When to Book a Tattoo Appointment vs. a Consultation

One of the biggest questions people have before booking is:

“Do I need a consult, or can I just book an appointment?”

It’s an important question, because choosing the right option makes the entire process smoother — from planning your tattoo, to pricing it correctly, to making sure you get the time you actually need in the chair. Some tattoos are simple and ready to go, while others require more collaboration, design work, or planning to get the best possible result. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the right option and make the process smooth for both of us.

When You Can Book an Appointment (No Consult Needed)

A consultation isn’t required when the artwork is already done, the size and placement are predetermined, and you already know exactly what you want.

You can book a regular tattoo appointment if your idea is:

✅ Small or simple

Think:

• Symbols

• Lettering

• Small designs

• Something you’ve already found online

• A piece that doesn’t require major adjustments

✅ You know exactly what you want

You’re confident on:

• The design

• The placement

• The size

⏱ Time needed: 1–2 hours

For smaller or straightforward tattoos, a 1–2 hour appointment is usually the perfect amount of time. This window allows me to review your reference, size the design properly, and prepare a clean stencil that fits the placement you have in mind. We’ll take time to position it correctly on your body, make any adjustments you want, and ensure everything looks exactly right before we start. From there, we move into the actual tattooing, which typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to a little over an hour depending on size, detail, and whether we’re adding color. This timeframe keeps things smooth, relaxed, and efficient — without rushing the quality of your piece.

If you’re confident and ready to go — AND THE ARTWORK IS READY — booking an appointment is probably the right choice.

When You Should Book a Free Consultation First

A consultation helps us collaborate on bigger ideas, custom artwork, or anything that needs more planning. It’s our chance to sit down and talk through your vision in detail — what inspired it, the style you want, and how it should flow with your body. We can go over reference images, placement options, sizing, and color choices, and I can walk you through what will (and won’t) translate well into a long-lasting tattoo.

A consult also allows me to take notes, sketch ideas, and map out any extra considerations like scars, existing tattoos, skin texture, or areas that require strategic design. For multi-session projects, we can outline the full plan so you know exactly what to expect before we begin. Ultimately, the consult ensures your tattoo starts with a clear, well-thought-out foundation — so the art turns out clean, cohesive, and exactly what you’re hoping for.

You should book a consult if your tattoo:

✔️ Needs a custom drawing

If you want a unique piece, original design, or something built from scratch, we need time to talk through:

• Style

• Color

• Details

• Composition

• Size

✔️ You’re unsure on placement

If you don’t know where it should go — or want advice on what will look best on the body — a consult lets us figure that out together.

✔️ You need help working within a budget

We can talk through size, detail options, and session planning to make your idea work in a way that fits your budget.

✔️ It’s a larger piece or multi-session work

This includes:

• Sleeves (Arms or legs)

• Back pieces

• Large work in black in grey OR color

• Anything requiring multiple sittings (Although, note that a work in progress piece doesn’t require a second consult before starting the next session.)

✔️ There are things we need to work around

This includes:

• Scars

• Moles

• Texture differences

• Other tattoos

• Cover-ups

• Areas needing special consideration

These require planning to make sure the final tattoo looks right and heals properly.

Why Consultations Matter

Consultations make the final tattoo better — not just in how it looks, but in how the entire experience feels. A consult gives us the chance to talk through your ideas, look at references together, and make sure we’re on the same page before any needles touch skin. It also lets me evaluate placement, plan around scars or existing tattoos, discuss size and detail, and give you an accurate idea of pricing and time needed.

Most importantly, a consult takes the pressure off you. Instead of guessing or hoping your idea translates well, we get to map it out, customize the design to your body, and make sure your tattoo turns out exactly the way you envision it — or better.

They give your tattoo artist time to:

• Talk through your vision

• Adjust the idea

• Plan out the art

• Make sure everything fits your body

• Answer your questions

• Prepare for a smooth appointment day

You’ll feel more confident, and I’ll have everything I need to design something you’re proud to wear.

Still Not Sure Which You Need?

If you’re on the fence, message your artist — they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. And, keep in mind, if you schedule a consult and the artist is able to get it done same day, your consult CAN always turn into an appointment if you wish. You can message me on Instagram here.

My goal is always to make this process easy, comfortable, and clear.

👉 Ready to book? If you’re located in Lee’s Summit, MO or surrounding area, I’m happy to work with you.

• Book an Appointment or Free Consultation here.

About John Kroll

John Kroll is a professional tattoo artist based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, specializing in bold color work, anime, gaming, pop-culture, and custom fantasy tattoos.

With 10 years of experience, John is known for his clean linework, vibrant color saturation, and his ability to turn characters, ideas, and stories into high-impact tattoos that stand out. He works out of The Cherry Bomb Tattoo Co in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

John’s work blends technical skill with creativity, making him a go-to artist for clients who want something unique, detailed, or inspired by the worlds they love.

Follow John Online

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