FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

How much do consultations cost ?

All tattoo consultations are free! We also highly recommend a consultation first so that we can ask ALL the questions before putting together your one-of - a- kind tattoo. Even if you are getting one of our pre-designed flash tattoos, a discussion of placement , size, and future tattoo plans can be quite beneficial.

Do I need to come in for a consultation if I live out of town ?

Although in-person consults are best for a real-time reaction and discussion, a virtual consultation can also be conducted for those that cannot travel to Edmonton easily or frequently . This can be done through e-mail, text, or FaceTime/Zoom. These consultations may take longer but are definitely doable.

What are deposits for ?

The deposit is required in order to begin any drawing to compensate the Artist for any time that they require to create the piece. This ensures that the Artist gets paid if you decide not to get the tattoo. It is also necessary to hold an appointment slot and partially guarantees that you will show up to your appointment. You will forfeit your deposit if you do not provide at least 48 hours notice prior to your appointment for rescheduling. Frequent re-schedules in a row ( two or more) will also forfeit the deposit .This ensures that the Artist gets partially compensated for a time slot that could have been booked by someone else. Otherwise , all deposits go towards the total tattoo cost and get used on the last session.

Can I choose when my deposit gets used ?

The deposit will remain on file until the LAST session of your tattoo. This is used as incentive to finish the piece. Any additional funds beyond the minimum deposit for your tattoo can be used during any session. Although you may provide as much money up front for your tattoo as you like , these funds can only be accessed again through tattoo time.** ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE , AND NON-TRANSFERABLE**

What is the hourly rate ?

The shops hourly rate is $180/hr + tax for our senior artist. Our junior artists rates are lower ( for now, and will raise as his skill set grows). The minimum charge is $150 + tax for any piece that is 45 minutes or less to tattoo. Flash or pre-designed tattoos are a flat fee, regardless of the time it takes to complete.

Can you give me a quote for my tattoo ?

The larger a piece gets , the more difficult it is to estimate total time. For small pieces , it is simple to guess and can therefore provide an accurate estimate , or range , ultimately it is still a guesstimate assuming all will go smooth during the tattoo process. For example, something could take 1-2 hours depending on multiple factors. Moving allot during a tattoo will add time to create the tattoo effectively, in addition to where on the body also plays a factor in how long the tattoo time will be. Frequent bathroom breaks, smoke breaks and stretch breaks will also add tattoo time if they are initiated by the client and not the Artist.

Can I see my drawing before my appointment ?

Every Artist at the shop operates a little differently in regard to this . Both are done with the intention that your are excited and look forward to getting your piece completed. Connie will send line drawings to her clients ( no colour studies on custom pieces) this way any adjustments can be made in advance of the tattoo appointment. Bree prefers that you see the drawing of your piece at your appointment . We ask that you do not take pictures of the flash or door designs in the shop and take them elsewhere to get tattooed. ( yes, this has occurred). We see the custom tattoo process as a collaboration between you and your chosen Artist , and want you to have the best outcome and experience as possible.

Do you tattoo hands and faces ?

Placement is discussed during the consultation process, and the short answer is yes. Though we do make that judgement on a case -by -case basis. For example we will not tattoo hands unless you already have sleeves done, or if its part of a forearm design. We will not tattoo faces unless you are already tattooed on the neck /throat area and are already heavily tattooed. Hand and face tattoos are seen by the tattoo community as ‘job-stoppers’ because of their high visibility.

Are their parts of the body you will NOT tattoo ?

Absolutely . No one likes doing genital tattoos. Though pubic bone tattoos are okay. Buttock tattoos are fine as well, just not too close to the centre . These are difficult to keep sanitary and may not heal properly . We will not tattoo extremely high -wear zones either. High-wear Zone include inside of the lip, palm of the hand , side of the finger, and sole of the foot. Tattoos done in these ares WILL NOT LAST. As soon as they are finished healing they are very likely to disappear within 3-6 mos . Touch-ups ARE NOT covered for hands, fingers, face or the feet for these reasons as well. We do NOT tattoo around the eye as this can be dangerous and cause blindness. We do not have any Permanent makeup tattoo Artists on staff at the moment .

Do you do Cover-up tattoos ?

As it happens Cover-ups are something our Artist are very good at. Connie has done cover-ups of cover-up tattoos. There are always options for covering up unwanted tattoos, though we do NOT recommend getting laser tattoo removal. Laser is more expensive, hurts more, and may not remove the tattoo completely. In addition , lazered skin should wait a full year after treatment to heal as it does affect any ink from healing properly in the skin if it’s done during this time period. Unlimited touch ups are a thing for cover-ups for a full year after the initial session as it can be quite the process to get the desired saturation needed to get the initial tattoo to disappear. If you are not satisfied with how the tattoo has healed we gladly provide you with a touch up for only the $21 . This applies to all body parts with exceptions of those listed above.

Do you take walk ins ?

Yes, we do! This is based on Artist availability as well as the design that you are wanting to get tattooed. If drawing is required, it is BEST to show up as close to opening as possible , and on designated walk -in days . Keep an eye out on our social media as well post those days there. We can never guarantee walk -in time , although we can often do an on the spot consultations and potentially book you in for an appointment at a later time. It is recommended that you call ahead to see what the Artist availability of that day. 780-934-8415.

Do you do piercings ?

We do not offer piercing services at Heart & Dagger Tattoo, however we do recommend Atomic Tattoo up the street from us on 124th for these services.

What if I cannot make my appointment ?

