Idle Hands / Knoxville, TN
Terms of service
The studio rules that keep every appointment running smoothly, gathered in one place.
Last updated: October 29, 2026
These terms cover tattoo and piercing appointments at Idle Hands Tattoo & Piercing in Knoxville. Every rule here is the same one we publish on our Deposits & Policies, Tattoo FAQs, Piercing FAQs, and aftercare pages — this page simply brings them together so you don't have to hunt for them. Where a rule belongs to only one service, the section says so.
Appointments, deposits & minimums
Deposits are non-refundable and applied toward your service total — $50 secures a piercing appointment and $100 secures a tattoo appointment. Each deposit is subject to the applicable cancellation terms for its service.
The best way to reach out is to submit a contact form and/or book your free consultation with our artist. The tattoo artists will go over the details of the design, and discuss next steps or proceeding with a tattoo session date. We do require a $100 non-refundable deposit to secure your session date, which is applied to the balance of your tattoo. Once you have been in touch with your artist, we will provide a link for you to make the deposit and select your session date.
A $50 non-refundable deposit secures your appointment and is applied toward your service total. Appointments are recommended, but we also accept walk-ins when the schedule allows.
Yes! It is highly recommended to call ahead at 865.830.3322 to ensure we have availability. Our shop minimum is $150. Idle Hands is a 5-star rated custom tattoo studio with an array of talented tattoo artists. We take the time to discuss your ideas with you, and provide a custom tattoo unique for you. We send you home with aftercare and detailed instructions to ensure the longevity of your tattoo. Consultations are always free. This is the most important part of the process to understand your design ideas and ensure our artists' styles are the best fit for your needs. On occasion, we may refer you to neighboring tattoo studios, should our artists' style and specialty not be the best fit for your design.
Rescheduling and cancellations
Piercing appointments require at least 48 hours' notice to reschedule; tattoo appointments require at least 72 hours' notice. With less notice, your deposit may be forfeited. Tattoo deposits must be used within six months.
Client-initiated cancellations remain subject to our standard deposit and rescheduling terms.
When the studio has to move your appointment
We understand that unexpected circumstances, including illness or medical emergencies, may occasionally require an artist to reschedule an appointment.
If your artist is unable to attend your scheduled session, we will make every effort to offer a suitable alternative appointment with your original artist or, if you prefer, another qualified artist.
Your deposit will automatically transfer to your rescheduled appointment without penalty.
If we must cancel your original appointment and you prefer not to reschedule, you may request a refund of your deposit. Studio-initiated cancellations are handled separately from our standard non-refundable deposit policy.
At Idle Hands Tattoo, the safety of our artists, staff, and guests is always our top priority — especially during periods of severe or inclement weather.
If weather conditions make travel unsafe or force the studio to close, affected appointments will be rescheduled to the next available date. In accordance with our deposit policy listed on our website, all deposits are non-refundable. However, your deposit will remain on file and may be applied to a future appointment scheduled within six (6) months of the original date.
We ask that clients understand that weather-related closures are beyond our control, and missed appointments due to these circumstances will be treated as reschedules, not cancellations. Deposits will not be refunded, but they will be honored toward a new appointment within the 6-month window.
Arriving late
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may need to reschedule your appointment. Your deposit will be forfeited, and a new deposit will be required to rebook.
Our late shop policy — if you are more than 15 minutes late for your tattoo session, the artist has the right to reschedule that appointment and your deposit will be forfeited and another deposit for the reschedule will be required.
Age requirements & identification
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to your appointment. What we can do, and what you need to bring, depends on your age and which service you're booking.
Tattoo
No — in accordance with Tennessee law and Health Department regulations, we do not tattoo anyone under the age of 18. Tennessee law makes it illegal to tattoo minors, even with parental consent. The only exception is for individuals ages 16-17, and only to cover an existing tattoo, with a parent or legal guardian present and providing written consent. Because this exception is very limited and highly regulated, our studio policy is to only tattoo clients 18 and older with valid government-issued ID. This ensures full compliance with state law and maintains the highest safety and ethical standards for our clients.
