FAQ
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PRICING & SESSIONS
How much does a tattoo cost? Ivo prices by the session, not by the hour. A full-size session is $1,700 (about 5.5–6.5 hours of work, covering roughly a letter-page-sized area depending on design and placement). A half-size session is $900 (~3.5 hours) — available, but most serious work is scoped as full sessions. There are no design fees and no consultation fees. The exact number for your piece gets locked in at a free consultation — quotes are never given over the phone, because pricing skin nobody has seen is guessing.
How many sessions will my sleeve or back piece take? Half sleeve on the forearm or calf: about 2–2.5 sessions ($3,400–$4,250). Full arm sleeve: about 4.5 sessions (~$7,650) — think of it as four panels: outside forearm, shoulder plate, inside forearm, inside biceps. Full leg sleeve: 5–6 sessions ($8,500–$10,200). Back piece: 4–6 sessions ($6,800–$10,200). Everything is scoped precisely at your consultation.
What is the off-day rate? $3,000 for a full-day session on Monday–Wednesday — days Ivo doesn't normally work. It exists for clients who don't want to wait the standard booking lead time. Requires an $800 deposit. Text Ivo directly at (256) 809-0399.
How far out are you booked? Ivo's books typically run 5–6 months out for large-scale work. If that's too long, off-day sessions (Monday–Wednesday, $3,000) are the faster lane.
BOOKING, DEPOSITS & RESCHEDULING
How does the deposit work? The $500 booking fee does one thing: it blocks your day. Once it's down, that day is yours — Ivo turns other people away so your tattoo happens on schedule. It's how the commitment becomes mutual: he values your time and hopes you value his. The fee doesn't pay for design work or anything separate — it simply goes toward the price of your tattoo. It's non-refundable and non-transferable (it can't be moved to another artist or another person), so ask any questions before you pay it. You'll get the agreement in writing through a Square invoice — read it, it's short.
I'm booking a big multi-day project. How do deposits work for that? Each booked day carries its own deposit. Book as many days as your project needs — and Ivo recommends spacing sessions at least two weeks apart: it gives him a healed canvas to inspect the quality of the previous pass and keeps the stress on your skin to a minimum. Large-scale work is a marathon, and it's built like one.
What if I need to reschedule? Plans change — just give at least 72 hours notice and your date moves, once, with no penalty. Shorter notice than that puts the deposit at risk, because a reserved session day can't be resold last-minute. If something's come up, text early — early is always the free option.
What payment methods do you accept? Cash (no fee) or card through Square. One important safety note: every legitimate invoice comes through Square under Cherno LLC (Cherno Ink's legal name). If anyone asks you to pay a "deposit" through a personal payment app or a different name, it's not us — call the studio before sending anything.
VISITING
Where do you work? Ivo tattoos at Cherno Ink Tattoo Studio — the studio he founded — at 7500 Memorial Pkwy SW, Suite 129, Huntsville, AL 35802, in the Main Street South Shopping Village. Studio info, artists, and everything else studio-related: chernotattoo.com
Do you do small tattoos? Depends on the tattoo. Names, script, and simple small designs — no; for those, the artists at Cherno Ink (chernotattoo.com) have you covered. But micro realism is a different story: a small hyper-realistic portrait, a tiny piece of jewelry rendered in photographic detail — Ivo loves those. See the Services page for what micro realism looks like.
How old do I have to be to get tattooed? 18+ with a valid ID. Ages 16–17 can be tattooed with a parent or legal guardian present and a birth certificate — no exceptions and no workarounds.
FIRST TATTOO & THE PROCESS
This is my first tattoo — how do I go about this? Start with a free consultation — book it through the website (Book Now) — that's the surest way — or just walk in Thursday–Sunday between 12:00 and 5:30 PM. You don't need a finished idea or a drawing. Tell Ivo what you're thinking, he'll look at the placement, talk through what works for your skin and your budget, and give you an exact quote on the spot. No consultation fee, no design fee, no pressure to book.
What does the process look like from beginning to end? Consultation → deposit → design → session(s) → healing. At the consultation you and Ivo settle the concept, size, placement, and exact price — and that agreed design direction gets recorded, so there's never a "that's not what we discussed" moment. A deposit secures each session date, and Ivo takes it from there.
