Question 1

How much does a realism tattoo cost in Sheffield?

Accepted Answer

I price by the length of the sitting, from £270 for 3 hours to £700 for a 10-hour leg themed sleeve. You're paying for my time and my full attention, one to one, and I'm not rushing to hit a fixed-price quote.

Question 2

How much does a single-sitting full sleeve cost in Sheffield?

Accepted Answer

My 8-hour Arm Themed Sleeve is £600, and my 10-hour Leg Themed Sleeve is £700. You give me the theme; I design the sleeve. Each sitting is set up to finish a full outer or inner panel in one day.

Question 3

Do you guarantee my tattoo will be finished in one session?

Accepted Answer

When you book with me, you're paying for the sitting time, not a guaranteed finished tattoo. That said, about 90% of my clients get their full outer-arm sleeve finished in a single 8-hour themed sleeve sitting. I won't rush a piece to beat the clock.

Question 4

Is it safe to get a full sleeve in one day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Done properly, in a clean studio with breaks built in, sitting for a full day is safe. My private studio in Chapeltown is set up for long sittings, and 95% of my clients get through the 8 to 10-hour day absolutely fine.

Question 5

Do you offer colour or watercolour work?

Accepted Answer

No. I specialise strictly in black and grey realism and portraiture. I don't do colour, watercolour, or traditional styles.

Question 6

Do you do small tattoos, names, or fingerprints?

Accepted Answer

No. I specialise in black and grey realism, and my minimum booking is a 3-hour sitting (around A5 size). I don't do small stand-alone pieces such as single names, dates, fingerprints, or small symbols. The only exception to the 3-hour minimum is a touch-up for an existing client.

Question 7

Do you do cover-ups?

Accepted Answer

Yes — covering old tattoos with black and grey realism is something I want to do a lot more of. A cover-up takes roughly 1.5 to 2 times the work of fresh skin and is usually two sittings: the first covers the old tattoo, the second goes back over the lighter areas once healed to add depth and fully disguise it. As a guide, an A4 piece that's one 6-hour sitting on fresh skin is £750 to £960 as a cover-up. The two sittings are at least 4 weeks apart, and one deposit covers both — roughly 1.5 to 2 times the usual deposit, confirmed before booking. Laser isn't necessarily needed. Send clear photos of the tattoo and your ideas through Get a Quote — cover-ups are booked in with me directly rather than online. The Cover-Ups page has the full details and before and afters.

Question 8

Do I need to come into the shop for a consultation first?

Accepted Answer

No. To save you a trip to Chapeltown, all my bookings and consultations are done online. Once you've booked, I'll tell you how to send your reference photos and ideas over.

Question 9

How much is the deposit, and is it refundable?

Accepted Answer

Deposits are paid through Stripe when you book online and come off your total: £50 for a 3 or 4 hour sitting, £100 for a 6 hour, £150 for an 8 hour, and £200 for a 10 hour. The remaining balance is paid on the day by cash or bank transfer. Deposits are non-refundable, but if you need to reschedule, give me at least 72 hours' notice to move your deposit to a new date.

Question 10

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A gift voucher pays in full for a whole session — 3, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours — so the person you're gifting has nothing to pay on the day. Buy one at liamrebeltattoos.com/gift-vouchers: choose the session, add a message, and it's emailed to them (on a day you pick, if you like) or to you to hand over. They book with the code at liamrebeltattoos.com/gift-vouchers/redeem — no deposit needed. Vouchers are for my own black and grey realism work, valid 12 months, refundable within 14 days if unused, and not exchangeable for cash.

Question 11

What happens if I am late to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, or require excessive breaks, it cuts directly into your paid tattoo time. If the piece is left unfinished because of client delays, you will need to book and pay for a follow-up session.

Question 12

Is booking online safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Payments go through Stripe, one of the biggest secure payment companies, and my calendar runs on Cal.com. Your details are encrypted, and your non-refundable deposit goes through straight away to lock in your date.

Question 13

Why is there a fee for in-person consultations?

Accepted Answer

Online consultations through my Get a Quote form are free. If you'd rather meet at the studio, I charge a small £25 fee. It keeps my time for people who are serious about booking, and the full £25 comes off your tattoo session once you book.

Question 14

How long of a session will I need?

