Frequently Asked Questions

About

  • Tattoos / Illustration / Murals

    In tattooing I primarily focus on medium to larger custom work based on my illustration background.

    My design style leans towards gothic illustrative, with heavy contrast and stipple shaded tones.

    I have pre-drawn designs that can be found in the Flash section of the website.

    If you’re interested in traditional illustrative or mural work please send me a direct email about the project.

  • To request an appointment for custom or flash work, please click the “Book Now” button at the top of the page to fill out the request form.

    If your idea is still vague, we can discuss it during an in-person consultation. If you’re not from Vancouver, this can be done via email. I still ask that all requests are sent through the form.

    Please share as much detail as possible, including reference images.

    All of my work is original and unique, I will not copy another artist’s work.

  • All custom designs will start with an in-person consultation to look over placement, size, and style.

    Consultations do not require a deposit and are a free service. If you miss your appointment without notice I reserve the right to not reschedule you.

    If you’re from out of town please let me know in the booking form and we can discuss more over email.

  • Please fill out the form in the “Book Now” section.

    If you have any inquiries that are not listed in the form, or you’re interested in illustrative or mural work please send me a direct email with your project.

    Instagram DMs are unreliable, and I may not be able to get back to you properly.

    All of my email work is done a few times a week, expect a 24-48 wait period before I’m able to respond to your booking request or email.

  • I charge at an hourly rate of $175/hour for all my work and have a minimum $200 appointment price.

    All flash prices are estimates based on arm or leg placement and may be subject to change depending on application time.

    Deposits are required for all tattoo appointments.

  • I work as a resident artist out of
    What The Duck tattoo studio in Vancouver, BC.

  • I’m currently open to any Tattoo Studios interested in taking me on as a Guest Artist.

    And will be attending future Tattoo Expos / Conventions. Look out for more information on my Instagram feed!

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Prepare

  • Stay hydrated and eat a good meal before coming to your appointment.

    • This will stabilize your blood sugar to prevent dizziness and allows you to sit longer. Hydrating improves your skin and reduces fainting risk.

    Get a good sleep the night before.

    • Having enough rest helps pain tolerance and immune response.

    Come in showered and clean.

    • This reduces infection risk and it’s courtesy not to be stinky.

    Avoid alcohol / mind-altering substances the night before and day-of.

    • I will not tattoo anyone hungover or under the influence.

    Avoid tanning, self-tanners and too much sun-exposure.

  • Moisturizer.

    Make sure to moisturize your skin once or twice a day in the week leading up to your appointment.

    Healthy and moisturized skin is like a smooth canvas - it helps ink go in evenly, heal better, and keeps your tattoos looking bright and crisp.

  • What To Wear

    • Loose, comfortable clothing that will give easy access to the area being tattooed.

    • Inks and other products used during your tattoo can stain clothes. It will happen.

    Headphones

    • We play music in the shop during work hours, but feel free to bring headphones if you’d prefer your own music or a podcast.

    Something To Eat / Water

    • Bring a light snack and water to your appointment to keep your blood sugar up and your body hydrated.

    • Our studio does not have a microwave!

  • It’s Never Exact

    • The quoted timeframe I give prior to your appointment refers to the actual application of the tattoo.

    • Breaks, stenciling and other factors can and will extend this time so expect to be at the studio longer.

    Plans For After

    • I encourage clients not to schedule something for after your appointment or have anyone come in with a deadline.

    • No one wants the process to be rushed,.

  • Give Notice

    • I require 48 hours notice to reschedule your appointment. This way your deposit will roll over to the new date and time.

    No Shows Are No Goes

    • You likely forfeit your original deposit, meaning it will no longer be taken off the final price of your tattoo. A new deposit will be required to reschedule.

    • I may also choose to not reschedule with anyone that misses or skips their appointment without notice. This is to ensure my time and work is respected.

  • Friends & Family

    • I’m happy to have clients arrive and depart with a friend or family member but they will not be able to stay during your appointment.

    • We have a small studio and space is limited. If you need any support for medical, mobility or translation please let me know ahead of time.

    No underaged persons are allowed in the shop.

    No Pets

    • We love our fuzzy family but pets are not allowed in the studio for hygiene reasons. Even if they have better etiquette than most persons, it’s just not something we allow for client and pet safety.

  • Remember to check how long it will take to get to the studio on time.

    • Transit can be finnicky and parking can sometimes be difficult in the area around our studio space.

    I allow a 15-20 minute grace window for late arrivals.

