KING ‘AFA | CREATIVE DIRECTOR TATTOO INTAKE STANDARD

 
1. Permanent communication and brand standard
King ‘Afa evaluates tattoo projects as a cultural tattoo artist, art director, creative director, designer, historical researcher, and project planner. His communication should explain how meaningful tattoo work depends on complete visual, cultural, dimensional, anatomical, practical, and financial information.
Preserve these rules in future writing:

• Write in the first person when speaking as King ‘Afa: “I need,” “I cannot,” “I design,” and “I have to understand.”

• Be direct, professional, culturally informed, detailed, and respectful.

• Explain why each requested detail matters instead of presenting arbitrary demands.

• Request photographs, precise placement, approximate dimensions, appropriate circumference measurements, cultural identification, heritage information, design references, existing tattoos, budget, location, and timing.

• Treat the body as a three-dimensional design surface, not a flat image.

• Evaluate proportion, anatomy, symmetry, curvature, movement, spacing, line weight, long-term readability, aging, existing work, and possible future expansion.

• Treat each project as a creative brief with a message, visual direction, cultural foundation, physical dimensions, production requirements, and intended outcome.

• Never assume the artist can read the client’s mind or accurately estimate an unseen tattoo project.

• Never treat “tribal,” “Polynesian,” “sleeve,” “chest piece,” or “something meaningful” as complete design instructions.

• Ask which specific Indigenous, Native, Pacific Island, or ancestral culture the client means; do not collapse different cultures into one interchangeable style.

• For Tongan projects, request the relevant Kolo Tupu‘anga, Motu Tupu‘anga, known family surnames, grandparental origins, Ha‘a connections when known, and family history the client can responsibly share. Do not claim a surname or village alone conclusively establishes a person’s clan.

• For Māori-inspired requests, maintain appropriate distinctions between Tā Moko for clients of Māori descent and kirituhi for non-Māori clients, subject to proper cultural context.

• Do not copy another artist’s tattoo. References identify direction, not a design available for duplication.

• Explain that preliminary estimates depend on photographs, measurements, complexity, body placement, scheduling, and the number of sessions.

• Explain that a daily rate applies to one booked day and does not automatically include unlimited sessions or completion of the entire project.

• State clearly that detailed design development, original research, final booking, or reserved appointments begin only after the appropriate consultation, agreement, and deposit requirements are satisfied.

• Be firm without shaming people who are unfamiliar with design vocabulary.

• Keep private photographs, identity details, genealogy, health information, and client contact information confidential.
   

Mālō e lelei — thank you for reaching out.
This booking page is for serious tattoo inquiries, cultural tattoo consultations, design commissions, travel appointments, and training inquiries. I do not conduct long tattoo planning through Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, text messages, comments, or casual DMs.
Custom artwork, cultural research, layout planning, and appointment preparation begin only after a paid consultation or deposit.
 
BEFORE YOU INQUIRE: DESCRIBE YOUR TATTOO PROJECT IN DETAIL
I cannot design, estimate, or understand a tattoo project you have not explained.
Every tattoo begins with information. A message such as “I want a sleeve,” “I need a chest piece,” “I want tribal,” or “How much?” does not tell me what you actually want, where the tattoo will be placed, which culture it represents, how much skin it will cover, or how many sessions the work may require.
I approach every tattoo from the perspective of a cultural tattoo artist, art director, creative director, and designer. Before I can recommend an approach or discuss an estimate, I need to understand the complete visual direction of the project: your body placement, measurements, cultural background, design interests, personal story, existing tattoos, budget, and preferred appointment dates.
You do not need professional design experience. You do need to explain your vision as clearly and thoroughly as possible. The more accurate the information you provide, the better I can assess your project and determine the appropriate next step.
Information required before an estimate
1. Describe the tattoo you want.
Explain the overall idea, subject, message, personal significance, and what you want the finished tattoo to represent. Tell me whether this is a new tattoo, an addition to existing work, a cover-up, a correction, or a larger project planned in stages.
2. Identify the exact placement.
Specify the side of the body and the actual start and end points. “Arm” or “chest” is not enough. Describe whether the tattoo is on the left or right side, the front or back, the inner or outer surface, or completely wrapped around the body part.
Examples:

• Upper arm from the shoulder cap to the elbow.

• Full sleeve from the shoulder across the outside and inside of the arm to the wrist.

• Upper chest extending from the left armpit crease across the sternum to the right armpit crease.

• Left chest panel continuing over the shoulder and down the outside of the upper arm.

• Lower leg wrapping around the calf from below the knee to above the ankle.

• Back piece extending from the shoulder blades to the waistband.

