Here at Bowler Inc, I aim to give you the best, personalised tattoo experience. I offer a wide range of styles and expertise, to be a perfect fit for your vision of a tattoo that you will really love.
I specialize in custom designs and love creating unique pieces of art that you can appreciate and showcase throughout your lifetime.
With over 20 years of experience I can help you decide on the right elements and style so that the final artwork feels exactly how you imagined while also fitting with your body and personality.
Worried about the pain?
There are a variety of different pain management options (especially useful if you are expecting the tattoo to take a long time) so get in touch with me and I’ll explain what may be best for you and the tattoo you have in mind.
I take great care to keep the studio sterile yet also comfortable, so you can relax, drink a cuppa, watch on a movie, or chat with me about life the universe and everything.
But most importantly, you can sit back comfortably, relax and know that you are in the best of hands.
Already Designed Tattoo
If you already have the artwork ready that you want tattooed, the process is very straight forward. Get in touch to book in a quick consultation with me and we’ll get you booked into my diary as soon as possible.
Custom Designed Tattoos
Maybe you have an idea for your tattoo or some art that you like but you want something unique and personalised to you. Contact me here and in our consultation we will discuss how I can create a tattoo that fits exactly what you want.
Reworking An Old Tattoo
If you already have an old tattoo but it’s looking blurry, faded or you want it expanded upon, updated, freshened up or reworked in some way, there is a wide variety of things we can do. Book a free consultation with me to get started.
Covering Up An Old Tattoo
Have an old tattoo that doesn’t represent who you are now? Maybe your art tastes have changed and you want that reflected in a new tattoo. Ask me for a cover-up consultation to discuss what we can do that will look good on your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the legal age to get a tattoo?
A. You must be eighteen years of age to get a tattoo.
Q. What type of artwork do you offer?
A. I offer all types of artwork! For more ideas and examples look at my portfolio here
Q. What is a consultation appointment?
A. Consultations are free and last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. We will discuss your ideas and options for the tattoo you’re interested in getting. You can ask any questions you have about your tattoo or the process. I will take notes/photos/tracings to help me give you a time and price estimate for your tattoo. Then we can book you in to have the tattoo.
Q. I have a picture of what I would like tattooed, how do I get booked in with you for an appointment?
A. Send me a message with your design, sizing in centimeters, where on your body you want the tattoo, and if there are any changes you’d like to have made to the image. I’ll get back to you with some options to schedule a consultation here with me at the studio so that we can discuss in more detail and then I’ll give you a time and price quote. Not all tattoos require a consultation, for some simpler tattoos I can provide the quotation just from the image and information you provide in your message.
Q. I know what I would like to have done but I need you to help design/draw it for me?
A. I love to create custom tattoos with my clients! Take a look at my portfolio here and see which style best matches what you have in mind. Once you know what you want and what styles you like, you can give me a call or message me to get the process started. If you’re still unsure, send me a message with some photo references, and I’ll help you choose.
Q. I live quite far away from you and I want a custom tattoo, could you do the consultation via phone?
A. If you aren’t local, I will do my best to accommodate you! Send me a message with your ideas, reference photos, general sizing in centimetres, where on your body you want it and any other details you want included and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Q. Do you take walk-ins for tattoos?
A. I take walk-ins if I have the time available. However, I’m often booked in advance, so it’s always best to schedule an appointment.
Q. What do I need to bring with me on the day I’m being tattooed?
A. Make sure that you’re well fed and hydrated beforehand, bring some additional food and drink to eat during the day and wear clothing that will allow access to the area to be tattooed.
Q. Will being tattooed hurt?
A. Everyone feels pain differently. I always do everything I can to make you as comfortable as possible and I will keep checking with you to make sure the sensation of being tattooed is manageable for you.
Q. Do you use numbing creams?
A. I don’t typically recommend the use of numbing creams but I can use one if needed. The problem with numbing creams is that they change the texture of your skin making it harder to tattoo. Most of them don’t last very long and when it wears off the pain comes all at once. In my experience it’s much more manageable to ease your way into the pain and take breaks when needed.
Q. How much does a tattoo cost?
A. Tattoo pricing varies depending on the tattoo. Get in touch with me for a quote on the tattoo you’re thinking of getting. Tattoo costs vary depending on the complexity of the design, sizing, placement, etc. I only charge for the time you will be tattooed. Drawing, designing and prep time, taking breaks, etc. are not charged.
Q. Is there a charge for doing a drawing?
A. There is no additional charge for custom drawing. However, you will need to leave a deposit before I start on the tattoo design. If I create a design and you do not go ahead and get tattooed, the deposit goes towards my drawing time. Otherwise, the deposit goes towards the overall total cost of the tattoo.
