POLICIES
Hi, I’m so glad you’re interested in getting a tattoo from me! I know there’s a lot of text below, but I would really appreciate if you read it all before inquiring about a tattoo appointment so that the booking process can go as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions or feedback about any of my policies or if you would like to discuss accessibility concerns of any kind please get in touch with me via email at nik.tattoo.booking@gmail.com - I love tattoos and tattooing and want to make sure that I can give you a cool piece of art and the most safe/comfortable experience possible!
Returning to Work: Current Timeline & Limitations
I am now taking appointments again after taking a few months away from work to rehabilitate a back injury! While I’m doing a lot better, my recovery is still ongoing and the number of appointments I take/placements I am able to do will be very limited as I ease back into things - I will increase the number/duration of appointments as my condition improves. Please see the timeline below to determine when I am available to start taking appointments for different placements:
- Forearms, lower legs: July onwards
- Limbs (excluding knees/elbows, butts, hips, and shoulders): August onwards
- All placements: September onwards
While I will be prioritizing appointments for the flash designs linked here, you are still welcome to submit a form for any of my flash designs and/or custom work. The only caveat is that, depending on the complexity of your request, we may need to either break the piece up into multiple sessions or schedule for a date later than what is outlined above. I am currently available to book appointments between July and September.
COVID-19 Vaccination
I require that all clients be fully vaccinated (i.e. minimum 2 doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, but additional boosters are strongly preferred) for at least 2 weeks prior to your appointment. There are currently no exceptions to this policy.
While it is generally considered safe to get tattooed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, please avoid scheduling your appointment on the same day as your vaccination and getting a tattoo over an injection site until any potential reactions to the vaccine may have subsided. I personally suggest waiting until after all side effects, including fatigue, fever, headache, etc. have passed in order to limit the amount of stress on your body!
I tattoo all skin tones, body types, and identities.
I do not discriminate when choosing who to tattoo based on criteria like skin tone, ethnicity, gender/sexual identity, religious affiliations, weight, etc. and aim to provide a safe and comfortable space for all of my clients. You do not need to disclose any of this information about yourself to me in your booking submission unless you feel that it is significant or necessary to your experience with me and want to do so.
If you are interested in booking a colour tattoo and are concerned about how colours that I use will heal on your skin tone or about potential pigment sensitivities, I am happy to arrange a consultation and do a colour test. For more information on colour tests, please see my FAQ.
Available Flash
My flash that is available to be tattooed can be found here or on my Instagram in story highlights (there are multiple, all are titled ‘Avail. Flash #’) - my Instagram is likely to be the most up-to-date source for designs at any given time. Most of my flash designs are unique and meant to be tattooed once unless otherwise noted. I’m happy to make exceptions for people who are wanting to get matching tattoos with friends, family, etc. If you’d like to just view repeatable designs, you can find them here!
I’m often willing to make modifications to my flash designs, especially with regards to colour - just let me know what you’d like to change in the relevant section of my booking form! If you like a design but are wanting many and/or significant changes, please submit for a custom piece instead and include it as a reference. Claimed flash designs can be viewed here and may also be used as references when inquiring about custom work with me.
When booking, please include the number that the flash design is labelled with in your submission form so that I can easily find it and confirm its availability. All flash designs are clearly labelled with the minimum size I am willing to tattoo them at - I will not tattoo designs smaller than what is listed.
Custom Designs
Please see my tattoo FAQ to see what kind of custom projects I generally take on.
Please make it clear in your submission/responses if you are requesting a design that has components that you envisioned in a specific way (e.g. blackwork vs. colour, symmetry, elements being in the foreground vs. background, line weight, elements facing in a certain direction, inclusion of certain details, etc.)! It’s very helpful for me if you send examples of my own work and explain what components or styles you would like to be included and/or excluded in your initial submission so that I can cater your design to your personal preferences - I do not get offended when people express preferences for certain parts of my art but not others! Feel free to include additional drawings, diagrams, mock-ups, etc. if you think that it would be helpful to communicate your idea. While I enjoy and appreciate having artistic freedom when it comes to final execution, I work best when clients are upfront and communicative about what they are looking for in a design, especially with regards to details. I’d rather get all this info at the beginning instead of after I’ve sent drawings to you :)
I typically send out finalized drawing previews one or two days prior to your appointment - some minor revisions can be made at this point if necessary. Major changes to your design brief after your deposit has been sent in will incur a $50CAD fee. Major revisions to your design after the preview has been sent will incur a $50CAD drawing fee per redraw. While I absolutely do not mind making adjustments to your design (I want you to love it!), please be respectful of my time and get back to me within a reasonable timeframe if you are going to be requesting changes! My threshold for what constitutes a major change lowers around 7PM the night before your appointment.
If for any reason you decide to not move forward with a custom project after putting down a deposit, half of your original deposit can be put towards a flash design instead, if desired.
