Privacy Policy
Ethereal Tattoo Gallery Privacy Policy
Effective date: 1/21/26
1. Who We Are
This Privacy Policy explains how Ethereal Tattoo Gallery ("Ethereal," "the shop," "we," or "us"), 730 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, North Carolina, collects, uses, and protects personal information. It applies to our website at etherealtattoogallery.com, the studio, and communication with the shop by email, text message, social media, and chat on our Google Business Profile.
Individual artists at Ethereal may use their own websites, booking forms, and inquiry forms. Information you submit through an artist's own website or form is handled by that artist, under that artist's own policies. Please review the artist's policies before submitting information.
2. Information We Collect
Information you provide. When you contact the shop or an artist, you may share your name, email address, phone number, social media handle, tattoo idea, size, placement, budget, reference images, and photos of the area to be tattooed. This may happen through email, text message, Instagram direct messages, Google Business Profile chat, or an artist's booking form.
Appointment records. North Carolina tattooing rules (15A NCAC 18A .3206) require tattoo artists to keep a record for each client that includes name, address, phone number, date of birth, and signature, for at least two years. These records must be made available to the health department on request. Our consent paperwork collects this information, along with any health information you choose to disclose that may affect your tattoo or healing.
Identification. North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-400) prohibits tattooing anyone under 18. To verify age, we review your government-issued photo ID and keep a copy with your consent paperwork.
Payment information. Ethereal does not process payments at the shop level. Each artist collects payment for their own services, and accepted methods vary by artist. Methods typically accepted include cash, Square, Venmo, and Zelle. Please confirm accepted payment methods with your artist before your appointment.
Card payments are processed by Square. Venmo and Zelle payments are processed by those services and your bank. Each payment service collects and handles your information, such as your name, username, phone number, email address, and transaction details, under its own privacy policy. Neither the shop nor its artists store full card numbers. Venmo payments may be visible to other people depending on your Venmo privacy settings.
Artists may keep basic payment records, such as your name, the amount paid, the date, and the payment method. These records are used to track deposits and balances and for bookkeeping and tax purposes. They are not used for marketing.
Photos of tattoos. Artists may photograph or record your tattoo during or after your session.
Website information. Our website is hosted by Squarespace and uses Squarespace Analytics and Google Analytics. These services may automatically collect technical information such as IP address, browser and device type, pages visited, and referring website. We use this information in aggregate to understand how the website is used. It is not used to identify individual visitors.
3. How We Use Information
We use information to respond to inquiries, connect you with the right artist, prepare for and provide tattoo services, verify age, process payments, provide aftercare guidance, meet North Carolina health and record-keeping requirements, and improve our website.
4. Photos of Tattoos
Photos and videos of completed tattoos may be shared on our website, social media accounts, and Google Business Profile, and on the artist's own website and social media. Some photos may show the client's face. If you prefer not to be photographed, or not to have your tattoo or face posted, tell your artist before your session.
5. How Records Are Stored
Signed consent paperwork and ID copies are stored securely at the studio. These records are reviewed during the studio's health department inspections. We keep them for at least the two years required by state rules.
6. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share information only:
With the artist you are inquiring about or booked with
With service providers that help us operate, such as Squarespace (website), Square (payments), Google (email, analytics, and Business Profile), Meta (Instagram), and mobile carriers (text messages), each under its own privacy policy
With the health department, as North Carolina rules require
When required by law, or to protect the safety of our clients, artists, or staff
7. Google Business Profile Chat
Messages sent through chat on our Google Business Profile are delivered and processed by Google, and some replies may be generated automatically by Google's AI. Google handles chat messages under the Google Privacy Policy. Please do not share health information, ID numbers, or payment details in chat. Automated replies are general information only and do not confirm pricing, availability, or bookings.
8. Cookies
Our website and its analytics tools use cookies and similar technologies. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some website features may not work as intended if cookies are blocked.
9. Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information, including secure storage of paper records at the studio. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Minors
Our services are not available to anyone under 18, and our website is not directed to minors. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18 for the purpose of providing tattoo services.
11. Your Choices
You may contact us to ask what information we hold about you, or to request that it be corrected or deleted. We cannot delete records that North Carolina rules require us to keep.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy at any time. The effective date at the top of this page shows when it was last changed.
13. Contact
Ethereal Tattoo Gallery, 730 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC. Email: info@etherealtattoogallery.com