Can be found in the flesh at my shop Code of Conduct Tattoo 14 E. 11th St. Chicago, IL 60605.

Sorry, no same-day appointments or walk-ins. My schedule is usually booked a couple of months ahead. However, I do my best to fit in small, simple tattoos sooner through my 'Lil' Tattoo Request' form. Just be patient! Remember, a tattoo is permanent, well kinda. So take your time planning it, even if it's small. I understand the urge for spontaneity, but maybe just chill. 🥶 To submit a request, Click Here.

YUP - 是的 - हां - SÍ. — 😖 But! Don't worry! The pain isn't as bad as you might imagine or have heard. It varies from person to person, depending on where it's located and other factors. Think of it like someone rubbing a fresh sunburn—annoying, yes, but not excruciating. So, relax, you'll be okay. 😮‍💨

Tattoos are indeed quite permanent, but over time, they can fade and spread, especially in areas that get a lot of sun exposure, aren't well cared for, or are on thin, flexible, and high-friction skin like hands, fingers, elbows, and arm creases.

Certain tattoos fade quicker than others. Those without clear outlines, done in light or pastel colors, diluted hues, or those lacking solid black areas and overall contrast against the skin tend to fade first. Small, densely detailed tattoos also have an expiration date. The intricate details can eventually blur, blend, and the design may become foggy or hard to recognize. This usually happens around the 4-5 year mark, sometimes even sooner if it was poorly done or very tiny.

Any skin puncture carries a risk of infection. When getting a tattoo, make sure it's done in a reputable studio under sanitary conditions by a trained and licensed artist who follows proper sterilization procedures. They should use gloves, cover their equipment, and use 'single-use' needles. A good artist should explain the procedure and answer your questions without making you feel uncomfortable.

I only use sterile, single-use, disposable needles and equipment, so your safety is a top priority.

The tattoo artist should also consider your comfort level with certain parts of your body being exposed and touched. In most cases, it's unnecessary to expose private areas during a tattoo. Unfortunately, some in the industry may exploit or pressure you to be uncovered or naked, claiming it's for efficiency. If you ever feel uncomfortable in any tattoo studio or with any artist, you have every right to leave. I encourage you to report any inappropriate behavior to the shop owner, regardless of where it occurs.

I've worked on tattoos that range from taking seconds to years to complete. The time it takes depends on the design's complexity, size, location on the body, and the individual receiving the tattoo.

My rate is $250 per hour.

Larger projects like full sleeves or back pieces might take 8 to 10+ sessions, depending on factors like skin type, size, and details. Since tattooing is an art, it's hard to predict the exact number of sessions needed for each project and person.

Smaller tattoos have a minimum cost of $300, covering up to 1.5 hours of work. Any additional time is billed at $250 per hour. If your tattoo is super tiny or you only want tiny one, it'll be billed at my minimum rate of $100. (requesting multiple small/tiny tattoos can also help you meet the $300 minimum)

All appointments require a $100 deposit, which is non-refundable. The deposit reserves your date and covers drawing and preparation costs, deducted from the total tattoo cost. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 14 days' notice, a new deposit is needed. No-shows or arriving over 40 minutes late without notice forfeits your deposit. You can reschedule once without losing it.

I prefer cash but can also accept credit, debit, and digital wallets.

If you have a budget, let me know, and I'll help you explore options to fit it if possible.

After two weeks, your tattoo should be sealed and healed if you've followed proper care: cleaning it, moisturizing with fragrance-free lotion (or lightly with natural skin oil if you're fancy 😉), and mostly leaving it alone. During this time, your tattoo might develop a silvery sheen on the skin's surface, which is completely normal and part of the healing process. Don't worry.

If a part of your design didn't heal correctly or if you experience fading down the road and want a touch-up, feel free to visit me. I'm usually happy to fix any imperfections for free (if it's my fault) or for a small fee (if it's an old tattoo I did for you).

Steer clear of any body of water for about a month after your tattoo is completely finished. During that time, stick to showers (no baths!) and stay out of saunas, hot tubs, pools, lakes, oceans, ponds—you get the idea—to prevent an infection 🥴—Duh. You’ll even want to avoid strenuous activity that can cause lots of sweating, like not working out at the gym for at least the first 4-5 days from getting your tattoo.

☞ TATTOO AFTERCARE

Nah - Not always - I try to avoid certain tattoo requests, like those for the face and fingers, underage individuals (obviously), racist/offensive designs (obviously), or anything I don't feel comfortable creating. This includes designs that I don't think will look good or hold up well as they age on the skin.

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." - Not every idea or design works well as a tattoo on the skin. There are limitations, like small details (text, super thin lines, space between lines, etc.), color, size, skin tone, and placement on the body that play into these limitations.

I don't do cover-ups, tribal/samoan tattoos, face tattoos, or reworks. Sorry.

I use top-quality inks and needles from industry-leading suppliers who prioritize safety and quality. These products are manufactured under sterile conditions and meet the highest industry standards. The inks I use are high-performing, vegan, and undergo rigorous safety testing. They are trusted and loved by both artists and customers. Some of the brands I prefer include: Dynamic Color Co., The Solid Ink, Cheyenne, Kwadron Needles, Black Claw Needles.

Haha, if I had a nickel for every time someone asked this, I might not have to tattoo anymore 😵‍💫. But don't hesitate to ask; I've got some fun stories to share!

😂 — I'm not, and I don't mean to. Sorry. I just happen to have that resting serious face 🫤😑😐😑 and give off a vibe that says, "Don't talk to/bother me" somehow. Honestly, I'm just an intensely focused introvert juggling many thoughts at once—probably hyper-focused on my customer and the tattoo I'm working on. Or I might be lost in thoughts about my dog Frankie, which plants need watering, my motorcycle, cameras, my shop, or...TacoSss 🌮🤤. Next time you see me, feel free to casually flip me the bird 🖕🏼. I'll crack a smile 🥹

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All tattoo requests receive a reply. Please check your SPAM folder, as my website emails often end up there for many people, even after the initial response. If you haven't heard back or never received a response, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram.

Check your inbox and SPAM folder for messages with the subject title: '[Your Name] - LIL' TATTOO REQUEST' or '[Your Name] - TATTOO REQUEST' from the domain @ames32.com.

Requests from individuals I don't hear back from are archived in a folder. If you submitted a request a while ago and are just reading this now, please contact me and I can search for your inquiry using your information.

Sometimes, email addresses entered in the form are misspelled, causing my replies to go undelivered or to the wrong place. Please double-check and ensure all your information is correct before submitting.