Frequently Asked Questions

General Ordering, Shipping and Payment Questions

Can promotions or discount codes be combined?

No. Promotions/discount codes cannot be combined or stacked. 

Can anyone order tattoo machines?

No. Tattoo machines will only be sold to professional artists or apprentices in licensed tattoo studios.

Can I buy a machine if I am still apprenticing?

Absolutely. Please provide the name of the shop you are working for and full contact information such as address, telephone number and website/email. We will only ship apprentice orders to a licensed tattoo establishment.

UPDATE: Miami storefront is open with limitations

The retail storefront in Miami is now open during usual business hours of 9am - 6pm.

Feel free to order online. 

We will confirm receipt of the order and you can pass by for curbside pickup.

As soon as your order is ready you’ll receive a text message or phone call confirming that you can pass by to pick up your order.

NOTE: You must wait for a confirmation. There is no waiting area and we prepare orders on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the best way to place an order?

The best way to order is via the Darklab website. 

How can I pay? Payment methods accepted include:

We accept all major credit cards, ApplePay, PayPal and Google Pay. We do not accept COD.

How long does it take to process my order?

From the time your order is placed to the date when you or your customer receives it, there are two processes to consider: fulfillment time is separate from shipping time.

Fulfillment
Standard fulfillment time is 24-72 business hours. Once your order has been fulfilled and left our building, then your shipping method will take effect and you will receive a notification with shipping information. Once UPS has shipped the item, they will email you a tracking number.

Note that our fulfillment department works standard business hours: 9-6pm EST, Monday – Friday (closed on weekends). Your order delivery date may be impacted by major U.S. holidays and government social distancing regulations that may slow down our fulfillment timings at Darklab.

Shipping
You have several shipping options through UPS, both domestic and international. Depending on the level of UPS service you choose, domestic shipping can range from 1-8 business days and international shipping 1-20 business days. International orders require pre-payment of duties and taxes up front to avoid any in-country delivery delays.

*First things first: we must prepare and package your order in-house at Darklab before shipping methods come into play.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes, we do! We can ship your items pretty much anywhere there is an address.

Can you ship to P.O. Boxes?

Sorry, we do not ship to P.O. Boxes, APO or FPO addresses.

What shipping service does Darklab use?

Order Processing Time:

Darklab will ship orders to verified account holders containing in-stock inventory within two (2) business days. Darklab is not open on Saturday and Sunday; Orders are not shipped on weekends or holidays.

During checkout, you will be offered options for selecting shipping speed with the corresponding rates listed.

 

Domestic Estimated Delivery by Shipping Option

FedEx Standard: 3-5 Business Days

FedEx Express Saver: 3-5 Business Days

FedEx 2Day: 2 Business Days

FedEx Priority Overnight: 1 Business Day (next day from date of mailing, not from date the order was placed)

 

International Shipping Delivery Estimates*

FedEx Standard: 8-14 Business Days

FedEx Worldwide Expedited: 2-5 Business Days

UPS Worldwide Express: 1-3 Business Days

*All duties and taxes must be pre-paid up front upon checkout to avoid any delay with customs upon delivery.

Will I have to sign for my machine?

As a convenience to our clients, we do not require a signature upon delivery. All packages are shipped with tracking and delivery confirmation.

What should I do if I have moved, but sent my order to my old address?

If you have moved or relocated, it is the customer’s responsibility to contact the carrier and ensure they have your current address in time for them to forward it to your new address. Darklab is not responsible for packages that are delivered to the incorrect address if the address given matches the shipping label.

Are machines guaranteed? What does the warranty cover?

All FK Irons machines come with a two-year manufacturer's warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers any manufacturer's defect. Proof of purchase is required to claim warranty.

The one-year warranty is void if the machine shows signs of:

- Being dropped
- Ink/liquid within the internal body and motor components
- Being tampered with
- Internal parts have been replaced by anyone outside of the official FK Irons repair team 

My machine is not working properly, how can I get it repaired?

