If you're not sure if you want a tattoo, simply don't get it. You will walk around with it for the rest of your life. (On the other hand, a tattoo will last you a lifetime!) While it may seem that way these days, tattoos aren't for everyone.

Nowadays you are no longer solely dependent on the tattoo artist's drawings/flash. You can look up beautiful designs yourself on Tumblr, Pinterest, and even Google images. Take your time. If you still want a particular design after two weeks or a month, it might be time to make an appointment. Tip: do not just search on (‘subject’ ‘tattoo’), but also on (‘subject’ ‘drawing’) or (‘subject’ ‘painting’), etc.

Tattoo parlors are always busiest in the summer. That makes sense, because in the summer everyone wants to parade with a nice tattoo, but it is also unwise. Sun, sea and chlorine are harmful to newly applied tattoos. So be smart and preferably book an appointment between September and May.

It is not recommended to get a tattoo if you suffer from one of the following conditions:

• Diabetes

• Haemophilia

• Chronic skin disease

• Allergy to tattoo materials or ink

• Immune disorder

• Cardiac and vascular abnormalities

Don't get a tattoo either:

• In places where you have undergone plastic surgery or radiation in the past year;

• On a scar less than a year old;

• In a place that was tattooed less than six weeks ago;

• In a place where a tattoo was lasered off less than three months ago or where the laser wound has not yet healed;

• On irritated skin such as bumps, dark moles or swellings;

• If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

• If you are pregnant

Pain is relative. Everyone experiences pain in their own way. Also, one place is more painful than the other place. In addition, it depends on the type and size of the tattoo.

But let's not fool each other:

yes, getting a tattoo hurts.

Make sure you are fit and rested. The pain is worse if you have a hangover, for example, or if you are not feeling well. We also advise everyone to come to the shop with a full stomach. Getting a tattoo takes energy and you don't run a marathon on an empty stomach.

We are a shop approved by the GGD. This means that we adhere to the latest safety requirements. You can find us on the site: www.veiligtatoeerenenpiercen.nl.

In addition, tattooing has become much safer in recent decades. In the past, tattoo artists still made their own needles and they were simply rinsed clean and reused at the next customer. Nowadays there are such strict guidelines that everyone must adhere to that the chance of an infection is minimal. Practically everything that can come into direct or indirect contact with the open skin during tattooing consists of single-use disposable products.

However, there is always a small risk of complications, with allergic reactions being the most common. However, we only work with top brands of ink (Eternal, Silverback, Panthera). These brands have the best reviews and the fewest complaints. In this way we hope to keep allergic reactions to a minimum. Do you want to make sure you are not allergic? Then you can have a test dot tattooed with us for a small fee.

Everyone has their own specialties and their own style. If the artist thinks they can't tattoo a certain design nicely, they don't do it. Either we adjust the design, or we refer the customer to a colleague who we think can do it better.

Tattoos are not cheap. As a rule of thumb, shops charge between 100 and 150 euros per hour. If you are curious what your design would cost, please send an email with the design and the desired dimensions to: abattoirrotterdam@gmail.com. Also mention the place on your body where you would like the tattoo.

Click on our Aftercare page for detailed aftercare instructions.

Send an email with a design or idea and the desired dimensions to: abattoirrotterdam@gmail.com. Also mention the place on your body where you would like the tattoo and we will contact you.