Frequently Asked
Questions

Small tattoos start from £80 and medium tattoos from £200. Large tattoos and sleeves are quoted individually. The final price depends on the size, detail, placement and time involved, so the best way to get an accurate quote is to share your idea with the studio.

Our published starting price for a small tattoo is £80. Small pieces are typically up to around two inches and may include simple symbols, lettering or minimalist designs. Your artist can confirm the price once they have seen the artwork and placement.

A full sleeve is priced by consultation because the design, coverage, detail and number of sessions vary. We can discuss your ideas, plan the artwork and give you a clearer estimate before you commit to a large project.

Yes. Reference images, sketches and examples of styles you like are a great starting point. Our artists can help adapt your ideas into a custom design that works with the shape, size and placement of your tattoo.

Our team works across styles including black and grey realism, portraits, traditional and Japanese-inspired tattoos, geometric designs, lettering and custom artwork. Browse the artists’ portfolios to see whose work best matches the look you have in mind.

Look at each artist’s portfolio, particularly examples in the style you want. Consider the detail, shading and overall finish of their work. If you are unsure, tell us about your design and we can help direct your enquiry to a suitable artist.

Yes. Black and grey realism is one of the styles available at West London Ink. James McAllister’s & Pablo’s portfolios include realism, portrait work and illustrative pieces. You can explore the team’s work before enquiring about a design.

Absolutely. If it is your first tattoo, we can talk through your idea, placement, size, the appointment itself and aftercare. There is no need to know all the terminology before you get in touch; asking questions is part of the process.

Everyone experiences tattoo pain differently. The sensation is often described as repeated scratching or stinging, and some areas are more sensitive than others. The size, placement and length of the session also make a difference. Let your artist know if you are nervous.

A small, simple design can be completed much faster than a detailed portrait or sleeve. Larger pieces may need several appointments. Once we know the design, size and placement, we can give you a more realistic idea of the time involved.

No. In England, tattooing anyone under 18 is illegal, even with parental permission, apart from a narrow medical exception. Please be prepared to show valid photographic identification if requested.

The surface of a tattoo often settles over roughly two to four weeks, although deeper healing can take longer. Healing time varies depending on the tattoo, its placement and your skin. Follow the aftercare advice given by your artist rather than relying on a fixed timeline.

Follow the instructions provided at your appointment. In general, keep the area clean, handle it with clean hands, follow the dressing advice you have been given and avoid picking or scratching as it heals. Contact the studio if you are unsure about normal healing.

Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs and open water while your tattoo is still healing. Soaking a fresh tattoo can irritate the skin and increase exposure to infection. Wait until it has healed sufficiently and ask your artist if you are uncertain.

Some early redness and tenderness can be normal, but worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, marked swelling or fever may indicate an infection. Seek prompt medical advice if you are concerned; do not rely on aftercare products to treat a suspected infection.

West London Ink offers a range of ear, facial and body piercings, including ear lobes, helix, tragus, conch, rook, nostril and septum piercings. Contact the studio if you have a particular piercing in mind or would like to discuss placement and aftercare.

Our published prices include ear lobes at £30 for one or £50 for a pair, and helix and tragus piercings at £40 each. Different placements have different prices, so please check the current piercing price list before booking.

Our published prices list a single nostril piercing at £35, a pair at £60 and a septum piercing at £45. The piercer can explain the procedure, jewellery and aftercare for the placement you choose.

Healing depends on the location. Ear lobes usually settle sooner than cartilage piercings, which can take several months or longer. Your piercer will explain the expected healing period, cleaning routine and signs that you should seek advice.

Laser treatment delivers pulses of light that break tattoo pigment into smaller particles, which the body gradually clears. Results vary according to factors such as ink colour, depth, skin characteristics and the tattoo’s age. A consultation helps establish realistic expectations.

There is no fixed number of sessions that suits every tattoo. Size, colour, ink depth, skin characteristics and the amount of fading required all affect the treatment plan. Several sessions are usually needed, and complete removal cannot be guaranteed.

Yes. Laser treatment can sometimes be used to fade existing ink rather than remove it completely, potentially giving the tattoo artist more flexibility when planning a cover-up. The amount of fading possible depends on the tattoo and its response to treatment.

Treatment can be uncomfortable and is sometimes compared with a snapping sensation against the skin. Possible effects include redness, swelling, blistering, changes in skin pigmentation and, less commonly, scarring. Your practitioner should explain the risks and assess suitability before treatment.

You can send an enquiry through the West London Ink website. Include your idea, approximate size, preferred placement and any reference images if possible. The team can then advise on the next steps and the most suitable artist.

Deposits are used to secure tattoo appointments. The amount can depend on the booking, so please confirm the required deposit and terms with the studio before paying.

West London Ink’s published policy asks for at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or rearrange an appointment. Cancellations within 48 hours may result in the loss of the deposit. Contact the studio as early as possible if your plans change.

The studio is at 12 Boston Parade, Hanwell, London W7 2DG. Published opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 10am–6pm. We recommend contacting the studio before visiting if you want to see a particular artist or arrange a consultation.