Tell me your idea
Complete the inquiry below with your concept, placement, approximate size, and reference images.
Botanical · Freehand
Botanical tattoo artist in Chicago.
Custom Botanical Composition, drawn directly on you and shaped around your movements, story and natural lines.
The booking process
Clear from the first idea to your session.
Share what you are dreaming of. I will review the placement, scale, and references, then reply with the right session plan for your piece.
Review your plan
I will reply within 1 to 2 days with a session plan and available dates when the project is a good fit.
Reserve your date
Your appointment is confirmed after the deposit is received. We will shape the final composition together on the day.
Meet the artist
Art made for your anatomy, not copied onto it.
I am Zalina, a Chicago tattoo artist specializing in botanical work. My process is collaborative and freehand: I draw the composition directly on the body so every curve, overlap, and open space belongs to you.
I also love weaving animals, fantasy elements, and ornamental details into botanical pieces. Your references and description help me understand the feeling you want, then I create an original design in my own visual language.
Zali 🌿
Selected work
Botanical work, shaped by the body.
Fine-line florals and freehand compositions that follow the anatomy.
Drawn on the body
Freehand
Every composition is drawn directly on the body. The design follows the anatomy, movement, and your story.
Booking inquiry
Let’s begin with your idea.
Take your time with the form. Photos of the placement and visual references help me understand your project clearly.
Submitting an inquiry does not reserve a date. Your appointment is held after we agree on the project and the deposit is received. Read the booking policies.
If the form does not appear, open the booking form here.
Before you inquire
A few useful answers.
How does the deposit work?
A deposit is required to confirm your appointment. It goes toward your final tattoo cost. The exact amount and payment details will be included in your booking email.
Will I see the drawing before my appointment?
The composition is developed freehand on your body during the session. We will talk through the direction together before tattooing begins, and you will be part of that process.
When will I hear back?
Please allow 1 to 2 days for a response. If the project is a fit, you will receive the next steps and available dates by email.
Before your appointment
Preparation Guide
-
Rest and Nutrition.
Try to get a good night's sleep and eat a few hours before your session. This will help you feel better and more relaxed during the procedure. If the session is long, bring water and a light snack. (I also have snacks and water at the studio, just in case).
-
Comfortable Clothing.
Wear something comfortable that won't interfere with the tattoo process. If the tattoo is on your limbs, choose clothing that can be easily rolled up or removed.
-
Avoid Alcohol.
Avoid alcohol 24 hours before your session. This can affect the healing process and increase bleeding.
-
Skin Preparation in Advance.
If the area for the tattoo needs shaving, it's better to do it a day before the session. Try to moisturize your skin during the week leading up to the procedure to keep it soft and healthy.
-
Hydration.
Drink plenty of water the day before your session. Well-hydrated skin handles tattoos better and heals faster.
-
Stay Calm and Relaxed.
A tattoo is a process that requires patience. Prepare for a positive experience and don't worry.
-
Allow Extra Time.
The tattoo process may take longer than expected. Make sure you don't have any urgent plans after the session, so you don't feel rushed.
Healing your tattoo
Aftercare
Please follow these instructions throughout the healing process.
During the entire healing process, please abstain from:
- Exposing the tattoo to direct sunlight. UV rays from the sun break down tattoo pigment, so sun exposure WILL cause premature fading. Sunscreen is great for maintaining a tattoo that is already healed, but it will not protect a fresh tattoo adequately.
- Physical activity/exercise that will result in excessive sweating. Saline (including the salt in sweat) draws tattoo pigment out of the skin and WILL cause premature fading. Sweating also introduces bacteria to the new tattoo and can cause an infection.
- Exposing the tattoo to excess moisture. Although showering is perfectly fine, soaking your tattoo in water can expose it to bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Avoid taking baths, very long showers, swimming pools, and saunas.
- Scratching, picking, or itching the tattoo.
RECOMMENDED SOAPS: Dial Gold Antibacterial, Cetaphil Cleanser, Dr. Bronner's Fragrance-Free, CeraVe, etc.
RECOMMENDED LOTIONS: Aveeno, Lubriderm Daily Moisture, Curel Fragrance-Free Lotion, Cetaphil, etc.
Day 1-4
Your fresh tattoo may be red, warm to the touch, and a little swollen. This is all normal. Wash your tattoo twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, using lukewarm water and a mild soap. Gently wash it with clean hands, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub. After drying, apply a very thin layer of recommended lotion or Aquaphor. Avoid applying too much product; the tattoo should be lightly moisturized, not covered in a thick layer.
Day 3-14
Continue washing your tattoo twice a day, morning and evening, with mild soap, patting it dry with a clean paper towel, and applying a thin layer of lotion afterward. At this stage, the ink should start to settle and may darken slightly. There should be little soreness remaining, though some redness may persist, which is normal.
After 14 Days
At this stage, the surface of the skin should be healed. You can stop washing the tattoo twice a day as part of your aftercare routine, but continuing to lightly moisturize is recommended. Despite the skin being healed on the surface, the pigment underneath is still settling. Please continue to avoid direct sun exposure. Once the surface is completely healed, you may apply sunscreen.
After 4 Weeks
The pigment under the skin should be relatively settled at this stage, but it can take several more weeks for a tattoo to fully heal. To maintain your tattoo's quality over time, continue protecting it from the sun by keeping it covered or using sunscreen and reapplying it every 2 hours when exposed.
Please remember that a fresh tattoo is an open wound and should be treated appropriately to protect your health and help your tattoo heal.
Botanical Ink · Chicago
Your piece starts with a conversation.
Share the scale, placement, and feeling you have in mind. I will help turn it into a composition that belongs on your body.
Start your inquiry
Back to booking
Before your appointment
Policies
Please review these terms before reserving your tattoo appointment.
A $200 deposit is required to reserve a full session.
Deposit & Appointment Booking
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your appointment. Deposits can be paid only through Zelle or Venmo.
Deposits & Rescheduling
Your deposit reserves your appointment date, is applied to the cost of your tattoo, and is non-refundable.
- For a multi-session tattoo, the deposit is applied to the final session.
- Rescheduling requires at least 72 hours' notice. With less notice, a new deposit is required.
- One reschedule is included. Each additional reschedule requires a new deposit.
- An appointment cannot be moved more than five months into the future.
Design & Artwork
Floral tattoos are created freehand. Your information and reference images guide an original custom design rather than an exact copy.
All botanical elements are drawn freehand, and I compose every design directly on your body. Every body and every curve is different, so each design is created uniquely for you.
The process depends on trust in my artistic style and careful attention to your input.
Please do not plan a vacation, swimming, or sun exposure for at least three weeks after your appointment.
Tipping
Tipping is completely optional. Tips are appreciated but never expected.