When do I see my design? On the day of your tattoo — not sooner, and there's a reason. Ivo works with a lot of clients, so to keep the process efficient he doesn't go back and forth on design concepts before your session: he takes everything from your consultation and creates the concept himself. It's a process built on trust — and it's earned on the day: he usually prepares multiple design options, every design is subject to correction, and before any needle touches skin he sits down with you and works the design until it's exactly to your liking. You approve it; then it goes on forever.
Can I change the design on the day of my session? Refinements — size, details, exact placement — absolutely; that's what the design review is for. A drastic change from what was agreed at the consultation is a different story: it can affect the price and, at the artist's discretion, the booking fee, because a full day was reserved and designs were built for the original plan. If your idea is evolving, text ahead — earlier is always free.
I have a general idea but I'm not sure exactly what I want. What should I do? Come in anyway — that's what the consultation is for. Bring reference photos you like, even if they're just a mood or a style. Ivo builds custom pieces, so his job is to turn a rough idea into a design that fits your body and reads well for decades. You don't have to arrive with the answer.
Will it hurt, and what's a good place to start? It's real discomfort, but almost everyone handles it better than they feared — most people describe it as an annoying scratch, not pain you can't sit through. Fleshier, muscled areas (outer arm, thigh, calf, shoulder) are the friendliest starting points; ribs, spine, hands, and feet are the spicier ones. Ivo will honestly tell you at the consultation how your chosen placement rates and how long you'll need to sit.
What are the most common mistakes before and during a session? The big ones: showing up sunburned or with damaged skin in the tattoo area; drinking alcohol the night before (it thins your blood); arriving on an empty stomach; not sleeping; and pushing through a session without saying you need a break — you're allowed breaks. Come rested, fed, hydrated, and in comfortable clothes that expose the area easily, and the day goes smoothly.
What medications or conditions should I mention before a tattoo? Tell Ivo in advance if you take blood thinners, are on antibiotics, use prescription acne medication (like isotretinoin/Accutane), or have a condition that affects healing, bleeding, or your immune system — some of these mean waiting or getting your doctor's OK first. This isn't medical advice; when in doubt, check with your doctor before booking. Honesty here protects your health and your tattoo.
STYLES
What styles does Ivo specialize in? Large-scale black and grey realism is the foundation — classic wash, opaque, and micro realism — plus cover-ups, full red gamma (an entire piece in three tones of red, no black), and selective color work. The Services page shows each style with its exact color palette; the Portfolio shows them on skin.
What is the difference between classic, pastel, and opaque black & grey? Classic uses 100% black diluted to 60% and 20% washes — all black ink, just faded, blended continuously. Pastel uses three distinct grey tones (dark, medium, light) where the borders between each tone are visible — separated, delicate, airy. Opaque also uses black and grey but blended so thoroughly that no visible border exists — dense, solid, heavy. Ivo advises which suits your subject at consultation.
What is full red gamma? Three tones of red only — deep red, mid red, light red — no black anywhere in the piece. Creates the same depth as black and grey realism but entirely within the red spectrum. Full sleeves available.
Do you cover up old or bad tattoos? Yes — cover-ups are one of Ivo's specialties. Come in so he can see the existing tattoo in person: coverage depends on how dark and dense the old work is, and cover-ups generally run darker in tone than what's already there, sometimes needing two sessions for full saturation. Ivo will show you real cover-up examples, tell you honestly what's achievable — including when a piece needs lightening first — and design something with strong focal points that makes the old tattoo disappear into work you're proud of.
AFTERCARE & IVO’S WARRANTY
How do I take care of my new tattoo? Before you leave the studio, Ivo personally walks you through every healing scenario and sends you home with everything you need to care for your tattoo — products, instructions, and answers to whatever your situation calls for. If anything surprises you during healing, reach out.
Do you offer touch-ups or a warranty? Ivo stands behind his work — his art is out in the world with his name on it, and he wants it looking pristine. If a piece needs a correction, he'll touch it up whenever he can get the chance. That's his warranty on his tattoos: no set expiration period — as long as the request is reasonable and valid, he'll make it right.
