What should I ask about a tattoo studio’s autoclave and sterilization equipment upkeep?

Begin with the machine. Ask the make, age, size and how it is used day to day, then ask for service records, repair invoices and the technician’s name. Ask whether any parts have been replaced and whether there have been breakdowns. Compare with what it would cost to replace, and talk to your accountant about how the equipment fits into the deal. An equipment appraiser can offer a second opinion.

Then ask about the routine. Who loads, runs and unloads it, how pouches are dated and stored, and how the studio confirms that a cycle worked. Ask to see written logs, and watch a cycle if possible. Ask how the studio handles tools after use and what happens to anything that fails a check. These are habits that protect clients, so a gap in the records deserves a direct question.

Plan for failure. Ask whether there is a second unit or backup arrangement, and whether the studio has ever cancelled appointments due to downtime. Ask your lawyer and insurance adviser what the studio’s records mean for you as a new owner. Do not accept a general assurance in place of seeing the logs and the unit running.

Key takeaways

• Ask for the age, service records and repair history of the unit.
• See the written logs and watch a full cycle.
• Find out who is trained to run it and what happens when it fails.
• Ask whether a backup unit or plan exists.