Recycle Tattoo FAQ

Real answers… designed to help you plan a tattoo that heals well.

Recycle Tattoo is a brand-forward studio built around a calm, collaborative experience—walk-ins welcome, and we stay open late. This FAQ focuses on the questions that actually affect outcomes: design translation, cover-ups, healing, and the policies that protect your appointment time.

Table of Contents

Policy Snapshots

  • Deposits required for scheduled appointments (not same-day walk-ins/call-ins)

  • 24-hour reschedule/cancel window

  • Late arrivals reduce tattoo time; 30+ minutes may be treated as a no-show

  • Touch-ups are for abnormal ink loss/quality hold—aftercare negligence + normal wear aren’t covered

Booking, Deposits & Appointment Changes

Deposits reserve your appointment time and allow your artist to prepare properly. Deposits are required for all scheduled appointments (anything that isn’t a same-day walk-in/call-in) and are collected when booking through Acuity on our website.

  • Deposit required for all scheduled appointments (not same-day walk-ins/call-ins)

  • 24-hour notice required to reschedule or cancel

  • Deposit amount depends on the time block you book (see below)

  • Deposits apply toward your session total

  • Yes. Deposits are required for all scheduled appointments that aren’t same-day walk-ins/call-ins. Deposits are collected when booking through Acuity on our website.

    Deposit tiers (by bookable time block):

    • Extra Small — $25 deposit (1 hour)
      Deposit for small tattoo (ex. ~1/8 sheet of paper).

    • Small — $50 deposit (1 hour 30 minutes)
      Deposit for small tattoo (ex. ~1/4 sheet of paper).

    • Medium — $100 deposit (3 hours)
      Deposit for medium tattoo (ex. ~1/2 sheet of paper).

    • Large — $200 deposit (5 hours)
      Deposit for large tattoo (ex. ~1 full sheet of paper).

    • Extra Large — $300 deposit (7 hours)
      Deposit for extra large tattoo (larger than full sheet).

  • Yes. Your deposit goes toward your session total. It’s not an extra fee—it’s part of your total.

  • Deposits are non-refundable because they reserve a time block on the artist’s schedule.

  • We require at least 24 hours notice to reschedule. With 24+ hours notice, your deposit can be transferred one time to a new appointment date.

  • Changes within 24 hours are treated as a late change. In that case, the deposit is forfeited (the time block can’t realistically be refilled).

  • Send: (1) placement + approximate size, (2) 2–6 reference images + what you like about them, and (3) if it’s a cover-up, a clear photo of the current tattoo in good lighting.

Late Arrivals & No-Shows

\We run a tight schedule to protect tattoo quality and everyone’s time. If you’re running late, call/text us as soon as you know so we can tell you what’s realistically possible.

  • 0–15 minutes late: we usually proceed (your session time is reduced)

  • 15–30 minutes late: we may need to simplify the plan or reschedule if quality would be compromised

  • 30+ minutes late: may be treated as a no-show (deposit forfeited) and a new deposit is required to rebook

  • No-shows (no arrival + no communication) forfeit the deposit

  • Please call/text us as soon as possible. If you arrive late, your tattoo time is reduced, and we may need to simplify the session plan to avoid rushing the work.

  • Depending on the day’s schedule, we may:

    • proceed with a simplified plan, or

    • reschedule if we can’t complete the tattoo safely/cleanly in the remaining time.

  • If you’re 30+ minutes late, we may treat it as a no-show. The deposit is forfeited, and a new deposit is required to book again.

  • A no-show is when you don’t arrive and don’t communicate. No-shows forfeit the deposit.

  • Yes, but you’ll need a new deposit to rebook. Repeat no-shows may require a larger deposit or full prepay to reserve time.

Payments & Cash / Zelle / Venmo Price

We accept credit/debit in-studio via Square, and we also accept cash, Zelle, and Venmo. All quotes and posted prices assume payment by cash/Zelle/Venmo (discounted price). If you choose to pay by credit/debit card, your total will be adjusted to the standard (non-discounted) price to cover card processing.

