To get ready for your first appointment with the best tattoo artist you can find, bring reference images and your placement ideas, eat a real meal, drink plenty of water, and wear clothes that give easy access to the area being tattooed. Understanding how the deposit and session work ahead of time makes the whole day calmer, and good prep leads to a better tattoo.
At Tim Lease Tattoos, we work from Golden Tarot Ink Club on Howell Branch Road in Winter Park, just outside Orlando. If you have questions before your appointment, reach out to our studio or call 407-725-7072.
What reference images should you bring to your tattoo appointment?
Bring a few clear images that show the style, subject, and feel you want. They do not need to be finished designs. They are a starting point for a custom piece.
Good references might include photos of tattoos you like, artwork, patterns, or objects that matter to you. If you love a certain line weight, shading style, or level of detail, save examples of that too. Tim is known for blackwork, mandalas, and custom tattoos, and he also works in color, so references help show which direction fits you.
Look through the portfolio before you come in. It is the best way to see whether an artist's style matches what you have in mind, and it gives you language to describe what you like. Browse our tattoo portfolio for examples.
Keep your references on your phone, organized in one album. That makes it quick to show them during your consultation or on the day of your session.
How should you plan placement and sizing?
Think about where the tattoo will go and roughly how large you want it before your appointment. Placement and size affect the design, the session length, and how the tattoo will age.
Consider how visible you want it to be at work and in daily life, and how it will sit with any tattoos you already have. Think about how the design will move with your body, too. A mandala on a shoulder or forearm reads differently than one on the back.
Tim draws designs digitally for each client. He takes a photo of your body at the appointment and draws the tattoo to fit you on the day. Larger pieces may be drawn the morning of or the evening before.
That approach means the design is built around your actual placement, not a generic template. If you are not sure about size or location, book a free in-person or Zoom consultation first and talk it through.
What should you eat, drink, and wear on tattoo day?
Eat a solid meal before your appointment and stay hydrated. Showing up on an empty stomach can make you feel lightheaded during the session.
One of our clients called ahead before his first appointment to ask if he should skip breakfast. He was anxious and thought an empty stomach would help. We told him what to do instead: eat, hydrate, and bring what he needed for the appointment.
He showed up with his reference pictures and an extra sandwich. That is exactly the right idea, especially for longer sessions.
Wear comfortable clothes that make the tattoo area easy to reach, like a loose shirt for an arm piece or shorts for a leg piece. Pick clothes you do not mind getting a little ink on. Orlando heat can make you sweaty on the drive over, so breathable fabrics help. Bring water, a snack, and something to keep you entertained during long sessions.
How do the deposit and session flow work?
You reserve your appointment with a booking fee, then pay for the tattoo at the session. Knowing the details up front avoids surprises on the day.
Our hourly rate is $250. The booking fee ranges from $100 to $400, depending on session length, and it applies toward your tattoo. The fee is non-refundable and is forfeited if you reschedule, cancel, or do not show up. Online deposits are paid through PayPal. In-person deposits and session totals are cash only, and there is an ATM in the studio.
Larger tattoos can be split into multiple sessions, and you can book your next one at the end of each session. Our hours are 12 pm to 10 pm, with Wednesdays and Sundays by appointment only.
You can book online or come by for a free consultation first. Book a session or a cover-up consultation online.
What should first-timers expect from a professional tattoo studio?
Expect a clean, organized space and an artist who explains each step. In Florida, tattoo artists and studios are licensed by the Department of Health, and a serious studio takes hygiene seriously, with fresh needles, gloves, and a sanitized station for every client.
A good artist will also take time to answer your questions, check placement with you before starting, and make sure you are comfortable throughout the session. Tim holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts and has built an international reputation for blackwork and mandala tattoos.
Quality is worth the wait. Booking with a skilled artist may mean planning ahead, but you will wear this tattoo for life, so it pays to choose carefully and prepare well.
Ready to start? Contact Tim Lease Tattoos or call 407-725-7072 to reserve your consultation and take the first step toward your tattoo.