No, we don’t tattoo anyone under the age of 18 even if you have parental consent. Our studio is governed by Douglas County, which is located in northern Nevada, and our county specifically does not permit the tattooing of minors. Douglas County Code 9.65.020 states, “It is unlawful for any person to tattoo a minor under the age of eighteen years old. (Ord. 670, 1994)." 

South Lake Tattoo strictly complies with any and all city, county, and state laws, health codes, statutes, and regulations.

Absolutely! Walk-ins are first come, first serve. If we are unable to get to you right away, we will add you to a waitlist and will contact you as soon as it’s your turn. 

Please keep in mind that walk-ins are not a guarantee that you will be able to get tattooed on that day. Our studio can get very busy especially during weekends, holidays, and local events. If you want to ensure you get tattooed on a specific day, we suggest making an appointment in advance.

Our studio requires a $100 non-refundable deposit to schedule an appointment with any of our artists. We are unable to schedule an appointment for you until a deposit is made.

The quickest way to make an appointment is by contacting us via text with the following information:

• Name
• What you would like to get done and style of tattoo (reference photos are helpful) 
• When you would like to schedule a tattoo
• Size and location of the tattoo

You can also click here to access our online booking form.

You will see your design the day of your tattoo for both appointments and walk-ins. Each step of the process takes time and the artist utilizes your time specifically for you. As you wouldn’t want your artist working on/preparing/providing someone else’s design during your time, the same consideration is given to all clients.

It takes time for the artist to create different sizes of your design, so the artist will do sizing options the same day as your tattoo.

Revisions to the design are done the day of your tattoo and minor changes are included as a part of the process. If a completely new design is requested or there are any major changes to the design, it will result in an additional deposit or additional charges to the total cost of your tattoo at the artist’s discretion.

We are located on the 2nd floor of 31 US Highway 50, Suite 201, Stateline, NV 89449.

To access our studio from the ground floor of Highway 50: We are directly above CVS Pharmacy and you are able to see our studio windows from the highway. Enter the doorway to the left of the CVS Pharmacy doors. You can locate us once you go up the stairwell on to the second floor.

To access our studio from the CVS Pharmacy parking lot: Enter the doorway which is to the right of the CVS Pharmacy doors.  Once you go up the stairwell on to the second floor, you can locate our studio down the hallway.

Our studio only does tattoos. We do not perform piercings or sell/change jewelry at this time.

Yes, you’re more than welcome to bring someone with you while you get tattooed. We have sitting areas at the tattoo stations where they can hang out with you. We also welcome large groups. Please note that unruly behavior is distracting to the artists and other clients and will not be tolerated.

We recommend getting a good night's rest, staying hydrated, and eating a meal before your appointment. Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine intake before your session. In the days before your appointment, use a good moisturizer to prepare your skin. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area to be tattooed, such as a tank top if you plan on tattooing your upper arm. If you are planning a longer session, you may want to bring water, a snack, or headphones with you.

Yes! Our artists are experienced in cover-up tattoos. We will work with you to design a custom piece to conceal your existing art. If you are interested in a cover-up tattoo, please share photos of your current tattoo when booking.

Aftercare is crucial to help your tattoo heal. Your artist will provide detailed aftercare instructions after your session. You will want to wash your hands before removing the wrap or dressing that your artist has applied, clean the area with warm water and fragrance-free soap, and wait a few minutes before applying the lotion your artist recommends. Stay hydrated, both by moisturizing and drinking plenty of water, prevent sun damage by wearing protective clothing and sunscreen, and avoid swimming or taking baths while the tattoo is healing.

Pricing varies based on the size and detail of the piece, as well as the artist's expertise. Your artist will provide a personalized quote during your consultation. If you are working with a budget, please let us know in advance.

Pain perception varies from person to person. Some describe it as discomfort, while others find it more painful. Our artists prioritize your comfort and will make the experience as pleasant as possible. You are welcome to take breaks during your session if needed but we do not recommend numbing creams or similar products.

