Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about booking, the tattoo process, or other general inquiries, you can likely find your answer here! If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, you’re welcome to contact Taylor via email and she will get back you to ASAP.

How much do you charge per hour? Do you ever charge by piece?

I charge $225/hour, with a minimum of $150 for anything half an hour or less for custom pieces. I price my flash by piece based on $200/hour.

How far out do you book?

I book 4 months at a time, on a books open/closed basis. I reopen my books every 3 months, so 3 times a year.

What does books open/closed mean?

Every 3 months, I open my books for new projects and flash designs. During this time I post a temporary link to a booking request form in my Instagram bio/sent via a mailing list, where you can fill out all required info for me to book you a consultation or appointment. I accept requests through the form on a specified date normally starting at 12pm MST, and the form stays open until I receive enough requests to fill the months I’m booking for. Once my books close, I won’t be accepting any requests until the next booking round.

I book appointments this way because the demand for tattoos is quite high. With a books open/closed system, I’m able to balance the amount of time I spend on emails and booking clients within a set timeframe, and have more time to focus on my everyday workload such as tattooing and drawing. Also, by setting the timeframe of my booking every few months, it allows more chances for people to get an appointment without waiting for 6+ months to get in!

What if I need to book more sessions to finish a piece by you?

Clients with ongoing work by me (ie: half sleeves, full sleeves, thigh pieces, back pieces, etc. Patchwork sleeves do not count! Any piece where I need to have a consult and draw a new design for will need to be booked through my usual form!) will be able to book additional sessions when my pre bookings are open!

I take pre-booking submissions a week prior to when my custom books open, where these clients are able to submit a booking request during that full week through email. They will just need to provide their availability (days of the week/times, specific dates that work best) and how many sessions they would like to book, then I will respond within that week with available dates. Dates are first come first serve, so prompt responses are very appreciated to keep things moving along quickly and smoothly and to ensure you get a spot in my booking round. Once my custom books open, I no longer accept emails for pre-bookings, so please make sure to get your email in within that specified week!

How do I sign up for your mailing list? 

You can sign up through this link here! I normally just use the mailing list for booking announcments and important info, so only every few months. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Do I need to submit a form if I want to book a consultation?

Yes, all appointments including consultations need to be submitted through my booking form. I don’t book consultations when my books are closed!

Do I need to submit a form for a touch up?

Nope! Touch ups are typically booked during my pre-bookings week, which is generally the week before my books are open. This is allow clients a guarenteed spot in my schedule. Otherwise, I can sometimes fit them into my schedule if there are any open spots available, which is not always guaranteed, but clients are always welcome to email to inquire.

If I submit a form, is an appointment guaranteed?

Due to the volume of interest, I unfortunately cannot accept every request so submitting a form does not guarantee you an appointment. Projects that align with my style and preferred subject matter, and flash designs take priority for booking. If your idea is not something that fits in those parameters (you can get a good sense of what I do by looking through my portfolio), I will do my best to refer you to someone I think will be a better fit. If I simply just don’t have any more space but still love your idea, you can always resubmit in the next booking timeframe that works for you!

What styles/subject matter do you like doing most?

The best way I describe my style is close to neo-traditional, which is a mix between stylized realism and American traditional, and stylized/illustrative realism. I work most prominently in colour, but also in black and grey if it fits the design. 

The subject matter that I LOVE are:

Nature themes (Animals/pets, insects, flowers/foliage), mystical/fantasy themes, anthropomorphic animals (think Redwall, Beatrix Potter, Wind in the Willows, etc.), and video game imagery

Styles/subject matter that I DON’T tattoo are:

Realism/portraits, geometric/ornamental, watercolour, fine line, script, blackwork/tribal, or traditional tattooing or appropriated imagery of any culture that is not my own (ie: dreamcatchers, mandalas, henna, etc.)

How do deposits work?

A deposit is required when booking an appointment. Deposits are non refundable, and they are applied to the total cost of your tattoo. If the tattoo is done in multiple sessions, it comes off the LAST sitting. I have a deposit structure that reflects the approximate amount of time the piece will take. The amounts—including GST—are as follows:

3 hours or less - $105

4-6 hours (multi-session pieces) - $210

Over 6 hours (ie: sleeves/back pieces) - $420

The deposit secures your appointment, and ensures that you show up to your session. If you do not show up to your appointment, cancel in less than 48 hours, or change your idea after I have the design started, your full deposit will be void and another one must be paid if you are to book in again. Deposits are transferrable to another appointment if you cancel or reschdule with a least 48 hours notice, and in this case they never expire.

I saw some of your flash I would like to get. Can I put a deposit down to claim it even if you’re not booking at the moment?

Although I’m happy that you want some flash from me, unfortunately I won’t take deposits or hold pieces without an appointment booked! The reason for this is because I’ve had some people put a piece on hold and never end up getting it tattooed. This is a bummer for me because I will never know if I will get to tattoo this piece of flash, and other people that might want it won’t have the opportunity to get it done! I also can’t keep track of deposits easily if there is no appointment in my schedule.

