Shop Info

Black Hive Tattoo does not currently have “Public Hours” because all of our artists work by appointment only, and available days and times vary from artist to artist.

Potential clients looking to get new work must sign up for our newsletter to submit project requests when artists open their books

Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT impossible to get a tattoo at Black Hive. It just takes a bit of patience…especially if it’s your first time.

Because all of our artists do their own scheduling, we don’t know specifically when any particular artist will send out a call for projects. To be notified when Colbey, Matt, or Devin has opened their book for new project requests*, sign up for our newsletter by clicking the “newsletter” tab above after you’ve read the rest of this page.

*To submit a project request to Nick Wagner, go to his artist’s page, click on the “ABOUT NICK WAGNER” tab, and follow the instructions

HOWEVER… for last minute openings due to cancellations and custom designs they post randomly on a first come first served basis, follow our artists on their personal Instagram accounts:
@keeblertattoos  @m_moore_  @dvnmya  @oldmanwagner

Please keep in mind that our artists do NOT do call a for project requests at the same time! When each one does, READ THEIR POST CAREFULLY and follow their instructions to submit your request.
*We most often send out newsletters on Friday and Saturday evenings, so the best days to check your email inbox is Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

**We almost always post on the shop instagram and Facebook notifying followers when a newsletter has gone out.

We do consultations before starting any new project to get a better feel of where you want the tattoo, what you are getting tattooed, and why you are getting your tattoo.
Some considerations can be worked out online for out of town clients, but the more personal attention we can give your idea beforehand, the better we can execute the design.

*Consultations are free of charge, but none of our artists will begin a drawing or set an appointment without a non-refundable deposit. Also, because of difficulties we’ve had in the past, our artists will not give estimates over email, and we no longer do walk in consultations.

One last thing to consider:
Please understand that putting in a request doesn’t always mean that a particular artist will be able to do your tattoo.
If your selected artist suggests that you get tattooed by another Black Hive artist, or an artist at another Jacksonville shop, it is not to say they think your tattoo is a bad idea, it just means that they think another artist is a better fit for your project.

Black Hive tattoo artists charge an hourly rate for custom work.

*The minimum charge of  one hour for smaller pieces is non-negotiable regardless of how much time the tattoo takes.

CURRENT HOURLY RATES:

Colbey $160

Matt $160

Devin Maya $160

Nick Wagner $240

Regardless of size, the minimum sitting fee* for Nick, Colbey, Matt, and Devin is one hour of their current hourly rate.

*This is the minimum amount a sitting will cost you. It is NOT in addition to an artist’s hourly rate!
For example:
If you want a small tattoo from an artist that only takes 30 minutes, the minimum charge will be equal 1 hour that artist’s hourly rate.
That’s why we suggest you either get a a few of those small tattoos at the same time, get that banger you want when you’re coming in for a larger tattoo, or get a tattoo large enough to take at least what amounts to an artist’s minimum sitting fee.

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. Most shops encourage clients to give 10-20% across the board, but that can get a little ridiculous for clients getting either much larger pieces, or pieces that take many sittings.

While 10-20% is understandable for sittings that are $300 or less, 5-10% for sittings of $400 0r more is perfectly appropriate.

All that being said, if you can’t afford to tip on top of your artist’s hourly rate, it IS ok. With or without a tip, we are happy to have your business.

*A final note: most artists prefer to get tipped on a sitting by sitting basis, and preferably in cash.

Obviously, because of the high fees we have to pay to accept cards, cash is ALWAYS preferred, but all Black Hive Tattoo artists accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and most debit cards.
*We do NOT accept American Express.

**If you’re not sure how much your sitting will be, a safe bet is to bring $200-$300 cash and pay for the balance with your credit or debit card.

Consider not starting a large project like a sleeve or back piece unless you 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 worked on in two years.

We are strictly a tattoo shop. We do not offer any piercing services or any other kind of body modification.

HOWEVER, while we don’t offer piercing at our shop, we recommend anyone looking for piercings or jewelry to contact Afton at the studio Texas Sun where she works alongside her husband, a friend of the shop, and a very fine tattooer in his own right, Clark Seiger

Afton does not do walk ins, but you can see her work on her instagram @aftonalexandra  and contact her to set up an appointment through her website: www.aftonalexandra.com

No artist at Black Hive Tattoo offers cosmetic tattooing, but we currently recommend those clients to Luz Cosmetic Tattooing for areola tattooing, micro-blading, and lip blush.

For more information on her services and how to book an appointment, contact her at luzcosmetictattooing.com

Black Hive Tattoo does NOT offer apprenticeship opportunities.

Due to our consistently heavy work load, none of our artists have the time it takes to fully dedicate themselves to the apprenticeship process.

Due to the limitations set by the city of Jacksonville set forth in the zoning of our building, the artists at Black Hive Tattoo do NOT tattoo anyone under the age of 18. At any rate, 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 between your 17th and 18 birthday. In fact, it is better to come in about a few months before to set it up. So get signed up for our newsletter to be notified when our artists are taking new project requests, and 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, then you should seriously consider waiting to get the best tattoo you can get. And if not, we will be here when you turn 18 to do your cover up.

Unfortunately we are currently looking for a new vendor to produce our shirts.

When we decide on a new vendor, the information will be posted here.

Can’t think of what to get your favorite tattoo collector? Not sure how much to get them? We have gift certificates available year round, and they can be made out for any amount.

BUT…we only recommend getting gift certificates for someone who either already has an appointment to get started or has a piece in progress. Because of our long wait times to get new clients in, it is unadvisable to get a gift certificate for some one who is “thinking about getting tattooed.”

This website’s galleries are updated weekly to show the newest work from the artists on our homepage thumbnails, 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