FREQUENT QUESTIONS

Getting a tattoo is a big decision and like any big decision, tattoos comes with a lot of questions. Sometimes an artist/client relationship lasts a lifetime. Your tattoo certainly does! So the last thing I want is any negativity involved in your tattoo experience.  See the FAQ section below for answers to some of the more frequent questions. If you still have questions feel free to send them in the form of an inquiry using the book a tattoo form. 

FAQ

Please review the questions below before sending a tattoo inquiry. Please note that if you choose to send an inquiry, a response can take up to 5 business days.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a piece cost?

The cost can vary and honestly depends on the details, subject matter, and size. Fine line tattoos do take longer to finish because each tattoo is made up of thousands of hair size lines. I list my rates in each of my booking forms and provide a quote before charging you.



What kind of tattoos do you do?

I am currently specialized in black and grey fine line tattoos. I am open to any subject matters associated with nature. However, I do not tattoo anything that is designed by another artist unless approved by them, I don’t tattoo languages that I do not personally speak, or anything that is hurtful and insulting to others.



What is your rate?

$200/hr for a custom designed project. $175/hr for a freehand project. Flashes: $200/hr for original one time designs (never sold again). $175/ hr for repeatable designs.



How do I book an appointment with you?

I currently only take bookings via my booking forms or instagram in the event that someone cancels their appointment (I will provide instructions). Once you fill out the booking form, I will contact you within two buisness days. Once I have made contact with you, I may ask for additional information. Please note that it is extremely helpful to include a picture of the area of you skin you would like to have tattooed. This will make it easier for me to design a piece based on the shape of your body parts and I can provide a more accurate quote.



How much is the deposit? Is it refundable? Is it able to be transferred to another project if I change my mind?

The deposit required to book projects are as follows: - For custom pieces under 6 x 6 inches, the deposit is $200. - For pieces over 6 x 6 inches, the deposit is 50% of the tattoos estimated value. - For freehand pieces, the deposit is $175. - For flashes, the deposit is $175 for repeatable and $200 for original (one time sale). All deposits go towards of the total cost of the tattoo. Once a deposit is placed, our admin will book and schedule your appointment. Please note that we are not able to hold a time slot without a deposit. This deposit is neither refundable nor transferable to another project as it goes to covering the time prepping for the tattoo (administration fee as well as time designing the tattoo). The only exception to this is in the case of tattoos larger than 6 x 6 inches, see the booking page for more information. If any appointment is cancelled without a 48-hour notice, another deposit will be needed to book another time slot.



How does it work with consultation and the design process? Can I book a time to see you before my tattoo day to chat?

I complete the entire consultation and the design process via email so the day of the tattoo session will be the day of me actually meeting you. I will design the tattoo based on the information provided to me. I also offer private idea sessions (see the next question below). Once an appointment is booked, I will start designing the tattoo and have the design ready for you 1 to 2 weeks prior to your appointment date so there is enough time for revisions. There are 2 rounds of minor revisions included in the initial design process. Minor revisions mean that certain elements of the design need to be adjusted but the majority of the drawing stays untouched. It is important that you initlally provide as much info as possible including pictures, descriptions, and other examples. For each revision, please include all the changes needed so I can modify everything in one go. Please be specific and avoid using terms such as ‘moody, natural, interesting, etc’ because these terms do not communicate any applicable instructions for revision.



What if I change my mind about a tattoo after I book with you?

It is important that you think thoroughly about what you would like before proceeding to book with me as getting a permanent tattoo is a life-long commitment. Changing a tattoo idea completely after an initial design has been started will result in an extra deposit in order for me to start a new drawing completely. This cost is extra and will not be a part of the quoted tattoo price. However, I do offer 2 rounds of minor revisions for every design. You can reschedule with 48 hours of notice if no major revisions are needed.



On the day of the tattoo, what if I changed my mind about the size of the tattoo? What if I changed my mind about getting the tattoo altogether?

You are able to change the size of the tattoo on the day of the appointment. However, A bigger size will result in longer session, which means that the price will be higher and may require more sessions. If on the day of the appointment, you would like to cancel the tattoo altogether, it will forfeit the total amount of the deposit initially put towards the tattoo. Another deposit will be needed to reschedule a new appointment.



