A sleeve, a back piece, a full leg — these aren't one-session decisions, and we don't treat them like one. Before you book flights or commit to a date, here's exactly what our consultation process looks like.
Two Ways to Start: Online or In-Studio
Most large projects begin before the client ever sets foot in Bali.
Online — send us your references, style examples, and a rough idea of placement and size via WhatsApp or Instagram. This is the right path if you're still planning your trip and want to lock in the concept — and your session dates — before you fly.
In-studio — if you're already in Bali, or based nearby, you can come in for the same conversation in person. It's free, takes about an hour, and gives you a chance to see the studio, talk placement in the mirror, and look through the portfolio directly.
Either way, the process itself is identical from that point on.
What We're Actually Looking At
A consultation isn't a sales pitch — it's an assessment. Our founder reviews:
- The references you bring — what's working in them, what isn't, and what can realistically translate to skin
- The complexity of the composition — how many elements, how much negative space, how much detail
- Placement and how the design will sit on your specific body shape and movement
- Any existing tattoos nearby that need to be worked around or integrated
- Your skin and how it's likely to hold detail over multiple sessions
This is also where we tell you honestly if something won't work as-is — before any commitment is made, not after.
From Design to Deposit
Once the direction is agreed, our founder builds out the full concept — the composition, not just a single image. You'll see the design taking shape before anything touches skin.
When the design is approved, a deposit secures your session dates. For large-scale projects this is standard practice — it holds your place in the schedule and confirms you're ready to move forward.
Only after the deposit is paid do we lock in your first session.
Why We Can't Give You an Exact Session Count Upfront
Full sleeves and back pieces typically run 7 to 12 sessions, but that number is always a range, not a promise — and we won't pretend otherwise at the consultation stage.
The real count depends on things that only become clear once work is underway: how your skin holds ink and heals between sittings, how the composition fills out once it's actually on your body, and how much depth and shading the piece needs to hold up at full scale. We give you a realistic starting estimate at the consultation, then refine it once the first one or two sessions are done.
Why the Design Keeps Evolving Mid-Project
Large-scale work is rarely finished exactly as first sketched — and that's deliberate, not a flaw.
The body isn't flat paper. A composition that reads correctly on a stencil can shift once it wraps around a shoulder, follows the curve of a back, or moves with an elbow. Our founder adjusts the design as sessions progress specifically to keep it anatomically correct — so the finished piece looks intentional from every angle, not just the one it was drawn from.
This is normal, ongoing practice on every large project at Samadhi — not indecision, and not a sign the first plan was wrong.
Planning One Bali Trip Around a Large Project
For Australian clients flying in for a single trip, timing is part of the consultation too.
Large pieces are usually completed working three days on, three days off — three consecutive sessions, then three rest days for the skin to recover before the next stretch. On that rhythm, a sleeve, back, or leg piece is realistically achievable in about two weeks of focused work.
Bali's climate makes the rest days non-negotiable — healing skin needs to stay out of direct sun and spend real time under shade or air conditioning between sessions. We build that into your schedule from the start, which is why booking your consultation 6–8 weeks before you travel gives us time to plan the whole project around one trip, instead of spreading it across several.
Book Your Consultation
If you're considering a large project, the first step costs nothing — send us your references and a rough idea of your travel dates on WhatsApp or Instagram, and we'll set up a free consultation, online or in-studio.
📍 Samadhi Tattoo & Art Gallery — Uluwatu, Bali 🔗 samadhi.ink
