Phone: (03) 9939 7498 | Email: smtattookew@gmail.com
FAQS
CLICK HERE for our Deposit and Appointment Terms & Conditions
Do I need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be tattooed?
As per current government legislation, we do not currently require all clients to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend their
appointment or consultation at Sacred Monkey Tattoo.
Where are you located?
We are located at 99 Denmark Street, Kew, Victoria 3101. If you’re driving, there is parking available across the road on Wellington Street. Please allow yourself enough time to find parking as it is limited! If you’re catching public transport, you can catch the 109 or 48 tram from the city, or the 200 or 207 bus and get off at Kew Junction. From there, it’s a 1 minute walk to the studio.
How do I make an appointment?
You can get in touch with us in so many ways! You can submit a booking enquiry via our website, or send an email to smtattookew@gmail.com. You can also call the studio on 03 9939 7498 or shoot a message to one of our social media pages, which you can find here and here. Our studio manager, Tegan, will get back to you in 24-48 hours.
We may request a consultation with you prior to your tattoo appointment, depending on the size and complexity of the design you’re after. If it’s something nice and simple, often we can just book you straight in once we’ve got some information from you.
I’m under 18, will you tattoo me?
Sorry, mates! In the State of Victoria it is required by law for individuals to be 18 years or older to receive a tattoo, even with parental consent.
Can I bring my kids, family, partner or friends to my appointment?
As we do not allow entry to anyone under the age of 18, we are unable to accommodate children and infants at your consultations or appointments. We also have a one-in-one-out policy: at this time we do not allow guests, groups of friends or partners, into the room while you are being tattooed. Please understand they will be asked to leave and that this is a non-negotiable.
We have created a studio where respect is paramount and ask that you be understanding that for the sake of safety, comfort and privacy, having additional people or children can pose risks and distractions to the artists and clients that share our space.
Can you copy a tattoo from another artist?
Artists at Sacred Monkey Tattoo will not copy or replicate another artists custom work. We produce custom artwork based on the references provided and the agreed upon stylistic content. We want your tattoo to be personal and just for you!
How much will my tattoo cost?
There are a lot of variables that may dictate the final cost of your tattoo. Although our artists try their best to give an accurate price range, parameters such as your pain threshold and the size, detail, complexity and placement of the tattoo can affect the initial estimate. If you have a maximum budget you’d like to stick to, please let us know.
You may request an estimate of the cost of your tattoo at the time of booking your appointment. An estimate is a ball park figure, based on the information you provide us about that particular design at that moment in time. As such, any estimate that you are given is subject to increase or decrease before or during your appointment.
We have a studio minimum of $120-$150, an hourly rate of $200-$220, a half day rate of $600 and a full day rate of $1,100. Please note that some artists work off an hourly rate, some price on the individual design and some work on session rates (half day and full day). If you want to book with a specific artist, reach out to them directly for pricing information.
Will I get to see my design before my appointment date?
Generally, artwork will not be provided before the date of the appointment, however exceptions may be made at the discretion of the artist. You can request a short consultation prior to your appointment to view the drawings in person, which can be an opportunity to discuss any minor changes you want made. Please speak to your artist directly for more information.
What happens if I change my mind about my design?
We can occasionaly accommodate minor changes to your design at the last minute at the request of the client, but this may affect the cost of your tattoo; and if you were given an initial estimate, this estimate may now be rescinded. Major changes or a complete re-draw of your design, at the last minute and at the request of the client, at the very least will result in the requirement of a new drawing fee paid by the client to the artist, and it may also affect the total cost of your appointment, and if you were given an estimate it may now be rescinded. In some circumstances, major changes or a complete re-draw of your design, at the last minute, at the request of the client, may result in having to reschedule your appointment, which means you will forfeit your deposit and will need to pay a new one to the artist to make a new appointment. In addition, completely changing the style in which you want your tattoo (e.g.: changing from American Traditional to Realism), may result in the cancellation of your appointment with the artist you booked in with, which means you will forfeit your deposit and will need to make a new appointment and pay a new deposit with a new artist. While all of the artists at Sacred Monkey Tattoo are flexible with what they are capable of executing, they may not be able to execute a style that they don't specialise in.
