The Inkcredible Way · A first-tattoo guide
Your first tattoo in Virginia Beach.
What to expect before, during, and after your appointment.
Getting your first tattoo should feel exciting, not confusing. This guide explains how custom tattoo consultations, artist selection, design planning, preparation, tattoo sessions, and aftercare work at Inkcredible Tattoo.
Books are open
Start with a free walk-in consultation.
Free walk-in consultations are available Tuesday through Friday from noon to 7 PM. No consultation appointment is required. Bring your idea, reference images, preferred placement, and approximate size. Same-day tattoo availability is not guaranteed.
Inside Inkcredible
A welcoming place for your first tattoo.
A professional environment where first-time clients can ask questions, compare artistic styles, and understand the process before scheduling a tattoo. Your artist will help decide whether your idea, size, and placement work well together.
How it works
Your first-tattoo process.
Every project is different, but most custom tattoos follow these general steps.
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Share your idea
Tell the studio about your tattoo subject, style, placement, approximate size, color preference, reference images, and desired timeframe.
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Choose the right artist
Inkcredible’s artists have different specialties. The studio can help match your idea with an artist experienced in the requested style. You can begin by exploring the interactive artist guide.
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Discuss design, placement, and size
Your artist will evaluate how the design may work on the chosen body area and may recommend adjustments that improve composition, readability, or aging.
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Review scheduling and deposit requirements
The studio will explain current availability, appointment scheduling, estimated scope, and any deposit required to reserve the artist’s time.
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Attend your tattoo session
Your artist will prepare the work area, review placement, explain the session, and give you opportunities to communicate or request reasonable breaks.
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Follow your aftercare instructions
Your artist will provide instructions for cleaning, protecting, and monitoring the tattoo during healing. Follow those instructions rather than relying on conflicting online advice. The aftercare and health guide provides additional sourced educational information.
Preparation
How to prepare for your first tattoo.
Use the appointment planner and checklist to organize your references, route, timing, and preparation.
The day before
- Get an appropriate amount of sleep.
- Stay normally hydrated.
- Avoid arriving with sunburned or damaged skin.
- Confirm the appointment time and studio location.
- Review the studio’s identification requirements.
The day of your appointment
- Eat an appropriate meal before arriving.
- Wear clean, comfortable clothing.
- Make sure the tattoo area is easily accessible.
- Bring valid identification required by the studio.
- Bring any requested references or information.
Medication and health considerations
Tell the studio about relevant allergies, skin conditions, or health considerations when appropriate. Never stop or change prescribed medication without consulting the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
What not to bring
Avoid bringing a large group. Guests may be limited because artists need a calm, focused workspace. Confirm the current guest policy with the studio before your appointment.
Meet the artists
Choosing your Inkcredible artist.
Choose an artist based on the style in their portfolio, not simply who has the earliest opening. The interactive artist and style guide can help you compare the team.
Mattlock Lopes
Realism and large-scale work
Painterly realism, color realism, black-and-grey realism, portraits, sleeves, and back pieces.
View Mattlock’s profileBurke Long
Black-and-grey realism
Portrait tattoos, black-and-grey realism, fantastical realism, and large-scale custom compositions.
View Burke’s profileBrian Allen
Pop culture and portraits
Pop-culture realism, cinematic imagery, character work, portraits, and custom black-and-grey tattoos.
View Brian’s profileDorse Taylor
Anime and color tattoos
Anime tattoos, vibrant color work, character designs, pop-culture artwork, and black-and-grey realism.
View Dorse’s profileBen Spear
Color, black-and-grey, and surrealism
Color tattoos, black-and-grey, surreal imagery, pop-culture subjects, characters, and original custom designs.
View Ben’s profileChipi Camposeco
Freehand and Japanese-inspired tattoos
Freehand tattoos, Japanese-inspired designs, black-and-grey, color, illustrative work, and large-scale custom tattoos.
View Chipi’s profileNathaly Hernandez
Blackwork and gothic tattoos
Blackwork, gothic imagery, illustrative designs, botanical work, ornamental detail, and custom dark-art tattoos.
View Nathaly’s profileAfter your appointment
First-tattoo aftercare in Virginia Beach.
Sun, sand, pools, and ocean water can complicate tattoo healing. Plan your appointment so you can follow your artist’s instructions throughout the healing period. For a sourced educational overview, open the aftercare and health guide.
Follow your artist’s instructions
Aftercare can vary depending on the tattoo and dressing used. Follow the written instructions provided by your artist and contact the studio if anything is unclear.
Avoid swimming while healing
Do not submerge a healing tattoo in the ocean, a pool, hot tub, bath, or other shared water until your artist says it is appropriate.
Protect it from sun and sand
Direct sunlight, abrasive sand, and unnecessary friction can irritate healing skin. Ask your artist how to protect the tattoo during healing and after it has healed.
Know when to seek help
Some redness and sensitivity may occur during normal healing. Contact your artist with aftercare questions. Seek appropriate medical care if you are concerned about infection, an allergic reaction, or another significant health issue.
Free guides from Inkcredible
Take the next step.
Turn the information on this page into a practical appointment plan, then explore the Ink Guardian’s outbreak comics and readiness tools.
Arrive ready. Heal well.
Compare artists, organize your idea, prepare for appointment day, and review responsible tattoo aftercare and health information.
Explore the Tattoo GuideCan you survive long enough to make your appointment?
Follow the Ink Guardian through outbreak comics, survival challenges, emergency-kit tools, household planning, and Hampton Roads readiness resources.
Read the Zombie Survival GuideThese free guides are presented by Inkcredible Tattoo and designed and developed with Empower AI Labs. Optional support helps Empower continue building and maintaining useful community resources.
Questions
First-tattoo questions.
Are Inkcredible Tattoo’s books open?
Yes. The studio is currently accepting new tattoo projects. Free walk-in consultations are offered Tuesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Do I need an appointment for a consultation?
No appointment is required for a free walk-in consultation Tuesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Same-day tattoo availability is not guaranteed.
How painful is a first tattoo?
Tattoo discomfort varies by person, placement, tattoo style, and session length. Your artist can explain what clients commonly experience with the placement you are considering, but individual experiences differ.
Can I take breaks during my tattoo?
Communicate with your artist if you need a break. Your artist will help manage reasonable breaks while keeping the session and tattoo process on track.
How is tattoo pricing determined?
Pricing depends on the artist, size, placement, detail, color, design complexity, and expected session time. The studio can provide project-specific guidance after reviewing your idea.
Can I see my design before the appointment?
Design-review timing varies by artist and project. Ask your selected artist how concepts, revisions, and final placement are handled before tattooing begins.
What should I wear to my tattoo appointment?
Wear clean, comfortable clothing that gives the artist easy access to the tattoo area. Choose clothing that you would not be upset about accidentally staining.
When can I swim after getting tattooed?
Avoid submerging a healing tattoo in pools, the ocean, hot tubs, baths, or other shared water. Follow your artist’s instructions about when swimming is appropriate for your tattoo. For more information, review the aftercare guide.
Where is Inkcredible Tattoo?
Inkcredible Tattoo is located at 1630 General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454.
Start your project
Ready to talk about your first tattoo?
Visit during free walk-in consultation hours, Tuesday through Friday from noon to 7 PM, or contact the team online with your tattoo idea, placement, approximate size, references, and preferred artist.
Studio information last reviewed August 2026. Contact Inkcredible Tattoo Studio to confirm current policies, artist availability, pricing, and identification requirements. Interactive guide platform designed and developed with Empower AI Labs.