So if you see a piece of flash that you like, your best bet is to wait for when I post any openings on my Instagram for flash, or when my books reopen. Flash is first come first serve, so if a particular piece is taken at any point, I’m happy to do something similar for you as a custom piece instead!

Do you tattoo anyone under the age of 18, even with parental consent?

Unfortunately no. There are many reasons why most artists will not tattoo minors. The major one being, when you’re signing the consent form it is essentially a ‘contract’ between the client and artist/shop, and you must be 18 to legally sign a contract in Alberta. Because a tattoo is a permanent mark on the body that has certain (although uncommon) risks involved, the person receiving it should be at an age where they are legally responsible for their decisions and actions. You can equate this to being able to vote or drink.

Some artists will tattoo underage with parental consent, and sometimes without, but I highly suggest being wary of these artists as they are not always safe to be tattooed by.

Do you do cover ups or reworks?

Yes, I love doing cover ups and reworks! Cover ups can be a challenge at times, so it really does depend on what you would like to get done and if it works with what you want to rework/coverup. One thing to keep in mind: cover ups need to be larger and darker than the current tattoo in order to be successful. The style of the tattoo you want also plays a factor. If the existing tattoo is too dark to do anything with, I will likely suggest looking into some laser removal treatments first to at least lighten it enough to open up your options for covering. It does prolong the process by quite a bit, but overall it’s better in the long run to have something you’re happy with instead of just tattooing whatever will work. All of these things can be determined during a consultation!

Would you ever work on another artist’s work?

Sometimes, yes. There are many factors that determine this. If the artist has moved far away or stopped tattooing, if you had a negative experience with the artist, or just plain don’t like the tattoo, then I would definitely consider it. Another big factor is whether or not I can apply my style to the existing piece. Say if you had a half finished sleeve, it’s difficult to work on something when I don’t know the direction the original artist was going, and it’s likely that my style would look much different than what you currently have going on. If I’m able to completely rework the existing piece without it looking strange, then that is something I would consider doing for sure. You’re welcome to submit a request for something liek this and we can discuss your options during a consultation!

Can you tattoo over scars/stretch marks?

Yes! Scars and stretch marks are normally no issue to tattoo over, and it is actually good for breaking up scar tissue. However, the range of difficulty depends on a few factors: how old the scar is, how much scar tissue there is, where the scar is, and what you want to cover it with. There are some cases where the scar will show through (look raised) if there is a lot of scar tissue, and some scars might take to the tattoo a bit differently which can be difficult to determine. A consultation would be best to discuss your ideas and options!

Can I use numbing cream for my appointment?

Yes, you can use numbing cream for your appointment, with some caveats! I ask that clients let me know beforehand if they’re using numbing cream, and I highly recommend using certain brands such as Dr. Numb or Zensa Cream, which can generally be purchased online or at a pharmacy. Please do not use off-brand numbing creams off Amazon or from unreputable sellers or creams with more than 5% Lidocane, as they can be dangerous to use. Numbing cream must be applied as directed, as it can cause serious health issues if used incorrectly. The client must be aware of and assume the risks of using numbing cream before use. If you haven’t used it before, I recommend doing a test patch beforehand to ensure effectiveness and that you don’t have a allergy to it.

I can also suggest using muscle relaxants to help keep your body from tensing up during your session, and we also use a product called Bactine during the tattoo process which helps take a little bit of the sting of the tattoo away!

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

This is a light yes! Oftentimes we can allow up to one extra person to accompany a client to their appointment, but because our shop is a small space with limited seating we do request that you come to your appointment alone. It can get quite cramped (and loud) if we are all tattooing at once! If you need someone with you for accessability reasons or if they are someone planning on just dropping by at some point during your session, please ask me beforehand so I can ensure there will be space for them, but I’m sure it wont be an issue!

Unfortunatelly this does not include kids or babies as they are not permitted in the shop during your appointment. Please have child care arranged for the duration of your appointment!

What are colour tests?

I offer FREE colour test appointments formore melanated folks who are curious about how colour will look with their skin tone. Typically, the test is done as small dots or lines in various colours in a discrete area of the body, although they can be done in more interesting simple designs and in a more visible area if the client wishes. Once the test heals, the client can see how the colours have settled into their skin, and the artist can know what colour palette to use on the client if they wish to move forward with a colour tattoo. Colour tests can also be covered by another tattoo once they’re healed, depending on size and placement. You can see some examples and find more info in my highlights on my Instagram profile!

I would like to book for a colour test, how do I do that?

Like touch ups, these appointments don’t take very long to do so I can usually fit them in somewhere in my schedule, even when my books are closed! However it is hard to guarantee exactly how soon I can book you for one. If you’re interested in booking a colour test, you’re welcome to send me an email and I can send you the dates I have available! You can also book for one through my booking form if you want to be guaranteed a spot when my books are open.