Tattoo FAQ — Aureo Roma, Rome
Answers to the questions we're asked most often about getting tattooed at Aureo Roma — prices, deposits, booking, walk-in hours and aftercare. We're at Via degli Zingari 12 in Monti, five minutes from the Colosseum, and we reply to every enquiry within 20 minutes.
BOOKING
How do I book an appointment at Aureo Roma?
You can book entirely by email — no visit or consultation is needed first. Send us your idea through the booking form: what you'd like, roughly how big, where on your body, and the dates you're in Rome. Reference images help enormously.
We reply within 20 minutes with an artist recommendation, a price range and an available date. A €100 deposit confirms the appointment and is deducted in full from the final price.
We book up to three months ahead and usually have space within the coming two weeks.
How quickly will you reply to me?
Within 20 minutes, in most cases. A member of our team reads every enquiry personally and replies the same day, seven days a week. Send us your idea in the morning and you will usually have a price range and an appointment option before the afternoon.
Do I need a consultation before getting tattooed?
No. Most of our clients arrange everything by email and meet their artist for the first time on the day of the appointment.
Your artist reviews the design with you in person before starting — placement, size and final adjustments are agreed then, and nothing begins until you're happy. If you'd prefer to come in beforehand, you're welcome to, but it isn't required.
Can I book before I arrive in Rome?
Yes, and we recommend it. Most of our clients book from abroad, sometimes weeks ahead of their trip. Everything — design discussion, price, date, deposit — is handled by email before you land.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks is comfortable for most pieces. For large work, or if you want a specific artist, four to six weeks is safer.
We accept bookings up to three months ahead. Short notice is often possible too — if you're already in Rome, email us, and we'll tell you what's free this week. Or come by the studio for the fastest possible way of booking a spot if your time is limited!
Do you take Walk-ins?
Yes. We keep a limited number of daily slots for walk-ins, Monday to Saturday, 11:00–20:00, first come first served. Walk-ins suit small and medium pieces.
Full details on our walk-in page.
What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?
Deposits are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. If you need to reschedule your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance. With sufficient notice, your deposit will be transferred to a new available date. Rescheduling requests made with less than 24 hours’ notice may result in the loss of your deposit.
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PRICES & PAYMENT
How much does a tattoo cost at Aureo Roma?
Small pieces start at €100. Beyond that, every tattoo is quoted individually — the price depends on size, placement, level of detail and which artist takes the project. Two pieces of the same size can differ substantially if one carries fine shading and the other is clean linework.
We price by the piece rather than by the hour, and we give you a specific range before you commit to anything. Send us your idea and you'll have a quote the same day, usually within 20 minutes.
How much is a small tattoo in Rome?
At Aureo Roma, small tattoos start at €190. The exact figure depends on how much detail sits inside the design — a few centimetres of clean script sits at the lower end, while a small piece with fine shading or micro-realistic detail takes considerably longer to execute and is priced accordingly.
Send us a description or a reference image and we'll give you a precise range the same day.
Why do you price by the piece rather than by the hour?
Because you know the cost before we start. Hourly pricing means the bill depends on how long the artist takes — which puts the risk on you. We quote a range for the finished piece, agree it with you in advance, and stay within it.
How much is the deposit?
The deposit is €50\100 for most pieces, and €200–300 for larger work or group bookings.
It secures your date and time, and it is deducted in full from the final price — it is not an additional charge. If your tattoo costs €350, you pay €100 to book and €250 on the day.
HOW do I pay?
The deposit can be paid by Cash / Card / PayPal / Apple Pay / Google Pay.
The balance is settled at the studio on the day of your appointment.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, through PayPal's three-instalment option, selectable when you pay. There is a 3% surcharge, you need an existing PayPal account linked to a bank account, and you must tell us before the session begins so we can set it up correctly.
Should I tip?
Tipping is entirely optional and is not expected in Italy. However, if you are especially happy with your tattoo and your experience, a tip is always greatly appreciated by your artist. There is no standard percentage—whatever feels appropriate to you is completely fine.
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VISITING ROME
Where is Aureo Roma?
Via degli Zingari 12, 00184 Rome, in the Monti district.
Five minutes on foot from the Colosseum. The nearest metro is Cavour, on Line B, about two minutes away. Monti is the neighbourhood immediately north of the Roman Forum.
Do you speak English?
Yes, fluently. Our team works in English every day and most of our clients are international visitors. You can send your enquiry, discuss your design, agree the price and be tattooed entirely in English — nothing gets lost along the way.
We also speak Italian.
I'm only in Rome for one day. Can you still tattoo me?
Usually, yes. A significant number of our clients are in Rome briefly — cruise passengers, students on exchange, weekend visitors.
Email us your idea and, crucially, the latest time you must leave the city. We'll tell you honestly whether the piece fits the window you have. If it doesn't, we'll say so rather than rush the work or leave you watching the clock.
I'm arriving on a cruise ship at Civitavecchia. Is there enough time?
Often, yes — but the timing needs checking carefully. Civitavecchia is roughly 80 km from central Rome, and the train takes about an hour each way.
Tell us your ship's departure time when you enquire. We'll work backwards from it and only propose an appointment that leaves you comfortable margin.
Can tourists get tattooed in Italy?
Yes. There is no residency requirement — visitors are tattooed in Rome every day. You'll need photo ID, and you should be able to communicate clearly with your artist about what you want.
