FAQ
Studio hours
Our regular weekly opening schedule.
| Day | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
| Monday | Open | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| ThursdayToday | Open | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Friday | Open | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Saturday | Open | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
These hours may be adjusted by appointment or tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. Walk-ins are welcome for consultations, but please note that if you’re looking to get a tattoo, you may need to wait until the current session is completed, or we can schedule you for a future appointment. We recommend calling ahead to set up a consultation for a more personalized experience.
Closed days, holidays, and staff off days: Review studio closures and scheduled staff days off before planning your visit. No closures or staff days off are listed for this month.
Closures & staff availability
If you’d like to stop by simply to check out the studio, feel free to visit, grab a few business cards, and spread the word to your friends!
We’re always happy to meet new faces.
A $20 consultation fee is required when scheduling a half-hour consultation online. This fee ensures that the appointment is honored and prevents no-shows from blocking valuable time in the schedule that could otherwise be used for longer tattoo sessions. The full $20 is credited toward the cost of your tattoo when you book your appointment, so it is not an additional charge—just a commitment to keep your reserved time.
Please note that walk-in consultations are always free when Chris has available time between appointments or during periods when he is not actively tattooing. If you would like to stop by for a consultation without scheduling online, there is no charge. Calling, texting, or messaging ahead is recommended to make sure time is available and to help minimize your wait.
- Tattoo deposits (40%) serve as a commitment to both the artist and the client. When you book an appointment, your artist dedicates valuable time to designing a custom piece tailored specifically to you. This process involves research, sketching, and refining the artwork to ensure it aligns with your vision. Additionally, the deposit secures your appointment time, preventing other clients from booking that slot. If you cancel or fail to show up, the artist not only loses the time spent preparing but also experiences a direct loss of income, as that reserved time cannot easily be filled on short notice.
- Piercing deposits (20%) are required to secure your piercing appointment and reserve your dedicated time with our piercer. This ensures your spot isn’t left abandoned and allows Dee to be fully prepared and ready for you when you arrive. The deposit helps prevent no-shows and last-minute cancellations that take time away from other clients and the piercer’s schedule.
Deposits help ensure that professionals are fairly compensated for their preparation and protect the integrity of their schedule. For these reasons, all deposits are strictly non-refundable. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to the process. Rest assured, this deposit IS NOT an extra fee—it is applied directly toward your final service total on the day of your appointment. It’s simply our way of keeping things fair, respectful, and running smoothly for everyone.
Studio price list
Browse service pricing, deposits, and estimated appointment times by staff member.
Chris
Tattoo Services
9 services| Service | Price | Deposit | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person Consultation | $20.00 | 100%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Tattoo - Hour | $100.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 1 hours |
| Tattoo - Two Hours | $200.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 2 hours |
| Tattoo - Three Hours | $300.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 3 hours |
| Tattoo - Half Day | $375.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 4 hours |
| Tattoo - Five Hours | $475.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 5 hours |
| Tattoo - Six Hours | $575.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 6 hours |
| Tattoo - Full Day | $750.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 8 hours |
| Tattoo - TAPOUT (Consultation Required) | $900.00+ tax | 40%Percentage | 8 hours |
Dee
Piercing Services
38 services| Service | Price | Deposit | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person Consultation | $10.00 | 100%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Lobe (1) | $39.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Lobe (2) | $65.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Daith | $59.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Rook | $59.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Industrial | $89.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Helix/Forward Helix | $45.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Flat | $48.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Snug | $49.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Tragus/Anti Tragus | $49.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Conch | $59.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Nostril | $49.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Septum | $59.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Bridge | $79.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Labret | $58.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Vertical Labret | $69.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Lowbret | $65.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Medusa (Philtrum) | $59.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Monroe / Madonna | $59.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Ashley | $75.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Jestrum (Vertical Philtrum) | $75.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Snake Bites | $89.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Spider Bites | $89.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Angel Bites | $89.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Dahlia Bites | $97.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Venom Bites | $124.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Eyebrow | $49.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Naval | $69.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Anti Eyebrow / Teardrop | $69.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Cheek / Dimple (1) | $75.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Cheek / Dimple (2) | $99.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Surface Cheek | $99.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Tongue | $49.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Smiley | $73.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Dermal / Specialty Tier 1 | $75.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Dermal / Specialty Tier 2 | $99.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Dermal / Specialty Tier 3 | $125.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
| Dermal / Specialty Tier 4 | $199.00+ tax | 20%Percentage | 0.5 hours |
All deposits are nonrefundable
Please note that a 5% processing fee applies to all transactions except cash.
