MIKE GORMAN

Awards

Mike Gorman was voted Best Tattoo Artist in Portland, Maine, 2023.

 

Where do you work?

I tattoo at Squirrel Cage Studio, 999 Forrest Avenue, Portland Maine. We have parking!

 

Working with me!

I'm very lucky to have a great group of regular clients, and we treat each other with mutual respect. Here are a few basics I like to put out front, most are explained in depth below:

• While occasionally I'l have time due to a reschedule, I no longer do walk-ins.Sometimes, however, I do have time open up, so feel free to email me any thime to see!

• A deposit is required for any tattoo, no exceptions.

• I accept Venmo, Pay Pal, or cash for payments.

• If you contact me then ghost me, we probably aren't a good fit for each other. Please be respectful and just say "I'm not ready!" if you change your mind. It means a lot!

• I don't draw your tattoo until a day or two prior to your appointment, and I don't send out sketches prior to your appointmen, no exceptions. Below is info on setting up a consult, which I am very happy to do.

 

Contacting me

Emailing me is preferred, however I do also answer DMs on Instagram. I don't normally respond to emails or DMs on my weekends or on vacation, and rarely after 8pm, so be patient. When contacting me, please include:

• Exactly what you want for the tattoo (Panther, eagle, etc)
• Approximate size (In inches are always a good form of mesurement, but also: small, palm size, sleeve, etc)
• Location on your body for the tattoo
• Photos of tattoos you like are helpful, if you had a vision in mind
• Days of the week that work best for you to come in (Currently, I tattoo Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.)

 

Booking an appointment

• Deposits are required from everyone
• I cn only hold an appointment 48 hours without a deposit, so if there has been a longer gap then that, please send me a message first to make sure your spot is still available
• I do book out, keep expectations reasonable
• Please allow 2-3 days for me to respond to you
• Note: I don't do finger, inner lip, ear or throat tattoos. I don't do neck, foot, or rib tattoos without a consult. I only do face tattoos on people who are COVERED!

 

Deposits

Deposits are required for any tattoo. I require a $100 deposit to book a single tattoo, and I am now requiring a $200 deposit for a day session. I take Venmo, Pay Pal, or cash. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, but go towards the cost of the tattoo.

You will forfeit your deposit if you:

• No call/no show (and I will not be open to tattooing you again if you do this)
• Are more than an hour late
• Give less than 48 hours notice before rescheduling (I do allow 2 reschedules)
• Show up under the influence: You will be shown the door!

that said, if you wake up with Covid, don't come in! We can reschedule and I will honor your deposit

 

Bring your ID!

You will need a state (drivers) or federal (passport, millitary) ID in order to get tattooed. No exceptions.

 

Consultations & Drawings

I am happy to sit down at any point to go over your tattoo ideas in person while sketching out ideas with you. I book consults at 11am and 5pm on Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat.

I do not start drawing your tattoo until a few days prior to your appointment, and I do not send out drawings via text or email in advance to your appointment.

I do however leave time before we tattoo you to make final tweaks to the design. Also, I am happy to make a consult prior to your appointment to go over the design once it is drawn. I normally book consults at 11am and 5pm on Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat, but these second consults must be made when you put your deposit down.

 

Minimum

My minimum cost for a tattoo is $150.

 

Pricing

For larger pieces I charge $150/hr, however my clients will tell you I get a lot done in an hour. I don't do quotes over email or DMs on pricing as I have nothing drawn, so I wouldn't be able to tell you what a tattoo would cost. If you'd like some information on pricing I would suggest setting up a consult for your tattoo. For pieces smaller than your palm I will give you a flat rate.

 

Preparation for your tattoo

Getting tattooed takes energy, so make sure to:

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat before you show up
• Drink a lot of water
• Bring water or Gatorade and a snack with you

 

Care for your tattoo

We will go over this when you are done getting tattooed. The gist is:

• Your tattoo will be wrapped before you go. I DO NOT use Tegaderm/Saniderm
• After 1-2 hours remove the wrap, do not wrap again
• Clean your tattoo 2-3 times a day with liquid soap (antibacterial preferred)
• Air dry your tattoo
• Apply a THIN layer of Aquafor on your tattoo for the first 2-3 days
• Switch to Lubriderm for the remainder of the heal
• We will go over other care at the end of your tattoo