FAQ

You must be 18 years old. Under no circumstances will we pierce or tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with parental consent. No exceptions.

You must present a valid government issued photo ID (i.e.: driver’s license, passport or passport ID card) at the time of your procedure. We will not accept a student ID. We will not accept a photocopy or digital copy of ID. You MUST have the ID present with you at the time of your procedure.

Of course it does, but it is the type of pain that you can ignore for the most part.  Most people are able to carry on casual conversation during the process.

All tattoos are priced based on the size, location, and design of the tattoo. The shop minimum is $100 and goes up from there.

We charge more if the area is hard to get to (like the chest or hip area) or where it might be more sensitive for the customer (ribs).  Both factors slow down the process and create extra work.

For smaller tattoos you do not need an appointment, but you are welcome to make one.  We do not take tattooing appointments over the phone but you are welcome to call in a consultation appointment. If the design you want requires a good bit of preparation, an appointment will be necessary.  Saturdays are reserved strictly for walk-ins and are taken on a first come, first serve basis.  All piercing is done on a walk-in basis. 

We require a non-refundable deposit for all appointments. Deposits are $100 and are deducted from the final price of the tattoo. For larger work, please call the shop (202.337.5469) to schedule a consultation. This will insure the artist you want will have time set aside to talk to you about your design, measure the area, answer any questions you may have, and estimate the number of appointments necessary for your tattoo. Please bring in references with you at the time of your consultation.

Please bring your government issued photo I.D. (e.g. driver’s license, passport, etc.). We will not accept a photocopy or digital copy of ID. You MUST have the ID present with you at the time of your procedure. If you are showing up for an appointment, make sure that you bring the receipt for your deposit. If you are getting a large tattoo on your torso or leg, it is a good idea to bring a pillow and/or towel that you don’t mind getting stained with ink.

It is a good idea to make sure that you have eaten a decent meal within the last hour or two before having work done. For long tattoo appointments, you are welcome to bring a couple of small snacks and a beverage.

You need to keep your blood sugar up to deal with the fatigue from being tattooed.  Bring a soda, juice or candy bar along with you just in case.

Yes, we take all major credit cards.

If you feel like they did a good job for you, please feel free to do so.

Yes. All needles are sealed in sterile packages and used only once. They are then disposed of and never used again.

All ink used for the tattoo is dispensed into disposable ink caps and thrown away after each tattoo. Jinx Proof uses a Ritter M7 Speedclave brand autoclave, which we spore test bi-monthly. All tattooing and piercing equipment is sterilized on the premises.

All areas and equipment used during the process are covered in a protective plastic film.

Not from us! See above statement.

There has never been one reported case of AIDS from a tattoo. Hepatitis is a different story and is just as deadly. However, if all needles are single use (they are) and all surfaces are protected from cross contamination (they are), the risk of you contracting anything is non-existent.

The greatest risk of any infection comes during the healing process. You must be aware that your healing tattoo is an open wound. Great care should be taken to ensure that you do not touch the tattoo with unclean hands, or expose the tattoo to unclean areas (gym equipment, seats on the metro, etc.). A little common sense and diligence will make sure that your healing goes smoothly.

We take the greatest care to ensure your personal safety, please do the same for yourself.

Each tattooer will give you a business card with their name on it, with full care instructions on the back. If you don’t have this card, just follow these simple instructions:

1. Leave the bandage on for 3 – 12 hours.
2. Once the bandage is off, make sure that your hands are clean and gently wash the tattoo with a mild soap and water. Take care to wash the tattoo until all of the old ointment is off. Be gentle but thorough, do not scrub. Next, apply a thin coat of antibacterial ointment (e.g. Neosporin, Bacitracin, or Vitamin A & D). Repeat this process two or three times per day.
3. In a few days you will notice the tattoo peeling or getting a slight scab. Do not pick at it! That means its healing fine. Switch from the ointment to a fragrance free hand lotion like Lubriderm or Curel to keep it moist.
4. Keep it out of direct sunlight and do not soak it under water for at least 2 weeks or until completely healed.

If you have just gotten tattooed, it is normal to have some degree of redness and swelling for 12 – 48 hours. If you have some sort of rash, there are a few possible reasons. You may be sensitive to the soap or ointment that you are using, or you may be using too much ointment. If you have any concerns, please call us or come by.

If you bring a friend or friends with you, they will have to remain in the lobby while you are getting tattooed or pierced.  Due to limited space in the work area, we make no exceptions.

The amount of alcohol in your system, even from the previous night, can affect how a person’s body responds to a procedure. If you appear to be intoxicated or we feel that you have had too much to drink, we will refuse service