• BIOGRAPHY

Shop Info

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You want MORE pictures?

This website's galleries will always carry the newest work from the artists, but if you want to see a full catalogue of all the artists images available for viewing, including large tattoos, cover ups, reworks, in progress works, and cool stuff from as far back as 2000, click the link below to visit our shop flickr account.

Black Hive Tattoo Flickr Page

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Shop Hours and Scheduling

Black Hive Tattoo is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 1-8pm. Call during shop hours to talk to an artist, or stop by during business hours to set up a consultation or appointment as needed.

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Consultations

While we do offer walk-in services if available that particular day, you will need a consultation before getting tattooed by some of our more established artists at Black Hive Tattoo.

The reason we do this is to get a better feel of where you want the tattoo, what you are getting tattooed and why you are getting your tattoo. Some things can be worked out online for out of town clients, but the more personal attention we can give your idea, the better we can execute the design.

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Deposits and Minimums

All tattoos and drawings requiring an appointment also require a deposit. Deposits also vary from artist to artist, but are typically equal to one hour at that artists hourly rate. Deposits come off the last sitting of any tattoo, and hold your appointments for the duration of tattoos requiring multiple sittings.

Also, the shop minimum is $60. No matter how small or simple the design, this is the absolute minimum shop charge for a tattoo. 

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Hourly Rate

Each artist at Black Hive Tattoo charges an hourly rate for custom work OR will give you a flat price if that's what the design calls for. Flat prices are non-negotiable regardless of how much time the tattoo takes.

The current hourly rates are as follows: James $120, Colbey $120, and is Chance $150

Nick Wagner is $200 for any new clients (12/2011 and later). All of Nick's  clients (tattooed previous to 12/2011) will continue at the previous hourly rate of $200 an hour for less than 3 hours, and $160 an hour for 3 hours or more.

HOWEVER, for all clients, old AND new, there is an option to getting a lower rate of $150 an hour if you choose to select from one of Nick's personal designs. To get the special hourly rate, these designs require a larger non-refundable deposit and less flexibility in regards to placement and size. Stop by the shop to look at Nick's current stock of designs as they are limited and, as usual, will only be done once. You CAN get one of the designs without the increased deposit, but the usual hourly rate and size/placement restrictions will apply. Picking one of these designs will not affect anyone's place on Nick's waiting or cancellation lists, only the hourly rate. 

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A Little Friendly Advice

Consider not starting a large project like a sleeve or back piece unless you have:

(A) put down a large down payment (say $1000-3000) AND/OR

(B) have planned out realistically how you are going to pay for the tattoo like a bill every month so that you don't fizzle out in the middle of a project.

It's really hard for an artist to be excited about completing a half-finished back piece or sleeve that they haven't touched in two years because of your poor planning. More importantly, if too much time passes in the process of applying a large tattoo, retouch and/or a relining of the tattoo can sometimes be needed as soon as you're done. Why pay for it twice if you can get it done once with the proper planning?

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Tipping

While tipping is NOT required, it IS appreciated! 

We don't live off tips, so there is no established rule of thumb like a waiter or bartender. Just tip how much you feel your artist deserves based on the service and quality of the work you have received. Any amount from $10-$1000 is appreciated....seriously, $1000 would be awesome. 

Finally, most artists prefer to get tipped on a sitting by sitting basis, but if you'd rather tip at the end of a large project, it couldn't hurt to let them know at the outset.

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Minors

The artists at Black Hive Tattoo do NOT tattoo anyone under the age of 18. In our collective experience, tattooing minors, even with parental consent, causes more problems than it cures.

If you are underage and want to set up an appointment for your birthday, it IS ok to come into the shop to have a consultation, give a deposit, and set your appointment at any time before your 18 birthday. In fact, it is better to come in about a month before to set it up. Please just make sure the artist you are speaking to is aware of when your birth date is to avoid any embarrassing cancellations when you get here.

If you are under 18 and are serious about your work than you will wait to get the best tattoo you can get. And if not, we will be here when you turn 18 to do your cover up.

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Apprenticeships and Piercing

Black Hive Tattoo is not offering apprenticeship now or any time in the near future. 

Also, we do not offer any piercing services at Black Hive Tattoo.

However, we DO have a local piercer we recommend exclusively. Chris Rosenberg works at the Atlantic Blvd location of Inksmith&Rogers Tattoo.

To contact Chris, call 904-221-8282 or stop by when he is working. His hours are noon-11pm Friday and Saturday, as well as noon-6pm on Sunday. I know that is a limited window for getting work, but Chris is by far the most experienced and most professional piercer in Jacksonville, Florida.

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• SHOP INFO

Biography

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Black Hive was established January 2009. The shops hours are limited and change with the size of the staff in order to provide more personalized service for each client. You can either call the artist you are looking for directly or come by the shop during our open hours to meet them and look through their portfolios.

Keep in mind that Black Hive Tattoo is not a meat grinder, turn and burn tattoo shop. All of our artists are encouraged to only do as many tattoos as they can realistically handle each day. While this may create a wait time for you as a client, experience has shown us that you can't be all things, to all people, at all times.

If you as a client can give us the time we need to create your tattoo, we as artists will do our best to give you the best design possible. BUT if you need to get your tattoos fast and cheap, we are not the tattoo studio for you. Like the old saying goes, "Superior quality at a fair price is better than inferior quality at any price."