Your safety is our priority. We strictly adhere to all city, county, and state health codes, statutes, laws, and regulations. All equipment is sterilized and/or disposable to ensure a safe environment.

We encourage you to bring your design ideas, references, or sketches. Our artists can work with you to create a custom tattoo that reflects your unique style and vision.

Our talented artists specialize in a wide range of styles, including color realism, portrait, illustration, black and grey realism, dark horror, traditional, neo-traditional, and anime. To learn more, visit our artists' social media pages.

We currently do not offer tattoo removal services. However, we can discuss cover-up options if you're looking to transform or update an existing tattoo.

Neo-traditional tattoos feature bold, dark outlines and an illustrated look. They use saturated colors to create subtle dimension. They tend to have more complex color palettes, intricate detail, and variation in line weight than traditional (or "old school" tattoos. If you are interested in a traditional or neo-traditional tattoo, Taylor would be a good fit.

Illustration tattoos combine elements of both traditional tattoos and realism tattoos. They typically use solid black outlines and may be either colorful or black and grey. Instead of looking photo-realistic like realism tattoos, illustration tattoos maintain an animated feel. Kate's specialty is illustration tattoos and you can view her work here.

As the name suggests, realism tattoos are created to mimic real life. They include incredible detail and appear to be photographs. They can be full color or black and grey. Brian specializes in color realism tattoos, and Ryker's expertise is in black and grey realism tattoos.

Anime tattoos feature bold colors, intricate detail, and shading to add depth. They often have a 3D effect and are a great way to show your appreciation for a specific anime or character. Clay has years of experience with anime tattoos.

A portrait tattoo features an image of someone, whether real or fictional. Many people choose portrait tattoos as memorial pieces, or to immortalize their children or pets. They are incredibly detailed and require an experienced artist - like Brian.

Just about any tattoo can be covered up. Factors to consider include the colors of the original tattoo, how old or faded it is, the design or style, and what you want the cover up tattoo to be. You may need a few touch-up sessions to ensure that your original tattoo is completely hidden. If your tattoo will be difficult to cover up, or if you would like to have more flexibility with the new design, your artist may recommend a few sessions of laser tattoo removal to fade the old design.

Fall or winter is the best time of year to get a tattoo. You are sweating less, your skin is not as exposed to the elements, and you likely aren't going swimming or getting a tan. This helps your tattoo heal more quickly and reduce the chance of infection.

We would prefer you reschedule or cancel your appointment if you are sick, to ensure that the healing process goes smoothly and we can keep our artists and other clients healthy. Symptoms like coughing or sneezing may make it more difficult for the artist to work.

If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you wait to get a tattoo until after your baby is born. Pregnant women have weakened immune systems and are more susceptible to infection. Rapid weight gain or loss may also affect the way your tattoo heals. If you are breastfeeding, you should wait to get tattooed until your baby is not completely dependent on breastmilk (usually 6 months).

Yes, you’re more than welcome to bring someone with you while you get tattooed. We have sitting areas at the tattoo stations where they can hang out with you. We also welcome large groups. Please note that all artists reserve the right to remove anyone from the studio at any time at their discretion, and children are not allowed.

If you are not happy with your tattoo for any reason, please let your artist know as soon as possible so that you can discuss touch-ups.

Your tattoo will naturally fade over time. The placement of the tattoo, colors used, sun exposure, poor aftercare, weight gain/loss, and frequent friction can all affect how quickly or significantly your artwork fades. Fading is more likely in places where the skin is thin and creases easily, like the hands and feet.

Traditional tattoos are usually done with a black outline and then filled in with colors or gradients of black. White ink tattoos are done only in white which creates a more subtle, scar-like look.

While your tattoo is healing (the first three months), it's important to avoid prolonged UV exposure so it doesn't fade prematurely. After the tattoo is healed, you should always use sunscreen or protective clothing. A spray tan will provide you with a natural-looking tan without sun exposure.