Journal - Booking
Why your tattoo artist hasn't replied
The usual reasons a tattoo request goes unanswered, and when it's okay to follow up.
Nov 10, 2026 - 2 min read
Their books might be closed
A lot of artists only take requests a few times a year. If you messaged outside that window, your request may be sitting in a pile they'll get to later, or not at all. Check their bio, booking page or pinned posts for when books open.
DMs get buried
An artist with a decent following gets a lot of messages, and Instagram was never meant for running a booking calendar. Requests land in the hidden folder or get pushed down by spam. If they have a booking form, use it. They check that first.
The message was missing details
A message that just asks how much a tattoo costs is hard to answer, so it tends to wait. Include the placement, rough size, a few references, color or black and grey, and the days you're free.
They're tattooing
Most independent artists answer messages after a full day in the chair, somewhere between drawing and admin. It can take a while.
Following up
If you haven't heard anything in about two weeks, one short follow-up is fine. Paste your original details again so they don't have to scroll. If nothing comes back after that, take it as a no for now and try someone else. You can always go back when their books reopen.
Ready to book?
Find an independent artist by city and style, and see whose books are open.
Find an artist