PLEASE give your Artist at least 48 hours for an appointment during the week or 72 hours for a tattoo booking for longer than 3 hours or on a Saturday-if you are unable to make your appointment for any reason. Please see our section on deposits as to how your deposit can be forfeit. If you are going to be a 15mins late there will be late fee, if you are half hour or more late you MUST rebook your appointment with your Artist .

What if I only have a certain amount of money at my appointment time ?

That is totally ok. Let your Artist know in advance that you have a budget for that session. We will be more that happy to accommodate you specific financial needs. The more you are able to save for a single sit , the less your tattoo will cost overall. We will always recommend saving up for the piece you WANT in advance. Don’t settle for less, this is permanent. Tattoos are with you for life and you get what you pay for . ‘Good tattoos ain’t cheap, cheap tattoos ain’t good,’ as they used to say back in day. We also have pre-priced flash in books , art on our door , and in the frame for fame are available if that works for you .

Can I be on drugs ( prescription or otherwise) for my tattoo ?

It is best got not be on ANY drugs on any kind for your tattoo. Please let your artist know if you are on blood - thinners , etc. We ask that blood thinners not be taken for at least 24 hours prior to your tattoo, this and any NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen. ALWAYS consult with your Physician before going off any medication before your tattoo appointment .Party drugs or any illegal substance are NOT OKAY . They can alter your perception and impair your judgement . They can increase pain during the tattoo process. If you require numbing cream during your tattoo , Dr. Numb is available through one of our Artists at the shop. Please purchase it BEFORE your appointment and follow the instructions provided for the best results.

Can I get a tattoo if I am Pregnant or breast feeding ?

No. Unfortunately the risk of infection as result of the body being stressed by these extra duties is much higher than normal. It can also halt milk production , or cause premature labour . Tattoos are trauma to the body , and can be too much and cause significant stress for the body to handle.

How old do I have to be to get tattooed ?

At Heart & Dagger Tattoo , we DO NOT tattoo anyone under the age of 18. We require a valid government issued photo ID before we can begin putting needle to skin.

How should I prepare for my tattoo ?

Ideal tattoo time preparation begins a few days prior to the appointment. For the best experience being rested, hydrated, relaxed, and free of alcohol/pot for at least 48 hours prior, and free of blood -thinners. A big breakfast the morning of and bringing lots of snacks and water , and a sugary beverage ( replenishing sugars is a thing during the tattoo process). Wear comfortable clothes that will expose the ares getting tattooed and that you do not mind getting ink on. Artists are NOT responsible to damages to clothing during the tattoo process. Please see your physician if you have any conditions that medication is required.

When is the BEST time to get tattooed ?

The best time to get tattooed is in the Fall and Winter seasons. With the colder weather , tattoos are protected from the sun and clothing. Summer activities are NOT conducive to having the best heal for your tattoo. You cannot submerge your tattoo for approximately 4 weeks after getting tattooed. Other activities, biking, hiking, camping are quite dirty and put your risk for infection much higher . For women, getting tattooed during your menstrual cycle can be very painful . So we recommend that you avoid getting tattooed 3 days before , during and after mentstration.

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment ?

We recommend that you come alone to your consultation as we need to give you our full attention during the appointment and you be able to give us your vision for your piece and not be influenced by another persons opinion . We kindly ask that when you get tattooed , that your bring only ONE person with you to the appointment for moral support . We are a small shop and only have so much space available. In regard to Children under 12 please leave them at home with a sitter for their safety and your sanity . In order to keep the tattooing area as STERILE as possible the fewer the bodies the better, so we can uphold the sterile field.

How long should I wait between session on larger tattoo projects ?

It is always best to wait until the tattoo has healed , 4-6 weeks . If you are getting tattooed in a different section of the piece you can be re-booked in as soon as 3 weeks from your last session. This way we have ensured healing has begun in earnest. If you have a massive project you would like to get allot of work done, we can do 2 days in a row as the body will not start healing until 24 hours after the after the skin is opened. That being said the second day of a tattooing tends to be more painful . These kinds of sessions are recommended for out -of-town clients who need need get as much done with the time they have in the city.

What if my tattoo gets infected ?

It is highly unlikely for a tattoo to get infected. Causes of infection include but are not limited to: dirt, germs, or foreign substances coming in contact with the surface of a healing tattoo. If it is difficult to keep you tattoo clean, keeps it covered with loose/ breathable clothing. Sun exposure can cause infection, which can alter the appearance of coloured ink and result in a much longer heal. Allergic reactions can cause infections as well. Let you Artsit know if you have any allergies so we can recommend the best aftercare products for your skin. Please reach out to your Artist if you are unsure if your tattoo has become infected. Feel free to send photos, or come by in person. If your tattoo has become infected - SEE A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.

How long to tattoos last ?

How long your tattoo will last depends on where it is locate don the body, how well it is taken care of, and if there have been any touch ups. High wear zones like the hands, fingers, feet, and any much as membrane tend to fade faster. Tattoos done on the palm of the hands or the bottom of the feet will fade out almost completely as they heal. Touch ups ARE NOT covered in any of these ares . Any other part of the body tends to last 5-10 years before needing a touch up or refresh, depending on the style and where on the body. Small, detailed pieces will fade and or be illegible as time goes on . This is why most Artist will recommend that bigger is better for longevity. To ensure longer ivory please follow the instructions that your Artist provides you. Touch ups can be owner within the first year to ensure quality and longevity. Any touch ups AFTER the first year of the tattoo is a brand new charge .