Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Studio
What makes A Dead Anchor Tattoo different?
A Dead Anchor is a private, custom tattoo studio that is by appointment only. Each artist at our shop specializes in tattoo styles that best fit them. We pour our heart and soul into every piece we do, that's why we only take requests that inspire us. We want to give you our full attention. During our sessions, we prioritize tattooing and connecting rather than answering phone calls.
We love to share stories, chat about our experiences, and build friendships with our clients. If you are shy, or have a bit of social anxiety, you won't offend us! We are more than happy to accommodate to meet your comfort level. In these cases, we recommend bringing headphones so that you can tune into your own music, movie, or show.
Where are you located? How do I get to the tattoo studio?
Our address is 1925 Monroe St. There is a big purple 1925 sign above our door! Enter the middle door between the two street facing shops. Once inside, go straight through the door and hallway. On your right there will be a staircase; take the stairs down one floor an there will be a door immediately to your left. That is our shop. We love hiding! lol :)
If you need an elevator, rather than taking the staircase, go straight and go down one level. Once exiting the elevator walk straight until the woman's bathroom sign is on your right. Turn left, and there will be a staircase up and a door in front of you. The door in front with the A Dead Anchor sign is our studio.
What are your hours? When are you open?
Our tattoo studio is by appointment only. We do not offer walk-in availability, so if you try to swing by the shop, we may not be here! Each artist handles their booking separately. Blackwood books Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 12:30pm. Tyranicorn books Sundays through Saturdays starting at 10:00am, 12:30pm, or 5:30pm. Please fill out a consult form with the artist you would like to work with to set an appointment.
When Booking Your Next Tattoo
How do I book a tattoo with one of your artists?
Filling out a consultation form for the artist of your choice is the best way to start a tattoo consultation at our shop. Our consultations are free and hosted online. Our artists will communicate with you via email because it is the most effective way for us to keep all our requests in one place. The email thread / back and forth we have online is considered our "consultation process." From our discussions, we will set up a date and time for your tattoo appointment that works for the both of us. Some of our artists take tattoo deposits in order to book appointments. Please read each artist's FAQ section of their website for more information.
Links to book are available on our artists page.
I was messaged by x-username on Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/X/(other social media) and sent them money, but when I showed up, no one was at the tattoo shop?!
Unfortunately, you got scammed out of a fake tattoo artist page, taking a deposit for a tattoo you were never going to get. Our artists will never message you on social media asking you to book a tattoo with us or to ask for a deposit. Our artists solely respond to consult forms that you send us on our websites via email. Brandon Blackwood and Tyranicorn are the only artists at this tattoo shop. Brandon Blackwood does not take any deposits through any payment platform. Tyranicorn only takes deposits through verified business pages.
If you were scammed, the best next steps are to do as follows:
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Screenshot your entire conversation with the account.
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Report the account to Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/X/or whatever platform they contacted you on.
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If you sent them money, call your bank and let them know there is a fraudulent transaction on your account and mention whatever payment platform you sent it on (Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc.).
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Report the transaction as fraud on the payment platform (Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc.)
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Call your local police department, provide them screenshots of your conversation, let them know how much money you sent, tell them what steps you took to report the fraud, and provide any other information you can to local authorities.
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Work with your financial institution to see what you can do to potentially get some of your money back.
In order to prevent scammers and fraud in the future, always check the following:
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Always double check that the artist that contacts you is listed on our public website. If they are not listed on our public website, please feel free to call us to verify if they work for us (or are doing a guest spot here).
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Make sure that the username matches the social media page that is on our public website.
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Only contact us via online consultation form and email. We will reply directly to your email with the consult form attached (showing exactly what you had submit to us).
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Check for inconsistencies in social media pages - Do their tattoos match what is on our public website? Are there tattoos that don't seem to fit their style, lighting, or skill level? Are backgrounds of the tattoos inconsistent? Be wary.
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Confirm website addresses and social media handles (make sure that there is no extra letters, numbers, symbols, or words). A lot of scammers will add an extra "o" or "t" or word in their handle to make a fake social media account.
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When in doubt, never send money via payment platform. Always call us. If you are unsure, ask. If you are wary about sending a deposit online, on a case-by-case basis, we will be able to set up an in-person consultation and take a cash deposit to make you feel more comfortable and at ease.
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If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Don't believe you will get a high quality tattoo, a cover up, or something extremely realistic for a small price.
Do you offer in-person tattoo consultations?
Our artists use online consultation forms to speed up the tattoo appointment and booking process. We do not want to have to have you drive in (or fly in) from other areas, if unnecessary. By being thorough and sending multiple reference photos and detailed description of what you want in a tattoo, we can create a design we both will be excited for. Email communication allows us to ask the appropriate questions about your tattoo and keep track of responses in one place, so nothing is missed or forgotten. Our goal is to make your dream tattoo come true.
On rare occasion, usually only for large-scale projects (cover ups, sleeves, backpieces, and full body suits), we may need to have a collaborative in-person session prior to designing your tattoo so we can capture images, discuss what you want where, and write notes. Those will be done on an as-needed basis and communicated in advance by your artist.
If you are worried about sending a deposit to one of our artists in advance, please mention that in your back and forth email. We will be able to work with you on a case-by-case basis for your comfort level.
Do you accept walk-ins? Can I stop by and get an in-person consultation?