  • Quoted/posted price = cash/Zelle/Venmo price (discounted)

  • Card payments = standard price (non-discounted)

  • We accept cash, Zelle, Venmo, and credit/debit (Square)

  • Your total is confirmed before you pay

  • We accept cash, Zelle, Venmo, and credit/debit cards in-studio via Square.

  • Our quotes and posted prices assume cash/Zelle/Venmo (discounted price). If you pay by credit/debit card, your total will be the standard (non-discounted) price.

  • Card payments are typically about 3% higher than the quoted cash/Zelle/Venmo price to cover processing costs. We’ll confirm the exact total with you before checkout.

  • Card payments include processing costs. Using the cash/Zelle/Venmo price helps keep your quote straightforward, and paying by card simply uses the standard price.

  • Yes. We confirm your total before you pay based on the payment method you choose.

  • Tips are always optional and go to your artist. If you tip, we can apply the same payment method you choose at checkout.

Touch-ups & 6 Month Warranty

We stand behind our work. If your tattoo heals with abnormal ink loss or an issue with how it held due to the application (not aftercare negligence), you can request a touch-up within our warranty window. Touch-ups are meant to correct technical healing issues, not to redesign or upgrade the tattoo.

Quick answers

  • Warranty window: up to 6 months from the tattoo date

  • Touch-ups are for abnormal fading/ink loss or spots that didn’t hold properly

  • Not covered: aftercare negligence or normal wear-and-tear fading over time

  • Touch-ups are by request — we inspect the tattoo first (often it doesn’t need one)

  • Touch-ups are not a free upgrade or rework of the original design

  • Yes. We offer touch-ups within 6 months for tattoos that show abnormal ink loss or healing issues related to the original application. Touch-ups are evaluated case-by-case.

  • Touch-ups can only be done once the tattoo is fully healed. For most tattoos, that’s typically 6–8+ weeks (sometimes longer depending on the piece and your skin). If you’re unsure, contact us and we’ll advise based on photos and timing.

  • We’ll touch up areas that didn’t hold properly due to application/healing—things like patchy spots or unexpected early ink loss that isn’t explained by normal healing or normal fading.

    • Negligent care or not following aftercare instructions

    • Normal fading/wear over time (sun exposure, lifestyle, skin changes, etc.)

    • Scratches, scabs picked, friction damage, or anything that clearly disrupted healing

    • “While I’m here, can we change or add more?” upgrades (that becomes a new tattoo/service)

  • You’ll come in and we’ll inspect the tattoo in person. If a touch-up is truly needed, we’ll correct only the areas that didn’t hold properly. If it’s healed well and doesn’t need a touch-up, we’ll tell you straight.

  • No. A touch-up is for correcting healing/application issues—not reworking the design, adding details, changing style, or “leveling up” the tattoo. Any upgrades or changes are treated as a new service.

Design That Heals and Ages Well

A tattoo can look amazing fresh and still heal poorly if the design isn’t built for real skin. We design for healed readability—so your tattoo still looks clean months and years later, not just on day one.

Quick answers

  • The biggest “aging killers” are too much tiny detail and not enough breathing room

  • Negative space (clean gaps) matters more than adding more lines

  • Placement affects longevity (movement + friction + sun exposure)

  • We’ll scale or simplify your idea so it stays readable when healed

  • A good tattoo idea stays readable when simplified. If the design relies on hairline details, tiny gaps, or micro text, it usually needs to be scaled up or adjusted. We’ll recommend the smallest size that still has clean spacing and contrast once healed.

  • There isn’t one universal number—skin type, placement, and the specific design matter. The real rule is this: if the “white space” inside letters or between lines is too small, it can close up over time. If you want something small, we’ll either (1) increase size, (2) simplify the design, or (3) choose a font/style that’s built to stay readable.

