As stated above, our shop is an appointment based business. If you were hoping to schedule something soon you can call the shop to see if any of our artists have availability for a consultation or a tattoo that day. You can choose which artist you would like to schedule your consultation with based on their portfolios, a referral or availability.  You can also stop by in person to meet one of our artists, we do recommend that you call first; but if you’re in the area you are welcome to stop on by. If we are free we can consult with you, if not one of our artist will schedule you for their first available opening. Each artist at the shop does their own scheduling and is responsible for making their own appointments, but they will get you in as soon as they have availability. Everyone’s time is valuable, so if you are running late, please give us a call so we do not assume you are a no-show and fill your spot. If for any reason you cannot make your appointment, please contact your artist 48hrs in advance. As long as you give us 48hrs notice we will apply your deposit to your tattoo as long as you can reschedule within 90 days of your appointment date. Your cooperation is appreciated.  Please Call (760) 743-9228, No Emails Or Text Messages!!!

Each artist has a different wait time, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks. Sometimes we do leave room in our schedules for smaller tattoos or have a last minute cancelation, so someone may be able to get you in sooner. Give us a call to find out our schedules (760) 743-9228.

Yes. No Deposit, No Appointment! All of our artists are very busy due to the fact 90% of the tattoos we do are full custom designs and may require as much as 1-10hrs to design and draw. So a $60- $300 non-refundable deposit is necessary to secure your appointment. The amount of your deposit is determined by the tattoo you are getting and is at the artists’ discretion. We do not charge for the time spent drawing, the deposit is a sign of good faith and will be applied toward your tattoo. However, if you do not show up or cancel your appointment with less than 48hrs notice, your deposit will be forfeited. If you do we will apply your deposit to your tattoo as long as you can reschedule within 90 days of your appointment date. Deposits Are Non- Refundable. We Are Not Artist for Hire; Your Deposit Applies To Your Tattoo. Not Ownership of The Art!

Please be prepared for your consultation, our time is as valuable as yours! Bring any reference material you have, with you to your consultation, either printed out or on a thumb drive. Please if you bring in reference material on your phone have it saved and ready – it makes things difficult for the artist and adds time to the consult if you don’t. Reference material can be pictures from the internet, personal pictures, original art, or an object (statue, keychain etc.). Yes, we are the artist, but that doesn’t mean we can read your mind! The reference material helps us communicate with each other and gives us insight into your wants and whim. We can and will design you an awesome tattoo, but we need to know what we’re drawing for you before we start, that way we can get you what you want in a timely manner.  If you are looking to get a portrait tattoo, please bring in an 8”x10” hi-resolution photo of the person or animal you are looking to get tattooed. When it comes to portraits; we can only tattoo as good as our reference picture.

A few words of advice: consults are typically scheduled as a 30 minute appointment. Knowing where you want your new tattoo, what you’re looking to spend (We can design your tattoo around your budget in most cases ) what you want to get and having reference material ready will make your consult more time efficient for you and your artist.

Our artists generally charge by the piece for single session work, with a shop minimum of $60. For large multi-session tattoos each artist has their own rates and ways of charging, most charging by the session, some charging by the hour ($80-140hr). We generally will not give you a price quote over the phone, text message or via email. There are so many variables that go into pricing a tattoo that it’s virtually impossible to accurately quote your tattoo. We make no claim to be the cheapest place to get a tattoo and we do not haggle on our pricing. As with most things in life, when you get a tattoo you get what you pay for. Our artists are honest and fair in their pricing and we feel that you will agree.

Tell Us What You’re Looking To Spend And We Can Design Your Tattoo Around Your Budget!

Yes, we can cover-up unwanted tattoos with new ones. You will need a consultation so the artist can see what they are working with. Be prepared though, some tattoos are not easy to cover up. We may even suggest laser removal before we start the cover-up. If your artists can cover up your old tattoo, the new one will usually be a bit larger and darker than the old one. An easier and less expensive option is to re-work the original tattoo.

No. We are primarily a custom tattoo shop and do not duplicate other peoples tattoos. We would be more than happy to take the concept of the tattoo you like and do a custom drawing for you, making it unique to you and your personality. But we will not copy another person’s tattoo. However, we have 40 years’ worth of tattoo flash and ain’t too artsy fartsy to tattoo it!  (You Just Can’t Fuck With Some Of the Old timers Designs).

The majority of the time, the answer is No. We do mostly custom tattoos, which is why it is preferred for you to pick an artist who has a drawing style and vision that suites your needs and schedule a consultation with them. We are pretty Klever Kats and usually have a pretty good idea of what to draw for you after our consultation. Also, we will always schedule additional time for you on the day of your appointment, so you and your artist can discuss and make the final adjustments to your tattoo together (usually about 60 minutes).

It is extremely important for both the client and the artist to be prepared on the day of your appointment. We will provide a comfortable, relaxing and clean environment for your tattoo experience. You artist will be on time, sober, clean and ready to tattoo. The same is expected of you. Please come in well fed, rested, relaxed, sober and on time. Everyone’s time is valuable, so if you are running late, please give us a call so we do not assume you are a no-show and fill your spot. You will be required to show a valid form of ID (State ID, Driver’s License, and Passport) and fill out paperwork for every tattoo appointment you schedule. Sorry, but rules are rules.

Be Sober Or Be On Your Way, We Are, So Should you!!!!!!

Our shop is closed most holidays. However, our artists are free to work them if they choose. If we do happen to be open on a Holiday, it will be by appointment only – unless posted otherwise.

Yes. You can find us on:

Instagram: EscondidoTattooStudio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscondidoTattooStudio

NO. California law does not acknowledge Parental Consent and you cannot legally get a tattoo until you are 18 years old with a Valid ID. NO EXCEPTIONS. You will just have to wait.

Yes and No. It is impossible to know everything about each ink and its vegan properties. So, if this is an important issue to you please do your research. What is important to us is that the inks we use give the best tattoo results. That the ink we use stays in the skin for the longest amount of time with the least amount of skin reactions. Each artist has their own preferences and uses what works best for them. That being said, most tattoo inks on the market today are vegan friendly. You are free to do the research and talk to the artist about which inks they use.

Your artist will do the same quality work with or without a tip. However, tipping is a good gesture and is always welcome and appreciated, but not expected. There are no rules when it comes to tipping, so use your discretion and do what you are comfortable with. If you had an awesome experience and are happy with your new tattoo, it never hurts to show it.

No, we cannot tattoo you while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Yes. Please eat and be well hydrated when you come in. Getting tattooed releases endorphins. If you come in on an empty stomach, the endorphins your body releases can lead to nausea and light headedness.

Yes it hurts, some places more than others. The pain can even vary within the same tattoo and during different sessions. The best way to manage the pain is to be calm and relax. The more relaxed you are, the more manageable the pain will be. You signed up for this right? You can handle it.

See aftercare section.

No, only tattoos.

Your tattoo will usually heal in 4-14 days. It can take up to 4 weeks for your tattoo to be completely healed and everyone heals differently. Please follow our recommended aftercare, doing a good tattoo is our job, healing your tattoo is your job and an important one at that.

No. This is an adult based business, so no one under the age of 18. Thank you.

Of course, bringing a friend is encouraged. However, bringing a group of two or more people who are not getting tattooed is not.  So please keep it to 1-2 people.