Frequently Asked Questions

The shop minimum is $70.00 . Beyond that the cost is determined by the hourly rate of each artist. Most of the artists in the shop have an hourly rate of $150.00/hour. The exceptions are Lee at $175/hour.
We accept, debit, credit card’s and cash. Sorry, NO CHECKS.
Due to COVID-19 we are currently appointment only. Normally, we always try to accommodate walk-ins, but scheduling an appointment is the best way to ensure your artist will have time available for you. Call 728-1191 to get scheduled!
Yes. Some artists will work with 15 years old and up. Please call the shop at inquire. Valid ID for the minor and parent are required. bring birth certificate or other guardianship papers for all minors instead of saying “if the last names are different” because step parents also have the same last name sometimes

Yes. We require a deposit for every tattoo appointment scheduled; it holds the appointment time for you and ultimately goes toward the cost of the tattoo. This deposit is paid for at the time of booking the appointment and we accept deposits with debit/credit over the phone or cash in person. The amount of the deposit depends on how the length of the appointment you’re scheduling for:

1-2 hours $70 deposit

3-4 hours $150 deposit

5+ hours $300 deposit

Keep in mind when scheduling that ALL deposits are 100% NON-REFUNDABLE. We are always happy to reschedule appointments, free of charge, before 24 hours of your tattoo appointment. However, if you reschedule or cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment or don’t call/don’t show you will forfeit your deposit and we will require a new one to reschedule.

Our artists can definitely draw something up for you before scheduling an appointment, but we do require a $150 drawing deposit. Like deposits for appointments these are NON-REFUNDABLE, but most of the time the drawing deposit is used as the appointment deposit once you’re ready to get scheduled.

YES! Our artists love to have the opportunity to do custom work! If you’re not sure which artist you’d like to work with we recommend checking out their portfolios [Artists] (link  to artist page) to see whose style suits you best. Once you know which artist you’d prefer you’ll want to call the shop and set up a free consultation. Consultations give you an opportunity to meet with your artists and chat with them about your ideas

Normally, yes. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are currently appointment only for all tattoos and piercings. This doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t have any time available; if you’d like to check out the upcoming availability either book online for piercings or give the shop a call for tattoos.
There are a couple of option for this.
  1. You’re always welcome to schedule a consultation prior to booking a tattoo appointment. Once you’ve spoken with an artist you can then schedule an appointment.
  2. If you have images of what you want to get tattooed you can send them to our shop email [email protected]. Be sure to include which artist you’d like to work with, where you would like to place the tattoo, how large (in inches) you’d like the tattoo to be, and any changes you’d like to make to the design. This email will reach our front end staff and once we’ve determined how much time the artist would want for your appointment we will reach out to you to let you know how much time to book for.
Our front end staff works diligently to ensure that you are scheduled appropriately for what you’d like to get tattooed. We will always try and accommodate changes to your design, but recommend giving us as much notice as possible. If you arrive for your appointment with a different idea than what you scheduled for, without giving us any notice about the change, we may require that you  reschedule to a different day with the appropriate amount of time and you are liable to lose your original deposit to compensate for the artist’s time.

For 18+: Montana state law requires a valid ID to get tattooed.

For Minors: Montana state law requires that all minors getting pierced or tattooed must have a parent/guardian present during the entirety of the tattoo. The parent must sign a waiver of consent for the minor to be pierced or tattooed. Both the parent AND the minor must provide valid photo IDs at the time of the appointment. If the last names on these IDs are different, a birth certificate is required as well. Step-parents are NOT allowed to consent for step-children unless they are able to provide adoption papers proving guardianship. For special guardianship situations please give the shop a call at 406-728-1191 to determine what documentation you will need to bring to your appointment.
Of course! Our artists offer free touch-ups within the first 90 days. After the 90 day period we are still happy to touch-up tattoos, but you will have to put down a deposit like a regular appointment.
While we never want to have to turn anyone away, there are a few conditions in which we are not able to tattoo or pierce a client.
  • Insufficient documentation: if you don’t have the required identification, we are unable to tattoo or pierce you. Period.
  • Medical conditions/medications: Certain medications (i.e. blood thinners or Accutane), skin conditions (e.g. psoriasis or eczema) , skin infections, or sunburns can prevent us from being able to perform piercings or tattoos. We require that you reach out to your doctor prior to your appointment to acquire a written physician referral giving medical permission to undergo the piercing/tattoo.
  • Pregnancy/breastfeeding: if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding we are unable to provide services for you. Tattoos and piercings are essentially wounds that your body has to heal and, as with any wound, there is a risk of infection which can pass to a baby or unborn fetus. We are happy to pierce or tattoo you as soon as you’re done breastfeeding.
Our artists can work magic with covering up unwanted tattoos or touching up existing tattoos! For all cover-ups we require scheduling a consultation prior to booking an appointment. Some things are easier to be covered up and the consultation will give you and your artist time to discuss your ideas and what kinds of things would be feasible. We are always honest and will let you know if we don’t think your current work would be able to be successfully covered. If that’s the case we are committed to figuring out what other options you might have so you will be happy with the tattoo you have.
In most cases we are able to tattoo over scar tissue. Though, since there are many different types of scar tissue we recommend scheduling a consultation with your artist first, or at least having a quick phone consult with your artist to discuss what would be best for you. Scars should be healed for one year before getting tattooed.
We currently do not have an artist doing cosmetic tattooing at this time

