Appointments
How do I book an appointment?
​If you are wanting to get a tattoo by Ruby, please first read over her Frequently Asked Questions below, then fill out an appointment request form. You will usually receive a response to your submission within ​5-7 days.
Do I have to make an appointment to get tattooed?
Yes. Once your appointment request form has been received and approved, you will be contacted to pick an appointment date and place a deposit. You will then be contacted again 1 week prior to your appointment for photos of the area you would like your tattoo placed. If you require an in person consultation prior to your appointment, please let us know when we reach out to you just before your appointment.
How soon can I get an appointment?
Ruby is in high demand! Because of this, there is currently about a 6 month wait to get in with her. Due to booking this far in advance and Ruby's convention and guest spot schedule, appointments are subject to change upon finalization of travel plans. However, in the event that we need to reschedule your appointment, we will give you as much notice as humanly possible.
Can I schedule an appointment with you even if I am not local?
Yes. Please be sure to let Ruby know when submitting your Appointment Request. 
How can I prepare for my appointment?
Even if you have been tattooed before, please be sure to thoroughly read through the Pre-Service information page before coming to your appointment. There are a lot of great tips, tricks, suggestions, recommendations and requirements that will greatly benefit you and prepare you for getting tattooed, so please read over them carefully and be sure to email us if you still have any questions.
Pricing
How do deposits work?
​Deposits work as a placeholder to guarantee your appointment date and are required to secure your appointment. All appointments require deposits. Deposits are $200 and are non refundable. Deposits may be transferable if rescheduling with advance notice; they are generally forfeit on reschedules within 72 hours of the appointment date. Deposits are included in the total cost of a tattoo and are subtracted from the last session.

Deposit may be forfeited under Ruby's discretion for the following reasons:
• No call/No show.
• Showing up more than 1 hour late with no communication
• Canceling within 72 hours of your appointment (case by case basis)
• Deciding not to get tattooed after making an appointment
• Showing signs of intoxication
• Bait and switch: drastically changing your originally submitted tattoo concept last minute
• Disruptive or rude behavior

​Deposit expires completely after 6 months of no dialogue. As long as you keep in touch or are attending appointments this does not apply to you. Life happens and we understand, but we cannot hang on to deposits or reference material if you disappear for a long time! 
what is included with my tattoo?
Ruby only tattoos one person per day, so as well as spending the day with Ruby, your appointment also includes the following:
- Original artwork drawn to fit your body
- 100% Vegan products
- Specialized numbing and aftercare products
how are prices calculated?
Tattoo prices are based on how long a tattoo takes to complete multiplied by her hourly rate; generally there is no charge for a reasonable amount of small break sessions and set up for a tattoo. Below are Ruby's current hourly rates and deposit amounts by state/region:

Pennsylvania - $200 - 3 hour minimum
New York - $200 
Oregon - $200
California - $200
Ohio - $150
Puerto Rico - $150
What forms of payment are accepted and when do I pay?
Ruby prefers cash and Venmo, but also happily accepts Debit and Credit cards. If you would like to pay in cash but aren't sure how much to bring, please send us a message ahead of time and we can give you a rough estimate. If you prefer to pay with Venmo, please download the app to your phone (links below) as well as link your debit/credit/bank information prior to your appointment.

Venmo
Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.venmo&hl=en
IPhone:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/venmo/id351727428?mt=8
HOW DO TOUCH-UPS WORK?
On tattoos that were executed originally by Ruby, you will never be charged for a touch-up, however tips and forms of gratuity are always appreciated. Please be sure to wait at least 1 month to let your tattoo heal fully before contacting us via email to schedule your touch-up. Please be sure to include a clear photo in your email so that Ruby can be prepared for with what will be needed at your touch-up appointment.

Ruby does not offer touch-ups on other artist's work, however if you are already in getting an original piece from her and it's a quick fix, she will likely be more than happy to accommodate you if you ask her nicely. :)
Etiquette
Can I bring my friend/family member to the appointment with me?
You are welcome to bring a guest, but we ask that you please limit it to one person.
Can I bring my child to the appointment with me?
Legally you may not bring minors into a designated tattooing area within the building. Aside from the legality of it, while tattoo shops are fun places to be for adults they can be dangerous and inappropriate places for children. For their safety and for the consideration of others please arrange for their care while you are at your appointment.
My appointment is coming up soon, can I see my artwork?
Ruby only tattoos one client per day and always plans to spend the entire day each person no matter how big or small the tattoo is. She strives to give each person her undivided attention and the best experience possible. Because of this, you will see your tattoo design on the day of your appointment. If you require any minor changes to your design, you will be able to make them together before she begins tattooing you. 

