Is this person transparent about their practice? like having an FAQ and happy to answer my questions? But you should feel confident in being able to ask relevant questions regarding the entire process, this includes safety set up, design changes, pricing etc.

Does this artist exhibit bad routines online, for example: setting up machines without gloves or machine bags, touching contaminated areas without gloves, touching phones with dirty gloves, wiping down finished tattoos without gloves, not using disinfectant or barriers between clients. These are all signs that your artist is not taking cleanliness seriously.

Depending on where you live you can search for business licences to trace if a tattoo studio is legally registered with public health authorities in your area. (Toronto registry here.) Private studios exist and may be not officially registered- use your best judgement. Has the studio been recommended to you by someone you trust? Does this person make you feel comfortable and secure in potentially spending time alone with them in a private environment? Do you feel comfortable advocating for yourself with this person if needed- like changing the size of your tattoo, redoing a stencil etc?

Select an artist that specializes in the style that you want- look at their portfolio and specifically search or ask for healed photos and client testimonials. You may have to wait a while, or travel to an appointment. Understand that quick and cheap isn’t usually best, tattoos are expensive for a reason. Don’t try to force artists, or apprentices, into doing work they are not confident in. You can read about the tattoos I prefer not to do at the bottom of my booking page.

Many artists do not provide designs in advance for a number of very valid reasons. If you are not okay with going to your appointment without seeing the design, or there is another part of their booking process that doesn’t work for you, then book with an artist who will offer this service. (other examples include; wanting to book tattoos via dm, insisting on in person consultations etc)

If you want to get a custom design tattoo by me you must fill out a consultation form here. There is an option on the form to let me know if you want to meet in person instead of discussing via email.
The consult form also gives info regarding sourcing references; communication expectations and a list of tattoos I do not do. Once I have confirmed all your design ideas, you are then provided with a price range. I will confirm that you are okay moving forward within that price range and we will discuss booking dates. Consultations are entirely complimentary.

Once we have confirmed date(s) that work for you, you are sent a booking link. To secure dates I always require a deposit to be paid online. Once your deposit has been paid you receive a copy of the t&c’s (which includes policies for design edits and changes) , a receipt for your payment and a google invite. I also schedule a date for you to see your custom design via email, usually this is 2 days before the session. Designs are never sent without a deposit being paid or a date booked, no exceptions. I usually have 3-5 drawings a week to complete and I cannot make exceptions to get the drawing finished earlier. If you are uncomfortable with this please choose an artist who will provide your design in a time-frame that works better for you.

Keep Me Updated: Let me know if you have any changes whatsoever if your medical conditions- including COVID19 exposures, symptoms and changes in any medication.

If you want to make adjustments or any changes to your ideas please let me know before the design is drawn up. This includes changing the placement, size or updating reference photos. Be sure to include ALL the information you want me to know to draw your tattoo; I’m not a mind reader! The more prepared I can be for your tattoo, the more time I have to draw exactly to your expectations. Last minute changes may result in us needing to move your appointment or cancelling entirely. I understand that getting a tattoo for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience, which occasionally leads to people micro-managing the process. There does need to be some give and take, and an understanding that you must be flexible and trust your artist. If you change the style of your tattoo I might not be able to do your tattoo, so let me know as soon as possible.

I email you as scheduled a prior to your tattoo appointment with your digital copy of your design. I will require you to also fill out your digital consent form at this time- which includes essential medical information. If you have any adjustments to make to the design we will discuss them; If you do require changes I will send another design with your edits. You must respond to the email so I know you are satisfied and will be coming to your appointment. Please note that I really prefer to have the drawing finalized prior to your arrival so please check it carefully and communicate if adjustments are needed. I do not allocate time day off for any significant changes. I will send along a document to you prior to your session, also here, which includes info regarding preparing the skin, clothing choices, etc.

Read more about this in detail- like how to find the studio- here. You will be required to sanitize your hands when you come into the shop and head over to my station or wait at our couch. I will have looked over your consent form and will confirm any medical details with you if needed. You will have had the opportunity in the form let me know of anything I need to be aware of to make the process easier for everyone. ( For example; anxiety, phobia of needles, prone to fainting etc.) I will ask for your government issued ID. I will double confirm that you have no allergies and that you have eaten in the past 3 hours. My station will be almost ready to use; you will notice a lot of single use plastic* coverings and wrappings. Feel free to ask any questions whatsoever regarding my setup and safety.

We will double confirm the details of the design which you have pre-approved via email. If your tattoo has any type of lettering you will be required to sign a form to confirm the spelling.

I confirm the exact placement you have chosen, and give recommendations for sizing and placement based on my experience if needed. At this point if I require you to change into a different item of clothing you may do so in the bathroom in private.

