Booking a tattoo involves a little more than picking a date. Here’s how deposits, rescheduling and touch-ups work at Mantle, so there are no surprises between your first message and your healed tattoo.
Why we take a deposit
When you book, your artist blocks out one-on-one time for you, time they can’t offer anyone else. They also prepare your design ahead of the appointment. Even if you bring an exact reference, it still needs to be drawn up, sized and prepared for tattooing.
A deposit holds that time and covers that preparation.
How the deposit works
- It’s $100, paid when you set your appointment.
- It goes toward your tattoo. It isn’t an extra fee; it comes off your final price.
- It’s non-refundable and non-transferable. It’s tied to your appointment, so it can’t be refunded or passed to someone else.
Our shop minimum is $150, so even the smallest tattoo is at least $150, including the deposit. See how our pricing works.
Rescheduling without losing your deposit
Life happens, and we’ll be as reasonable as we can. To move your appointment and keep your deposit:
- Give at least one full business day’s notice. A same-day or last-minute change isn’t enough notice.
- Text or call us at 323.395.0049 and we’ll find a new time.
With that notice, we’ll reschedule without asking for a new deposit.
To make it quick, include in your text:
- Your name and the date and time of your current appointment.
- Your artist, if you know who you’re booked with.
- Two or three new days or times that work for you.
That usually lets us confirm a new slot in one reply instead of a back-and-forth.
Changing your design after you book
Your deposit is tied to your appointment, not to one exact drawing, so changing your mind about details is fine. What matters is how big the change is:
- Small changes (adjusting the size a little, moving an element, swapping a flower) are easy to make on the day, when your artist shows you the drawing.
- Bigger changes (a different concept, a much larger piece or a new placement) are best sent to us as early as possible. Your artist may need more time to redraw, and a much larger piece may need a longer appointment.
If you’re unsure which category your change falls into, text us. We’ll tell you whether it fits your current booking.
Cancellations and no-shows
- Cancelling an appointment may forfeit your deposit. If you think you might need to cancel, ask about moving it instead; with reasonable notice, we can usually find another day or time.
- No-call, no-show appointments forfeit the deposit, and a new deposit is needed to book again.
We send text and email confirmations when you book, plus text and email reminders before your appointment, so it’s hard to miss one by accident.
Touch-ups: one free in the first year
Healing isn’t always perfect. Sometimes a spot heals lighter than intended, or a little ink falls out as the skin recovers. That’s normal, and it isn’t a sign anything went wrong.
That’s why every tattoo comes with a free touch-up within the first year. A few things to know:
- Wait until it’s fully healed. Healing usually takes two to four weeks; a healed tattoo is no longer shiny. Touching up skin that’s still healing does more harm than good.
- Text us at 323.395.0049 to set up your touch-up. A photo of the healed tattoo in good light helps.
- The touch-up is free, although artists always appreciate a tip.
A touch-up fixes spots that healed lighter than intended. Adding new elements, enlarging the design or changing it is new work, and we’ll quote it like any other tattoo.
Following our aftercare instructions gives your tattoo the best chance of healing evenly the first time.
Paying for your tattoo
We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal and Cash App. The deposit comes off your total, and you pay the balance at your appointment.
Booking questions FAQ
Does my deposit lock in the price?
Your deposit holds your time. The price is quoted per piece, based on the final design, size and placement, so if the design changes significantly, the quote can change too. Your artist will confirm the price before starting.
How do I know my appointment is confirmed?
You'll get a text and an email confirmation when you book, and reminders by text and email before the day. If you haven't received a confirmation, text us and we'll check.
Can I book more than one tattoo with one deposit?
Tell us everything you'd like done when you book. We'll let you know whether it fits one appointment or needs more than one.
Ready to book? Send an appointment request or text 323.395.0049. You can also start with a free virtual consultation.