    • Depending on the day there may be other clients booked after you and we may need to reschedule if you’re going to be late.

    The front door of our studio is locked as we are a private space that does not take walk-ins.

    • Please just give a knock on the door and one of our artists will let you in!

Frequently Asked Questions

Health & Safety

  • Cold, Flu, Stomach Bug, COVID-Like Symptoms.

    • If you’re feeling under the weather or extra wobbly from a night out, please do not come to your appointment.

    • Rescheduling is an easy process and it will keep the studio attendees and you safe and happy.

    • I have immuno-compromised family members and take this very seriously.

  • I will not tattoo anyone who is hungover or under the influence.

    • Alcohol and other substances thin your blood, make you bleed more, affects judgement and increases the risk of you becoming sick or fainting during your appointment.

  • If you’re pregnant or nursing please wait until it is safe to receive a tattoo before booking. I will not tattoo you for your safety.

    Your body is busy growing and feeding a tiny human, and it needs its full strength to do so.

    • Your immune system is naturally weakened and more susceptible to infection.

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  • Tattoos hurt, I get it.

    • There’s no shame in wanting something to hurt less, and if someone does shame you for not liking pain, well, that’s weird. (No kink shame)

    However, I do not allow numbing creams to be used during most appointments.

    • They often do not last the entire appointment, can be difficult to apply correctly to work, and can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

    • Numbing creams also affect skin texture, making application more difficult and fall-out a real possibility.

    If you have any concerns please let me know and we can discuss it in further detail.

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the safest option to take before your tattoo.

    • Ibuprofren (Advil) and Aspirin should not be taken as they are blood-thinners and cause extra bleeding during the tattoo.

    • Aspirin will also reduce clotting.

    For anyone with a medical condition that is on prescribed medication that may increase risk please check with your clinician before your appointment is booked.

  • Yes. All Tattoos Hurt.

    • But not as much as you may think. They’re often described as a constant cat-scratch or burning, bee-string sensation.

    • Your skin will heat up as it reacts with an immune response so expect heat and irritation.

    Everybody and every body is different.

    • Some placements will be more painful than others; bony areas, or erogenous zones.

    Aftercare instructions vary artist to artist. I will give a full breakdown after your appointment and have an infographic I can send to help should you want.

    Your body treats the tattoo as an open wound and will respond appropriately during and after.

    • You’ll feel soreness that can intensify over the next few days post tattoo.

    • Fatigue / Lightheadedness

    • Inflammation / Swelling

    • Body Aches / Pain

    Eat hearty, hydrate, and rest.

    • Symptoms tend to fade in 1-3 days with good aftercare.

  • Shorter sessions will result in lighter after-effects, while longer appointments may result in what is dubbed the “Tattoo-Flu”.

    • Plan ahead and give your body the care it needs by resting and ensuring you have a safe method of getting home.

    • I encourage anyone coming in for a longer appointment not to drive after as it can be unsafe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Payments & Deposits

  • Deposits are non-refundable payments that will be deducted from your final tattoo session.

    • They secure the date of your appointment, materials used and the time I spend designing custom work.

    • If your tattoo requires multiple sessions, the deposit will not be deducted until the design is complete.

    Deposit Pricing

    • I have a minimum deposit amount of $100 for small designs and flash.

    • Larger scale tattoos may require a larger deposit to cover the longer design time. This is usually %25 of the estimated price.

    Deposit Forfeiting

    • If you reschedule without notice or fail to show up for your appointment, this will forfeit your original deposit and it will no longer be deducted from the cost of your tattoo.

    • A new deposit will be required to book again.

  • Cash is King!

    • Please bring cash to your appointment, I do not take card payments.

    • I have used paypal and other online money transfers in the past but they are no longer trusted based on previous negative experiences.

    • E-transfer may be used if the cost is higher than the amount of cash brought to the appointment.

  • You’ve got a budget don’t worry.

    • Your budget may determine what I’ll be able to accomplish and may require a change to the design. This could be a removal of certain elements or details, or an overall size reduction.

    • Understand that I know the time it will take to apply and draw, and will be able to give a realistic design range for us to work in.

    Do Not Haggle

    • Haggling on cost is disrespectful to an artists time. You don’t visit your physiotherapist or accountant and haggle. Please don’t do so with your artists.

  • Tipping is always appreciated but never mandatory or expected.

    I charge appropriately for my skill level and work. I receive tips with so much gratitude, but do not want clients to feel pressured to pay more if they are unable or do not want to.