Tattoo Information
Before Your Appointment
How to prepare for your tattoo appointment
Preparation
Arriving prepared helps ensure your experience is comfortable, smooth, and focused from start to finish.
Please come well rested and nourished, especially for longer sessions. A full meal beforehand will help maintain your energy and overall comfort during the appointment.
Staying hydrated in the days leading up to your tattoo supports both the application process and healing. Well-hydrated skin takes ink more effectively and contributes to a better overall result.
You’re welcome to bring water or light snacks. Having something on hand can help prevent lightheadedness during your session.
Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning substances for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment, as they can increase sensitivity and impact how the skin responds during the tattoo.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed, while still feeling appropriate for the duration of your session.
If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you contact us in advance to reschedule your appointment.
A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, is required on the day of your appointment.
Appointment Day
What to expect during your appointment
What to expect
Please arrive on time for your appointment to ensure your artist has the full scheduled time to complete your tattoo without compromise. Late arrivals may result in a shortened session or the need to reschedule.
Your artist will review your design, confirm placement, and make any final refinements before beginning. Small adjustments are always expected at this stage, however larger changes to the concept are not accommodated on the day of your appointment and may require rescheduling.
Tattoo sessions are structured to allow for both preparation and application. Breaks can be taken as needed, but extended interruptions may impact what can be completed within your scheduled time.
To maintain a focused and comfortable environment, we ask that clients limit guests. If someone accompanies you, they may be asked to wait in designated areas.
If you arrive significantly late and the tattoo cannot be completed within the remaining time, the appointment may need to be rescheduled and your deposit may be forfeited.
After Your Appointment
Guidance for caring for your tattoo after your session
Aftercare
Proper aftercare is essential for healing and long-term results.
Leave your bandage on for the time recommended by your artist, with a minimum of 2 hours. If a second skin bandage has been applied, follow your artist’s specific instructions.
Once the bandage is removed, wash your hands thoroughly before gently cleaning the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the tattoo.
Apply a thin layer of a water-based, unscented lotion as recommended by your artist. Only a small amount is needed. Reapply as needed to keep the skin lightly moisturized.
Avoid submerging your tattoo in water, including baths, pools, and hot tubs, until fully healed. Showers are fine, but prolonged exposure should be avoided.
Avoid direct sun exposure during healing. Once healed, consistent sun protection is recommended to maintain the quality of your tattoo.
Do not pick, scratch, or peel the tattoo at any stage, as this can affect healing and the final result.
Failure to follow aftercare instructions may result in poor healing, loss of pigment, or the need for additional work.
Touch Ups
Touch-ups may be recommended depending on how the tattoo settles and are provided at the artist’s discretion.
If a touch-up is needed, it must be requested within 3 months of the original appointment.
Touch-ups are intended to address healing inconsistencies. Minor variations or natural softening as the tattoo settles do not always require a touch-up.
All touch-ups are subject to artist approval. Requests for minimal changes or areas of normal healing may not be approved.
Touch-ups are only considered when aftercare instructions have been followed. Additional charges may apply if aftercare has not been properly followed.
Complimentary touch-ups are not offered for areas prone to fading or high movement, including hands, fingers, head, ears, and similar placements.
The original artist must complete the touch-up.
Healing varies from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. Factors such as skin type, placement, lifestyle, and aftercare all affect the final result.
Failure to follow aftercare instructions may result in loss of pigment, uneven healing, or the need for additional work.
Booking and Deposit Policy
Appointments at Ink Noir are scheduled with intention and preparation. The policies below ensure that artists are able to dedicate the appropriate time, design work, and planning to every tattoo.
Deposits
A $100 + GST deposit is required to secure all tattoo appointments.
Appointments are not confirmed and will not be held until the deposit has been received. We do not hold appointment times without a deposit.
Deposits secure your appointment time and the preparation required for your tattoo, including consultation time, design planning, scheduling, and drawing.
For tattoos requiring multiple sessions, the deposit will be applied to the final session of the project.
Deposits are non-refundable under all circumstances.
Because deposits cannot be refunded, we strongly recommend that clients feel confident in their decision to move forward before leaving a deposit.
