Book Your Tattoo in Amsterdam
Let’s turn your idea into something permanent
You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch.
Maybe you already know exactly what you want.
Maybe you have a folder full of reference images.
Or maybe you simply have an idea, a memory or a story and need help turning it into a tattoo.
That’s completely fine.
At Elmar Tattoo in Amsterdam, I specialise in custom fine line, single needle and tiny tattoos. Every booking starts with understanding your idea so I can determine what will work best in terms of design, size, placement and technique.
Tell me what you have in mind below, and we’ll take it from there.
Before you book
What information do I need?
The more useful information you include in your first message, the easier it is for me to understand your idea.
Don’t worry — you don’t need to write an essay.
Please include:
- Your tattoo idea
- Approximate size
- Preferred placement
- Reference images, if you have them
- Whether it’s your first tattoo
- Any relevant timing or preferred dates
- Whether you’re visiting Amsterdam from abroad
If you’re unsure about size or placement, just say so.
That’s something I can help you with.
Your tattoo idea
It doesn’t need to be finished yet
A lot of people hesitate to contact a tattoo artist because they think their idea isn’t developed enough.
That’s unnecessary.
You can contact me with:
“I’d like a small flower representing my grandmother.”
Or:
“I want something connected to Amsterdam, but not something obvious.”
Or even:
“I have no idea how to explain this, but here are six screenshots.”
That’s enough to start a conversation. My job isn’t only to tattoo a finished image. It’s also to help turn your idea into a design that works on skin.
Reference images
Yes, send them
Reference images are extremely useful.
They can show me the style, level of detail, composition or overall feeling you’re looking for much faster than trying to describe everything in words.
You can send:
- Tattoo inspiration
- Photographs
- Drawings
- Screenshots
- Artwork
- Handwriting
- Pictures of flowers, animals or objects
- Examples from my own portfolio
You don’t need to find an exact example of the tattoo you want.
And please don’t worry if your references don’t perfectly match each other.
I’ll look at what connects them.
Reference images are inspiration — not instructions to copy another artist’s work.
Choosing your tattoo size
You can give me an approximate measurement in centimetres.
If you’re unsure, that’s fine too.
For fine line and tiny tattoos, size is particularly important because very small details need enough room to heal and age properly.
If I think your design needs to be slightly larger than you originally imagined, I’ll explain why.
Sometimes just a few extra millimetres can make a significant difference.
The goal isn’t to make your tattoo unnecessarily large.
It’s to give the design the space it needs.
Choosing your placement
If you already know where you’d like the tattoo, include that in your request.
If you’re deciding between several placements, tell me. We can discuss the advantages and limitations of each. Placement influences more than appearance.
The shape and movement of the body, sun exposure, friction and available space can all affect how a design works. And nothing is final just because you mentioned a placement in your first message.
We’ll check the final design on your body before tattooing.
What happens after I send my request?
Once I receive your tattoo request, I’ll look at the information and references you’ve provided.
If I need additional information, I’ll ask.
From there, we can determine whether your idea fits my work and discuss the next step towards an appointment.
For some ideas, everything is immediately clear. Others require a little conversation first. That’s completely normal.
A permanent tattoo deserves a few questions.
The design process
Custom means created for you
I do a lot of custom work.
That means I use your idea and references to create a tattoo specifically for you rather than simply selecting an existing design from a catalogue.
Exactly how the design process works can depend on the tattoo.
Some ideas are beautifully simple. Others require more development.
The important thing is that we arrive at something that works visually, technically and personally.
On the day of your appointment
Your appointment isn’t a race to the tattoo chair. Before we begin, we’ll look at the design together.
We’ll check the size.
We’ll test the placement.
You’ll have time to look in the mirror and see how it sits on your body. If something doesn’t feel right, say so.
Moving the stencil isn’t annoying.
Asking another question isn’t annoying.
Taking an extra few minutes isn’t annoying.
This is going on your body. I want you to feel confident before we begin.
First tattoo?
You don’t need to know how any of this works
If this is your first tattoo, welcome.
You aren’t expected to understand tattoo terminology, needles, healing or exactly what size your design should be. I’ll guide you through the process.
Being nervous is normal.
Asking questions is normal.
Changing your mind about whether the tattoo should sit one centimetre higher is also completely normal. My aim is to make your first tattoo experience feel clear, calm and personal.
Visiting Amsterdam?
International clients are welcome
You don’t need to live in Amsterdam to book with me.
If you’re planning a trip and would like to get tattooed while you’re here, contact me as early as possible.
Please include:
- Your travel dates
- Your tattoo idea
- Approximate size
- Preferred placement
- Reference images
Also think about what you’re doing after your tattoo appointment.
A fresh tattoo needs time to heal.
If your next destination involves swimming, intense sun exposure or activities that make proper aftercare difficult, we may need to think carefully about timing.
