Bill Thomas, Proprietor / tattoo artist 

Ask the Tattooist aka the "No BS  Zone"

For many first timers, a tattoo studio can really be intimidating! Preconceptions of dingy shops in the seedy part of town with lots of scary looking, hairy biker-type dudes with bad breath and macho attitudes have been the norm.  I try and dispel the old stereotypes as best I can, but old perceptions die hard.

With that in mind, I've added this interactive page. Think of it as "everything you wanted to know about tattooing but were afraid to ask". Below are some actual letters I have received, and like "Dragnet".."the names have been changed to protect the innocent".....

   If you have any question at all, click on to my e-mail and ask away !!! Keep in mind, there are no stupid questions, and you'll never know if you don't ask. In my 30 years in the biz, I think I've pretty much heard them all but if I don't know the answer, I will find out for you. I will respond to all, and depending upon their usefulness to the tattooing public, some may appear on this page. Of course, I'm hugely respectful of privacy, and yours will never be compromised....no salesman will call..!!!!!!!

Hi, My name is A*********. I am 18 but I don't have a Maine I.D. I do have a passport that has my picture, full name, and date of birth. Can I use my passport as a form of identification so that i can get a tattoo?

Hi A*********....Yes, a passport is acceptable because it has your picture and your Date of Birth...those are the requirements.

People get angry when we can't accept birth certificates, but they have no picture. It could be anybody's !!.......

Hi, I'm S****** and I'm turning 18 in August and I'm coming up to your shop to get my tattoo done. I just have a few questions. I was wondering about the different lettering that you have because I'm getting "Adapt and Overcome" on my lower back but I'm not sure about the lettering. I also want to know if I need an appointment because I'm coming up with a group of friends and 4 of us want to get tattoos done? Another thing that I am worried about is when I get older if the tattoo will stretch out and will be unreadable? Sorry for all the questions but just get back to me as soon as possible. Thank you.

Q: Hi my names J**** and i was wondering how old you have 2 be to get a tattoo at your shop ive been wanting to get 1 for a long time i was hopeing on getting one on my 16th birthday this august my older sister got one at the ********* in *********, ME for her 17th birthday last year  my brother has a bunch my dad wants more i was considering your shop looks like great work i have sumthin drawn out that i really want.

Hi J****,

Thanks for thinking of Rosebud Tattoo.......Unfortunately, the minimum age in Maine is 18...doesn't matter if your parents sign for you. The guy who did your sister's tattoo at 17 did so illegally, which he had a reputation for.  I run my shop strictly by the book...no minors.

My advice would be to wait a couple of years...you'll have a much clearer head about what you want on you...for the rest of your life.....and you'll handle the pain better as you mature.

Meanwhile,don't let your friends "practice" on you by doing any crap!!!!!!...Cover-up can be difficult if not impossible.

Q: My friend just got a really cool pot leaf tattoo on his neck, can I get one?

A: No...(again, that swear word)...First, while neck tattoos are quickly becoming trendy and popular, there are certain technical problems involved, and in my opinion, for the most part, they do not pass the test of time. They lose color very quickly, and "blow out", which is a term used to describe sub-dermal ink migration, causing the blurred look you see on guys with tattoos from W.W.-2.It always amazes these guys when I can tell them what it is, as most of them say people can't even identify the image.

Secondly...what's "cool" today, may be very "un-cool" tomorrow...and tattoos are all about forever, a fact most seem to overlook. What most fail to realize, is that getting a tattoo is one thing, getting a neck tattoo is entirely different! It brings you to another level of social interactivity, unlike most other areas of the body, it's out there 24/7 and, make no mistake about it, will impact your life in more ways that you can imagine. For starters, there are many areas of employment that will be completely closed to you forever!!!!

While there may be certain neck tattoos I'll consider, I maintain the right to refuse, for whatever reason. Certainly, no hate symbols, no white supremacist crap (Don't even ask !!!)...when you come to your senses, you'll understand why.

Do you have the right to make a perfect idiot of yourself ???? Absolutely !!!...Do I have to be a part of it?...No!!!..Don't like it?...So sue me, I can use the free publicity !!!!!!

Q: Do you do foot tattoos???

A: After years of base of the spine lateral tattoos being the trendy location of choice for women, it seems the hip-ness factor has relocated to the foot. Again, depending on the specific location on the foot, certain problems may be indigenous to such a choice. Sub-dermal ink migration (see previous question) is an issue in certain locations, such as bottoms of feet, and toe rings. I've seen toe rings that look great a week after it's done, then as little as a year later, get that blotchy, unrecognizable look....