We are by appointment only. We may have same-day availability. Give us a call to see what our availability is: (608) 819-82870. If you want to guarantee an appointment with us, please fill out a free, online consultation form and set up an appointment with your artist of choice in advance. If we need to bring you in for an in-person consultation, that will be communicated via email.
What are some helpful tips for booking a tattoo appointment?
Before you book an appointment, please have an idea in mind of the tattoo you want to get. We want to see reference photos, know the colors you like, understand things you don't like, and work with you to create something amazing.
Please do not call on behalf of someone else. It is impossible to communicate effectively through additional people.
Plan in advance! You are not able to soak or swim for 2(+) weeks after getting a tattoo. We also cannot tattoo you if your skin is too dry or sunburnt. Please avoid excessive sun and/or tanning before your appointment. Make sure your tattoo is booked well before/after any summertime or vacation adventures.
Do I need to supply my own references?
We want to know what tattoo style you like so we can see if we will be the best artist for your project. We ask that you include tattoo designs you think are cool in your consultation form. Please also include details of what you like/don't like in the text area, as well as any other helpful directive to your piece.
Do you have tattoo flash to pick from?
Both of the artists at A Dead Anchor have premade, or predrawn, tattoo designs for sale. Check our artists' website(s) to see what available designs they have listed. Premade designs are available at special discounted rates.
I am (under the age of 18) x-years old, if I bring my mom can I get inked?
No. You must be 18 years or older to get tattooed.
I'm feeling under the weather before my appointment. What should I do?
If you are feeling ill, please contact us immediately. Do not come to your tattoo appointment sick. We will reschedule you to another date/time when you are no longer experiencing any cold or flu like symptoms.
What to Expect at Your Tattoo Appointment
What should I do to prepare for my tattoo appointment? What should I bring to my tattoo appointment?
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Please bring a government-issued photo ID (Driver's License, Military ID, or Passport). NO STUDENT IDs.
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Bring cash or visit one of the ATMs in our area (Tobacco Plus, Neuhauser Pharmacy, or Associated Bank).
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Eat a full meal and stay hydrated. You may bring or order-in snacks/beverages.
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Avoid drinking alcohol the day/night before your tattoo. You don't want to get tattooed hungover, it's not fun!
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Bathing before a tattoo is helpful for you and your tattoo artist.
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Wear comfortable/loose clothing that allows access to the tattoo area and covers your junk (or lady junk).
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Charge your phone/tablet or bring a book to keep yourself entertained while we stab you. :)
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Bring headphones if you want to listen to your own music, podcasts, or videos.
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You will be sitting in one place for longer than normal. Bring a pillow and/or blanket for comfort and support.
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Remember to keep breathing, don't hold your breath.
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Let your artist know if you need a break or are starting to feel sick.
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DO NOT bring children under 18 or pets to the shop. You may bring one friend or a family member for support.
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If you are sick or if you are healing from a recent injury or surgery, please reschedule your appointment.
How much does a tattoo cost?
Tattoo prices are based on the size and complexity of the tattoo. Our artists will work with you to determine the ideal size and amount of detail for a price quote that fits your budget. Our shop minimum is $100, however we prioritize large-scale projects. If you are looking for something smaller, please consider sending a reference photo to our shop's Facebook first.
What payments do you accept? How can I pay for my tattoo?
We only accept cash here! There are several ATMs near our location.
Can I use my student ID to get tattooed?
No. You must have a current (not expired) government or state-issued identification: driver's license, passport, military ID, etc. If your ID is expired, clipped, or in the process of being renewed, you must bring in the renewal papers, in accordance with state law.
How to Care for Your New Tattoo
Does your studio use tattoo wrap? / I had an allergic reaction to the wrap in the past, can I skip the wrap?
Yes, our studio uses a Saniderm/Tegaderm/Recovery Derm Shield/SecondSkin wrap. If you have had an allergic reaction in the past, do not fret. We also have traditional tattoo aftercare processes that exclude adhesive. We will work with each person's allergies individually in order to create a safe environment for all.
What should I do for aftercare?
Our artists will go over aftercare with you after your tattoo is completed. If you lose the sheet we provide you, refer to our aftercare section of our website for step-by-step assistance. If you need to purchase any aftercare products, we recommend using InkAura products, which can be purchased from EpiQue Tattoo Supply: epiquesupply.com.
How long do I have to wait before I can go swimming?
Please wait a minimum of 2-3 weeks before submerging yourself in water (lakes, rivers, oceans, pools, hot tubs, waterparks, and the like). Your fresh tattoo is an open wound and is prone to infection. Even with the wrap on, water can seep through and contaminate your tattoo, which can lead to infection. Be safe, not sorry!
How long do I have to wait before working out?
We do not recommend working out for the next 2-4 days following your tattoo appointment. Avoid excessive sweating and intensive workouts for at least one week after receiving the tattoo. It is essential to care for your new tattoo, especially since you just paid a lot of money for it. :)
Note: If you choose to work out while wearing the wrap, you will get extremely stinky under your bandage. Remove the bandage as soon as you can after working out, and brace yourself for when it comes time to clean your tattoo.
How long do I have to wait before I can go out in the sun/wear sunscreen/go tanning?
Sun exposure will fade tattoos. You need at least 2-3 weeks of heal time before you can apply sunscreen. We do not recommend tanning (or spray tanning) after getting tattooed.
Note: You can sunburn through your clear bandage.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Do tattoos hurt?
Nope. ;)
How do you lure tattoo clients into your basement?
With free candy. :)