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.

Click HERE for more info on how to submit a new project request

All of our artists schedule 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 for new work, coverups, and reworks

Matt $160 for new work, coverups, and reworks

Devin Maya $160 for new work, coverups, and reworks

Nick Wagner $220 for new work or refreshing his own old tattoos, and $240 for coverups and reworks of other artist’s work

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 we can currently accept Visa, MasterCard, most debit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal
*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.

If you’re going to be outside at a concert, going to the beach, fishing, or just driving all day with your arms exposed to the sun, this company carries a line of light weight clothing with spf 30 sun blocking technology built right in.

Here’s a link to the most popular long sleeve with a hood, but look over the website* to see many other great products:

MENS – LOW PRO TECH HOODY

We are NOT sponsored and we do NOT get a kick back for any sales that come from this link. We just want to offer sun protection options that some of our artists have used themselves and have had great results with.

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.

For shirts, click HERE to visit our Merchyeah.com page

To see all available hats, prints, and original art work, click the HEREto visit the shop’s Big Cartel page.

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