Amsterdam will still be here.
Your skin deserves sensible planning.
Booking matching tattoos
Want to get tattooed together?
Matching tattoos can be a great way to mark a friendship, relationship, family connection or shared experience.
They don’t necessarily need to be identical. We can also create designs that relate to one another while still working independently.
If you’re enquiring for multiple people, mention this immediately and send the ideas for everyone involved. That helps me determine what’s realistic within one appointment or day.
Booking several small tattoos
If you’d like several tiny tattoos during the same appointment, include all of them in your initial request.
Don’t worry about deciding the exact order.
I’ll look at the number of tattoos, complexity and placements and let you know what’s realistic.
Combining several small pieces into one appointment can sometimes make sense, but enough time still needs to be reserved for each design and placement.
Small doesn’t mean rushed.
Pricing
How much will my tattoo cost?
Tattoo pricing depends on several factors, including:
- Design
- Size
- Complexity
- Placement
- Preparation
- Estimated tattooing time
That’s why I prefer seeing your idea before giving you a price indication.
Two tattoos that are both five centimetres wide can require completely different amounts of work.
Send me the information about your tattoo and I can give you a more useful indication.
Deposits and appointments
If a deposit is required to secure your appointment, you’ll receive the relevant information during the booking process.
Your appointment should only be considered confirmed once you’ve received confirmation and completed any required booking steps.
Please read the booking information carefully before your appointment.
Rescheduling and cancellations
Plans can change.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, contact me as early as possible.
Your specific booking terms will explain how changes affect your appointment and any deposit you’ve paid.
Clear communication makes life considerably easier for everyone.
Preparing for your tattoo appointment
A little preparation makes the day easier.
Before your appointment:
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Eat properly
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid arriving on an empty stomach
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Make sure the tattoo area can be accessed easily
- Bring anything you’ve been specifically asked to bring
Don’t try to prepare your skin with aggressive treatments immediately before your appointment.
If you’re unsure about something, ask.
When should you postpone a tattoo?
Sometimes the best tattoo decision is to wait.
If you’re unwell, your skin in the tattoo area is damaged or irritated, or another circumstance may affect whether tattooing is appropriate, contact me before your appointment.
Don’t simply arrive and hope for the best.
If there’s a health-related reason you’re unsure whether getting tattooed is appropriate, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
It’s much easier to rearrange an appointment than to force a tattoo into the wrong circumstances.
After your appointment
Once your tattoo is finished, I’ll explain how to care for it.
You’ll receive information about cleaning, healing and what you should avoid during the initial period.
You can also read my complete Tattoo Aftercare Guide before your appointment if you’d like to know what to expect.
And if you have a question while your tattoo is healing, get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book?
Availability changes, so if you have a particular date or travel period in mind, contacting me earlier gives us more options.
For international clients with fixed travel dates, I especially recommend planning ahead.
Can I book if I don’t know exactly what I want?
Yes.
Give me as much information as you have.
A subject, story, reference image or general direction can be enough to begin.
Do I need a consultation before booking?
That depends on the tattoo.
Some ideas can be discussed easily through the normal booking process, while more complex concepts may benefit from additional discussion.
I’ll let you know what’s appropriate after seeing your request.
Can I send multiple reference images?
Please do.
Several references can often communicate your taste better than one image.
Tell me what you specifically like about them if possible.
Can I change the placement on the day?
The final placement is checked before tattooing.
Small adjustments are completely normal.
If you’re considering a major change that affects the design itself, additional preparation may be necessary.
Can I change the size?
We can check the final size before tattooing.
However, some designs have a minimum practical size because the individual details need enough room.
I’ll advise you if that’s the case.
Can I bring someone with me?
This depends on the studio setup and appointment circumstances.
Please ask beforehand rather than assuming, especially if you’d like to bring multiple people.
Can I book several tattoos at once?
Potentially, yes.
Include all of your ideas in your enquiry so I can estimate the required time.
Can two people book together?
Potentially.
Mention both people and both tattoo ideas when contacting me so I can determine what’s possible.
Can I get tattooed while visiting Amsterdam?
Yes.
International clients are welcome.
Include your travel dates in your enquiry so we can look at availability and make sure the appointment fits sensibly into your trip.
How do I know what my tattoo will cost?
Send your idea, size, placement and reference images.
Once I understand the tattoo you’re considering, I can give you a much more meaningful price indication.
What if I’m nervous?
Tell me.
Seriously.
You don’t need to pretend you’re not nervous.
Especially for a first tattoo, some nerves are completely normal. Knowing that beforehand simply means I can explain things clearly and make sure you know what to expect.
Ready to start?
You don’t need the perfect description.
You don’t need a finished drawing.
And you definitely don’t need to know which needle I should use.
You just need somewhere to begin. Tell me your idea. Send your references. Give me an approximate size and placement. And we’ll work out the rest together.