FAQs & About
Before your appointment day
How do I book with you?
My booking form usually opens in the middle of every month, 2 months in advance. (So if you fill out a form in May, your appointment will be in July.) I accept requests until the end of that month, then review and accept depending on my availability.
I announce openings on my instagram and substack, so you can stay updated on socials or in your email :)
I give priority to flash, returning clients, and customs in my style and cannot accept everyone that submits due to my limited schedule :( but I appreciate each and every one of you for your interest in my work!!
What information do you need about my tattoo design?
When booking a flash tattoo, please send me a screenshot of my design you want to get. If you’re looking to get a custom design, it’s helpful to send inspiration images and reference photos for the design style as well as the subjects. I’ll also need to know an approximate size (in inches) and some placement options to estimate time and cost.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
Please eat a full meal and stay hydrated. Do not arrive inebriated, it’s best to avoid alcohol for at least a day prior.
Wear comfy clothes that allow access to the tattooing spot; button up shirts, shorts, and whatever underwear you’re comfortable in are all great to bring! The studio is in a basement, so it can get a little chilly too, so keep that in mind!
Do you accept (or expect) tips?
I aim to price my work comfortably for both my clients and for my own working sustainability. So while I do accept tips, they are never expected.
If you want to bring a non-monetary tip, that is absolutely welcome, and totally makes my day! I love things like handmade ceramics, tiny art, sweet or savory food, second hand jewelry, used clothing, flowers from your garden, plant cuttings, hand carved spoons, etc!
How much will my tattoo cost?
I estimate about $120 per hour of tattooing, and will always stay within the cost estimate I send when making an appointment, as long as the details of the tattoo are the same as what was described. Deposits are nonrefundable and go towards the final cost of the tattoo. Most of my flash takes from 1-5 hours to complete, and that’s dependent on size, complexity, and placement.
Flash: $120+ including $30 deposit
Customs: $170+ including $50 deposit
Get a 10% discount if you pay cash (preferred!), but I also accept Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, debit cards, and credit cards too.
Budgets are always taken into consideration. I can also accept a limited number of non-monetary trades per month.
Wait, you offer trades?
Yes, I do a limited number of trades for good and services depending on my availability and what you’re offering.
Do you:
have a skill?
make cool art?
have a surplus?
I’m open to ideas! Ceramics, paintings, furniture, food, jewelry, clothing, flowers, etc!
I can (unfortunately) only accept 2 per month, so please note if you’re interested when filling out a booking form and we can talk details.
Can I reschedule or cancel my appointment?
Rescheduling is available up until 36 hours before your appointment, after that time you will have to put down a new deposit for a new appointment. There’s a link in your confirmation email to do this. Cancellations will result in losing your deposit. Please reach out with any questions.
On booking, rescheduling, coming prepared, etc
On your appointment day
Location, Payment, Time, etc
Where are you located?
Slouch Studio is now at 333 Merrimon Ave. Suite D. Walk by Del Vecchios, just past Comic Envy, you’ll see a concrete staircase leading down to red door. That's us!
Check out Slouch’s Location instagram highlight to see a POV video showing parking and getting to the entrance.
Where can I park for my appointment?
Free on street parking is available within a 2 minute walk on Spears Ave. Please do not park in the Del Vecchios or Nest parking lots!
How long will my appointment take?
Usually around 1-5+ hours, depending on size, placement, and complexity. More complex and larger designs may be split into multiple sessions to allow the best experience for everyone. Your scheduled appointment slot is a good estimate for this, but feel free to reach out with any questions.
Can I bring guests?
Yes! But please no more than 2 guests, as this is a shared professional space that can get busy. There will be plenty of spots to hang out in the lobby and seats can easily be accommodated in the tattooing space.
Can I bring you a coffee?
How sweet of you to ask, but I try not to drink caffeine too close to tattoo appointments because it affects my hand stability and makes me wayy too chatty lol.
What’s the studio like inside?
I share a large communal tattooing room with 10 other talented tattoo artists at Slouch studio. (Though it’s uncommon for everyone to be working at the same time.)
I have space for your water bottle and your creature comforts brought from home. For more privacy, divider screens can be put around my corner to create a barrier.
I’d describe it as a creative, chill, and professional environment. Slouch is welcoming to all people inclusive of of gender expressions, races, and ethnicities. We refuse entrance to cops, ICE agents, and anyone who doesn’t respect our ethics and clients.
After Your Appointment
Aftercare, Touch ups, Healing, etc
An aftercare refresher:
Let’s break it down by what type of bandage you left with…
With a temporary bandage
Leave the bandage on until you’re home. Wash your hands, then gently remove the bandage. Clean with antibacterial soap and warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel. Add a thin layer of unscented moisturizer.
For the first week:
DO~ Wash your tattoo every day and add a thin layer of unscented moisturizer
DON’T~ Scratching and picking, tight clothing on the tattooed area, or submerging in water (no baths, pools, rivers, etc)
With Saniderm/Second Skin
Take off the Saniderm after 3 days or earlier if it peels off significantly or fills up with sweat. I recommend removing it at the end of a warm shower, and peeling it off like a command strip (parallel to your skin, not against it or away from it).
After removing the bandage, for the first week:
DO~ Wash your tattoo every day and add a thin layer of unscented moisturizer
DON’T~ Scratching and picking, tight clothing on the tattooed area, or submerging in water (no baths, pools, rivers, etc)
The first two weeks for everyone
Your tattoo might get a bit crusty - this is ok! Keep washing gently and moisturizing lightly every day. After 14 days, you can consider your tattoo healed and can resume swimming, exercising, and wearing tight pants as usual. Send me your healed photos!
How do I get my work touched up?
Touchups are always free for my clients. I want you to be content with your design as it heals. They’re easy to add on to a new tattoo appointment, or can be scheduled independently by messaging me. DM or email me anytime and I’ll squeeze you in ASAP.
Why get a handpoke tattoo?
Handpoke (stick and poke, machine-free) tattoos are poked individually with just a needle and no machine. They tend to be gentler on your skin. Though they take longer because the process is slower, many clients have said that they hurt less and are easier to heal. I chose this medium because I love the hand-done look and prefer the simpler process. Not everything needs to be the most efficient all the time!
These are done by a licensed professional artist in a sanitary tattooing environment with single-use tattoo tools. So these are not your friend-of-a-friend’s questionable basement tattoo!
About the artist
Izzy (she/her) is a self taught handpoke tattoo artist specializing in black and grey illustration and realism. She’s a licensed resident artist at Slouch in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
She received a Bachelors of Fine Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she took classes specializing in portrait drawing, illustration, graphic design, and printmaking.
Contact
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Email: milkcratetattoo@gmail.com
Instagram: @milkcrate.tattoo
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333 Merrimon Ave.
Suite D
Asheville, NC 28801