FAQ
WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS? We are open Mondays-Saturdays from 11am-8pm.
DO YOU TAKE WALK INS? Absolutely! Although, some of our artists are available by appointment only, we often have at least one artist available for walk ins. If you don’t have a preference as to which artist does your tattoo, just call or stop by during business hours and we should be able to help you out. Walk ins are first come first served, so depending on how busy it gets, there may be a bit of a wait. We recommend calling ahead on the day you want to come in to ask if someone will be available when you want to stop in. Or if you prefer to reserve a specific day, time, or artist, it is always best to schedule an appointment in advance.
DO YOU DO PIERCINGS OR SELL JEWELRY? We only do tattoos at Mechanical Concept Tattoo, we do not offer piercing services or jewelry.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT? The best way to ensure you receive the best tattoo possible, is for you to be paired up with the right artist for your tattoo. Each tattoo artist has a different style and will approach each tattoo in their own way, so the first thing to do is to look through all of our artist portfolios and select which artist you would like to do your tattoo then contact them directly to schedule a consultation or appointment. Each artist maintains their own individual calendar and scheduling, so contacting the artist directly through their portfolio page or through our ONLINE APPOINTMENT BOOKING page is the best way to schedule an appointment. If you think we are all equally awesome and have no preference as to who you would like to tattoo you, feel free to call, TEXT, or email the shop and just request our first available artist. (If you don't get an answer right away, don't worry, we are probably just all busy with clients and can't take our gloves off to get to the phone or computer, so please be patient and we will get back to you within a day or so).
CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE? For your convenience, we now offer online scheduling. Online appointments are best for consultations and small or simple tattoos. Booking an appointment is super easy and can be done here: CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT. To book an appointment online, we require 24-48 advance notice, and a non-refundable deposit to reserve your appointment. Some of our artists do not accept online reservations, so if your preferred artist is not available on the appointment reservation list, please contact them directly to schedule or inquire.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? We are located at 6027 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647.
IS THERE PARKING? Yes! We are located in a shopping center with plenty of free parking in a parking lot right in front of the shop!
HOW OLD DO I NEED TO BE TO GET TATTOOED? California law states that no one under age 18 can get tattooed. There are no exceptions to this law and parental consent is not an option.
HOW MUCH DOES A TATTOO COST? Our prices start at $120 and go up from there depending on many different factors, including size, detail, placement, etc. It is difficult to estimate the price of a tattoo until it is drawn up and to size, so we cannot give quotes over the phone or email.. For pieces that take multiple sessions, our artists charge an hourly rate of $150-$200 per hour (depending on the artist).
IS TIPPING CUSTOMARY? Cash tips are always appreciated! Like other service industries, a 20% tip for a job well done is a great way to say thank you to your artist.
DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS? Cash is always preferred, but we can also accept major credit cards and debit cards or Venmo. A 5% surcharge will be added to credit card payments.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT? To make an appointment, please view each artist's portfolio and decide who you would like to create your tattoo. You can contact the artist of your choice directly through their artist portfolio page, or you can BOOK ONLINE
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING FOR MY CONSULTATION? Please arrive to your consultation ready to discuss the details of your tattoo idea, including the concept, placement, size, etc. Bring along any reference photos to help us understand visually what you have in mind. If your tattoo is a portrait, please bring at least good sized, clear photo, printed on quality paper. If your tattoo will be drawn up custom, please bring printed pictures for inspiration if you have them. Don't worry about finding a picture of your exact idea, often you wont be able to find your perfect tattoo idea because it doesn't exist yet...until we create it for you!
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT? Please arrive on time for your appointment and dressed comfortable and appropriate for the tattoo (wear something that will easily access the area being tattooed). Be sure to get a good night's rest the night before and eat a full healthy meal 2-4 hours prior to your appointment. Bring water, as you may be at the studio for many hours and will want to stay hydrated. The more comfortable your body is, the more comfortable and relaxed you will be for your tattoo. Do not arrive intoxicated, drunk, high, or medicated and do not drink heavily the day before your appointment (if you are intoxicated we will not tattoo you). You must present a valid state or government issued ID to get tattooed. You may bring a guest for support, but no more than one guest.
WHAT IS YOUR DEPOSIT POLICY? We prefer to handle deposits and appointment bookings for large or custom pieces in person, during a consultation, or directly with the artist of your choice. But in the event you are not local to the Los Angeles area or unable to come in for a consultation in advance, or if you would like to reserve time for a small or not so custom tattoo and have no artist preference, we can save you a trip to the shop by handling your deposit online here.
Here's what you need to know:
DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE (No exceptions, and yes this is industry standard)
Deposits are applied toward the final cost of your tattoo at your final session.
Deposits cannot be transferred to another artist or customer. But deposits can be transferred to another appointment as long as the deposit is not subject to forfeit (see below).
Deposits will be forfeited if any of the following occur:
If you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours notice
If you reschedule an appointment more than twice
If you arrive for your appointment intoxicated or without valid ID and cannot be tattooed
If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment without letting your artist know in advance
If more than 90 days pass without communication or attempt to schedule
If you do not complete your tattoo within 2 years
If you make major changes to your tattoo idea, concept, design, etc or decide not to get tattooed at all
Deposits can not be applied toward merchandise or tips.
