Frequently Asked Questions & Shop Policies:
Do you take walk-ins?
*We are an appointment only studio for piercings, jewelry shopping, and tattoos.*
Please make an appointment to ensure someone will be available to help when you come in. Our piercer and artists will post on their social media if they are accepting walk-ins.
Do you pierce or tattoo minors?
No, we only pierce and tattoo 18 and up. No exceptions.
Is parking available?
Yes, we have parking available in the rear of the shop, and also to the side of the shop. (Please do not block the alleyway through the neighborhood, or park in front of the shop.) If the spaces around the shop are full, parking is available on 13th Street.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, cards, and Apple/Google Pay.
How do I book an appointment?
To book a piercing appointment, visit our website:
https://www.empress.tattoo/book-now
To book a tattoo consult appointment, please text the word Consult and your first and last name to the shop:423-427-6642,
or check our Artists page to fill out the artists application form.
https://www.empress.tattoo/artists
Consults are free.
Do I need to book a consult appointment?
We do recommend booking a consult appointment ahead of time to discuss your tattoo idea with an artist. They will be able to give you accurate pricing and details for your tattoo at that time, and you can book an appointment afterwards if you'd like to. Consults are free of charge, and there is no obligation to book afterwards.
Do I have to leave a deposit?
If you are booking an appointment, we do require a deposit at the time of booking.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
We allow one reschedule per deposit. If you need to reschedule a second time, you will need to leave a new deposit. If you need to reschedule your appointment, please give us 48 hours notice, and we can roll your deposit to a new date. Anything less than 48 hours, you will have to pay a new deposit to reschedule. Deposits are non-refundable, so we do not refund should you need or decide to cancel. Please see our Policy page for more info.
Which artist should I book with?
Each of our artists have different styles. We recommend you checking out each artists portfolio to see who has the style closest to what you have in mind. You can find each artists portfolio on our Artists page.
How much will a tattoo cost?
The cost of a tattoo will vary, as each of our artists have different hourly rates and prices. We recommend booking a free consult appointment to meet with an artist to chat about your idea and they can give you accurate pricing.
Will a tattoo hurt? Can I use numbing cream?
A tattoo is not a pain free experience, and pain will vary depending on size and placement of your tattoo. Check with your artist beforehand to see how they feel about numbing cream.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
We recommend you have a good meal and hydrate well before coming in for your appointment. Getting a good nights sleep the night before helps as well.
Can I bring a guest?
Yes, you can bring along a guest for support.
We recommend only bringing one person, and not a group.
If you have you have any other questions, please feel free to text the shop at 423-427-6642
Shop Policy:
Tattoo Policy:
We do not pierce or tattoo minors. 18+ only.
Deposits: Deposits are taken before an appointment is scheduled. Deposits cover the artists time if a client cancels or no-shows to their scheduled appointment. Last minute cancellations, reschedules and no-shows will result in a forfeit deposit. DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!
Rescheduling: Please give us 48 hours notice if you need to reschedule your appointment. Your deposit will be rolled over to the new date if we are given 48 hours notice. Should you need to reschedule a second time, we may ask for an additional deposit for the new spot. ** If you reschedule less than 48 hours before your appointment date, you may have to put down a new deposit.
Cancellations/No Show: If you need to cancel your appointment, we ask that you give us at least 48 hours notice. We cannot refund your deposit for a cancellation, but we can work with you on a new booking date. Deposits are not refunded if you need to cancel your appointment. Deposits can only be rolled over to a new date. Deposits are non-refundable.
No ID: If you do not bring your ID, we cannot do your tattoo. This will be considered a cancellation/no show and you will lose your deposit.
Late Arrivals: If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, we may ask to reschedule you for another day so we do not get behind on our other appointments. This will be done at the artists discretion, and you may be asked to leave a new deposit.
Design Changes: Minimal design changes and tweaks can be done after you arrive for your appointment. We can not do any major changes or complete design changes at your appointment. You will need a new consult/appointment for that.
Touch Ups: Touch ups are free, except on finger tattoos. Those will be a $20 fee.
Piercing Policy:
ID: Identification is required for all piercings. If you do not have ID, you cannot get pierced.
Cancellations: Please give us 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment. If you cancel less than 24 hours after your appointment time, you will be charged the $35 piercing fee. ($45 for ear curation w/ piercing appointments.)
Reschedule: Please give us 24 hours notice if you need to reschedule your appointment. If you cancel less than 24 hours after your appointment time, you will be charged the $35 piercing fee. ($45 for ear curation w/ piercing appointments.)
No Show: If you no-show to your appointment, you will be charged the $35 piercing fee. ($45 for ear curation w/ piercing appointments.)
Late for appointment: If you are more than 5 minutes late for your appointment, we may not be able to do your piercing, and you will have to reschedule for another day. This will be considered a canceled appointment and you will be charged the $35 piercing fee. ($45 for ear curation w/ piercing appointments.)