Where are you located?

I operate out of Aurora Tattoo Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is located in the Hale neighborhood in South Minneapolis, in between Lake Nokomis and Diamond Lake. I typically take appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Where can I see examples of your work?

I primarily share work on my Instagram. For those of you who don’t use social media, I also have a Substack where I post as well.

Are your books open?

Yes they are. My flash is available for booking year round. To book a flash piece, send me an email at birchbeast.ttt@gmail.com with the design you’re interested and some placement ideas.

For custom projects, I book farther in advance since I accept fewer of them per month. To book a custom tattoo, fill out the custom form here on my website, and my assistant or myself will answer your request when we’re able.

What are your rates?

I typically charge by piece, unless I’m tattooing large scale work. Here’s roughly how that looks:

Minimum: $200

Palm-size: $250-$350

Hand-size: $350-$450

Water bottle-size: $450-600

Larger then that-size: $200 per hour.

If you want a more specific quote, please feel free to reach out!

Do you require a deposit?

I require a $105 non-refundable deposit in order to secure your appointment. $100 of that deposit is deductible from the final cost of your tattoo. The other $5 covers fees associated with my booking provider. I require a deposit to ensure clients show up for their appointment, and that my time is not wasted.

What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?

If you need to reschedule your appointment, please do so within 24 hours of our scheduled appointment time. Appointments needing to be rescheduled sooner then 24 hours notice will result in your deposit being forfeited.

Cancellations result in forfeiture of your deposit. If you’d like to rebook the appointment in the future, you will be required to book a new appointment to do so.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I prefer cash the day of our appointment. For circumstances where that is not feasible, I can also accept debit or credit cards via a Square reader.

How to prepare for my appointment?

Plan to get a full night’s rest the evening before. Arrive well hydrated, and well fed. A body needs fuel when it’s under duress! We also have drinks and snacks available at the studio. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable, dark clothing that you aren’t precious about. While I do my best to avoid making a mess, accidents do happen!

During dryer times or winters here in Minnesota, it is also a great idea to moisturize the week prior to your tattoo. Lotion is your friend!

Do you accept tips?

Tips are always appreciated! Your tip should reflect the experience you received. Generally tipping starts at 20%, but most folks opt to leave more. You are welcome to do whatever is feasible for your financial circumstances.

I also like receiving certain non-monetary items as gifts, such as: iced matcha with oat milk, Arnie palmer with unsweetened tea, Copic or Prismacolor markers that are in good order, Pokemon cards from 1992-2012, experiences (example: you work at a restaurant where you can get me a discount or something’, let’s chat!), quarter-size or larger Lake Superior agates.

In the event you are unable to tip, consider leaving me a Google review on the Aurora Tattoo page!

What’s you aftercare process?

I offer a traditional wrap (soaker pad with coban tape) that you remove in a few hours, or an adhesive clear bandage that you can leave on for a few days. The brand of adhesive bandage I currently use is called Opsite Flexifix.

For an in depth aftercare rundown, here’s a link to the shop’s aftercare page.

Do you do touchups?

Every tattoo heals differently on every body, and that’s part of what makes the process of getting tattooed so amazing. That being said, should your tattoo need a little extra love, I do offer free touchups within one year of your initial appointment.