“ I can no longer make my appointment…what should I do? ”
We’re well aware that things come up and plans change - but if you’re unable to make your appointment for any reason, here’s all the information you’ll need to know in order to follow tattoo etiquette.
Notice Period
You should always contact your artist as soon as you know you won’t be able to make your appointment via their chosen method of communication. The sooner you get in touch the better. Make sure you read all the policies sent over by your artist during the booking process. In these, your artist will detail their cancellation policy and how long you have to notify your artist if you’re unable to make your appointment.
To follow correct etiquette it’s important you stay within the notice period specified. We appreciate that emergencies can happen, so if this is the case, get in touch with your artist as soon as possible to let them know and it will be at their discretion how to proceed.
Sickness
If you’re unwell for whatever reason close to your appointment, let your artist know straight away. Getting tattooed while under the weather isn’t a great idea - your body will be too distracted fighting the illness to have the energy to endure being tattooed and the healing process as well.
Tattoo artists also come into close contact with you during your appointment and as they are self employed, sick days don’t exist so they try to keep from getting ill where it can be avoided.
Similarly, if you are going to the doctors for anything that might impact your ability to be tattooed - you should let your artist know straight away. The sooner they’re aware that you need to be rescheduled the better - leaving it to the last minute makes things extremely difficult for your artist. If you’re being prescribed medications, always check with your doctor if it’s safe to be tattooed while taking them so you can let your artist know.
Fees/deposits
If you’re outside of your notice period you may be required to pay a cancellation fee or a new deposit to secure any rescheduled dates. At HOLM*, if we aren’t given at least 2 weeks notice a new deposit will be required and this is all outlined in the cancellation policy we send out when we’re booking you in.
Deposits are non-refundable so if you’re unable to make your appointment your deposit will not be refunded. If you’re required to pay a new deposit due to cancelling your original booking, the first deposit will be lost.
Reschedules
If you need to reschedule your appointment, it’s important to bear in mind that your artist may not have dates nearby to move your appointment to. Depending on your artist they may be fully booked and so you’ll have to wait for an appointment to become available.
Effects of cancellations
Once again, tattoo artists are self employed. This means that if you cancel your appointment outside of the accepted notice period, your artist is missing out on a day of work if they’ve set aside a full day for you. Without ample time, it can be difficult to find somebody else to fill your slot.
No calls/no shows
This is when somebody doesn’t show up to their scheduled appointment and doesn’t call or email ahead to let their artist know and is considered disrespectful in the tattoo industry. Not letting your artist know you can’t make your appointment means they’ve travelled into work, set up their station ready and have spent time drawing your design - all things they now won’t be compensated for.
Some artists won’t tattoo you after this so if it’s an artist you know you’d like to be tattooed by in the future make sure you get in contact - it only takes a minute to let your artist know you won’t be coming.
