After-Hours Call Handling Guide for Tattoo Artists

Most after-hours calls are not true emergencies—they’re booking questions, price checks, and “can I do a walk-in?” But tattooing and piercing are body services, so a small number of calls do need a fast response because the client’s health or a time-sensitive event is on the line. Treat these as “urgent—respond ASAP” (same night if possible): - Piercing issue with signs of serious infection or reaction: swelling that’s getting worse fast, spreading redness, hot skin, pus, fever, trouble breathing, fainting. - Fresh piercing that’s embedded (jewelry sinking into skin) or bleeding that won’t stop after 10+ minutes of firm pressure. - Client had a tattoo today and is having an allergic reaction: hives, swelling around face/eyes, trouble breathing. - They think they were exposed to blood/body fluid in a way that could be unsafe (rare, but take seriously). Treat these as “important—but can wait until business hours”: - Normal tattoo healing questions: peeling, itching, light redness, plasma, “is this scabbing normal?” - Touch-up requests (even if they say it’s ‘urgent’). - Cover-up consults and “can you fix this other tattoo?” - Price estimates: “How much for a half sleeve?” “What’s your shop minimum?” “Do you charge by the hour?” - Booking/rescheduling, deposits, design changes, placement questions. - Walk-in availability (including Friday the 13th lines). Treat these as “not urgent—do not engage after hours”: - Drunk callers, prank calls, people asking for copyrighted designs, and anyone trying to negotiate down from your shop minimum ($100-$300 small tattoo range) at midnight. Set the rule: body safety gets a fast response; everything else gets a next-day reply.