F.A.Q. & General Information

No, we do not offer piercings. Maybe we will someday down the road when a quality piercer strolls through our doors looking for a home. But they are as rare as unicorns and space is dear here at the shop. We recommend you head down the street and visit our buddy Haven over at Diversified.

At this time, our shop minimum is $80. Yes, it might "only take us 5 minutes" but we are also covering the cost of our supplies, space, utilities, insurance, etc. 

We require a deposit to hold your appointment. Too many people are way too comfortable making an appointment and ghosting us on the day of their session. We find if they have some skin in the game (haha) they are much more likely to show up. For small tattoos we ask for a $50 deposit. For larger pieces or day sessions, we require a $100 deposit. Deposits can be made online or in person. This deposit is non-refundable. 
We understand that life sometimes gets in the way of the best laid plans and that sometimes you just cant make your appointment. Please contact us! We will do our best to find a solution and work-around. In today's digital age there is really no excuse for not informing your artist that you cant make it, so please reach out!

No. Not even with parental permission. Maine hasn't allowed that for years and we're not about to risk our license and ability to support our families because you can't possibly wait until you or your child is a legal adult. Last we heard, Connecticut and Vermont still tattooed minors with parental permission. The good news is that we offer great coverup services for when you regret that godawful decision you made when you were still a kid.  Ask us how we know.

If you've filled out your form thoroughly, 9 times out of 10 a consultation won't be necessary. In the event a consultation is still required, these consultations can be done in person or even over Zoom if you have far to travel or some other extenuating circumstance. 

Not until you read the FORECASTLE FINGER POLICY.

Not at this time. We are by appointment only. We understand that the desire to get tattooed is immediate - however any artist worth their salt around here is likely going to have a wait list. If you can get in somewhere right away, be sure to look at that portfolio. The good news is that Sam specializes in coverups in the event you make a poor and hasty decision. 

Your comfort is our goal. If having a friend or loved one present while you get tattooed will make your experience a better one, we encourage that. However we do not want you to "roll deep" with your whole "posse". There is only so much room in our studio and being crowded in with a bunch of people while we try to work makes our job a lot harder and more stressful. Please respect our space so we can help you acquire the best results.

Check out this list of TIPS & TRICKS to ensure you have the best possible experience before, during, and after your tattoo. 

Please fill out an intake form. That is Step 1 in the journey. Filling out a form is not a guarantee of an appointment but a necessary task so that we dont get completely overwhelmed with the incoming appointment requests.

Patience may be required. Our new system usually allows us to book people a month or two out instead of a year or more, but it still takes time. Bear with us!  

Tipping is at your discretion, just as it is with any other service profession. However my ol' Pappy used to say that there are certain industries you should tip. Your bartender, your server, your barber, your cab driver, and your tattoo artist. 
If you feel you received great service and a great product, it would not be untoward to tip your artist. It is never expected but always appreciated.

We are in the process of finishing up some construction at the shop to do just that. Interested artists should reach out with a link to their portfolio. 

Not at this time. However, if you're interested we'd love to see your portfolio and offer some constructive feedback. Who knows, you could be so crazily talented that we will make room for you. Just a reminder, your portfolio is a reflection of who you are and what you bring to the table. It's your heart on a plate. Think about that. 

Sam inherited the name from the previous owner when he purchased the shop and it just stuck.
A forecastle is the raised bow portion of a tall ship. Picture yourself in a pitched battle on the deck at the front of a pirate ship and you're there.

Yes, we tend to pronounce it Forecastle (as in four + castle). Yes, we are also aware that the correct pronunciation is fo'c'sle (as in folk + sul) but we are also aware that unless you are a sailor, a seaman, or an avid reader of nautical literature, you probably wouldn't know what the heck a fo'c'sle was. And we can only imagine how that pronunciation would be misinterpreted and how many folks would be driving around yelling at Google Maps trying to find "foxhole" tattoo. 

We've outgrown our original footprint on the first floor of 60 May Street. We expanded our space upstairs with room for 3 artists. We called it the Crow's Nest as it seemed the logical choice since a crow's nest is often found atop a mast above the fo'c'sle.