Design Fees
Certain tattoos require additional drawing and preparation time before the appointment.
In these cases, a design fee between $20 and $100 may be required depending on the complexity of the tattoo.
Design fees cover the time spent creating custom artwork specifically for your tattoo.
Design fees are:
• Non-refundable
• Not applied toward the final tattoo cost
• Required before design work begins when applicable
This fee compensates the artist for the time spent researching, sketching, refining, and preparing your custom design prior to the tattoo appointment.
Rescheduling & Cancellations
Appointments may be rescheduled with at least 72 hours notice while keeping the original deposit attached to the new appointment.
If less than 72 hours notice is given, or if the appointment is missed, the deposit will be forfeited and a new deposit will be required to book another appointment.
This policy ensures artists are compensated for reserved time that cannot be filled on short notice.
Repeated rescheduling may require a new deposit at the artist’s discretion.
No Shows
Missed appointments without notice will result in the loss of your deposit.
A no-show is defined as failing to attend your appointment or arriving too late to proceed without prior communication.
Clients who no-show may be required to pay a new deposit in order to rebook.
Repeated no-shows or last-minute cancellations may result in refusal of future bookings.
Late Arrivals
Please arrive on time for your appointment.
If you arrive significantly late and the tattoo cannot be completed within the scheduled time, the appointment may need to be rescheduled and the deposit may be forfeited.
Late arrivals also reduce the amount of time available for your tattoo and may limit what can reasonably be completed during your session.
Design Process & Revisions
Clear communication about your tattoo idea during the booking and consultation process is essential. The information, references, and preferences discussed during your consultation are used to guide the design process.
Designs may be sent in advance for approval, typically the day before your appointment, depending on the artist’s workload. Please keep your email notifications on and be prepared to review and confirm promptly.
Revisions are a normal part of creating custom artwork. Your artist will refine the design based on the direction and preferences established during your consultation. These revisions typically involve adjusting details, refining composition, or making small improvements to the original concept.
Revisions are expected to remain within the general concept and direction discussed during the consultation.
If new ideas or major changes are introduced after the design process has already begun, additional design time may be required.
Examples of significant revisions include:
• Changing the subject or core concept of the tattoo
• Switching to a different style than originally discussed
• Requesting a completely new composition or layout
• Adding major elements that were not included in the original concept
To ensure the design process remains efficient, artists will typically limit revisions to three adjustments within the original concept.
If more than three revisions are requested, or if the requested changes significantly depart from the original design direction, an additional design fee may be required to compensate the artist for the extra drawing time.
Your artist will always communicate any additional design fees before continuing with further revisions.
Pricing
Tattoo pricing is based on an hourly rate.
Each artist sets their own rate depending on experience, skillset, and the complexity of the work.
Time estimates may be provided as a guideline, but are not guaranteed. Final cost will depend on the size, detail, placement, and how the tattoo develops during the session.
Larger or multi-session projects may be quoted differently at the artist’s discretion.
Age & Identification
Clients must be 18 years or older.
We accept clients aged 16–17 with parental consent, provided a parent or legal guardian is present for the duration of the appointment.
Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all clients.
For minors, both the minor and parent or legal guardian must provide valid identification. Proof of legal guardianship is required and may include a health card listing both names, a birth certificate, or equivalent documentation.
Right to Refuse Service
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any appointment at our discretion.
This includes, but is not limited to, situations involving inappropriate behavior, being under the influence, safety concerns, or requests that do not align with our standards. In these cases, deposits may be forfeited.
Tattoo Suitability & Placement
Not all designs are suited for every placement.
Your artist will guide placement, size, and design adjustments based on how the tattoo will sit on the body and age over time.
Some designs may need to be adjusted in size or detail to maintain clarity. Very fine lines or small elements may lose definition as the tattoo heals and settles.
Following your artist’s professional guidance is essential to achieving the best long-term result.
If you choose to proceed against your artist’s recommendations, touch-ups may not be included.
Choosing the Right Artist
Each artist at Ink Noir works within specific styles and booking structures.
Before booking, we recommend reviewing artist portfolios or using our Artist Match Quiz to help determine the best fit for your tattoo.
This helps ensure the best possible result and experience for both the client and the artist.