How long does a tattoo take?
A small piece takes about 45 minutes to an hour, including placement and stencil adjustment. Medium work runs one to three hours. Large or highly detailed pieces take four hours or more, occasionally across multiple sessions.
When we confirm your appointment, we tell you how long to allow, including setup — so you can plan the rest of your day.
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THE WORK
What tattoo styles do you specialise in?
- Single-needle and fine-line
- Micro-realism and micro tattoos
- Photorealistic portraits
- Hyper-realism in black and grey
- Lettering and script
- Ornamental and geometric
- Colour work
If you're unsure what suits your idea, describe it to us and we'll advise.
Who will tattoo me?
Whoever suits your piece best — and we tell you who that is before you pay anything.
Aureo Roma was founded by Alessandro Capozzi, who specialises in single-needle, fine-line and hyper-realistic tattoos and whose clients include Demi Lovato, Ashley Greene, Scooter Braun and Ben Hardy. He tattoos at the Rome studio throughout the year and takes on projects personally.
Working alongside him, our resident artists were each selected and trained by Alessandro and work to the same standards. For many pieces they are simply the closest fit — a particular artist may be stronger in lettering, or ornamental work, or colour.
Send us your idea and we'll tell you which artist we'd match you with and why.
Can I be tattooed by Alessandro Capozzi specifically?
Yes. Just tell us in your enquiry that you'd like to work with him.
Alessandro takes a limited number of projects at a time, so his diary tends to fill further ahead than the rest of the team's — four to six weeks is a good guide. Let us know your dates, and we'll come back with his availability.
Will I see the design before we start?
Yes. Your artist prepares the design and reviews it with you in person at the start of your appointment. Placement, size and final adjustments are agreed together, and the stencil is positioned on your skin for approval before any tattooing begins.
Can I bring my own design or reference images?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. Reference images are the fastest way for us to understand what you want.
We don't copy another artist's tattoo directly — that's both an artistic and an ethical line — but we'll use your references to build something original in the same spirit.
How small can a tattoo be?
Very small, but there's a limit set by physics rather than skill. Fine detail placed too small blurs as it ages, because ink spreads slightly in the skin over years.
For single-needle work, we generally advise a minimum of 2–3 cm for anything with internal detail. Simple script or symbols can go smaller. Your artist will tell you honestly if your idea needs to be larger to still look good in ten years.
Do you do cover-ups or reworking of old tattoos?
Yes — it's one of the things we're known for. Alongside cover-ups, we restore and rework existing tattoos: sharpening faded linework, rebuilding detail that has softened over the years, and correcting blowouts where ink has spread under the skin.
Blowout correction is delicate work. The spread ink can't simply be lifted out, so it has to be absorbed into a redesigned composition — which takes both technical control and an eye for what the piece can become. Our single-needle background suits exactly this kind of problem.
Send us clear, well-lit photographs of the existing tattoo along with what you'd like to change. We'll tell you honestly what's achievable: some pieces can be transformed completely, others need a partial rework, and occasionally laser lightening first gives a far better final result.
Does getting a tattoo hurt?
It's uncomfortable rather than unbearable for most people, and it varies by placement. Areas with more flesh — outer arm, thigh, calf — are generally easier. Areas over bone or with thin skin — ribs, sternum, ankle, inner arm, hands, feet — are sharper.
Small pieces are over quickly. For longer sessions we take breaks whenever you need one.
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BEFORE & AFTER
What should I do before my appointment?
Eat a proper meal beforehand — low blood sugar is the most common cause of feeling faint. Sleep well. Avoid alcohol the night before, since it thins the blood and affects how the skin takes ink. Wear clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed. Bring photo ID.
If you take regular medication, have a skin condition, or are prone to fainting, tell us when you book rather than on the day.
Can I get tattooed if I've been in the sun?
Not on sunburnt or peeling skin. Tattooing damaged skin is painful, heals badly and can affect how the ink settles.
This catches out a lot of visitors to Rome in summer — a day at the beach or six hours sightseeing can be enough. If the area you want tattooed is red or tender, tell us before you arrive and we'll reschedule rather than proceed.
How do I look after a new tattoo?
Your artist gives you specific instructions for your piece before you leave. In general:
1. Keep the covering on for as long as your artist tells you.
2. Wash gently with clean hands and unscented soap, then pat dry — don't rub.
3. Apply a thin layer of the recommended ointment. Thin is important; a thick layer suffocates the skin.
4. Keep it out of direct sun and away from water for the first two weeks.
5. Don't pick or scratch as it flakes.
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
The surface heals in about two weeks — that's when flaking stops and the skin closes. The deeper layers take a further four to six weeks to settle fully, during which the tattoo may look slightly cloudy before sharpening up.
Keep it protected from sun for the first month, and use sunscreen on it afterwards for life. Sun is the main cause of tattoos fading.
What if something doesn't look right while it's healing?
Contact us. Send a photo to info@studioaureo.mom and we'll look at it. Some flaking, redness and mild swelling in the first days is normal; spreading redness, heat, or discharge is not.
If you have signs of infection, see a doctor promptly — and tell us, so we can help.
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Ready to book?
Send us your idea and we'll reply within 20 minutes with a price and a date.
Aureo Roma · Via degli Zingari 12, Rome · Five minutes from the Colosseum