FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Do I need an appointment, or do you accept walk-ins?

Walk-ins are welcome Tuesday through Saturday from 1 PM to 8 PM whenever an artist is available. Appointments receive priority, and walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Coming in earlier gives you the best chance of getting tattooed that day. You’re also welcome to stop by and discuss scheduling a future appointment.

2. How do I book an appointment or consultation?

Visit our Artists page to view each artist’s portfolio and booking instructions. You can also stop by during regular business hours to discuss your idea, placement, size, reference images, pricing, and artist availability. An appointment is not usually necessary for an in-person consultation.

3. How much do tattoos cost?

Our shop minimum is $100. Final pricing depends on the tattoo’s size, placement, detail, style, and complexity. For the most accurate estimate, stop by the shop or contact the artist you’re interested in working with.

4. Do you require a deposit?

Yes. Our artists require a deposit to reserve a tattoo appointment. Deposits typically range from $100 to $200 depending on the artist and project. Your artist will explain their deposit, cancellation, and rescheduling policies before booking.

5. What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash is preferred. our artists are independent contractors so additional payment options may vary. Check with your artist before your appointment if you plan to use another form of payment.

6. What tattoo styles do you offer?

Our artists work in a wide variety of styles, including black and gray realism, color realism, American traditional, Japanese traditional, lettering, portraits, cover-ups, and custom designs. All three artists enjoy working in black and gray, while Jason Rivera also specializes in color work and cover-ups. If we believe another artist—even someone outside our shop—would be a better fit for your project, we’ll be honest and help point you in the right direction.

7. How do I choose the right tattoo artist?

Browse the portfolios on our Artists page and choose the artist whose work best matches the style you want. You can also bring your idea or reference images to the shop, and we’ll help pair you with the artist best suited for your tattoo.

8. Can you create a custom tattoo from my ideas or reference images?

Yes! Custom tattoo design is one of our favorite parts of the job. Bring us your photographs, ideas, or inspiration, and we’ll work with your direction to create a tattoo designed specifically for you. We do not directly copy another tattoo artist’s work. However, you can bring it to us as inspiration, and we’ll create an original version based on what you liked. If another artist created artwork specifically for you to have tattooed, we’re happy to use it with that artist’s permission.

9. Do you do small tattoos?

Yes. Any of our artists can help with most small tattoos, and Mat especially enjoys detailed smaller pieces. For a simple small tattoo, stop by the shop and talk with whichever artist is available.

10. Do you do cover-ups, touch-ups, or tattoo reworks?

Yes. Jason Rivera specializes in cover-ups and enjoys taking on challenging projects. We can also evaluate older or faded tattoos that need additional detail or reworking. Because every existing tattoo is different, stop by the shop so an artist can see it in person and discuss your options.

11. Do you create portraits or tattoos from photographs?

Yes. Andrew Patterson specializes in black and gray realism and especially enjoys creating portraits of people and animals. Bring us a clear, high-quality photograph, and Andrew can discuss turning it into a detailed custom tattoo.

12. Do you tattoo over scars?

Yes, depending on the scar and how it has healed. Scar tissue must be fully healed before it can be tattooed. Stop by for an in-person consultation so one of our artists can evaluate the area and discuss what will work best.

13. Do you tattoo hands, fingers, necks, or other difficult placements?

Yes. Our experienced artists tattoo hands, fingers, necks, and other challenging areas. We’ll talk honestly with you about whether your design is appropriate for the placement and how the tattoo is likely to heal and age.

14. Do you create sleeves and other large-scale tattoos?

Yes! We enjoy working on sleeves, back pieces, and other large custom projects. Larger areas provide more room for detail, composition, and creativity. These tattoos typically require multiple sessions, which your artist will help plan with you.

15. Do you offer memorial tattoos, handwriting, fingerprints, or footprints?

Yes. We would be honored to help you create a meaningful memorial tattoo. We can work from handwriting, signatures, photographs, fingerprints, footprints, or a general idea to design something personal to you.

16. How old do I have to be to get tattooed?

You must be at least 18 years old to receive a tattoo in Oklahoma. We cannot tattoo anyone younger than 18, even with parental consent.

17. Do I need to bring an ID?

Yes. Every client must present a valid, government-issued photo ID before getting tattooed.

18. How should I prepare for my tattoo appointment?

Get a good night’s sleep, drink plenty of water, and eat a full meal before your appointment. Avoid arriving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For longer sessions, feel free to bring snacks, drinks, headphones, a book or e-reader, a blanket, or anything else that will help you stay comfortable.

19. Can I bring someone with me?

You’re welcome to bring one guest. Our tattoo booths are private and have limited extra space, so please avoid bringing a large group. Friends may stop by during a longer session, but only one guest should be in the booth at a time.

20. How long does a tattoo appointment take?

Tattoo times vary depending on the size, placement, style, and amount of detail. A small tattoo may take around 30 minutes, while a large or detailed project can take most of the day or require multiple sessions. Your artist can provide a better estimate when you book. For larger tattoos, we recommend keeping your schedule clear so your appointment doesn’t feel rushed.

21. Can I get tattooed while pregnant?

No. As a precaution, Avenue Tattoo Studio does not tattoo clients who are pregnant.

How do I care for my new tattoo?

Your artist will provide aftercare instructions following your appointment. Proper aftercare generally includes keeping the tattoo clean, lightly moisturized, and protected while it heals. Please follow your artist’s instructions and visit the Aftercare page on our website for complete guidance.

22. Do you offer piercings?

No. Avenue Tattoo Studio focuses exclusively on tattooing and does not offer piercing services.

23. Where is Avenue Tattoo Studio located?

Avenue Tattoo Studio is located at: 1126 NW Cache Road Lawton, OK 73507

We’re just a short drive from Fort Sill and regularly serve soldiers, military families, and clients from Lawton, Southwest Oklahoma, and North Texas. Two of our artists are U.S. military veterans, and we’re proud to serve the Fort Sill community.