I reserve the right to turn down any projects that I feel aren’t suited to my current capabilities, style, or interests. Please do not bring me images of existing tattoos from Pinterest, Google, etc. and ask me to tattoo them on you as is. I do not generally do text, fineline/single-needle, or micro tattoos.
Pricing
Please note that I charge 5% GST (tax) for all tattooing services - this is not included in the quotes that I give unless specifically indicated, so please adjust your budget accordingly if you have a strict limit on what you are able/looking to spend to account for this.
Most single session flash and custom designs are priced by the piece, not by the hour – the price may vary based on:
the size you’d like the tattoo to be
the location you would like the tattoo to be placed
the amount of detail, shading, and/or fill in the design
how technically difficult the design is (e.g. symmetrical matching sets, lots of straight/parallel lines, etc.)
the number of colours in the design (if any)
if you are getting multiple pieces in one sitting
whether or not the design is repeatable
I have a $200CAD minimum for all sessions unless otherwise noted. In cases where I’m not sure how long a tattoo will take, I may provide a range of how much the tattoo will cost so that you can have an expectation of minimum and maximum costs for your appointment. For larger, multi-session projects I typically charge a rate of $200/hour - I do not currently offer day rates and prefer to cap individual sessions at about 3-4 hours of tattooing when possible.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any budget constraints, even if it is below my minimum rate - I will do my best to see if we can arrange something that satisfies both of our needs. Please note that when I ask for your budget, I am asking for a number that you are able/willing to pay and not a circumstance or your evaluation for how difficult a tattoo is for me to do (e.g. “I am requesting sliding scale pricing and can afford to pay $300, my budget is not flexible” is helpful information whereas statements like “I work part-time and just had to make a huge car payment” or “this design looks simple and I’m a small person so I think that it should cost $200” are not and will be disregarded). While you do not need to provide a reason for your budget, I ask that you please consider your financial privilege when requesting work below my normal rate - my offering of lowered rates is intended to make my work accessible to those who experience systemic financial hardship. This is not a student discount and I do not offer sliding scale pricing solely on the basis of being a student. See this chart, developed by Ride Free Fearless Money, for one of many ways you might assess your financial privilege. I am also generally happy to break larger pieces (2+ hours) into multiple sessions to make things more financially accessible per appointment.
Deposits
For most appointments, I require a $105CAD (incl. sales tax) non-refundable deposit within 48 hours of proposing an appointment time in order to secure your appointment. Your appointment will not be set until I have confirmed with you that I have received your deposit. If this is financially stressful for you for any reason (amount, timeline, etc.), don’t hesitate to let me know and we can figure out something that works for both of us!
Deposits are subtracted from the final cost of your tattoo. For multi-session projects, the deposit will be subtracted from the cost at your final appointment.
If you need to reschedule your appointment, I am happy to use the same deposit to secure a new appointment time up to 2 times given at least 48 hours notice. If you provide less than 48 hours notice for a cancellation or are more than 15 minutes late to your appointment and have not attempted to contact me regarding your lateness, your deposit will be forfeited as a cancellation/late fee. If you are more than 30 minutes late to your appointment, your deposit will be forfeited as a cancellation/late fee regardless of whether or not you have contacted me and I may not be able to do your tattoo depending on my schedule for that day. Please contact me via email as soon as possible if you think you will arrive late! If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19 you may reschedule using the same deposit with at least 24 hours notice.
All reserved designs must be tattooed within 6 months of putting down a deposit - I cannot guarantee the availability of your design after this. If you are unable to get tattooed within this amount of time, you may put your deposit towards a new design for up to one year from the date it was sent. All deposits expire after one year.
Consultations
I offer in-person consultations if you are requesting custom work, if your project involves a cover up, and/or if you are unsure if a design will fit in the spot you are interested in getting tattooed. If you are visiting from outside of Metro Vancouver, I offer video consultations via Zoom. If you would like a consultation for any other reason, please let me know the specifics of what you would like to discuss - I prefer to keep most communication to email for efficiency purposes but can sometimes be available for in-person or video consultations if it is warranted. I require consultations for all new clients who request a highly visible placement (hands, neck, head, face, etc.). Please note that if you no-show or are more than 15 minutes late to a consultation, I will require a non-refundable deposit to reschedule.
Payment
Payments at your appointment can be made using cash, debit card, or credit card (in order of preference). If you are travelling internationally, I am able to take cash (preferred) or most major credit cards. If you are paying in cash, please be aware that I do not typically carry any change with me to break larger bills.
I do not accept delayed/advanced payments or any other kind of payment plans - all appointments must be paid for in full at the end of our session, minus your deposit.
Studio Location
I currently work out of Baohaus Collective, a licensed private studio located in the Downtown neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. I share the space with other tattooers so if you have any privacy concerns in regards to your appointment please let me know ahead of time. Detailed studio information will be sent to you upon booking confirmation.