PLEASE NOTE: We will not begin drawing for a tattoo until after a deposit is received. And we may not have a drawing ready until the day of your appointment. We are sorry, but we cannot send designs by email, social media, text, etc. If you would like to see a design before your appointment, you may try to ask your artist directly if you can come early to preview the artwork in person.
Please keep in mind that your artist may have already spent time drawing or preparing for your tattoo and at the very least has turned away other clients for that day because their time was already reserved.
PLEASE SPEAK TO THE ARTIST OF YOUR CHOICE BEFORE PAYING A DEPOSIT!
CAN I BRING MY KID(S)? Sorry, but no one under 18 is permitted in the tattoo studio. Do not bring babies, children, or minors. Children can be very distracting to clients and artists and please be aware that because only adults are permitted in a tattoo shop, we may also have things in the shop that are inappropriate for children (such as nudity or adult language).
CAN I BRING MY DOG (OR PET)? The Orange County Heath Agency prohibits any animals in a tattooing facility. So sorry, although we love furry and four legged friends, we cannot allow them inside the shop.
CAN I BRING A FRIEND? You may bring one guest for support, but no more than one. More than one guest causes too many distractions for the artists as well as other clients getting tattooed. If you do bring a guest, please keep in mind that you may be at the studio for many hours and your guest might get bored. Guests that are unruly or distracting, will be asked to leave.
CAN I DRINK OR TAKE SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN? Do not drink alcohol or take drugs before or during your tattoo session. If you are or appear to be intoxicated, you will not be tattooed.
CAN I USE NUMBING CREAM? Some artists are strictly opposed to the use of numbing cream for various reasons (mainly due to potential for interfering with the healing process or final results of your tattoo and some products just flat out don’t work). Some artists are okay with the use of certain select tried and true brands of numbing products if properly applied. Please ask your individual artist what they personally suggest for tattoo pain management. (PRO TIP: The best pain management is to take care of your body before and during your tattoo, this means eating well, staying hydrated, dressing comfortably, and remembering to breathe and relax. It’s gonna hurt some during the process, but for a tattoo you’ll love forever, its totally worth it!)
WHAT IS YOUR STERILIZATION PROCESS? Our shop uses all disposable and single use pre-sterilized instruments where applicable (including needles and tubes) and all surfaces and equipment are thoroughly cleaned using hospital grade disinfectant and covered with disposable single use plastic covers for each and every tattoo.
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY NEW TATTOO? Please visit our AFTERCARE page for detailed instructions on caring for your new tattoo.
HOW LONG TO WAIT TO WORK OUT, GO SWIMMING, GET A TAN, GO TO DISNEYLAND ETC? Most tattoos are fully healed in about 2-3 weeks (sometimes less, sometimes more). During the healing time it is extremely important to stay out of the water for any non-shower activity (no baths, no swimming/surfing in pools or oceans, no hot tubs, etc). While the tattoo is healing it must be kept clean and dry but moisturized and you cannot wear any clothing or jewelry that will rub up against the tattoo (so no skinny jeans on a new thigh tattoo, no wool sweaters on a back tattoo, no watches on a wrist tattoo, etc). Working out is okay as long as the tattoo doesn't come into contact with anything dirty, like gym equipment or other people's sweat, etc. Your own sweat is okay as long as you wash immediately! If the tattoo or tattooed area feels uncomfortable or sore during your workout, you should wait a day or two before attempting to work out again.
CAN I GET TATTOOED IF I AM PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING? Firstly, congratulations! Please enjoy your journey and come back after your are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding. We will not tattoo you if you are pregnant and we recommend waiting until you have completed your breastfeeding journey as well before getting tattooed. This ensures that even the minimal risk taken on by receiving or healing any voluntary body art procedure is not inadvertently passed on to your child.
HOW DO I GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH ALAYNA? Alayna's schedule can get pretty crazy and she tries to accommodate everyone as best as possible. Alayna requires a consultation and a deposit for every new tattoo. She can usually get you scheduled for a consultation with a few weeks. Existing clients and large tattoos with continuing sessions get first priority for tattoo sessions and new clients can expect a wait around 6-9 months before their first session. If you don't mind the wait and would like to schedule a consultation with Alayna, please contact her here. Or if you don't like waiting, the other artists at Mechanical Concept Tattoo are amazing and highly recommended! We would be happy to set you up with another of our talented artists who can accommodate you much sooner (often within a few days!)
WHAT IS YOUR COVID POLICY? At this time face coverings are optional in our studio in accordance to Orange County Health Agency regulations. The tattoo industry is already regulated by the Orange County Health Care Agency and the safety of our clients and artists has always been a top priority. Each of our professional tattoo artists is licensed by the County of Orange and has taken years of Bloodborne Pathogen training to understand the prevention of cross contamination of infectious diseases. We have always worn PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and used hospital grade disinfectants before and after every client. We are current and in accordance with the CDC and state, county, and local directives regarding COVID-19 protocol and practices.