Q. Can my friends sit with me while I get tattooed?
A. Yes, I generally allow one friend to come along with you. There is space in the studio for your friend to sit and watch close by.
Q. What happens if I need to reschedule my tattoo appointment?
A. If you need to reschedule your appointment, please give me as much notice as possible. Rescheduling with plenty of notice will not affect your deposit. If you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment or don’t show up at the agreed time and date, you will forfeit your deposit.
Q. What happens if I change my mind about what I want to have tattooed after you’ve done a drawing for me?
A. To start a new drawing, you will need to leave a new deposit.
Q. What’s in the tattoo ink?
A. Alcohol, distilled water, glycerin, and color.
Q. Is it possible to be allergic to the ink?
A. Allergic reactions to tattoo ink are very rare. Occasionally people have an adverse reaction – most commonly they may get a slightly more itchy sensation from red and magenta inks. If you are concerned you might have an adverse reaction, I suggest consulting a dermatologist before getting tattooed.
Q. Are you always booked out far into the future?
A. Good tattoo artists are always booked out well in advance, having said that, I often have time for smaller tattoos so it’s worth getting in touch to find out what availability I have. It’s always best to schedule an appointment to guarantee your time.
Q. What you’re booked out really far in advance, is there any way to get in sooner?
A. Once you’ve booked your tattoo appointment, you can ask to be put on my cancellation list. Cancellations are not guaranteed, but they do happen and I’ll reach out to people on that list first!
Q. I want an existing tattoo covered up or reworked. What should I do?
A. An in-person consultation is always recommended to assess and discuss your options. Not all tattoos are easy to cover up or rework. Having said that, I have a lot of experience of cover-up tattoos.
Q. I want a scar or stretch mark covered with a tattoo. Can you do that?
A. Yes! However there are a few factors that we need to take into account. I will need to know how old the scar is and take a look at the scar to determine whether it can be covered with a tattoo. An in-person consultation is always best to assess and discuss your options.
Q. I had a tattoo done previously by you and would like to get it touched up.
A. I provide free touch-ups within the first six months of getting the tattoo with me. However, some areas of the body experience much more wear and tear. I don’t offer free touch ups for tattoos on hands, fingers, or feet.
Q. I need a tattoo touched-up but it was not done at your shop.
A. Send me a message with a current photo of your tattoo. I’ll take a look and get back to you to go over the options of what and how I can help.
Q. What should I expect while the tattoo is healing?
A. Tattoos take between 2-4 weeks to fully heal. The first few days your tattoo will look and feel red, irritated, swollen, warm-to-the-touch, and possibly bruised too. This is all very normal so don’t worry about it. It is also normal for some ink and blood to wash off when you take your first shower. Four or five days into the healing process your tattoo will begin to feel itchy, start to flake and peel, but don’t worry, this is a healthy part of the healing process – the skin that is flaking off is the scab that formed over the wound and now there is new skin underneath. It is very important that you do not pick or scratch at your tattoo when this happens! Sometimes a light slap will calm the itching. After the flaking is done the new tattooed skin will look shiny for a few weeks.
Q. How do I take care of my tattoo?
A. Once your tattoo is finished I will go over the aftercare process with you in detail and answer any questions you might have.
Q. After I get tattooed can I still workout?
A. Yes! Wear loose clothing over the tattoo and keep it clean. Be careful if you workout in a public space such as a gym. New tattoos are vulnerable to infection so contact with other people and their sweat or bodily fluids directly onto your tattoo is a risk. Do not go swimming until the tattoo is fully healed.
Q. How do I keep my tattoo looking new?
A. When your tattoo is healed, keep the skin moisturised regularly and either keep it covered with clothing or use sunblock when outside in direct sunlight.
Q: Are there any health problems I should be concerned about that might affect my tattoo?
A: If you have a health condition that weakens your immune system such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or if you’ve just had an operation or just taken a course of antibiotics then this could potentially affect the healing process.
Q: Can I get tattooed if I am pregnant?
A: No. For the safety of you and your child I don’t tattoo anyone who is pregnant.
Q. Can I get tattooed if I am breastfeeding?
A. It is best to wait until you are no longer breastfeeding to get a tattoo. If you were to get an infection during the healing process, there is a remote possibility that it could be transmitted to your child.
Q: Can I get a tattoo if I have a skin condition or sunburn?
A: If you have scars, psoriasis, eczema, or other skin abnormalities in the area of your body where you would like to have your tattoo done, I suggest you speak to me before proceeding. If you are sunburnt, it’s not advised to get a tattoo until you’re completely healed.
Q. Do you reuse needles for tattoos and piercings?
A. No, never! All needles are disposed of after each use in a strict sterile manner. New needles are always sterilized before use and remain in a sealed sterile pouch until the time of use.