All FK Irons devices have a one-year manufacturer warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers any manufacturer's defect. Proof of purchase is required to claim warranty.

If the device was bought over a year ago, don’t worry. Your machine can still be repaired. Please visit our Repairs page for details.

Will FK Irons' warranty cover my machine if I bought it from a distributor?

Yes. We offer support to all machines bought from any of our official Distributors. However, be aware of scammers and copycats as we will not cover counterfeit/ fake machines.

Who uses FK Irons tattoo machines?

Artists from all over the world. Just to mention a few names: Guy Aitchison, Nick Baxter, Tatu Baby, Johan Finne, Russ Abbott, Gunnar, Stefano Alcantara, Jesse Smith, and many great artists like you.

You can see a full list of the FK Irons ProTeam by clicking here.

What is Darklab's return policy?

Due to cross contamination issues and the fact that all FK Irons machines are custom-built to order for you, we do not accept returns. All machine sales are final. We do, however, guarantee all of our machines.

Each machine comes with a 1-year manufacture warranty. If you experience any type of problem with an FK Irons machine, please visit our Repairs page. We will work with you to troubleshoot and fix any issues.

We will also work with you to set up your machine and accessories should you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.

Coil machines questions

What is the difference between the machines?

The difference between the machines is how they are calibrated. All machines are built with the same components. No machine is better than the other. All machines will push any type of needle configuration and suit any style upon proper tuning. That’s why we offer tuning options when you buy your machine. The shape, color and material of the frame will not determine the difference in performance.

What is the right voltage to run an FK Irons machine?

The right voltage is the voltage that your technique, stroke and tuning requires. Usually, FKI machines run at a lower voltage than other machines. People shouldn’t stick to preset parameters and experiment to find what suits each artist best. We recommend  between 5 and 9 volts, again depending on the type of job you are doing. Steel frames should usually run at just a bit lower voltage than aluminum.

What is the best power supply I can use with an FK Irons machine?

We recommend Eikon® PS products, but any good power supply made with good components is appropriate. Cleaner current will ensure better performance and maintain machine life.

Can I adapt an FK Irons coil machine with RCA connectors?

Of course, in fact, we offer RCA-ready machines. Please select this option on the selected machine's page.

What are the different tuning options?

Conventional Liner - As our most popular machine style, this tool is meant to be used as an everyday “workhorse”. Typically used for tight 3rls-14rls, this setup is for all around tattooing.

Cutback Liner - Specifically tuned to run faster than our conventional liner, this machine is great for intricate detailed work such as eyelashes, hairs or mapping in quick outlines. This machine is to be used with a single needle up to tight 5rls but is not recommended for larger groupings. This set up is only available on the Exactor III Frame.

Power Liner - This machine is best used for thick, bold, traditional and new school style outlines and for pushing large rounds. This machine is best used for 9rl groupings and larger.

Soft Shader - Our most versatile everyday shading machine for both black and grey and color work, this machine will accept any mag size up to 55. The shader is designed to blend areas of color with multiple passes without causing excessive trauma to the skin.

Cutback Shader - This machine is tuned to run faster than the standard Soft Shader and is meant to be used with larger magnum groupings for very smooth color or light black and gray blends. This set up is only available on the Exactor III Frame.

Color Packer - Tuned similarly to our Soft Shader this set up has a heavier armature bar and is meant for quickly filling in large areas of fully saturated color while making few passes over the skin.

Distributors' Questions

How can I become an FK Irons distributor?

We are very selective regarding who sells our machines. In order to be considered as a distributor, you need to prove that your company is established in the business. We also require solid references that show that your company only sells to professional artists. We will decline any request from suppliers or individuals that sell to the general public or any supplier that carries counterfeit products of any legitimate brand. For distribution inquiries, please complete our Distribution Survey here, and our distribution accounts manager will contact you within 24 hours. You may also email your inquiry to distribution@fkirons.com