Frequently asked questions

Easiest way: the project request page, right here on the site. You describe your idea through a few questions, and I get back to you to plan the next step. However you found me (Instagram, word of mouth, Google), that form is where everything comes together.

Yes. The testimonials page gathers the reviews left on Google by people who’ve been to the studio, published with their consent. You can also read them directly on the studio’s Google listing: 5 stars across 41 reviews so far.

No, on purpose. Before any project, we meet at the studio for a conversation of thirty minutes to an hour: your idea, its why, the placement, the price range. A tattoo means hours spent together; that first human contact is part of the work. If you're coming from far away, a video call can replace this first conversation.

No. The conversation at the studio costs you nothing and commits you to nothing: it's setting the session, with the deposit, that launches your project.

No. The first appointment is a conversation: your project, its feasibility, the price range. The tattoo session is set afterwards, with a deposit to confirm it. That gives me time to create your design, and it gives you time to decide with a clear head.

Your wishes, your ideas, your photos, your real references: anything that inspires you is welcome, even if it has nothing to do with tattoos. The only thing I ask you to leave out is AI-generated images: we start from you, not from a ready-made picture.

Yes, and that's often how the best projects are born. That's exactly what the appointment is for: you explain your idea, however vague, I ask questions, and I make suggestions. Turning a vague idea into a precise project is my job, not yours.

I present the design on the day of the tattoo, with time planned to adjust it together: that's how I work, and it avoids the endless message ping-pong that dilutes everything. If you really need to sleep on it, you can drop by the studio two or three days before. One thing I never do: send designs remotely.

Yes. A first tattoo takes preparation: at the studio meeting, we take all the time needed for your idea, the placement, the price, and every question you don't dare to ask. The studio is small and warm, you'll quickly feel at home.

No. It's a personal choice: no tattoos under 18, even with parental consent, even accompanied. Life is long, the body is big: if your idea still stands at 18, I'll be even happier to tattoo it.

Yes, except genitals.

Yes, both. Covering an old tattoo, or reworking, finishing, improving another artist's piece: I do it gladly, and without ego. Every case is different, so it all starts with a studio visit, to look at the existing tattoo together and see what's possible.

The studio is small: best to mention it when we set the appointment, depending on the session and the space available.

At Amartato Studio, Grand-Rue 10, 1844 Villeneuve, Switzerland (canton of Vaud), at the start of the street, at street level with a storefront.

That's the easiest way: Villeneuve train station is a 3-minute walk, and so are the bus stops. From Montreux, the direct train takes about 4 minutes.

In the street right outside the studio there are blue zones: in Switzerland, that's free parking with a parking disc. Nearby you'll also find disc parking areas limited to 4 hours, and metered spots if your session runs longer.

The studio is at street level, with direct access from the pavement. There's a single small step at the door, about kerb height. If you're unsure about your situation, tell me beforehand: we'll sort it out.

The starting price is CHF 150 (Swiss francs), design included. Beyond that, it all depends on the size, placement and style of your piece, then its level of detail, and finally the actual tattooing time. That's why I don't quote by the metre: I give you a price range, at the appointment.

At the appointment, I give you a range, say CHF 300-450, for the project we define together. If the size, placement or details change before the session, we adjust and approve the price before we begin. With the project unchanged, the quoted range stands, and the only possible surprise is a final price below the approved maximum.

No. Creating the design is included in the price, even when I spend hours on it. The range I give you is the total for the finished tattoo.

When we set your first tattoo appointment, I take a CHF 100 deposit (CHF 200 for large multi-session projects, like a full sleeve). It's deducted from the price, on the last session for longer projects. If you cancel, the deposit is kept; if you reschedule less than 48 hours ahead, a new deposit is needed.

Cash, preferably: there's no card reader at the studio, and banks, the post office and ATMs are just around the corner. The deposit can go through TWINT (the Swiss mobile payment app). Multi-session projects are paid session by session. Coming from abroad? Payment is settled before the tattooing starts (purely a practical arrangement).

No. The price reflects the work, and the price range already protects you from bad surprises.

Hydrate it in the week before: drink enough water, moisturise the area if you think of it. But on the day itself: clean, bare skin. No cream, no self-tanner, nothing. Shaving is my job, right before the session; if you'd rather do it yourself, do it that same day. And if you wax or epilate, do it several days ahead, not the night before.

I don't tattoo damaged skin: a cut, a scratch, a burn, sunburn, an eczema or psoriasis patch on the area: we wait until it's healed. Acne: I can tattoo around active spots, with a touch-up planned afterwards if needed.

A few pointers, always to confirm with your doctor: if you take blood thinners, you'll need their approval for a 24-hour pause before and after the session. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: I don't tattoo. Diabetes: possible, with extra precautions on my side. HIV: not a contraindication. Telling me simply lets me take extra care. In every case, mention your situation early: we'll talk about it simply, without judgement.

Come rested: sleeping and eating well in the days before genuinely changes your session and your healing. Skip the all-nighter and the hangover. Wear comfortable clothes, bring something to keep you busy (a book, headphones, your current series): retreating into your bubble is completely fine (some pieces even require my full silence to concentrate). Pack a snack and something to drink.

I explain everything at the end of the session, in detail and for your piece specifically. A full healing guide is also coming to the site.

It depends entirely on the piece: a small piece takes one short session, a large project is split over several. At the appointment, once size and placement are set, I can walk you through the likely schedule.

One to two sessions for most pieces. Big projects (full sleeve, full leg) are organised over several spaced-out sessions, paid session by session.

It varies with the season and the project. The most efficient move: send your project request now, with your preferred timing: I'll reply with the real availability of the moment.

On the surface, count two to four weeks; deeper down, the skin keeps regenerating for a few months. The full aftercare guide is coming to the site. Meanwhile, you leave every session with complete instructions.