FAQs
What You Need to Know
DO I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Appointments are required.  We take walk-ins whenever possible, but availability varies from day to day. For custom work, it is best to make an appointment so that the artist has time to prepare and give you the best service possible. A non-refundable deposit of $100+hst is required to hold your spot. This will be taken off of your final tattoo price. You may reschedule your appointment 48 hours before, but you cannot get your deposit back. Deposit is non-refundable.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Appointments must be made in person with the artist of your choice, or via email. You can call ahead to schedule a consultation. If there is a particular artist you are interested in speaking with, please let us know. Printed copies of any reference material you may have are also welcome, or we can draw something for you.
HOW MUCH WILL MY TATTOO COST?
The cost of a tattoo is determined by how long it takes to do, and the complexity, as well if it is color or black and gray. There is a minimum price of $100+tax that applies to all tattoos, no matter how small. Smaller pieces are usually charged a flat rate. For an estimate price, please schedule a consultation or email us with pictures and size. Larger pieces—such as half sleeves, full sleeves, and back pieces—usually take multiple sessions. For this kind of piece, it is very difficult to estimate how long the tattoo will take, as it depends on the design, how you sit for the tattoo, etc. Sessions for larger pieces are usually 4-6 hours long and can be scheduled as far apart as you like, so that the cost of the tattoo is spread out over time. The cost for these is $180+tax per hour.
WHAT METHODS OF PAYMENT DO YOU TAKE?
Currently we accept Cash, Debit, Credit Cards and Gift cards. Tips are the customer’s discretion.
WHAT IS THE CANCELATION POLICY?
A NON- REFUNDABLE deposit is required to book your appointment, which is applied to the total cost of your tattoo. If you wish to make changes or to cancel your appointment , please do so at least 48 hours (2 days) before your appointment. If less then 48 hours notice is given we reserve the right to keep the non-refundable  deposit, and in this case it will NOT be applied towards the cost of your next tattoo appointment.
CAN YOU DO A DRAWING OF THE TATTOO FIRST?
We can do a quick drawing for you. A more detailed and tattoo mock up would be available to clients who are serious and have made an appointment with a deposit. The drawing will be ready by the day of your appointment, and any changes that you want to make to it can be made at that time. If you want to see a drawing before your appointment date, you may make arrangements with your artist to do so. In certain cases—large-scale pieces and cover-ups, for example—the artist will draw the design directly on the skin with markers.
CAN YOU FIX OR COVER A TATTOO FOR ME?
We can do touch up or rework old tattoo work. Whether or not we can depends on the tattoo. The best thing to do is come by and show us what you have so we can let you know what is or isn’t possible.
DOES TATTOOÂ HURT?
Tattoos generally hurt, yes, some people can handle it more than others, and some people actually like the pain. Our artists are not heavy handed and will cater to you and not inflict any excessive pain. If you are sick, hung over, didn’t get enough sleep, etc. it will most likely not be a pleasant experience. The best thing you can do is get a good night’s sleep, make sure you’ve eaten something and drink plenty of water before you come, and relax. It is not recommended to take Advil before your appointment, as it is a blood thinner. At an additional 25$+HST we offer numbing with a topical anesthetic, if desired. It is best to purchase numbing cream ahead of time and apply 1 hour before the treatment.Â
In Permanent Makeup procedures the numbing is always used and included in the price.
CAN I GET DRUNK BEFORE I GET TATTOOED?
No, it is not recommended. Alcohol thins the blood, making your tattoo bleed more then it normally would.
IS IT SAFE AND CLEAN?
Yes. We take every precaution possible with regard to hygiene. We use brand new sterile, single-use needles, tubes, cartridges, caps and disposable gloves for every client. All other supplies are either single-use or medically sterilized.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO GET A TATTOO?
You must be at least 18 years old and have valid ID. If you are under the age of 18, we can still tattoo you with parental consent at 16+. Valid ID's required.
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY NEW TATTOO?
When you leave your tattoo will be wrapped for cleanliness and you will be explained when and how to take the bandage off. When you remove the bandage, you should wash it thoroughly with a mild fragrance-free soap and warm water every twice a day. Do not scrub the tattoo, gently work up a good lather with the soap and water, and rinse. Apply a thin layer of ointment (Vitamin E , vitamin A&D, Bacitracin) three to four times per day for the the first 3 days on dry tattoo. After few days use a good quality unscented moisturizer (Curel, Kerry, Lubriderm etc.) for two weeks until the skin is smooth. Do not use aloe. Do not pick or scratch at your new tattoo. No swimming or tanning/prolonged exposure to the sun for 2 weeks. No excessive sweating for the first few weeks as the sweat will push some of the new ink out of your body and making for a lesser quality of tattoo.
WHAT IS THEÂ AFTERCARE?
A new tattoo will take 2 weeks to a month to heal, sometimes healing will take longer, depending on the placement, and how it's treated during the healing process. The skin will become flaky or peel, much like sunburn. While it is healing, there may be some soreness, swelling, and itchiness especially the following day until the tattoo settles in. Do not scratch your new tattoo, unscented cream or a tattoo balm can help with the itchiness, after the three day period of using ointment, you can apply unscented moisturizer. If you have any questions about how your tattoo is healing, please ask. We sell all the recommended aftercare, and if you are already investing in your tattoo might as well invest in aftercare and make sure it heals properly.
WHY IS MY TATTOO PEELING OR FLAKING OFF?
While your tattoo is healing, it is perfectly normal for your tattoo to peel or flake. This is just a part of the healing process. Do not pick or scratch at the tattoo otherwise you might remove more than just what’s going to flake off. As long as you keep the tattoo moisturized throughout the healing process you should be fine. We will give you instructions on how to care for your tattoo after your work is done.
CAN I GET AÂ TOUCH UP?
We can do touch ups on our work after it's fully healed, usually around 1 month. At Art Studio Tattoos we guarantee our work, but it is natural for tattoos to heal better on one person then on another, and different skin types absorb ink differently. A set up fee of $50+hst applies, but we will not charge you for our time. Please contact us if you think you need a touch up.
WHO CAN GET PIERCING?
We would not pierce anyone younger then 12. If you are under 16 you need a parental consent for piercing.
WHAT IF I LOST MY JEWELRY?
We make sure the jewelry is properly closed after your piercing session. What happens after you leave the shop is not our responsibility. If for some reason your jewelry fell out - you would have to buy a new jewelry and pay for the set up fee for us to put it in. If the hole has closed and we have to re-pierce - you will have to pay for that piercing service again.
IS JEWELRY INCLUDED IN PIERCING PRICE?
Basic pre-sterilized jewelry is included in the price. There is an option to upgrade your jewelry for extra cost. You must choose from our selection of pre-sterilized jewelry though, we can not use your own jewelry for piercing.