Please visit our aftercare page for more information!

https://painlesssteeltattoo.com/aftercare/

For most people tattoos and piercings are safe, as long as each artist and the entire studio strictly adheres to universal precautions and Blood Borne Pathogen Safety. You can be assured that Painless Steel Tattoo requires each artist to hold client safety as the first and foremost priority. We have the highest level of sterilization possible and go above and beyond all local health codes and laws. We do have a consent/waiver form which identifies certain instances when it would not be appropriate for an individual to receive tattoo or piercing, but these are rare instances.
Yes it hurts. But, there are lots of people walking around with tattoos and piercings so it’s not unbearable. There are many sensations used to describe it depending on each person and what area is being worked on. Some people even like it!
Yes. This tattoo will be on you permanently so we want to be sure you are totally happy. Bring anything you think might help to capture exactly what you’re looking for your tattoo to reflect. We also have plenty of reference books available for ideas. No matter whether you know exactly what you want or don’t have a clue, we will always work with you to design a custom piece of art that you will love.
Aftercare guidelines for tattooing and piercing are given to every client. To review these, click on the aftercare link at the top. 19.)Do you have have any other tips?
  • Eat something at least 2 hours before your appointment. Low blood sugar can cause lightheadedness and dizziness.
  • Try to stay away from alcohol the night before. Getting a tattoo when your hungover is not fun and it can also thin your blood.
  • Good Hygiene. Take a nice and long shower the night before, as you won’t be able to do that for a while after the healing process starts.
  • Don’t forget your ID! Montana state law requires us to take ID for any modifications including touch-ups.
It depends on the piercing you’re looking to get. Ear lobes are the only piercing done for kiddos under the age of 13. For all surface anchors, tongue, nipples & genital piercings the client MUST be 18+ with a valid photo ID. For all other piercings please check the [services page] to see what the age limitations are for that particular piercing. ** For ALL piercings of minors (except ear lobes) a parent must be present and both the parent AND child must provide a valid photo ID. If the last names on the IDs are different, we also require a birth certificate to prove guardianship. Failure to provide sufficient identification will mean that we cannot provide you with this service with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Visit our aftercare page for more information!

https://painlesssteeltattoo.com/aftercare

We pierce with implant grade titanium ASTM F-136

No, we only perform fresh piercings with never before worn jewelry purchased in the shop to ensure the jewelry’s hygiene and metal quality.

If you’re looking to change your jewelry in a healed piercing we can do that free of charge for jewelry purchased at Painless Steel. For jewelry not purchased in the shop there will be a $15 sterilization fee.
For hygiene purposes, jewelry cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstances. We recommend not purchasing jewelry for other people or as a gift unless you are sure what size is needed. We have Gift Cards available that can be used toward jewelry, piercings, and tattoos. And we are able to assist clients with sizing queries in store.

Yes. The full list of genital piercings we currently offer is listed under the “Piercers” tab. The services available and cost of these services are non-negotiable. For more information on what genital piercing might suit your needs please visit:

https://www.piercingbible.com/piercing-information/

We have a zero tolerance policy towards sexual harassment.

Any inappropriate client conduct in the studio will result in us immediately placing down our equipment and telling you to leave the premises. The incident will be recorded along with your personal details and if necessary a report will be made to the police.

Inappropriate conduct prior to or following your appointment via telephone, social media, or in person will result in a lifetime ban from the premises.