I will ask for consent to touch the area around the tattoo, and size the space with a measuring tape. I will then print as many sizes as needed to give you options. Once we have checked out the sizing in the mirror I will make a stencil with the paper. If we are doing freehand tattooing, I will not make a stencil.

I will sanitize my hands again in my station, put on gloves and wipe down the area you will be getting tattooed with a wrapped bottle of 70%+ alcohol. I will then use a single use razor to shave the area of the tattoo and immediately dispose of the sharp end of the razor in my sharps bin.

We will use a stencil glue to apply the stencil; wearing gloves; this can be done multiple times and I will check with you that the stencil is 100% in the spot that you want.

While the stencil dries I will set up needles, machines and inks. You will be asked not to touch the stencil from now on. All needles will be opened in front of you, the paper part of the packaging will be set aside to be documented by me for public health requirements.

If the tattoo is in colour, I will grab most of my inks I am planning on using to show you, we can confirm the exact choices and discuss colours to create optimum contrast with your skin tone.

If we are not using a stencil I will draw on your skin with either a disposable skin marker or a sharpie. These pens are able to be reused as the skin is not open. If we need to draw again once the tattoo has already started I will either use a disposable pen or throw the pen away immediately when I am done.

I will apply single use plastic* or sheeting onto the area that you will be getting tattooed. I usually will apply a drape sheet to the bed regardless of the placement of your tattoo; this helps with any spray of soap or contamination

I will confirm you are comfortable before we start the tattoo. You will have been given ample opportunity to ask any questions prior to this and get comfy! I may move you around a little to ensure you are in the optimum position for me to do the tattoo.

I will start a timer on my phone to help me give a final price. Any time I step away from the tattoo area I pause the timer. I will start the tattoo and check in with you every few minutes, I will give a quick explanation regarding how bodies usually react to getting tattooed (fluctuating temp, sweating, high heartbeat etc). I will make sure that you are managing well and not having any extreme adverse reactions to the tattoo process- this may include taking a break, providing water or paper towel for sweaty hands.

I do frequently need to stop tattooing to grab additional supplies (for example, I started with a fine needle and once tattooing decided I wanted a different needle) I will remove my gloves, sanitize my hands, pause my timer, then get another needle which will again, be opened in front of you.

We will start with linework, then shading and colour if applicable. I will check in with you frequently based on your reaction to the tattoo, I may need to change your position as we work through the tattoo. We take breaks based on my level of comfort and yours, you are not charged for breaks.
I have unlimited bactine, and a high grade lidocaine/epinephrine numbing spray available if the pain is unmanageable but it can only be used sparingly.

Your tattoo will be wiped down with soap then distilled water. We will check out the finished tattoo in the mirror. If the tattoo is watercolour style i’ll ask you if you want to add any additional splashes or detail.

If you consented to photographs being taken in your consent form, and the weather is decent, I will do so. I do take a lot of photos and frequently don’t post them on Instagram. This is genuinely nothing to do with the actual tattoo or you, either I didn’t take high quality photos, I planned to post other designs on my page that week, or I straight up forget! The most important thing to me is that you are happy with your tattoo, please don’t be offended if I don’t post your tattoo to my Instagram page.

Once photos are done I will wipe down your tattoo again if needed, wearing gloves. I will then give detailed information regarding aftercare whilst covering your tattoo (which can be found here if you want to read through in advance). I also provide a physical copy of the instructions and Saniderm to take home. I will make sure that you understand the process for your aftercare and importantly understand that you can reach out to me if you have any questions at all.

Based on how much time the tattoo took, I will give you a final price with your deposit deducted from that price. If you want to purchase soap we will add that onto the price. The price will always be within the range confirmed during your email consultation. You will be required to pay your e-transfer while in the studio or pay cash. We do also offer a square payment system for 5% upcharge.

If you are with a friend and they are getting tattooed after you, you will be present while I clean up and set back up. I will ‘tear down’ wearing gloves, disposing of all single use items in the garbage or recycling as appropriate- this includes stencils even if the tattoo is the same as yours, a new stencil will be made later. All needles are disposed of into the sharps container. Once the area has been cleared, I will put on new gloves, spray or wipe down the entire area and all items (including machines and bottles) with a high level disinfectant. You will not be permitted to touch anything in this area while the sanitizing procedure is being performed. Depending on the method I may leave the cleaner to set in for up to 5 mins then wipe everything down wearing a new set of gloves. I will perform hand hygiene, glove up and set up again for the next client.

You must follow the aftercare instructions as provided by me. If you have any questions please reach out to me.

Once your tattoo is healed I really appreciate when clients send me healed photos, this helps me improve my technique, and is a great advertisement if I am able to use the photos on my website or Instagram.

If you need a touch up feel free to reach out to me and I’d be happy to book you in for that.