Booking deposits are securely processed through PayPal, Shop Pay, or Affirm – our trusted online payment providers. No PayPal account is required—credit and debit card payments can be made seamlessly through their system.
For in-store payments, we accept cash, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Please note that a 5% processing fee applies to all transactions except cash.
A simple google search would reveal – “yes”. However, tipping is completely at your discretion.
Tipping your tattoo artist acknowledges the exceptional effort they invest beyond the actual tattooing session. While the hourly rate covers the time spent in the chair, it does not include the extensive preparation, custom design, and consultation work that goes into creating your unique piece of art. A tip is a meaningful way to recognize the artist’s creativity, technical expertise, and dedication to ensuring every detail meets the highest standard. It supports the continued excellence of their craft and demonstrates your appreciation for the personalized service and artistry provided.
Come prepared for your tattoo appointment so you can be comfortable, relaxed, and ready for the session.
Every client should bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, regardless of age or whether you have been tattooed by us before, along with your preferred method of payment for any remaining balance.
We also recommend bringing a closed bottle of water or another non-alcoholic drink and, especially for longer appointments, a small snack or meal item that you can have during an appropriate break to help you remain comfortable throughout the session. We have a refrigerator if you need to put anything in it. Please eat a normal, substantial meal before arriving and come well hydrated—getting tattooed on an empty stomach is never a good idea.
Wear clean, loose, comfortable clothing that gives your artist easy access to the area being tattooed and that you will not be devastated if it happens to come into contact with ink, stencil solution, ointment, or other products used during the tattoo process. Depending on placement, this may mean shorts for a leg or thigh tattoo, a tank top or button-up shirt for the shoulder or upper arm, or clothing that can be safely repositioned while still keeping you comfortable and appropriately covered; bringing a change of clothing can also be helpful for larger or unusually placed pieces. For longer sessions, feel free to bring headphones, your phone or tablet, a charging cable or portable battery, and other quiet entertainment to help pass the time, provided it does not interfere with your ability to remain still or with your artist’s workspace.
If you take prescription medications, have allergies, have a medical condition that could affect tattooing or healing, or have experienced an unusual reaction during a previous tattoo, make sure you have anything you normally require with you and disclose relevant medical information to your artist before the tattoo begins; never stop or change a prescribed medication simply for a tattoo appointment without first speaking with the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
Most importantly, bring yourself well rested, clean, sober, and ready to sit. Do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, and contact us before coming in if you are sick, have a fever, have an active infection, or if the skin being tattooed is sunburned, cut, scraped, irritated, severely broken out, or otherwise damaged.
If the area being tattooed has significant body hair, we ask that you trim or shave the area beforehand when possible, using either hair clippers or a razor. Please take care to avoid razor burn, cuts, or skin irritation. Your artist will make any necessary final skin preparations before beginning the tattoo.
Finally, you do not need to bring tattoo supplies, numbing products, bandages, razors, soaps, ointments, or other procedural materials unless your artist has specifically asked you to do so—we will provide what is necessary for the tattoo itself. Your job is simply to arrive prepared, comfortable, hydrated, fed, and ready to turn the idea we planned together into something permanent.
Yes — we do piercings! We’re excited to officially introduce professional piercing services at Cryptic Ink, now available starting in 2026. All piercings are performed by Dee, our dedicated piercer, who brings precision, style, and a strong focus on safety to every appointment. As always, we use high-quality jewelry and follow strict sterilization standards to ensure a clean, comfortable, and confident experience. Whether it’s your first piercing or your next addition, you’re in good hands.
Cryptic Ink does not tattoo anyone under the age of 16, even with parental consent.