3. Send clear photographs of the area.
Photographs must show the entire area in natural lighting, without filters or heavy shadows. Stand upright, keep the camera straight, and send front, side, rear, or close-up views as relevant. Include any existing tattoos, scars, stretch marks, skin texture, or previous work that may affect the design.
For sensitive placements, keep photographs appropriately covered and wait for instructions before sharing additional images. Send private photographs only through the approved contact or upload method.
4. Provide approximate dimensions.
Include the estimated length, width, and height of the area in inches or centimeters. For sleeves, leg pieces, or other wraparound work, provide circumference measurements at the relevant points, such as the bicep, forearm, wrist, thigh, calf, or ankle.
Dimensions help me understand scale, proportion, visual balance, available space, and whether the requested details will remain readable over time. Final dimensions may change after the project is reviewed.
5. Name the specific culture, tradition, or design direction.
“Tribal” is not one culture. Indigenous and ancestral tattoo traditions differ across Tonga, Samoa, Hawai‘i, Aotearoa/New Zealand, the Marquesas, Fiji, Tahiti, the Caribbean, the Philippines, Native American Nations, and many other communities.
Tell me which culture or tradition interests you and explain your family connection, cultural background, or reason for the request. If you are Tongan, include your Kolo Tupu‘anga, Motu Tupu‘anga, relevant family names, grandparental origins, and Ha‘a connections when known.
I design with respect for cultural identity, historical context, and the difference between a specific tradition and a generic internet trend.
6. Explain your personal story and intended message.
If the tattoo represents family, genealogy, children, parents, grandparents, survival, migration, military service, faith, responsibility, personal achievement, or another important part of your life, explain it. A meaningful composition requires an actual story, not just the words “something meaningful.”
7. Share visual references.
Send reference photographs, sketches, archival images, typography samples, or examples that communicate the direction you have in mind. Tell me what you like and dislike about each image.
References help explain your preferences. They are not instructions to copy another artist’s tattoo.
8. Provide complete lettering information.
For script, names, dates, quotations, or words, provide the exact final spelling, capitalization, punctuation, accents, language, and number of letters or words. Explain the desired font direction, such as script, bold lettering, fine-line lettering, or Los Angeles/Chicano-influenced lettering.
Lettering must be planned for available space, body curvature, legibility, line spacing, and how the tattoo will age.
9. State your realistic budget.
Provide your intended budget and clarify whether that number is for one session, one full day, or the entire project. Larger tattoos may require multiple appointments. A single-day budget does not automatically cover an entire multi-session tattoo.
 
10. Tell me your location and preferred dates.
Include your city, travel availability, preferred appointment window, and whether you are requesting a Los Angeles appointment, a guest-artist appointment in another city, a convention appointment, or a private travel arrangement.
 
11. Disclose relevant project considerations.
Tell me about existing tattoos, scar tissue, planned cover-ups, relevant skin concerns, unusual scheduling needs, or other practical factors that may affect the project. Sensitive medical information should be discussed through the appropriate confidential intake process.
Why the details matter
A tattoo is not a sticker placed on a flat surface. The body has shape, movement, muscle structure, natural curves, and areas that stretch or age differently. A design that looks balanced on a phone screen may not work on a specific chest, arm, leg, or back.
As a creative director, I need to understand the message, the audience, the physical surface, and the final result before I build the composition. The same principle applies to a film, a construction project, a fashion collection, or a tattoo: the quality of the outcome depends on the quality of the planning.
Incomplete inquiries cannot receive an accurate estimate
I cannot responsibly provide a quote, estimate the number of sessions, or begin original design work without clear photographs and enough information to understand the project.
No visual. No detailed project description. No accurate estimate.
Please complete the booking form thoroughly and include all requested details before asking about price or availability.

 
Required Information Before a Quote
To receive a serious quote, submit:

1. Tattoo idea or theme
   What should the tattoo represent?

2. Placement
   Arm, shoulder, chest, back, leg, ribs, torso, stomach, neck, hands, etc.

3. Clear photos
   Front, side, back, relaxed, and flexed angles when needed.

4. Measurements
   Width × height in inches or centimeters. For sleeves, bands, legs, shoulders, chest, and torso, circumference may be required.

5. Existing tattoos
   Send clear photos if this is an extension, cover-up, correction, or continuation.

6. Cultural background / heritage
   Include island, village, tribe, clan, family lineage, ancestry, or cultural meaning.

7. Budget range
   A realistic budget is required before I can recommend scale, session structure, and design direction.

8. Preferred city / appointment location
   West Hollywood, San Jose Bay Area, travel city, convention, or private booking.

Los Angeles, San Jose, Utah, and Travel Pricing Are Not the Same
 
Pricing changes depending on location and logistics.
Los Angeles pricing is different from San Jose Bay Area pricing.
San Jose Bay Area pricing is different because I travel with equipment, supplies, and setup.
Utah, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Hawai‘i, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and other travel locations require additional planning, airfare, lodging, checked equipment, transport, studio or booth rental, and schedule coordination.
If I travel to your city, you are not only paying for the tattoo. You are paying for the convenience of having a professional cultural tattoo artist travel to your area with the equipment, research, preparation, and setup required for your project.
No travel appointment is confirmed without a deposit.

West Los Angeles & San Jose Bay Area + Traveling & Private Appointments Upon Request

I’m based in West Los Angeles, California at

Lakimii Tattoo Studio: Instagram @lakimiitattoo
 
 883 Westbourne Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069 
https://www.lakimiitattoo.com/ 
 

Fala-o-Niuvakai Tattoo Studio by Tonga Tattoo Artist Taki Vea 
Salt Lake City Utah 
https://www.falaoniuvakai.com/ 
 
 
Unlimited Ink Tattoo San Jose & Bay Area Northern California 
Coral Instagram @cocolynn_
4213 Barrymore Dr, San Jose, CA 95117