Age Restrictions
You must be 18 years or older to receive a tattoo from me. No exceptions.
Please remember to bring a valid ID that displays your full name, birth date, and a photo of you to your appointment, otherwise you may be turned away and have your deposit forfeited.
Bringing Friends
You may bring one guest with you to your appointment if necessary, but they must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, masked, and respectful of the session(s) at hand. Please note that they may be asked to stay in the waiting area if the space becomes too crowded or if their presence becomes disruptive to me or anyone else working in the studio. We kindly ask that you do not bring any young children or pets to your appointment.
If you and a friend are looking to get tattoos together, I am generally able to accommodate groups of 2 (sometimes 3) people at a time without issue. If you have a group of 3+ people looking to get tattooed together I may charge an additional fee depending on your group size, session length, and availability - please email me directly to inquire about this.
Before Your Appointment
48 hours prior to your appointment, you will receive a reminder email about your appointment - this sometimes gets routed to an updates folder depending on your email provider. This email will contain a link to a webpage containing appointment preparation instructions as well as a digital consent form to complete prior to your appointment. Please read the instructions and remember to to fill out the consent form before you arrive! All clients are required to wear a mask for the duration of their appointment regardless of vaccination status. If you are able to, please bring your own - if you are unable to then disposable masks will be provided for you. If you want to review aftercare procedures beforehand, you can view them here.
Please come to your appointment well-rested, fed, and hydrated! If possible, try to not have caffeine the morning of your appointment (I know this is a hard ask for some folks; it’s a request, not a requirement). Do not drink alcohol within 24 hours of getting your tattoo. Do not arrive to your appointment under the influence of alcohol or drugs – I will turn you away and your deposit will be forfeited if I determine that you are not in a suitable state to be tattooed.
Accessibility & Accommodations
The building that I work in has one entrance with 3 steps to access the door. Once in the building, our studio is accessible by elevator. There is a 2 stall washroom available on our floor and a larger, accessible private washroom on the floor below us. If this is not accessible for you, please let me know! We may not be able to schedule your appointment right away, but I am happy to contact other shops/studios that suit your accessibility needs to see if I can take your appointment there.
The massage table I have clients lay/sit on while I tattoo is 31” wide, 72” long, and has a working capacity of 750 lbs. I typically keep the it raised to 34” high and have a 2 step stool (or single step with handlebar, if needed) to assist getting on and off the bed. The bed is able to be lowered down to 24” high if needed for accessibility reasons - please inform me ahead of time so that I can prepare it before our appointment. We also have several pillows and bolsters available at the studio for additional body support - please do not hesitate to ask for these things if you think they’d be helpful and make you more comfortable!
Due to the necessity of sanitation chemicals and proximity to other businesses, I am unable to guarantee a scent-free space.
Although my consent form has you list any allergies/conditions you have and medications you are on that may affect the tattooing or healing process, please make a note in your booking submission if you think there is anything I should know in order to help me accommodate your needs better! This can also include any pertinent triggers, preferences for your appointment (within reason, e.g. minimal talking, music you absolutely can’t stand, privacy screens, etc.), if this is your first tattoo, if there is anything about the process you are nervous/sensitive about, etc.
I am usually okay with clients using numbing cream, but please tell me beforehand if you plan to do so! It is important to weigh the risks and benefits of using numbing products - if you feel like you are ultimately able to sit through the tattoo without too much moving/twitching or are flexible to do things over multiple sessions, it may not be worth potentially having an unexpected adverse reaction during or after your tattoo. I will typically use Bactine (an antiseptic spray with a mild numbing effect) during appointments, but it has a relatively low concentration of lidocaine and is only able to be applied once the skin is broken and stencil is not needed anymore. If you know that the only way you’ll sit through the tattoo is by pre-numbing, then that’s what we’ll do (probably, we’ll chat about it first)!
Please feel welcome to wear headphones and watch/listen to your own media, read a book, bring a stuffed animal, or whatever else you need to distract yourself and keep yourself comfortable during your tattoo! If you’re unsure about whether or not the things you bring will be disruptive to the tattooing process, feel free to just email me and ask. We have a very cute collection of stress balls, sunglasses, and noise cancelling headphones (with disposable ear pad covers) available for client use at the studio - everything is sanitized between clients. Feel free to bring snacks if you’d like - we also keep a fun selection of treats around if you need a quick sugar boost/post-tattoo reward :)
Feedback
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me through email if you have any feedback about any of my policies or interactions I have had with you, especially if you have any concerns in regards to things like consent, safety, and respect. You are also welcome to get in touch with our collective at baohauscollective@gmail.com if you think the issue should be brought to the attention of other members of the collective.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my policies!
Still have questions? Please quickly browse through my FAQ to see if you can find the answer there! Otherwise, feel free to email me at nik.tattoo.booking@gmail.com. I typically respond to inquiries within 2 weeks.
If you’re ready to book your tattoo, you can access my booking forms here!