accessibility
I recognize that many aspects of the tattoo experience are uncomfortable or outright inaccessible to neurodivergent, disabled, or chronically ill clients. I try to cultivate an accessible tattoo experience when possible for my clients, but I can only do so with your feedback!
If any of these conditions will create a less accessible environment for you, please let me know at or before your appointment time, and we can work together to find a solution (e.g. no incense, adjusting overhead lighting, quiet appointment, scheduling for a day with fewer tattooers in, etc.).
Similarly, if you need or want any accommodations that I haven't listed here, please let me know! I’m always curious to learn more about how to make getting tattooed more comfortable for my clients.
LILLINKARINTATTOO@GMAIL.COM
PHYSICAL ACCESS
We are a 5-minute walk off the Morgan L stop, or there is room for a car to pull up directly in front of the building and drop you off.
Our building entry, elevator, and bathroom are all ADA compliant.
If you’d like photos of any of any part of the studio in advance to gauge your comfort level & ask questions, please let me know. I’m happy to do this.
I often need clients to get up and down from a massage table during the tattoo process. I have a step stool to make this a little easier.
My table is weight-rated to 1200 pounds, our folding chairs are weight-rated to 300 pounds. My step stool is weight-rated to 350 pounds.
COVID & MASKING
Estuary no longer requires universal masking in the studio. If you would feel more comfortable with a masked appointment, please just let me know. We are completely prepared and happy to ensure a masked studio experience when asked.
We are an open-format one-room studio, with a maximum occupancy of 8 tattooers and 8 clients at one time, in roughly 2,000 square feet.
If you are immunocompromised or disabled and would prefer to get tattooed at a time when my studiomates & other clients are not present, please let me know before we schedule our appointment. My off-hours availability is extremely limited, but I do want to ensure that folks who need the highest precautions have access to that while in my care.
SENSORY
In the studio:
we occasionally burn low-smoke incense (shop policy is to check with each client/tattooer first before doing so).
we play music at low to medium volumes.
on cold/hot days the heating vent/AC creates steady white noise.
the room is brightly lit from a variety of fixtures and natural lighting.
If you’d be more comfortable in tinted glasses or sunglasses, please feel free to bring them.
there are often several overlapping conversations and ambient noise.
To reduce sensory input, I sometimes wear sound-filtering earplugs at work (I can still hear clients clearly), and encourage clients to do the same if they need.
SOCIAL
We are a one-room, open format studio with a maximum of 16 people (8 tattooers, 8 clients) at any given time. More typically we have about 6-8 people in at a time.
At your request we can put up room dividers for comfort and privacy.
This is something I always offer for intimate placements where someone might be undressed, but anyone can request this regardless of placement if it would be more comfortable. Often I will not automatically offer a screen if your placement does not seem intimate to me, so please request one if you’d prefer it. It’s easy to set up and I don’t mind at all.
Conversation vs. Quiet Appointments -
I am happy to have light conversation with clients. If there are times where I cannot have conversation or need to be quiet to conserve energy & focus, I will let you know.
Quiet Appointments - If you request a quiet appointment, this means that I will not initiate small talk, and only talk when is necessary for your tattoo process (like placing the stencil, making sure you are feeling okay, etc.) I am totally comfortable working in silence, and this option is welcome and open for clients who would be more comfortable without having to focus on conversation.
If a conversation in the room turns to a topic you are not comfortable with, please let me know and I will make sure to adjust the situation. My studiomates are all quite sensitive and mindful, but we acknowledge that a comfortable conversation for one person can be uncomfortable or a trigger for another, and try to honor our shared space accordingly.