XAVI SANTOS

Fine Art Tattooing

Tattooed Theory · Mooresville, North Carolina

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Xavi Santos
About

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Xavi Santos is an artist driven by a deep passion for motorsports and creativity. Living in the USA for nearly a decade, he has dedicated his life to art and tattooing, honing his painting skills as a self-taught artist. With a background in Product Design from UNESP (São Paulo State University), Xavi seamlessly blends technical precision with artistic expression.


His love for motorsports is reflected in every piece he creates. A dedicated SIM racer and former motorcycle racer, Xavi has taken on legendary tracks like Road Atlanta, VIR, and NCBike. During college he immersed himself in mural art, influenced by the vibrant street art culture of São Paulo. Today his work ranges from large-scale automotive paintings to intricate tattoos, a craft he has perfected over 15 years.

15
Years of Craft
10+
Years in the USA
UNESP
Product Design
The Practice

The Work

01 — Tattooing

Intricate tattoos, designed with you

About a week before the appointment I send over some rough ideas, so you have time to think and come back to me. The drawing is finalized together at the start of your first session — we work from those roughs and brainstorm until it is right. That takes one to two hours on average, and there is no charge for it.

02 — Paintings & Murals

Automotive art, on canvas and walls

Large-scale automotive paintings and mural work, self-taught and built on real time at the track. For commissioned paintings, email contact@artxavi.com — in-person delivery is preferred for stretched canvas pieces, but worldwide shipping is available.

Rates

Pricing
& Deposit

Work is booked by the session, not by the hour. Larger projects such as full sleeves and back pieces may take 5 to 8 sessions — every project and person is unique, so there is no way to guarantee the exact number upfront.

Standard session
11am to 7pm — 6 to 8 hours of tattooing time, depending on prep, stencil and breaks
$2,000
Larger projects
Full sleeves, back pieces and similar — 5 to 8 sessions
Per session
Extended session
If we can finish the whole piece in one sitting, I will happily run longer. Time past the standard session is billed hourly, agreed before we start.
$300/hr
Deposit
Required to secure your appointment, one per session booked. Non-refundable, sent by Zelle only.
$500
Payment
Due immediately at the end of each session
Cash or Zelle
Before You Book

Request
a Booking

Please read this first, then fill in the form. I answer every enquiry as soon as I can, but I receive a lot of them — please be patient and I will get back to you.

01
Brainstorming — send the whole idea
Describe your tattoo idea in full detail and attach the reference images you'd like to use. Include a photo of the spot on your body where you want the piece. If you have more files, email them to contact@artxavi.com. I will not use or accept photos of other tattoos as reference — I don't copy other artists' designs.
02
Design — a rough idea first, finalized together
About a week before your appointment I put together some rough ideas and send them over, so you have time to sit with them and come back to me. Nothing is locked in at that stage — we finalize the drawing together at the start of the session, refining it until it is right. One to two hours on average, at no charge. Before dates and deposits, we make sure the project is a good match.
03
The day — come rested and fed
Sessions usually start at 1pm; earlier is possible if you prefer. If your piece can be finished in one sitting I am glad to work a longer day — anything past the standard session is $300 an hour, agreed before we start, never sprung on you afterwards. No alcohol for several days beforehand, eat a meal, and shave the area at home. Wear clothing that gives access to the area, and bring your own lunch and snacks. More than 30 minutes late without notice cancels the session.
04
Deposits — Zelle, non-refundable
A $500 deposit secures your appointment — one per session booked, sent by Zelle. Payment for the session itself is due at the end, cash or Zelle. Reschedules need at least 7 days' notice, and you can move an appointment once without losing the deposit. Tell me about any health problems, allergies or contraindications in advance.
The Studio
Tattooed Theory
807 Williamson Rd, Mooresville, NC · Open in Google Maps →
Minutes off I-77 Easy drive from Charlotte By appointment only
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      Name, email and phone are required · Typically responds within 48 hours

      Questions

      Good to Know

      Where is Xavi Santos located?

      Tattooed Theory, 807 Williamson Rd, Mooresville, North Carolina — just off the I-77 corridor, roughly a 30-minute drive north of Charlotte and close to Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and the wider Lake Norman area.

      What tattoo styles does Xavi specialize in?

      Black and grey realism — portraits of people, pet portraits, classical and statuary work, and large-scale custom sleeves and back pieces. He also paints large-scale automotive art on canvas and walls.

      How much does a tattoo cost?

      Work is booked by the session, not by the hour. A standard session runs 11am to 7pm and costs $2,000, covering six to eight hours of tattooing depending on prep, stencil and breaks. Full sleeves and back pieces typically take five to eight sessions. If a piece can be finished in a single longer sitting, the extra time past the standard session is $300 an hour, agreed in advance.

      How do I book an appointment?

      Send a request through the booking form on this page with your idea, reference images and a photo of the placement, or email contact@artxavi.com. A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your appointment.

      Does Xavi take walk-ins?

      No. Every appointment is booked in advance so the design can be discussed and planned properly.

      Do I see the design before my appointment?

      Roughly. About a week before your appointment Xavi sends over some rough ideas so you can live with them and give feedback. The final drawing is done together at the start of the session, refined until it is right — usually one to two hours, at no charge.

      Can I get tattooed by Xavi if I live in Charlotte?

      Yes. The studio is a straightforward drive up I-77 from Charlotte, around 30 minutes outside of rush hour. Many clients travel from Charlotte, Concord and across the Lake Norman towns.

      Does Xavi do cover-ups?

      Yes — cover-ups are one of the options on the booking form. Include a clear photo of the existing tattoo with your request so the piece can be properly assessed.

      How does payment work?

      A $500 deposit by Zelle secures the appointment. Payment for the session itself is due at the end of that session, by cash or Zelle.

      What if I need to reschedule?

      Reschedules need at least seven days notice, and an appointment can be moved once without losing the deposit.

      Ready to Claim

      Available
      Designs

      Pre-drawn flash pieces — each design claimed by one client only.

      Instagram

      Follow
      the Work

      New pieces, healed shots and work in progress go up here first — long before they reach this page.

      @artxavii