Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book an appointment?
The most efficient way to set up an appointment is to reach out directly through email to the individual artist you are interested in. To speed up the process, please include all information that is listed in our CONTACT page in your email inquiry.
If you are unsure of which artist you would like to work with, please visit our CONTACT page and fill out a detailed and descriptive form there. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Where are you located? What are your hours?
We are located in Milpitas, California.
(Address is provided upon appointment confirmation)
Hours + Days vary with each artist
Daily | 9:00am - 6:00pm
Does your shop take walk-ins?
We are appointment only.
We do not take walk-ins because we are a custom design shop that wants to take the time to listen to your idea, consider the subject, size, placement on the body, detail, etc. and ultimately draw up a personalized piece. You may come to our shop any time during open hours to find out more information, or have a consultation with one of the artists if they are available. We are more than happy to help! We do have select walk-in days dedicated to special events/holidays that are posted on social media.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
We suggest eating a full meal at least an hour before you get here and stay hydrated. Feel free to bring any snacks or beverages. Water will be available at the shop.
Wifi is available and you may bring entertainment to keep yourself busy (headphones, ipad, book). To limit crowding the space, we request that you bring only one extra guest.
If you are using your phone during the session, be aware and cautious of any movements which may affect how we are tattooing you.
Dress appropriately for your session with the placement of the tattoo in mind, and clothes you don’t mind getting possibly dirty.
To save time, shave the planned area prior to your appointment if there is any hair.
If you are sunburnt or have any other skin issues in the planned area, you will need to reschedule.
We strive to keep our hygiene and sanitation the highest priority. Therefore, we ask that clients shower at least the day of/night before their session to maintain our standards.
For the protection of some of our high risk employees and clients, we ask that all clients help reduce opportunities for exposure. If you are feeling unwell in any manner, please reschedule.
Expect to be there longer than the actual tattooing time. It is likely there will be time allocated for stenciling, resizing, repositioning, or freehanding the design directly on skin. We will not rush through this part of the process; therefore, it is recommended to have your whole day free as the stencil/foundation of the design is the most important part of a tattoo. We do not charge for this portion of the time and the hourly charge will only start when tattooing.
How long will the tattoo take and how much will it cost?
Each ARTIST at PARALLAX has their own individual rate or price by piece.
We cannot guarantee an exact time frame or price for you due to these factors:
Time and Price depends on:
How complicated the design is: whether there is a lot of detail, shading, linework, dotwork
If the piece will be black/grey or color
Everybody's skin consistency is different and some skin may take the ink better than others.
Placement of the tattoo: different areas may be easier to tattoo than others (arm vs ribs)
How big the piece ends up being (sometimes the initial size is not the size we end up with)
How long the client can sit: if shorter hours it will be more sessions, if longer hours it will be less sessions but more work done. If there’s lots of breaks it can disrupt the flow of tattooing, if less breaks it will allow more to get done.
How well you take care of the tattoo after: Aftercare is the most crucial part of keeping a tattoo looking fresh. If you do not follow directions, it is likely the tattoo will need to be touched up or reworked.
We can give you a ballpark estimate but it can always be more or less than what is given to you. What is important to know is that a good tattoo takes patience!
How does the deposit work?
The deposit goes as credit towards the last session of your tattoo or towards the custom drawing as long as you don't cancel your appointment(s) all together. You also forfeit your deposit if you show up more than 30 minutes late to your appointment, reschedule your appointment with less than 48 hours notice, or do not show up to your appointment(s) without notifying the artist. A new deposit will then need to be made.
What is the shop minimum?
Our shop minimum is $150.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Our resident artists currently take cash, card, or NFC (apple/google pay). If you are booked with a guest please enquire with them their preferred method of payment.
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?
HSC 119302.(a) Pursuant to Section 653 of the California Penal Code, a client shall be at least 18 years of age to receive a tattoo or permanent cosmetics application, regardless of parental consent. In accordance with this law we have a strict No Minors policy. Not only must you be 18, you need proof of a valid State or Federal Photo ID. No exceptions.
Do tattoos hurt?
The level of pain varies with each person and body part that you are getting the procedure done. Some people may be more sensitive in one area than another for someone else, and each person's pain tolerance is different. For the most part, we tell our clients to expect pain, but to keep in mind that pain is only temporary. The work of art on your body will be forever and worth it when it is all finished.
How long does it take a tattoo to heal?
It takes about two weeks to “heal,” but it takes months for the skin to fully regenerate. If your skin is peeling or shiny in texture, then it is not done healing yet. The tattooed portion should have the same consistency as your skin around it.
Will I get to see a drawing or sketch before my session?
Unfortunately our artists do not send drawings prior to the appointment because of the number of new projects they have daily/weekly. Depending on each clients individual piece, drawings may be done for the day of an appointment or drawn directly on the skin, while others may be done a couple days before. Projects are prioritized in the order they are received so your piece one week or month from now will not be ready until the day of at the shop. This may seem intimidating; however, it is easier to discuss the design in person if minor changes are needed. This is why it is important to understand and trust an artists style, expertise, and skill by carefully looking through their portfolio to get an idea of how your piece may be. Having a clear idea will also help the artist in designing your piece. Major design changes may result in a new deposit to be put down.
What are your aftercare instructions?
Please remember our job as tattoo artists is to execute the work; however, it is your responsibility to take care of it after. If you are investing good money on your artwork, make sure you also invest dedicated time into treating the artwork as your baby. Listen to what your artist tells you as every artist may have various techniques depending on the different amount of trauma they have done to the skin. Always ASK the artist (not your friends) if you are concerned for whatever reason and before doing anything you are unsure of. We have no control over how well you want to take care of your tattoo, but only hope you do so for the sake of the quality and longevity of your tattoo.
Full aftercare instructions:
Full Sandierm aftercare instructions: