FAQs

Yes! Consultations are free and recommended, especially for larger tattoos. During a consultation, you will meet your artist on a set date and time for 15-30 minutes to discuss your vision, location, sizing, and details. If your appointment isn’t already booked, your tattoo artist will schedule you then. It is also not uncommon for your tattoo artist to request you put down a deposit for larger tattoos due to the amount of pre-work needed to ensure your tattoo looks great!

You can reach out to our artists via Instagram, or use our Booking Request Form here.

Yes, we typically require a $50 or $100 non-refundable deposit depending on the length of your appointment. The deposit will be put toward the final cost of your tattoo. For any reason, if you reschedule, cancel, or no show the deposit will be forfeit.

In many cases, your artists will begin working on your tattoo even before you get there and will also decline other appointments to ensure they’re available the date and time you choose.

A deposit shows your artist you are serious, and to compensate the artist for their time composing the tattoo and readying supplies in case of a no-show or last minute cancellation.

Our studio takes call-ahead walk-ins, based on availability, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12 p.m to 8 p.m. on Sunday. We are open otherwise by appointment only. We recommend calling or texting us at (808) 649-2627 to see when an artist might be available. We do strongly recommend setting an appointment further in advance.

We tattoo minors ages 15–17 with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Minors are limited to tattoos on the arms and legs only.

The minor must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian for the entire appointment. If the tattoo requires multiple sessions, the parent or legal guardian must be present for all sessions.

Required Documentation:

• Minor's government-issued photo ID (passport, state ID, driver's license), OR school ID accompanied by a birth certificate

• Parent or legal guardian's government-issued photo ID

If the parent/guardian and minor have different last names, additional documentation may be required, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court guardianship paperwork linking the parent or legal guardian to the minor.

We do not accept insurance cards or Social Security cards as identification. Legal guardians must provide guardianship documentation. Without the required identification and supporting documents, we will be unable to perform the tattoo service.

Black Palette Tattoo Studio is located on the 3rd floor of Waikiki Shopping Plaza on 2250 Kalakaua Avenue. It’s the building with Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Tenore, and Stix Asia on the street level. You may take the elevators to the 3rd floor. On the 3rd floor, once exiting the elevator, take an immediate right down the hallway and you will see our studio to the right.
For instructions on how to enter our parking garage, click here.

The cost of your tattoo will depend on its size, location, complexity, and time needed to complete it. Our studio minimum is $125 inclusive of tax. For a larger project, pricing is determined by a number of factors such as the length of the session and whether or not your tattoo is color. Session costs will vary depending on your tattoo artist’s rate.

We prefer cash. An ATM is conveniently in our studio for your use. We do accept card — there is a 3% surcharge added to each card transaction.

Different areas may hurt more than others, but also depends on each person’s pain tolerance. If you are nervous about the pain of your tattoo, we will supply and apply numbing cream to your skin for an additional fee. You will need to come one-hour prior to your appointment start time to allow for the numbing cream to set.

Please do not drink alcohol or use any over-the-counter blood thinning medications like Ibuprofen or Aspirin within 24 hours of your appointment. Refrain from using tanning beds at least two weeks prior to the appointment. If you’re going into the sun, cover the location of your future tattoo and/or use generous amounts of sunscreen.

Starting the day before, hydrate, eat a full meal, and get plenty of rest. We also recommend you wear loose, comfortable clothing that will limit obstruction to the area where your future tattoo will be. We also recommend a nice shower (:

The parking garage for Waikiki Shopping Plaza is located on Lauula Street. You may click this link to navigate to the entrance of the structure: https://goo.gl/maps/ucoPapLUsP9tahrH7 

Our studio offers two (2) and three (3) hour validations at a discounted rate. If you plan to make it a day in Waikiki, or have a session over three hours, a Daytime Special is available for $15 up to 10 hours.

You must bring a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, etc.) with you to your appointment. Other than that, feel free to bring your headphones, an iPad, book, or magazine, and any non-alcoholic beverage with a lid. If you like to be social, we do love watching shows and movies together!

It’s more important to be comfortable than fashionable when getting a tattoo. Looser is better than tighter, and keep in mind you want to be able to cover up certain places that might show, depending on where you're getting your tattoo.

If your artist has provided you with exceptional service and art, we do encourage you to tip them whatever is affordable to you. Similar to hairstylist or massage therapists, we recommend a tip anywhere between 15 and 25 percent, but it’s totally up to you.

Yes! But we ask that you limit your guests to only one extra person. Contact your artist directly to see if we can accommodate an exception for special circumstances. Please note that children requiring supervision will not be allowed in the shop while you are getting a tattoo.

Our tattoo aftercare recommendations are located here.