Accepted Answer

I can give you a good average for most jobs: a single face is usually a 4-hour Portrait Session, and an 8-hour Arm Themed Sleeve usually covers a full outer or inner sleeve. For an estimate on your own piece, request a quote before booking.

Question 15

What if I need to reschedule my appointment?

Accepted Answer

I need at least 72 hours' notice to move your session. With enough notice you can reschedule once without losing your deposit. Cancellations within the 72-hour window or "no-shows" result in the deposit being forfeited.

Question 16

What happens if my tattoo isn't finished within the time block?

Accepted Answer

Realism takes the time it takes, and I won't rush it. If your piece needs longer because of skin type or how much detail is in it, we stop at a sensible point and you book a £100/hr touch-up or overtime session to finish it off.

Question 17

How do I get a price estimate for my tattoo?

Accepted Answer

The quickest way is the Get a Quote form (/get-a-quote), which is free. Tell me the subject, the size (A4 or A5, say) and where it's going, and I'll tell you which session length to book.

Question 18

Is Liam Rebel Tattoos still open? I saw a dissolved company on Companies House.

Accepted Answer

Yes — the studio is fully open and taking bookings. The Companies House record for "Liam Rebel Tattoos Ltd" (dissolved 2025) refers to a former limited company that was closed when the business switched to operating as a sole trader. The studio itself never closed: Liam Rebel Tattoos is the trading name of sole trader Liam Revill, working from the same private studio at 3A Station Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield. You can book online right now via the Book Online page.

Question 19

What are your opening hours?

Accepted Answer

I work Tuesday to Thursday 09:30–19:30 and Friday 09:30–16:00. The studio is private and appointment-only—please book online or request a quote rather than visiting without an appointment.

Question 20

Where are you located, and is there parking?

Accepted Answer

My private, appointment-only studio is at 3A Station Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield (S35 2XE). It is just minutes from M1 Junction 35, within walking distance of Chapeltown train station (Penistone Line), and easy to get to from Barnsley and Sheffield. There is free parking nearby for clients travelling from Rotherham, Doncaster or Leeds — being outside the city centre means no city-centre traffic or expensive parking meters.

Question 21

Who will actually tattoo me?

Accepted Answer

Me, every time. This is a one-artist studio: there are no guest artists, no apprentices and no handing your piece to someone else part-way through. The person you book with is the person who designs it, tattoos it and sees it healed. That matters most for portraits and realism, where a change of hands shows.

Question 22

Is the studio private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It's one private room, appointment only, and you'll be the only client in the studio for your whole sitting. You get my full attention in a warm room with Netflix, music, and drinks and snacks on the house.

Question 23

Do you accept walk-ins for consultations or tattoos?

Accepted Answer

No. The studio is appointment only, so the person in the chair gets the room to themselves. Please don't turn up without an appointment. Use the Get a Quote form, email, or the Book Online page to get started.

Question 24

Can I bring a friend to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

It's a small private room and I need to concentrate, so I'd rather you came on your own. If you want someone with you for support, one person is fine — just the one, so nothing distracts from the work.

Question 25

Can you do a memorial portrait from an old or low-quality photo?

Accepted Answer

I do a lot of memorial portraits, and I know you won't always have a good photo of someone you've lost, or of a pet. Send me what you've got and I'll tell you straight whether I can bring the contrast up enough to work from it.

Question 26

Where is the best place on my body to get a realistic portrait?

Accepted Answer

Realism wants a big, flat area so the face doesn't wrap or warp round the muscle. Outer bicep, forearm, outer calf or thigh are the best spots.

Question 27

Do you work from photos?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For portraits I work straight from the photo you choose. I'll tell you which photos will work best on skin.

Question 28

Do you tattoo in colour?

Accepted Answer

No. I only do black and grey realism and portraits. No colour, watercolour or traditional. I'm colour-blind, so I don't offer colour work I couldn't judge properly, and black and grey is what lasts best on skin anyway.

Question 29

How long does a portrait take?

Accepted Answer

A single face usually fits in a 4-hour Portrait Session. Bigger pieces (more than one face, or larger) may need a longer sitting or more than one.

Question 30

Can I see the design before my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I send you a digital mock-up, worked up from your reference photos, before your appointment, so we can sort any small tweaks and get straight on with it when you arrive. If you want a complete redesign there's a £50 fee to cover the extra design time.

Question 31

Can you copy a design from the internet?