Ruby works best via email and we will request photos of the area you want tattooed about a week prior to your appointment. When we reach out to you, we will request that the photos need to be taken in a well lit room, by a friend, as straight on as possible and with a ruler included in the photo next to you but not obstructing the area so that Ruby can design your tattoo to the proper scale. If you have any additions/changes/specific elements that you require in your design that you did not include in your original submission, please be sure to let us know when we reach out to you. 
Can I get tattooed if I am intoxicated?
You cannot. Not only is it illegal to tattoo anyone who is intoxicated, but getting tattooed while intoxicated negatively affects your decision making processes and could make your tattoo more painful.
What if I have an appointment but I'm not feeling well?
Ruby will not take appointments with anyone who is sick, getting sick, not yet fully recovered from an illness, or contagious in any way. If this is the case we are happy to reschedule you. If you decide to show up to your appointment and you are ill or are showing any symptoms of illness, she will ask you to come back when you are better, so if you are not feeling well for any reason please stay home, rest up, and reschedule your appointment for when you are fully recovered.
Should I tip?
Yes, it's customary to tip your artist if you're happy with your tattoo, or felt you got extra attention. A good tip is 15-20% of the total cost of your tattoo including deposit, similar to what you might leave in a restaurant, but any token of gratitude is appreciated.
how long will it take and how long should i expect to be there?
Ruby only tattoos one person per day so that she can give each client her undivided attention. Please plan on spending the day with her regardless of what size your tattoo is and please make any necessary arrangements ahead of time so that this is possible and you are not rushing her...a rushed tattoo is not a good tattoo!

If you are concerned about how long your tattoo will take due to budget constraints, please be sure to mention this when submitting your appointment request and we will do the best that we can to accommodate you. 
More FAQs
Can I get tattooed if I am under the age of 18?
In Pennsylvania you may not get tattooed while under the age of 18. A parent may not give permission for a minor to receive a tattoo. A minor may only be tattooed under the recommendation of a medical doctor to address a specific physical medical condition; doctors may not approve purely artistic tattoos for minors.
Does getting tattooed hurt?
In a word, yes, but it varies greatly between different people and locations on the body. Every individual is different and there is no way to predict how getting a certain tattoo will feel to you. Being well rested and well fed, as well as going into the tattoo with a calm, positive state of mind can be very helpful. Ruby is here for you and will do everything she can to make the process as comfortable as possible, please do not hesitate to let her know if you ever need anything. For those who know they are extra sensitive, ask us about booking multiple short sessions to complete the tattoo rather than one or two long ones. We can also advise on specialized numbing products if this is something you are interested in trying.
What if I am allergic to latex?
Not a problem! Ruby uses nitrile gloves which are latex free.
are your supplies really vegan?
Yes, all products that Ruby uses on your skin during your tattoo have been confirmed by each company as Vegan. As you may or may not know, some tattoo inks contain animal-based glycerine, and some black tattoo inks are still made with bone char. Below is a list of inks and all other products Ruby uses:

Tattoo Ink:
Eternal Tattoo Ink (confirmed via their website)
Dynamic Tattoo Ink (confirmed via email)

​Other Products:
SecondSkin Tattoo Salve (confirmed via their website)
SecondSkin Aftercare Bandages (confirmed via email)
Stencil Stuff Stencil Adhesive (confirmed via their website)
Dr. Bronner's Hemp Baby Soap (confirmed via their website)
Spirit Stencil Transfer Paper (confirmed via website)
ARE YOU COMING TO MY CITY ANY TIME SOON?
Possibly! Ruby is planning on attending several conventions and cities in the next few years. For an early look at which conventions she already plans on attending, please see her Travel Dates Page. All event/travel plans will be announced on her Instagram as soon as they have been finalized so make sure to turn on post notifications so that you can be first to know when she makes the announcement. If you are interested in having Ruby come to your city, please submit a general inquiry and we will look into adding your city to the list!
DO YOU HAVE PRINTS OR OTHER ARTWORK FOR SALE?
All items for sale are available in Ruby's online shop.
DO YOU DO COMMISSIONS FOR NON-TATTOO ARTWORK?
We are sorry, but Ruby is not currently doing art commissions. If you are interested in finding out when she will open commissions again, please join her mailing list here.
Still have a question that wasn’t answered here? Contact us here and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

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