed. You can tip in person, via bank transfer, or with snacks, plants, or gifts for the studio.
Is it okay to arrive early or late?
Please aim to arrive at the scheduled time of your appointment. If you arrive too early, there might not be anyone in the studio to receive you.
I allow a 25-minute grace period. If you are more than 30 minutes late, a 20% late fee will apply.
Health & Safety
How old do I have to be to get tattooed?
You must be at least 18 to get a tattoo under UK laws. It is required that you bring your photo ID at the time of your appointment. Parental consent for minors is not accepted.
Can I get tattooed while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We adhere to a wait recommendation of 9–12 months after birth.
It is generally recommended to wait until the child is no longer solely dependent on breastmilk to reduce potential risks and avoid the need for potentially unsuitable post-tattoo medical treatments.
How should I prepare for a tattoo session?
The week before getting your tattoo and throughout the healing process it is important that you stay hydrated, eat well and get lots of rest.
At least 3 days before your session, start exfoliating and moisturising the area to be tattooed once a day. Hydrated and moisturised skin absorbs the tattoo ink better and gives better results when healing. The tattooing process will also be less painful if your skin is well moisturised and you are well hydrated.
On the day of your tattoo make sure you eat breakfast/lunch, and feel free to pack some snacks to bring along with you in case you have a long session booked in.
Please avoid alcohol, blood-thinning medications, and limit caffeine consumption on the day of your tattoo. Ideally avoid these substances 3 days before and 3 days after your session as well. Don’t come in hungover, drunk or intoxicated with any substances — it will cause the process to be more painful and the tattoo won’t heal as well afterward.
Remember to wear comfortable clothing and items you wouldn’t mind getting stained by ink.
Which body placements are generally the least painful or best for a first tattoo?
Pain tolerance is highly individual. However, areas like the outer arms and outer legs are generally considered less painful and more beginner-friendly than highly sensitive areas like the ribs or inner joints.
What kind of ink do you use? Is it vegan?
I use Kuro Sumi and Dynamic Ink for blacks and Eternal Ink for colours. All of them are vegan, made with plant based glycerin.
Design Creation & Tattoo Process
Can you tell me more about the custom design process?
I work on the designs the day before and sometimes even on the morning of the appointment, so you will see it when you arrive at the studio.
At the time of the appointment we have the opportunity to discuss the design and make any adjustments/changes you’d like. Communicating this way in person is much easier and stress free. Due to the intuitive nature of my process, I find that most of the time the adjustments are very minor. But, of course, you are encouraged and more than welcome to take as long as you need to decide on the final design.
If in the end you’re still not happy with the design, we can cancel the appointment and reschedule for a completely new design. This would require you to pay another full deposit to secure a booking.
When can I see my custom design?
You have two options:
1. See the final design on the day of your appointment (Standard).
2. Receive sketches up to 2 weeks prior (Higher Deposit): For a £150 deposit, you can receive preliminary sketches to approve and request changes before the final design is prepared.
I only begin working on sketches or the final design after your deposit is paid and the booking is confirmed.
Do you tattoo over scars?
I do tattoo over scars and can work with their shape, but I will require a consultation beforehand. I do not create designs with the intention of completely covering up or disguising a scar.
Do you do cover-ups/reworks?
Cover-ups: I do not do complete cover-ups. I will do blast-overs if that interests you.
Reworks: I only rework very old tattoos, or tattoos where you cannot reach the original artist for a fix/touch-up.
How long does the tattoo session take?
While I reserve 3-4 hours for a standard session, it is difficult to predict exactly how long a tattoo will take, as it depends on factors like size, placement, skin type, and the complexity of the design.
Healing
How long will my tattoo take to heal?
The healing varies depending on each individual but it can take up to two weeks. You can find more aftercare information here.
Do you offer free touch-ups?
Yes, the first touch-up is complimentary. Please reach out within the first 6 months of receiving your tattoo to schedule it. Touch-up requests for tattoos older than 6 months will incur a charge.
About the Studio
Where are you based?
I’m currently based in London, UK. I am a resident artist and the founder of Studio Egúngún, which is located in East London (E14). The closest station is Limehouse (DLR). Closest tube station is Mile End. As it is an appointment-only studio, you will only be given the full address once the deposit is received.
Is your studio accessible/step-free?
Unfortunately, the studio is not step-free at the moment as it is located on the first floor of a building with no lifts.
Can I bring a friend to my tattoo session?
As the studio is on the smaller side, you are allowed to bring only one person (+1) with you. Please let me know in advance if you plan to bring a guest.
About the Artist
Where are you from?
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where I lived for most of my life.
How long have you been tattooing for?
I started tattooing in October of 2017.
What is your professional background?
I studied graphic design and worked as an illustrator before transitioning to tattooing in 2017.