Where is True Blue located? What are the shop hours?
We now have 2 locations! The original True Blue is located at 607 Red River in downtown Austin.
Please check the Red River location page for current hours.
Our newest location is at 4507-B Airport Blvd. Our Airport Blvd. location only offers tattooing. For piercing please contact our Red River location at 476-OUCH.
Please check the Airport Blvd location page for current hours.
Where can I park?
True Blue does not have any dedicated parking spots. There are many metered spots downtown, which cost $1/hour. There is also free 2-hour parking on 6th Street between Red River and Brazos Streets. Additionally, there are many pay-to-park lots located throughout the downtown area, several within 2 blocks of our location. Our Airport Blvd. location has parking right in front of the shop.
Do I need an appointment to get tattooed of piercing?
Not Necessarily, but it is always a good idea. People with appointments are prioritized, though we always have tattooers on shift for “walk-ins” too! You can book an appointment with any of our tattooers or piercers from their portfolio pages on this website.
How do I make an appointment?
Appointments are made with a specific artist. There are 14 tattoo artists working at True Blue. Each artist is very talented, and each has their own style of tattooing (traditional, portraits, black-and-gray, etc.). It is highly recommended that you look at each of the artists’ portfolios (available on the website in abbreviated form, or at the studio), decide which artist’s style best suits your taste, and contact them via e-mail, or by coming into the shop, to set up an appointment time. Most appointments will require a cash deposit, which is then deducted from the price of the tattoo. We DO NOT make appointments over the phone.
How much do tattoos cost?
At True Blue our tattoo artists set their own rates, but typically you can expect to pay $100- $125 per hour of tattoo work. On smaller sized tattoos, we can often give you a price beforehand, but with larger tattoos, we tend to price the work by the hour. If you are curious about pricing a particular piece, you can come by the shop for an estimate, or contact an individual artist via e-mail. We DO NOT give price quotes over the phone or via email.
Can minors get tattoos?
No. Under Texas Law, no person below the age of 18 can legally be tattooed, even with parental consent. The only exception is with a Court Order to obscure gang-related symbols or offensive language already tattooed on a minor.
Do tattoos hurt? What should I expect?
The tattooing process may involve various levels of discomfort. Everybody has their own individual perception of what the process feels like. Typically, there is a vibrating sensation accompanied by a light to moderate stinging feeling while the tattoo is being applied to the skin. There is usually a lingering soreness after the process which can last for several days, but typically goes away within a week. There may be redness around the new tattoo, which usually goes away within a few days. There may me mild to moderate swelling of the area after the tattoo process, this usually subsides within a few days.
Do you guarantee your work?
During the healing process, tattoos may lose some pigment. Obviously, proper care of a healing tattoo will minimize this possibility. In the event that a tattoo needs a touch-up after the initial process, individual artists will determine when will be the best time to do the work, and will schedule a touch-up appointment. Usually touch-up work is done free of charge, however, if the artist determines the cause of the damage was caused by abuse to the healing tattoo (neglect, picking, soaking, scratching, etc.), there may be a charge for the additional work.
Can I bring in my own design?
Yes. Feel free to bring in your own design. If there are foreseeable conflicts with the design as a feasible tattoo (i.e. too small, too crowded with detail), our artists can usually find an agreeable solution, and create a workable design from your idea. We are also happy to create original custom designs for our clients, based upon their conceptual ideas and visual imagery. This type of work typically involves a waiting period; while the design is drawn, and usually involves setting an appointment (see question #4), and a deposit on the drawing.
