Can I bring a friend or child with me?

You can absolutely bring a friend with you - it is great to have someone for moral support and to enjoy the process with you.

We ask that you do not bring any children with you. This is both for the safety of the child as well as respect for the other clients who have made arrangements for childcare and would like to enjoy getting tattooed without any fussing, screaming, or other unnecessary distractions in the shop. We are parents too and love children, but this is a tattoo shop, we hope that you can respect our artist’s and clients’s wishes. 

How do I care for my new tattoo?

Your artist will always provide a copy of our aftercare instructions at the end of your tattoo appointment. You can also find our aftercare instructions here.

How do I pay for the tattoo?

We accept cash and as well as all types of credit/debit cards. We do not take checks. Or bitcoin.

Do tattoos hurt?

Yes, but they are not unbearable. Eating a full meal before hand and staying hydrated makes the process easier to tolerate. Pain is also relative to each individual’s pain tolerance. Remember, a tattoo is more similar to a skinned knee than a shot from a doctor.

Does Iron & Oak do piercings?

Nope, we are strictly a tattoo shop. Google seems to group tattooing and piercing together into one industry, but trust us, we do not know how to do piercings. We do recommend checking out Proper Pokes in La Crosse.

If I get sick can I still come in for my appointment?

Your immune system is responsible for healing your new tattoo. If your body is already trying to fight off a bug you will have a difficult time healing a new tattoo on top of it. It will likely take longer for your tattoo to heal as well as for you to get over your sickness. We recommend rescheduling your appointment and waiting a few days until you feel well again.

What should I do to prepare myself for my appointment?

There are a few things that you can do ahead of time to make your experience go more smoothly. Do not drink alcohol or consume aspirin the night before or day of your tattoo. You will not feel well and it will make you more likely to bleed more which causes the ink to expel as we put it in. Also make sure you eat a good meal about 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment. This is especially important if your tattoo is large and it will be some time before you eat again.

Aside from that, take a shower and charge your phone/tablet.

What should I wear to my tattoo appointment?

It’s more important to be comfortable than to be fashionable you will want to be able to cover up certain places that might show, depending on where you're getting your tattoo.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk-in?

We always encourage you to book an appointment for any tattoo. This guarantees you will get in at the time you want without potentially waiting hours for an opening. It also gives our artists the chance to draw your new tattoo so that it’s 100% unique to you. If we have openings and your tattoo is small, we will do our best to fit you in!

How do I set an appointment?

We always ask that you come in for a consultation before scheduling a new tattoo appointment. During your consultation we will discuss several details (style, size, placement, etc) that are essential for your artist to know. You can also fill out our Start a Tattoo form to get the conversation going. Be sure to include as much detail as possible and an artist will get in touch with you to set up a consultation.

All tattoo appointments require a deposit that comes off the final price of the tattoo. Deposits are typically between $20 and $100 depending on the tattoo. If your tattoo is going to be $500 and you are asked to leave a $100 deposit, you will only have to bring $400 +tip to your appointment.

Can you give me a quote online or over the phone?

We cannot give quotes online or over the phone because there are too many variables that go into pricing that require us to see you and your tattoo idea in person.

How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?

You must be 18 years old – no exceptions.

Are your inks vegan friendly?

Yes! We use Fusion & Dynamic Ink.

Is it customary to tip tattoo artists?

It is always a good idea to tip someone who does a service for you. Whether it’s your barber/hairstylist, waiter, tattoo artist or the kids with a lemonade stand down the street. It’s always nice to show someone you appreciate their extra effort for you.