  • Small tattoos pack lines closer together. As skin heals and naturally changes over time, tight details can soften, and spacing can shrink. Designs with cleaner spacing, stronger structure, and less micro-detail tend to hold up better.

  • Yes. Areas with high movement, frequent friction, or constant sun exposure usually age faster. If you want a delicate look, we may recommend a placement with more stable skin, or we’ll adjust the design to be more durable for that area.

  • Yes—bring references for direction, not duplication. The best references show what you like about: composition, line weight, contrast, and overall vibe. We’ll design something original that fits your body and your goals.

  • Fresh tattoos are affected by swelling and surface healing. Healed tattoos settle into the skin and can look slightly softer than day one. We plan for that by building in the right contrast and spacing from the start.

Design That Heals and Ages Well

A tattoo can look amazing fresh and still heal poorly if the design isn’t built for real skin. We design for healed readability—so your tattoo still looks clean months and years later, not just on day one.

Quick answers

  • The biggest “aging killers” are too much tiny detail and not enough breathing room

  • Negative space (clean gaps) matters more than adding more lines

  • Placement affects longevity (movement + friction + sun exposure)

  • We’ll scale or simplify your idea so it stays readable when healed

  • A good tattoo idea stays readable when simplified. If the design relies on hairline details, tiny gaps, or micro text, it usually needs to be scaled up or adjusted. We’ll recommend the smallest size that still has clean spacing and contrast once healed.

  • There isn’t one universal number—skin type, placement, and the specific design matter. The real rule is this: if the “white space” inside letters or between lines is too small, it can close up over time. If you want something small, we’ll either (1) increase size, (2) simplify the design, or (3) choose a font/style that’s built to stay readable.

  • Small tattoos pack lines closer together. As skin heals and naturally changes over time, tight details can soften, and spacing can shrink. Designs with cleaner spacing, stronger structure, and less micro-detail tend to hold up better.

  • Yes. Areas with high movement, frequent friction, or constant sun exposure usually age faster. If you want a delicate look, we may recommend a placement with more stable skin, or we’ll adjust the design to be more durable for that area.

  • Yes—bring references for direction, not duplication. The best references show what you like about: composition, line weight, contrast, and overall vibe. We’ll design something original that fits your body and your goals.

  • Fresh tattoos are affected by swelling and surface healing. Healed tattoos settle into the skin and can look slightly softer than day one. We plan for that by building in the right contrast and spacing from the start.

Cover-ups, Reworks & Blast-overs

Not every tattoo needs a full cover-up. Sometimes the best result is a rework (improving what’s already there), and sometimes a cover-up is the cleanest reset. We’ll tell you honestly what’s realistic based on your existing ink, your goals, and how you want it to look healed.

Quick answers

  • Dark/saturated tattoos usually need a larger and/or darker new design to cover cleanly

  • If you want a lighter style (fine-line, airy black & grey, or pastel color), laser pre-fading may expand your options

  • A good cover-up is designed to look intentional—not like camouflage

  • Bring a clear photo of the existing tattoo in good lighting for an accurate consult

  • Some tattoos can be covered immediately. Others benefit from laser pre-fading—especially if the existing tattoo is very dark, very saturated, or large, and you want the new tattoo to stay lighter and cleaner. If your goal is maximum flexibility (more styles, more negative space), pre-fading often helps.

    • Rework: improving what’s already there (contrast, cleanup, sharpening structure, adding depth)

    • Cover-up: intentionally replacing the old tattoo (usually requires more size/density)

    • Blast-over: a bold new tattoo done over/through the old one (the old tattoo may remain visible by design)

  • Usually, yes. A clean cover-up typically needs to be bigger to control edges and create an intentional composition. Smaller “patch” cover-ups are possible in limited cases, but they’re the exception—not the rule.

  • Sometimes, but it depends on how dark the existing tattoo is and what you mean by “light.” If the old ink is very dense, the new design needs enough contrast and structure to read clearly. If you want a very light/airy result, laser pre-fading is often the move.