Accepted Answer

I don't copy other people's tattoos or artwork off the internet. I draw every design for the person and the bit of body it's going on. If you've got reference pictures for the style or the subject, I'll use them as a starting point and design something that's yours.

Question 32

How long will my piece take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the size, the detail and where it's going. As a rough guide: a single face portrait is usually 4 hours, a full outer or inner arm sleeve is usually 8 hours, and themed sleeves are designed to be finished in one 8-hour sitting. For an estimate on your own piece, use the Get a Quote form.

Question 33

Can I use numbing cream?

Accepted Answer

I don't supply numbing cream. You're welcome to use your own, but you must tell me before your session. Used wrong, numbing cream can really mess with the skin texture. If the cream makes your skin unworkable for realism, the session will be cancelled and your deposit forfeited.

Question 34

What happens if I "tap out" early due to pain?

Accepted Answer

Most people get through it fine. But if you do decide to stop early because of pain or tiredness, the full price of the sitting you booked is still payable on the day.

Question 35

Do I need to bring ID?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It's strictly 18+. If there's any chance you look under 25, bring valid photo ID (passport or driving licence). No ID, no tattoo, and the deposit is lost.

Question 36

How should I prepare for an 8-hour themed sleeve session?

Accepted Answer

Get a good night's sleep, drink plenty of water and have a proper breakfast. No alcohol for at least 24 hours before. Wear loose, comfy clothes that give easy access to the area we're tattooing and that you don't mind getting ink on.

Question 37

Do we stop for lunch during an all-day session?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are short stretch breaks through the day and a proper food break around 1 or 2pm. There are snacks and drinks in the studio, but you're welcome to bring your own lunch or nip to the shops nearby.

Question 38

How do I look after my new realism tattoo?

Accepted Answer

Keep it wrapped for the first few hours, then wash it gently with lukewarm water and mild, unscented soap. After 24 hours, apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free lotion (like Aquaphor) 3 to 4 times a day.

Question 39

What should I avoid while my tattoo is healing?

Accepted Answer

Strictly avoid using Vaseline or Bepanthen, as these petroleum-based products can trap bacteria. You must also avoid swimming, soaking in baths, tight clothing, and direct sunlight for at least 3 to 4 weeks.

Question 40

Do you offer free touch-ups if a piece heals lightly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, one free touch-up within 3 months of your appointment, as long as you've followed the aftercare. If it needs a touch-up because it wasn't looked after — sun, picking, swimming — that's charged at my standard hourly rate.

Question 41

What is your complaints procedure?

Accepted Answer

If something's not right, tell me. I have a proper written complaints procedure and I'll respond within 3 business days to sort it out fairly. If you're still not happy you can take it to the British Tattoo Artists Federation or the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Question 42

What is the difference between a Themed Sleeve and a Custom or Personalised Sleeve?

Accepted Answer

The difference is who's controlling the design, and how long it takes. A Themed Sleeve is for people who have a broad idea in mind (Greek mythology, say, or wild animals); you give me the theme and I design the sleeve. Because I've got a free hand to lay it out so it sits right on the arm, I can get a full sleeve designed quickly.

A Custom or Personalised Sleeve is when you've already got very specific pictures, fonts and a layout in your head. Getting all of that exactly right usually means several rounds of design changes and a lot of back and forth. Designing a sleeve like that can take longer than tattooing it, which is why it doesn't fit into a one-day Themed Sleeve.

Question 43

Can I add my children's names and exact birth times to a one-day Themed Sleeve?

Accepted Answer

No. Very personal details like names, dates or a pocket watch set to an exact time need fine, small-scale work and very careful placement. To put it in perspective, designing one pocket watch with names and dates can take me as long as designing a whole Themed Sleeve. If you want those details in, it needs to be a Multi-Sitting Project so there's time to design and tattoo them properly.

Question 44

Do you offer a discount for massive custom projects like full back pieces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For big, very personal pieces that take several days to design and tattoo, the price comes down when you commit to four or more sittings upfront: the rate drops from £480 to £400 per full day sitting. You secure it by paying a £100 deposit for each sitting upfront (4 sittings = £400 deposit), then £300 on the day of each sitting, and the sittings can be spread out over 12 months. See my Multi-Sitting Projects page for the full offer — it's arranged directly with me and can't be booked online.