What if the tattoo does not heal in as much as I would like?

No worries! I offer two complementary touch up sessions with no time limit (for life). Just email me or the shop (inquiries@thenortherntattoo.com) a request. We will book you in for a touch up. Having said this, it is still extremely important that the tattoo is well cared for because fine line tattoos are more delicate and more prone to fallouts if not taken care of.



Why does my tattoo heal so light?

My fine-line tattoos are completed with mostly a single needle that draws a line that is just as thin as a piece of hair. These lines usually cannot heal with a high level of pigment, creating a lighter look overall. It is a part of the aesthetic of my work to have this soft look. However, if at any point, you feel that your tattoo becomes too light to your liking, please reach out for a free touch up that is included with every tattoo.



I got quoted by another artist saying that my piece would take about couple hours at most, why are you quoting me a longer amount of time?

My work utilizes mainly a single needle, which makes all the pieces I do more time consuming. However, by using a single needle, I am able to create a more gentle look and reach extremely high levels of details in my tattoos that cannot be replicated by cartridges that have higher needle counts. As a bonus, my tattoos tend to hurt less !



Where are you located?

I work in a private studio in North Vancouver, BC, Canada, near Capilano Mall with a collective of artists under The Northern Tattoo (read more about our artist collective at www.thenortherntattoo.com). The address and transit instructions will be disclosed to clients that have booked an appointment with us.



Can I bring a friend with me?

Unfortunately, not at this time. Due to the COVID situation, we can only allow one artist and the client in the studio space at a time to ensure everyone’s safety. Once your appointment is booked, we will send you a confirmation email with information on all the COVID-related precautions. It is important to read through the email prior to the appointment.



Do you have Wifi in the studio?

Yes we do!



I want to cancel a tattoo, what are my options?

If you choose to cancel a tattoo and the art is incomplete, you will be charged for the initial deposit (which is non-refundable). However, if the art is already complete, you can choose to buy the art for a third of my tattoo rate. If you do not buy out the art, I reserve the right to sell it to another individual. For example: If a drawing took me 8 hours, you can buy the drawing at 8 x 67 = $536 CAD. If you buy out a piece, it CANNOT be used commercially such as for a logo, t-shirt prints, or other forms of profit. If you wish to use the art commercially, please contact me and we can discuss terms and conditions. For tattoos larger than 6 x 6 inches where the art is already complete, your deposit will be used to cover the cost of creating the art (which will be provided to you).



I have a vision but can't put it into words... what are my options?

You can choose to pay half (50%) of my tattoo rate per hour to book a private "idea" session with me. We can voice or video chat while I listen to what you have to say. I will sketch throughout the session to help bring your idea to life using my expertise. This session does not go towards your quoted tattoo price and is considered a separate private service. If you wish to book a private "idea" session, please let me know in the inquiry form how long. Normally 1 - 2 hours is more than enough time and I will not bill for hours not used. If the session comes to a close in half an hour (30 mins), you will only be billed $100 or refunded any excess amount sent upfront. I require 48 hours notice for a cancellation otherwise only 50% of the cost will be refunded.



What is the difference between a custom and freehand tattoo?

A freehand tattoo does not have any pre-session design. All drawing is done directly on the skin with a sharpie beforehand. The sharpie drawing will be a rough guide for the actual tattoo. Freehand is for people who would like a custom free-flowing piece that perfectly complements their bodies. The freehand method is perfect for subjects such as botanicals and animals in general that do not require to look a certain way. For example, a pet would not be suited for a freehand project because I would want to make sure to differentiate it from other similar pets (specific markings, shades, and personality).



Why are custom and original flash projects more expensive?

I spend double amount of time that is quoted to tattoo the design if not more to initially draw and create the designs. For freehand projects, we initially create a rough outline and layout of the tattoo, the details will be freehanded directly with the tattoo machine. Therefore, the duration to create the design is shorter. I offer a discount for any repeatible flashes since the time investment for creating the art is not as large and I only need to modify details based on body shape and placement.



At what point does the clock start for a session?

For custom and flash projects, as soon as a stencil is applied on the skin, the clock starts. For freehand projects, as soon as the drawing process with sharpie starts, the clock starts.