INFO
Whether you're a tattoo newbie or a collector, our info page is here to help you streamline your booking process, get to know our artists and learn more about our studio.
GET IN TOUCH
You can contact us via Whatsapp, Instagram DM, Facebook Message, Email, Phonecall and even a well trained Homing Pigeon.
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Or just click here.
SEND YOUR IDEAS
We LOVE your ideas and will always endeavor to create something unique for you. When sending your ideas, make sure to send us the approximate size, placement and style you'd like tattooed.
SECURE AN APPOINTMENT
Give us a date that you'd like to come through or alternatively ask for our next availability. We will then pencil you in to your chosen date. You will receive a confirmation and booking info sheet and will be asked to pay a deposit to secure your booking. Once a deposit is paid, your booking is secured.
GET TATTOOED
Come through to the studio on the day of your appointment to get tattooed.
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Read our FAQ's to prepare for your appointment.
THE PROCESS
FAQ
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Will you design a tattoo for me ?Yes, we are a custom studio so we will never copy any other artists work and our artists take pride in custom designing tattoos. Make sure you gather up some reference photos of similar pieces or of inspiration send those through to us or book in for a consultation with your preferred artist to discuss your idea. If you wish to see the drawing without booking your tattoo we require a drawing fee, although this is at the artist's discretion.
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How do I prepare for my tattoo?Hydrate & make sure you're well rested. Please also eat before your appointment. Avoid products that thin your blood for 24 hours before getting a tattoo (alcohol and caffeine) If you have been drinking the night before your appointment or are under the influence of alcohol/ marijuana/ substances at your appointment - we will cancel your session and you will be charged in full.
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Can I bring friends and family with me to get tattooed?As much as we all need a little moral support now and then - we kindly ask that you do not bring friends and family with you to your appointment. Additional people in the studio can get distracting for the artist and other clients as well as us still needing to adhere to covid regulations. FEMALES: If you are getting tattooed in an intimate area and would feel more comfortable bringing a friend or partner with you - please kindly let us know and we will try our best to accomodate you.
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Do you use vegan tattoo ink ?Yes, in-fact everything we use is 100% vegan. It’s sometimes hard to believe that everything from stencil paper, razors, pens, inks, etc can contain animal derived ingredients, or are tested on animals. With this is mind, we as a studio have dedicated our space to being as cruelty free and as ethically minded as possible.
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How old do I have to be to get a tattoo ?You must be 18 years or older to get a tattoo. Legally, in South Africa there is no age restriction barring children from obtaining tattoo and body piercings. South Africa is one of the few countries with no age limit governing tattoos. However - Ethically, we do not tattoo anyone under the age of 18 years.
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How must I dress for my appointment?Dress Comfortably - if you are getting a tattoo on your leg, consider wearing shorts, if you are getting a tattoo on your upper arm, wear a sleeveless shirt. Ladies: If you're getting your back / ribs or sternum tattooed, please wear a bikini top underneath your shirt or bikini bottoms and pyjama shorts for thigh/ hip tattoos.
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Can I get tattooed if I'm pregnant or breast-feeding?No, our artists do not tattoo women who are pregnant or breast feeding. This is generally a preventative measure, however due to the risk of infection and other factors that have been considered you will need to wait until your baby is born and you are no longer breast feeding.
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How does the design process work? When will I get to see my design?Once your deposit is paid, we will put your design into the queue. Send us as much information about your tattoo as possible. Size, placement, style, colour and any special details. Send reference photos (try limit to 5) for us to get a visual idea of what you like. We will design your tattoo and will have the design together for you on the morning of your tattoo. We unfortunately do not send our designs prior to the day of the appointment - however we do allow adequate time for any changes to be made on the day. Please be patient and understand that we are busy with clients during the day and spend our personal time in the evenings designing for the next day's session(s). You will have a chance to make changes to your tattoo design while we have you at the studio as it's far better to collaborate on the design process in person.
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Why must I pay a deposit?Tattoo deposits are used to encourage clients to show up for their appointments and as a way for tattoo artists to cover their costs if a client cancels. Deposits are usually a percentage of the estimated rate or a flat fee that is decided by the artist or the shop. The amount you pay will be deducted from the overall balance due at the appoitment. We charge a flat deposit fee of R500.
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Do you do cover ups of old tattoos ?Yes. Although, it depends on the artist and what you want to cover your existing tattoo with. Not all cover ups will work, so you will need to come in for a free consultation with your artist to discuss the idea. Sometimes your artist will recommend tattoo removal before hand which is always in your best interest and for the final outcome of your desired tattoo. Your artist knows best!
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Are touch ups free ?Yes, we offer free touch ups on all tattoos done at Art-Haus as long as your touch up is booked within 3 months of your original booking. If you require a touch up after this timeframe, you will be required to pay a fee. If you have not followed our aftercare instructions and your tattoo has become infected or has not healed desirably, we will not offer free touch ups. Please follow our provided aftercare instructions, you want your new tattoo to last a lifetime!
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How do I look after my tattoo?Your artist will tell you how best to look after your new tattoo at your appointment. You will be given clear aftercare instructions by your artist and can take a free print-out of our aftercare instructions at the studio. We do sell our own tattoo aftercare kits for convenience . Please follow our instructions so your tattoo heals correctly and lasts a lifetime. If you don’t follow our instructions we will unfort not honour free touch ups.
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Do you do smaller tattoos too?Yes! Of course! We are happy to do smaller tattoo's too. Please don't feel intimated to ask us.
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Will you tattoo my face ?Face / Hand and Neck tattoos are commonly reffered to as "Job-Stoppers". This is also at each artists' discretion, but generally we will only tattoo your face / neck or hands if you are already heavily tattooed. Face tattoos can affect your chances of employment and we will not be held responsible for that.
THE ARTIST
Hi, I'm Sheldon​
"Sheldon grew up in Morningside, Durban, South Africa.
Having grown up in an area notorious for it's graffiti scene, he became heavily influenced by the presence of street art and graffiti writing .With a natural love for art, Sheldon was drawn to graffiti as it pushed society’s boundaries for artistic expression as well as the intricacies of how the lettering was shaped and formed. Sheldon assimilated into the graffiti scene at the tender age of 14 and found a name for himself within the underground art realm.
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Immediately after finishing school, Sheldon took up his love for art in the form of tattooing, getting his first apprenticeship at Winston Ink, where he completed his 2 year apprenticeship.
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Sheldon then moved to Johannesburg to pursue a more diverse tattoo community and client base, and has since worked for studio’s across Johannesburg such as Dakota Lee, SA Hardcore and Tattoo World before opening a private studio close to the beautiful Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Ruimsig, Johannesburg. After 5 years in the West Rand, Sheldon has moved Black Book Tattoos into the bustling Fourways neighbourhood.
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Sheldon uses his love for animals to focus his style in Neotraditional animals and floral tattooing but doesn’t limit himself to that.
He is continually finding new ways to hone his craft and define not only his neotraditional style of tattooing but also American traditional and black and grey styles”
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