Piercing
18+ for any piercing without a parent or guardian. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present with valid ID and their consent. Earlobes from age 8, some piercings from 15, and most from 16 — the age listed beside each item on the piercing menu is the one we follow. Nipples, dermals, surface piercings, and genital piercings are 18+ only, no exceptions.
What to bring
For your Idle Hands appointment, adults (18+) need a valid government-issued photo ID. For minors, bring the minor's birth certificate and photo ID (school ID or passport), plus the attending parent or legal guardian's government-issued photo ID. These are our studio's appointment requirements, not a quoted Knox County checklist. If names differ or a legal guardian is attending, call before booking to confirm the documentation needed.
Health, safety & what we don't do
Piercings are done with sterile, single-use needles — never a piercing gun — and every piercing includes implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) jewelry appropriate to the placement. For safety we cannot use outside jewelry for initial piercings, we don't offer numbing creams, and we don't pierce anyone who is pregnant. Snake eyes, frog eyes, and smiley piercings are not offered.
No. Sunburned skin is damaged and inflamed, making it unsafe to tattoo and increasing the risk of poor ink retention, improper healing, and complications.
If you arrive with a sunburn in the area being tattooed, we will be unable to proceed with your appointment. Your deposit will be forfeited, and a new deposit will be required to reschedule.
No, we cannot. The state of Tennessee prohibits tampering with commercial tattoo ink.
Not every placement works with every body, and not every idea suits every artist. Your piercer will assess your anatomy and explain alternatives if the piercing you want isn't a good fit, and we may refer you to a neighboring studio when an artist's style isn't the right match for your design.
Your design & day-of changes
Your design will be shown on the day of your tattoo session, where we will go over the details, and make any necessary changes. For larger pieces, like full and half sleeve tattoos, your artist may make arrangements a few days prior to your appointment to lay out the design and ensure all details are finalized.
Nominal adjustments can be made the day of your appointment. However, if you decide you want a completely different design or significant additions at the time of your session, additional design fees may apply.
Creating your tattoo design takes planning and time before your appointment. If big changes are made the day of your session, your artist may need to redraw or completely redesign the piece on the spot. This extra time can affect the rest of their schedule and other clients. Additional design fees help cover that extra work and keep the day running smoothly for everyone.
Aftercare, touch-ups & medical care
Your artist or piercer will send you home with written aftercare instructions and explain which healing method to follow. Following them is part of getting a good result — sun, soaking, picking, and harsh products are the usual causes of a poor heal.
Touch-ups are at the discretion of the individual artist, however most of our artists provide one free touch up within 6 months of the tattoo. This does exclude hands, fingers and necks. You are welcome to schedule additional touch ups or to bring an older tattoo back to life at the artist's regular rates.
Healing times vary by placement and person. See our Piercing Aftercare page for the placement-by-placement estimates. A free check-up can help assess your progress; an estimated healing time is not a guarantee that a piercing is ready for a jewelry change.
A piercer cannot diagnose an infection or replace medical treatment. Seek prompt medical care for spreading redness or red streaks, severe or worsening pain or swelling, thick foul-smelling discharge, or fever — and keep the jewelry in unless a medical professional tells you otherwise.
In the studio
Of course! Our shop is small, so please limit your guests to 1 person.
In accordance with ADA guidelines, trained service animals are permitted. For health and safety reasons, service animals must remain under control and away from sterile equipment and procedure areas. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.
Booking, shopping & outside services
Consultation, booking, and deposit links open HoneyBook forms, and jewelry purchases take place in our separate Shopify-powered store at idlehandsjewelry.co. Those services handle your transaction and your information under their own terms, which is why this page covers the studio appointment and how this website works.
How this website handles the information you give it — including the jewelry question helper and studio inquiries — is described in our privacy policy.
Where these rules come from
Questions about a specific appointment are best asked before you book — email admin@idlehandstattoo.ink, call 865.830.3322, or stop by 7419 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 105, Knoxville, TN 37909.