For clients 16 and 17 years of age, Cryptic Ink follows Ohio law regarding tattoos for minors. A parent or legal guardian must be physically present at the studio with valid photo identification, and the parent’s name must match the client’s birth certificate. Legal guardians must provide proper guardianship documentation. There are no exceptions—written notes, text messages, phone calls, video calls, or verbal permission will not be accepted. The parent or legal guardian must be present in person to give consent and should remain at the studio for the entire duration of the tattoo session. For more information, you may review Ohio Revised Code Section 3730.06.
Cryptic Ink will not tattoo anyone under the age of 18 on the hands, face, or neck. While tattoos are a personal form of self-expression, they are also permanent and can impact future opportunities, appearance, and lifestyle choices. For younger clients, we believe common sense and long-term thinking should come first when choosing placement for a lifelong tattoo. Our goal is to help every client make a decision they can feel confident about not only today, but years from now.
If you are bringing your minor in for a tattoo:
- Birth certificate / Guardianship documentation
- Valid ID that matches documentation (name must be on the birth certificate or guardianship documentation)
NO EXCEPTIONS.
Please follow the tattoo aftercare instructions provided to you at the time of your appointment. If you have misplaced your aftercare sheet, forgotten the details, or simply want to review our recommended aftercare guidelines, you can find them below:
Gift certificates are available in printable PNG and PDF formats for your convenience. After completing your purchase, you will receive a unique gift card code generated by our system. This code should be kept secure and should be written onto the certificate in the “Code” field, along with the recipient’s name, sender’s name, and gift amount. The gift card code is required to redeem the value during appointment booking or at the studio and be presented at the time of service. Please treat this code as cash, as it cannot be replaced if shared or lost.
It’s easy! Simply go to the Gift Card page and find the button to check the balance.
💰 What Does a Tattoo Artist Really Earn? A Behind-the-Scenes Look
When you book a 4-hour tattoo session at $100 per hour (plus tax), it might seem like a tattoo artist is making a significant amount — but that’s only part of the story. Much of that fee goes toward business expenses like studio rent, supplies, and taxes.
Here’s a transparent breakdown of what a tattoo artist in Summit County, Ohio actually takes home.
💵 Total Charged to Client
- Hourly Rate: $100
- 4-Hour Session: $100 × 4 = $400
- Sales Tax (6.75%): $400 × 0.0675 = $27.00
- Total Cost to Client: $427.00
📉 Business Expenses
- Supplies & Materials: $25
(Ink, needles, gloves, barriers, cleaning supplies) - Studio Rent: $50
($12.50/hour × 4 hours, assuming $1,000/month) - Licensing & Insurance: $10
- Miscellaneous Business Costs: $20
(Marketing, website, booking tools, etc.)
💼 Self-Employment Tax
As an independent artist, they are responsible for paying the full 15.3% self-employment tax:
$400 × 0.153 = $61.20
🧾 Net Income from the Session
- Session Income: $400
- − Business Expenses: $105
- − Self-Employment Tax: $61.20
- = 💸 Take-Home Pay: $233.80
🧠 Why It Matters
While a client pays $427.00 for a professional 4-hour tattoo session, the artist’s real earnings are closer to $233.80. This is significantly lower than what you probably assumed an artist makes at this hourly rate. These costs ensure a clean, safe, and professional experience using high-quality materials — supporting both the art and the business that makes it possible.
If you previously replied STOP to one of our text messages, your mobile carrier may be blocking all SMS messages from Cryptic Ink, including phone verification codes.
Even if you have opted out of receiving promotional or appointment-related messages, we still send phone verification codes when needed. If you are not receiving these verification messages, carrier-level blocking is the most likely cause.
To restore SMS delivery, please text:
START
This will notify your carrier that you wish to receive messages from Cryptic Ink again and will typically remove the block.
If you prefer not to receive appointment reminders, promotions, or other non-essential text messages, please do not reply STOP. Instead, log in to your Client Portal and disable SMS notifications there, or reply QUIET. This will stop all non-essential SMS messages while still allowing you to receive important phone verification codes when needed.