Question 45

How often do you update your portfolio?

Accepted Answer

I update the gallery and social media monthly with fresh work. For the most recent healed results and themed sleeves in progress, follow my Instagram for daily studio updates.

Question 46

Can I request a style I don't see in your portfolio?

Accepted Answer

I stick to black and grey realism, because that's what I'm good at and it's what lasts. I don't do colour, watercolour, traditional or tribal. Doing one thing properly is why people travel from all over the country, and from Europe, to get tattooed here.

Question 47

Does the portfolio show tattoos finished in one day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Themed Sleeve gallery is full outer arm and leg panels finished in a single 8–10 hour sitting. The way I lay them out — three or four main subjects, plenty of contrast — is what makes that possible.

Question 48

Will my tattoo look exactly like the digital mockup?

Accepted Answer

The mock-up shows how the piece wraps round your arm or leg. Skin isn't flat paper, but I work from strong, high-contrast lighting so the finished tattoo has the same 3D, photo-like look you see in the portfolio.

Question 49

What are the session videos?

Accepted Answer

Every sitting is filmed on fixed cameras in the studio and cut into a short vertical film the same day — the piece before we start, the stencil, the work as it builds, and the finished tattoo, with a few words from Liam. They're at /session-videos, newest first.

Question 50

What are the Shorts?

Accepted Answer

About twenty seconds from one sitting, music only: the stencil on the skin, a fade, then the wipe-down that shows the finished tattoo (a cover-up starts with the old tattoo). They're at /shorts, and each one links to the full session film where there is one.

Question 51

Will I get a video of my own session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you're happy to be filmed — Liam asks at the start of every session. The film is emailed to you the same day to watch, download and share. First names only, and if you'd rather it wasn't on the website, just say and it comes down.

Question 52

How do I get to the studio from Sheffield?

Accepted Answer

The studio is in Chapeltown, 5 miles north of Sheffield city centre — about 12 minutes by car via the A61 or M1 Junction 35, or 15 minutes on the Penistone Line from Sheffield station (trains every 20 min). Also easily reached from Ecclesfield, High Green, Grenoside, and Thorpe Hesley. See /locations/sheffield for full directions.

Question 53

How do I get to the studio from Rotherham?

Accepted Answer

The studio is approximately 20 minutes from Rotherham via the M1. Take the M1 northbound and exit at Junction 35—the studio is a 2-minute drive from the junction. Alternatively, take the A629 through Ecclesfield. Free parking available nearby. See /locations/rotherham for full directions.

Question 54

How do I get to the studio from Barnsley?

Accepted Answer

Just 15 minutes south of Barnsley via the M1. Head south and exit at Junction 35—the studio is a 2-minute drive from the junction. Chapeltown train station (Penistone Line from Barnsley) is also within walking distance. See /locations/barnsley for full directions.

Question 55

How do I get to the studio from Doncaster?

Accepted Answer

Around 30 minutes from Doncaster via the M18 and M1. Take the M18 westbound to the M1 northbound and exit at Junction 35—the studio is a 2-minute drive from the junction. Free parking available nearby. See /locations/doncaster for full directions.

Question 56

Why travel to Chapeltown instead of a city-centre studio?

Accepted Answer

Chapeltown sits right on the M1 corridor between Sheffield and Barnsley—7 miles from each. You avoid city-centre traffic and expensive parking. And the studio is private: one room, one client at a time, so it's a quiet day rather than a busy shop.

Question 57

What does the blog cover?

Accepted Answer

The blog covers how black and grey realism actually gets done — preparing for a portrait session, the 'Rule of Three' behind themed sleeves, aftercare advice backed by evidence, how a piece comes together, client stories, and realism in South Yorkshire.

Question 58

How can I stay updated on new posts and offers?

Accepted Answer

Check the blog regularly for new articles, and follow on Instagram for daily updates. You can also opt in to email updates when providing your details for a quote or booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing & Single-Sitting Sleeves

Booking, Deposits & Cancellations

Quotes & Estimates

The Studio & The Experience

Portrait Requirements & Placement

Design, Preparation & Policies

Preparation & The Session Day

Tattoo Aftercare

Touch-ups & Trust Signals

Themed Sleeves vs. Custom Projects

Portfolio & Gallery

Session Videos

Location & Travel

Blog & Tattoo Knowledge