Knowledge Base

Walk-ins are totally welcome for small tattoos if an artist is free that day. Bigger pieces or anything detailed usually need an appointment, but if you just want something simple and quick, come on by and we’ll try to fit you in. If the shop’s packed, you might have to wait a bit or set up a time. Best move: swing through, talk to us, and we’ll steer you right.

Bring a valid photo ID—driver’s license, passport, or state ID—no jokes, we gotta check your age. Eat something solid before you come, so you don’t get lightheaded. Wear comfy clothes that make it easy for us to get to the spot you’re getting inked. If you have a specific design in mind, save it on your phone or print it out. Leave your whole crew at home if you can; too many people crowd the vibe. And bring whatever payment you’re planning to use—cash is fastest, some artists prefer it. If you have any allergies or skin issues, let us know right away. That’s it. Nothing fancy, just come ready and don’t overthink it.

Cover-ups are part science, part magic, but mostly just knowing what works and what doesn’t. Not every old tattoo goes away with some fancy coloring, but we tackle a lot of them. First, we need to see your old ink up close—photos help, but nothing beats seeing it in person. We’ll talk about what you want and see what’s possible based on the size, color, and age of the original tattoo. Sometimes, darker or larger designs do better for cover-ups, and sometimes it takes a little extra detail or shading to hide what’s underneath. If you’re open-minded, we’ll figure out something that looks fresh and feels like you. Bring us your old mistakes or tired pieces—we got ideas, and we’ll make sure you leave smiling.

Tattoos are priced based on both the size and how long they take. Smaller pieces usually have a set price. Bigger or more detailed work is often charged by the hour. If you’ve got a design in mind, bring it in, and we’ll give you a real quote before we start. No games, no surprises. If you’re on a budget, just say so—there’s always a way to make it work.

The main thing is how the design is drawn and where it’s placed. Super tiny details, squished lines, or itty-bitty lettering can bleed together over time. Skin ages and tattoos can spread a bit, so bold lines and some breathing room in the design hold up better. Good artists aren’t afraid to tell you if something you want just won’t last. We steer folks away from stuff that’ll blur out or fade into a muddle. If you want a crisp, clear tattoo that still looks solid in a decade, ask your artist—let us help tweak your idea so it stands the test of time. Your skin is an investment; we’re here so you’re proud of it for years.

Right after you leave, keep that bandage on for a few hours or as long as your artist told you. Wash your hands first, then gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel—don’t rub. Let it breathe a bit, then put on a thin layer of approved unscented moisturizer, not too much. Skip the Vaseline, stick with aftercare ointments your artist recommends. Do this two or three times a day, but don’t overdo the washing. Avoid picking, scratching, or soaking the tattoo; that means no swimming or hot tubs. Keep it out of direct sunlight for a couple weeks and don’t use sunscreen on healing ink—just cover it if you gotta be outside. Peeling and itch happen, but that’s normal. If anything looks weird or you’ve got worries, hit us up—we’ve seen it all.

Keep your bandage on for a few hours after you get home, then wash your hands and gently clean your tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, scent-free soap. Don’t scrub—just let it rinse. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel, then let it breathe for a bit. Use a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer or tattoo aftercare ointment, not too much or it’ll suffocate the skin. Don’t pick or scratch, even if it looks like a snake shedding; let the scabs and flakes fall off naturally. Avoid soaking in water—showers are fine but skip baths, pools, hot tubs. No direct sun, either—cover it up or wear loose clothes. Basically, keep it clean, keep it moisturized, and don’t mess with it. If it turns red, swells up a lot, or you see pus, that’s not normal—get in touch. The first two weeks are make-or-break, so treat your fresh tattoo like you’d treat an open wound. Keep it simple and you’ll heal up nice.

Keep the bandage on for a few hours, then wash your tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented soap—don't scrub. Pat it dry with a clean towel, then apply a thin layer of fragrance-free healing ointment (like Aquaphor, not Vaseline). Keep your hands off it, don’t pick at scabs, and skip swimming or soaking in tubs for at least two weeks. Wear loose clothes over it and keep it out of direct sun. If it gets red, swollen, or starts oozing anything funky, come back in or see a doctor. Healing takes a couple weeks, but follow those steps and your ink will stay sharp. If you forget something, just call or stop by—we want your piece to look its best.

We take both card and cash, so you don’t have to stress about bringing a wad of bills (unless you want to). Pay however makes life easier. Just a heads up—banks sometimes get weird about larger charges at tattoo shops, so double-check your card limit if you’re planning a bigger piece. Either way, you’re good.

Absolutely. Bringing your own reference picture is a great starting point. We’ll look at your ideas, talk through the placement, and create a custom tattoo design that fits your body the right way. No cookie-cutter stuff here. If you’re unsure about sizing or flow, we’ll help guide you so the final piece looks natural on your skin. Just bring clear reference images and your ideas, and we’ll build something one-of-a-kind together. Don’t stress if it’s your first tattoo—we’ll walk you through the whole process.

Our shop minimum is $60. That covers the setup, needles, ink, and the time it takes to do it right — even for small tattoos. If it’s your first tattoo or you’re trying to make an idea fit your budget, just reach out to the shop and we’ll talk it through.

Yep, we do both tattoos and piercings. Whether you're looking for fresh ink or a new piercing, our team can help. Give us a call or stop by Curly's Tattoo Parlor in Athens to talk through what you're looking for. 💉🖋️

You must be at least 18 years old to get tattooed. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. School IDs, birth certificates, and photos of IDs aren't accepted. No valid ID, no tattoo—it's that simple. If you have questions before your appointment at our Athens tattoo shop, give us a call.

Start by looking at each tattoo artist's portfolio to find someone whose style matches your idea. Bring reference photos, explain what you're looking for, and be open to their recommendations on what will work best on your skin. At Curly's Tattoo Parlor in Athens, we take time to talk through every detail before the ink starts, so you can feel confident you're both on the same page.

Before using any tattoo or piercing equipment, everything is cleaned and prepared to professional standards. We use single-use, sterile needles, fresh gloves, and protective barriers for every client. Reusable equipment is sterilized in an autoclave, and all work surfaces are disinfected before and after each appointment. If you have questions about our process, just ask—we're happy to walk you through it.

For a small to medium tattoo, most appointments take about one to three hours, depending on the size, placement, and level of detail. Simple designs may take less time, while pieces with more shading or intricate work can take longer. Before your session, your tattoo artist will go over the design, answer your questions, and give you a realistic time estimate so you know what to expect.

If your tattoo heals unevenly or fades more than expected, reach out to us. Once it's fully healed, we'll take a look and let you know if a touch-up is needed. Healing can vary from person to person, and a quick touch-up is sometimes all it takes to get your tattoo looking its best.

You can use numbing cream, but talk to your tattoo artist before your appointment. Some artists have preferences about what products you use and how you apply them. If you’re worried about pain, bring it up ahead of time so everyone’s on the same page. Better to ask first than gamble with your skin.

Absolutely. If you want to refresh faded lines or change some details, bring the tattoo in and let your tattoo artist take a look. We’ll talk through what you want, what’s possible with the existing ink, and whether it can be handled in one session or needs more work. No judgment—just a clear plan for making the piece feel right again.