How It Works
Getting tattooed at Jade Cicada is a collaborative process— and we approach it with intention, presence, and care.
Whether this is your first tattoo or your twentieth, whether you're marking a transition or just claiming space on your body, here's what to expect from enquiry to aftercare.
Enquiry
Fill out the contact form or email us directly at hello@jadecicada.com.au
Tell us:
- •What you're looking for (theme, style, vibe)
- •Placement + approximate size
- •Any reference images or inspiration
- •Your timeline
We'll get back to you within 2-3 business days.
Consultation
Once we've confirmed we're a good fit, we'll schedule a consultation— either in person at the studio or via video call.
This isn't just about logistics. It's where we start to understand what this piece means to you.
We'll discuss:
- •The story or feeling behind your idea
- •Design direction, style, and visual references
- •Placement, sizing, and how the piece will sit on your body
- •Whether this is a standalone piece or something that might grow over time
- •Number of sessions (if applicable)
- •Pricing estimate
- •Booking availability
This is also the time to ask questions, share concerns, or talk through anything you're feeling about the process— whether it's pain, permanence, or something deeper.
We're here to listen, not just to design.
Design + Deposit
After the consultation, we'll create a custom design based on our conversation.
You'll see the design at your appointment (we don't send final artwork in advance, but we'll share rough sketches if helpful for planning).
A deposit is required to secure your booking—this goes toward your final session cost.
The Session
Your tattoo session is private, focused, and intentional.
Depending on the size and complexity of your piece, you might need one session or several spread over months.
We approach each session with presence and care— not rushing, not performing, just doing the work well.
Some people want music or podcasts. Some want silence. Some want to talk through what they're feeling. Some want to zone out.
We follow your lead.
The act of sitting for a tattoo can be meditative, emotional, or intense. Sometimes it brings things up. Sometimes it's just physical endurance.
We've held space for all of it.
Breaks are encouraged. Water + snacks provided. Bring whatever helps you stay comfortable and present.
This is your process. We're just here to guide it and execute it with skill.
Aftercare
Your tattoo will need 2-4 weeks to heal.
We'll give you detailed aftercare instructions (and we're always available by email if you have questions).
For larger pieces, we'll schedule follow-up sessions as needed.
Living With Your Tattoo
A good tattoo gets better with age.
Protect it from the sun. Keep your skin healthy.
And if you ever want to continue the work or add to it, we're here.
Pricing
Every tattoo is custom, so pricing depends on size, complexity, and session length.
We work primarily by session rate (half-day or full-day bookings).
During your consultation, we'll give you a clear estimate and talk through any budget considerations.
We don't upsell, and we don't surprise you with hidden costs.
Quality takes time—and we price accordingly.
Why This Approach Matters
Tattooing has always been a rite of passage.
Across cultures and centuries, people have marked their skin to honor transitions, claim identity, integrate trauma, celebrate survival, and record the stories that shape them.
In modern contexts, that significance hasn't disappeared— it's just often ignored or minimized.
At Jade Cicada, we recognize that getting tattooed can be a threshold moment, a psychological process, or a way to externalize something internal.
Not every tattoo needs to be "deep." But when it is—when it's marking grief, growth, reclamation, or transformation— we hold that with the respect and care it deserves.
This is what makes our studio different.
We're trained not just in technique, but in presence. Not just in artistry, but in listening.
If you're looking for a tattoo that's quick, cheap, and purely aesthetic— we're probably not the right fit.
But if you want a process that's intentional, an artist who listens, and work that's built to last— we're here.