Frequently Asked Questions:

-How do I book an appointment?

Please check out the “booking info” tab! There’s a lot of information on there, hopefully that helps answer any questions.

-When will you open your books?

Each quarter, after I have filled in my schedule with ongoing pieces, I will open booking for new projects! Please keep an eye out on Instagram (@lockejessmonster) as I will update throughout the booking period with how much availability I have.

-Are you still booking mystery eggs?

I want to!! I always want to. Hopefully with my new booking process I’ll have a better heads-up of any cancellations and can then post availability to Instagram for last minute eggs!!

-What is the best way to reach you (also- why didn’t you respond to my DM/private message on social media?)

I ONLY handle work related inquiries through email or in-person at the shop. I have notifications turned off for all other messaging so I didn’t respond because I likely don’t know that you attempted to reach me that way! The only way I can keep my ADHD brain organized is to have everything in one spot, so I don’t pay attention to any other form of contact if it’s related to work.

My email is jesslocketattoo@outlook.com I only check my email when I’m at the shop and have spare time to focus so that often only ends up being once or twice a week. If I take a while to get back to you, it is absolutely not personal!!

-Do I need to schedule a consultation first?

If this is our first time working together, I’d love to schedule a consult once your appointment is on the books.

Generally, I prefer to do consults 1-2 weeks before the actual appointment so it’s fresh on my mind when it comes time to draw for it!

I always leave time on Tuesdays for video-consults. If you’d prefer to meet in person, or I need to take measurements of the space we’ll be tattooing, we can set that up as well!

-Do you require a deposit?

Nope! I hate keeping track of deposits. Instead, I have set up no-show protection through Square’s booking site. Your card info is required to book an appointment, and you will be charged a no-show fee if you no-call/no-show or give me less than 24 hrs. notice of canceling.

The great thing is that the booking service will send a confirmation email and text 48hrs before the appointment, giving you plenty of time to cancel/reschedule as needed, without incurring a fee!

-How much is the no-show fee?

Standard Appointment: $100

Full-day Session: $250

-But what if there was an emergency?

I’m a pretty understanding human! Please just communicate with me as much as you’re able.

-Do you charge for drawing time?

Nope! I love drawing custom pieces for my clients, and I never charge for that time. You will only be charged for the time the tattoo takes to be applied.

-Will I get to see the design beforehand?

Usually, no. I know this may cause some anxiety for some people, but I hope that you’ve chosen me as your artist because you like the work I do and trust that I can do the same for you! Because of how I stack clients in my books I spend my drawing time on what is coming up next in my schedule. Usually this means I won’t start working on your piece until the day or two before (and I’m often making final tweaks the morning of your appointment.)

I will have a design ready for the day of your appointment. If there’s anything you don’t like about it, that leads to the next question…

-What if I don’t like the design?

TELL ME!! I see this tattoo when it’s in the shop and that’s it. You have to live with it forever. Please tell me how you feel about it! I want you to love it; that’s my job! If there’s anything you don’t like about the design I will either: 1-fix it on the spot if it’s a small change or 2- reschedule you if it’s a big design change. 9 times out of 10, I’m able to adjust things pretty quickly! I do my tattoo designs digitally so it’s not as much of a hassle as it used to be; meaning we will probably still be able to tattoo that day! If we need to reschedule, you will not be charged.

-I haven’t heard back from you; is our appointment still good?

Yes! Sometimes it’s hard for me to find time to get through my scheduling messages. If you don’t hear from me, just assume we’re still on! You should also be receiving a confirmation email and text from the booking site to let you know we’re still good.

-What do I need to do to prep for my appointment?

Eat a big meal. Get enough rest. Don’t go on a drunken rager the night before. Basically, be nice to your body! Give it the best chance to heal nicely. I can’t understate the importance of hydration! Drink lots of water that week (you should drink lots of water anyways, but at least do it for your tattoos lol)

We keep snacks and drinks stocked at the shop, but please feel free to bring anything specific you’d like to have!

We also have aftercare available for purchase (if this is your first time getting tattooed at Jurassic, you’ll receive a free aftercare kit!)

-Can I bring a friend?

-Yes! Try not to bring a whole herd of people with you as space is limited; but a friend or two is fine.

-Can I listen to headphones during the tattoo?

If I’m totally honest, I love talking with my clients! It makes the time pass faster, and I like to get to know the people I’m tattooing. That being said, if you’re more comfortable distracting yourself, do it! This is about your comfort. So if you want to listen to music, watch a show or movie on your phone, read a book, etc, feel free to!

-Cash or Card?

Either works! I don’t have a preference. (But I don’t have a reader for swiping, so it must be chip or tap)

-How much will it cost?

I charge $200/hr. I can usually give a rough estimate of how long I think a piece will take, but that’s just an estimate and can fluctuate. If we’re working on something large that will take many sessions, honestly that’s tough to guess, but I will do my best to inform you. Please let me know if you have a set budget to stick to for a session. I don’t want to go over that and stress you out.

-Do I need a touch up?

Possibly! Skin is weird. Sometimes a little bit falls out in healing, or can be patchy-looking. Touch-ups are free! So give it 3-4 weeks to heal and then let me know if there’s anything that needs to be gone-over again.

-What kind of Massage Table/Tattoo Chair do you use?

The table I use for 95% of appointments is from Custom Craftworks and is rated for a working weight of up to 650 lbs. It’s super sturdy and actually quite comfy!

If I am traveling or at an expo, I will usually bring a travel table with me, which can support up to 350 lbs.

-Do you tattoo over scars?

It really depends on the scar. I’d need to see it in person to say for sure, but usually the answer is yes! It does need to be fully healed though before you tattoo it (no pink or red still present in the scar)

-Do you do cover-ups?

Same as scars, it totally depends on what needs to be covered, and I’d have to see it in person to say for sure.

-Is there a way to numb the skin beforehand?

I don’t have a way to numb your skin before the tattoo, but there are some options out there! I have quite a few clients that numb every time with great results, and I will never judge you for using it! If that’s a route you want to go, please let me know beforehand so I know what you’re using, and I might be able to give you some tips. My only caution is that you make sure the amount of lidocaine in the product you’re using is SAFE (generally 4%- I’ve seen some up to 5%. I do not recommend you use anything higher!)

-How private is the space?

Honestly, not super private. We have an open floor plan in the shop, with half-walls separating the stations. My station is offset a bit from the others, but visible from the lobby. We do have a privacy screen we can bring out, but at the end of the day it’s still a tattoo shop, and there will likely be other people around. Please let us know if we can do anything to help make you comfortable.