Please understand that if you change your mind short notice, that we have to spend additional time re-drawing your design and this is not a service that we offer for free. We ask that you please contact the artist or the studio as far in advance as possible if you’ve changed your mind about your design.
Once you have paid a deposit and confirmed your appointment, you are acknowledging a commitment to the agreed upon design that you have provided us and to your tattoo.
Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my tattoo appointment?
We always suggest that you get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy meal prior to your appointment. We would prefer that our clients avoid the consumption of alcohol/drugs for at least 24 hours before their appointments. Be sure to wear some comfortable clothes and shoes that aren’t difficult to take on or off. We also encourage you to bring water and some snacks for your appointment.
IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WHERE NUDITY WILL BE INVOLVED:
We ask that you please wear the appropriate underwear, i.e. a g-string, especially if you are getting a back piece or a bodysuit, as this will allow the artist to work easily over the necessary areas subject to the nature of your tattoo/appointment. Please also bring a robe and slip on shoes so you can easily take them on and off, as you may need to take a break or use the bathroom throughout your appointment. It’s preferred to not be frequently getting dressed and undressed throughout your appointment, to avoid cross contamination, infection and irritation. We can provide privacy screens for your appointment; your comfort and safety are paramount to Sacred Monkey Tattoo! If you have any concerns about the above, please do not hesitate to reach out to the studio via phone or email, or contact your artist directly.
How do I look after my new tattoo?
After finishing your tattoo, we will wrap it in cling film. Within 1-2 hours of receiving your tattoo, remove the cling wrap and gently rinse it under warm water and unscented soap, to wash off the goop and plasma. It’s fine to give it a good massage with your fingers to ensure you’ve thoroughly cleaned it, but please do not use fingernails, loofahs or exfoliating mits! Pat your tattoo dry with a clean, dry towel and do not re-bandage.
Apply a very thin layer of aftercare cream/balm and gently rub into the skin. There’s no need to use excessive amounts, as this can irritate the tattoo and cause problems. We recommend using products that are natural, unscented and not too harsh. Repeat this 2-3 times per day for the next 5 days and then switch to using a natural moisturiser, free from alcohols and perfumes.
It's really important that you avoid prolonged exposure to water and sun for 2 weeks, while your tattoo is healing. That means no spas, saunas, swimming, steam rooms, surfing, the beach, etc. Taking part in activities like these can affect hour your tattoo heals and even cause infection. You can exercise, as long as you have a shower directly afterwards.
Itching and irritation is normal while your tattoo is healing. You’ll notice your tattoo will flake and scab, and a slight layer of skin will come off during the healing process. Please do not pick or scratch your tattoo! It’s best to let your body to heal it and the scabs fall off naturally. If you’re experiencing an itching sensation, please do not scratch - slap it instead! This is the best form of relief.
We encourage you to wear loose, comfortable clothing to cover your tattoo, especially at night for the first 48-72 hours, to avoid getting ink and blood on your bed sheets. If you don’t want to wear clothing while you sleep, that’s no worries! Just place a towel down on the bed. Your tattoo will generally take between 1-3 weeks to fully heal. The healing time depends on the placement and density of the tattoo, how well you look after it, and how strong your immune system is.
Always apply sunscreen to your tattoo to better protect it from the sun and to ensure a longer lifespan of your tattoo.
Skin colour (pigment in the skin) does affect the vibrancy of any tattoo. Some fading is normal and is a part of getting a tattoo.
Can I use numbing cream?
If you wish to use numbing cream for your tattoo appointment, please discuss this with your artist as far in advance as possible prior to your tattoo appointment date.
If you use a numbing cream other than the one we recommend and your skin has a negative reaction resulting in the artist not being able to tattoo you, your appointment may be cancelled, you may forfeit 100% of your deposit, and may be liable to compensate your artist up to 100% of the appointment cost.
How can I pay for my tattoo? Do you take InkPay or AfterPay?
Sacred Monkey is cash only and we ask that you please bring cash at the time of your appointment. We have an ATM inside our studio for your convenience and there are also ATM's located on High Street, Kew. We do not accept any other forms of payment.
Deposits are accepted in cash in person, or by card using a secure link to an online deposit form.