Basically, the top of the foot tattoos well. (some pictures in the "inked babes" section)...but keep in mind, they may not stand the test of time as well as other areas. Of course, they can always be touched up, but I'm not a big fan of high maintenance tattoos.

Q: I just had my first tattoo done on my ankle, and when I took the bandage off, my dog licked my tattoo. I think it's kind of cute, but was wondering if it's o.k.????.....Judy M.

A: Although many people don't think of it as such, tattooing is an invasive process, and as such, there's always a risk of infection! My advice would be stop immediately!!!!! God only knows where your dog's tongue was last...I don't even want to think about it. Read the back of the card with care instructions (or click on the aftercare page) and follow them closely...A couple days of redness is normal, but if it's red and puffy in a week, you're dog definitely had his tongue in something funky, and get your butt into the doctors for some antibiotics.

Q: I went to a shop once and almost got a tattoo on my arm, but the artist said it was a State sanitation law that I had to remove all my clothing to get a tattoo. It didn't sound quite right to me and I left. Was he correct ?????...Pam H...

A: You were absolutely right in your guess, there most definitely is not such a law, anywhere in the U.S.!! While the procedure can be somewhat messy with ink smearing, etc., the tattooist only needs about a 6" diameter of exposed skin around the area to do his work....He suggested the complete exposure for his own enjoyment purposes alone.!!! Don't ever go back there, and tell your friends. You did good!

Q: I saw a Portrait tribute tattoo on Miami Ink, and I'd like to do the entire cast of "Godfather" on my back, do you have time tomorrow ????....Tony S.

A: Although most people don't think of it as such, Tattooing has evolved into a very specialized business. There are many styles and types of work and artists. There are "old school" flash shops like myself, which I've more or less fashioned around the needs of my particular demographic of customers. Then, there are "custom only" shops, and other specialty tattooists. I know of some who do "Tribal" only, and some who have "No tribal" signs posted. But among them all, Portrait tattooists are the most specialized. Out of the thousands currently tattooing professionally in the U.S., I'd guess there are not more than a few dozen truly talented portrait tattooists. There are many who say they can do it, but I strongly suggest you do your homework, and to use an E-bay terminology, check their "feedback".....Showing you an album of their work is a step in the right direction, but,sadly enough, I've known artists who put other people's work in their albums. True story !

So, the answer to your question is "No"..(that swear word again !!)...And I'd suggest you do all of the above, do your homework, and be prepared for many sittings and many hours in "the chair"....as far as cost..."make him an offer he can't refuse".....Good luck, and drop in when it's done...I'd love to see it !!

Q: What about removal ????

A famous tattooist once said "Asking a tattooist about removal is like asking a priest about divorce"...........The absolute fact is that it's a permanent procedure and decision, and very rarely do people treat it as such. Names are always a bad idea, and most every tattooist will tell you so. But it's so ingrained in the tradition of the business, people still want them, and most of us, although reluctantly, still do them.

I've seen numerous claims of "easy tattoo removal" on the internet, and elsewhere. I've heard many rumors of "flesh toned ink" that supposedly negates the ink in the skin, others claim various acid-type ink ,and there's always laser removal...which is more effective than others, but painful, time consuming, and expensive, and I've never seen one that results in total skin restoration, as it always leaves some trace behind.

I can only state that from what I've seen so far, currently no safe, effective, reasonably priced removal method exists today. My advice to the would-be inventors out there is discover one and buy an island in the Caribbean !!!!!! There's huge potential out there !!!!.....Think before you ink!!!!!!!

Q: What about cover-ups ????

Roughly about 90% of the cover ups we do in the business are names. You can sometimes keep the cost down by using the existing lines to make leaves or a vine, maybe add some color, but it all depends upon the size, color, age, and intensity of the existing work.

The unfortunate fact is that black is a predominant color. If you try and put red over black, when it heals, that black is going to come right up through the red and you'll still be able to see it. This is sometimes hard for people to understand, but it's just the nature of the tattoo pigment.

Basically, yes, it can be done, but it's determined on a case by case basis in terms of effectiveness and cost. I can't say it often enough.....Think before you ink!!

For more info, go to the FAQ page.

If you have a question, e-mail me at rosebud.tattoo@yahoo.com