  • We design for “believable flow” instead of camouflage. That means building a composition where the dark areas look natural (shadows, textures, depth) and the overall piece reads as one intentional tattoo at first glance.

    • A clear photo of the existing tattoo (bright, natural light; no heavy filters)

    • The size/placement you want for the new tattoo

    • 2–6 reference images for the new direction (and what you like about them)

A great tattoo outcome is mostly about two things: clean healing and protecting the contrast. Follow the aftercare instructions we give you for your specific tattoo—then use the guidelines below to avoid the common mistakes that cause patchiness, irritation, and early fading.

Quick answers

  • Treat your new tattoo like a healing wound: clean hands, gentle wash, pat dry

  • Do not soak (pools/hot tubs/ocean/lakes) while healing

  • Avoid direct sun while healing; once healed, use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+

  • Use light moisturizer (over-moisturizing can cause irritation)

  • Watch for red flags: worsening redness, rash/bumps, heat, pus, fever

Healing & Aftercare (Keep It Simple)

  • Normal early healing can include mild redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and light oozing for a short period. It should gradually improve—not get worse.
    Contact us and seek medical care if you notice: worsening redness spreading, increasing heat, pus-like discharge, severe swelling, a rash/bumps, or fever.

  • Most tattoos look “settled” on the surface within a couple weeks, but deeper healing can take longer depending on size, placement, and your skin. Don’t judge the final look until it’s fully healed.

  • Wash your hands first. Clean the tattoo gently as directed using a mild, fragrance-free soap. Rinse gently and pat dry—don’t rub. Keep it clean, and avoid letting it sit wet.

  • Use only what we recommend for your tattoo. In general, the goal is light moisture, not a heavy greasy layer. If your tattooed skin feels dry, a water-based, fragrance-free lotion/cream is usually best. Avoid heavy petroleum-type products long-term because they can contribute to ink fading.

  • Avoid:

    • Swimming, hot tubs, soaking baths, or any submersion

    • Direct sun and tanning beds

    • Picking, scratching, or peeling flaking skin

    • Tight/rough clothing rubbing the tattoo

    • Dirty environments (dust, dirty gym equipment touching it, etc.)

  • Usually yes, but be smart: avoid heavy friction, stretching that pulls the tattoo, and anything that soaks the area in sweat. Keep it clean after, and don’t let equipment or dirty surfaces rub the tattoo.

  • Not until the tattoo is fully healed. Submerging a healing tattoo increases the risk of irritation and infection and can affect how well the ink holds.

  • Sun protection is the biggest factor. Once healed, protect your tattoo with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+when it’s exposed to sunlight, and keep the skin moisturized when it’s dry.

After-care Guide
Pre-care Guide

Walk-ins, Happy Hour, Location & Hours

We welcome walk-ins and same-day call-ins whenever we have availability. If you want the best chance of being seen the same day, come earlier and be flexible on size/style.

Quick answers

  • Walk-ins welcome

  • Happy Hour Flash Tattoos: nightly 6–9 PM (rotating designs at special rates)

  • Hours: Open daily 10AM–11PM

  • Address: 9757 Garden Grove Blvd, Ste 3, Garden Grove, CA 92844

  • Phone: (909) 323-3320

  • Yes—walk-ins are welcome. Availability depends on the day’s schedule. For the best chance, come earlier and be flexible on size/style.

  • Every night from 6–9 PM, we offer a rotating selection of flash or mini designs at special rates. It’s perfect for spontaneous tattoos, visitors, or anyone who wants a smaller piece—walk-ins welcome.

  • We’re open daily, 10AM–11PM.

  • 9757 Garden Grove Blvd, Ste 3, Garden Grove, CA 92844.

  • Yes. If you’re trying to come in the same day, call/text first and we’ll tell you what’s realistic based on the schedule.