How Fees Work
Pricing
I charge a minimum price of $100 per tattoo and take a $60 deposit up front, and most tattoos range in price from $150 and $400. My tattoos are priced using a sliding scale system, and using fixed prices (rather than an hourly rate). I prefer to accept CASH ONLY but can accommodate other forms of payment if needed.
Deposits
To book an appointment, I require a $60 deposit to insure against last-minute cancellations and no-shows. I cannot confirm your booking, hold any flash pieces, or start any custom drawings until receiving a deposit. Your deposit is included in the total cost of your tattoo, and will be deducted from the price of your tattoo at the end of your tattoo appointment. I will not require you to pay a deposit until you feel you have had full opportunity to raise any questions or concerns about my process.
Deposits are non-refundable. Exceptions apply under special circumstances, including in the event of a last minute appointment cancellation if you test positive or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are otherwise feeling sick.
Fixed Pricing
My tattoo prices are fixed, meaning that my clients and I will agree on the cost of their tattoo before their appointment, regardless of how long their session runs. If you specify a budget when requesting your tattoo, I will do my best to accommodate that.
Sliding Scale
My tattoos are priced on a sliding scale – this means you are invited to choose the price you pay within a given range, according to your ability to pay. If you are new to this concept, I appreciate you taking the time to learn about it! It helps me ensure more equitable access for all folks to the goods and services I provide.
This pricing system acknowledges that wealth, safety, health, and opportunity are not equally accessed by all people in our current society, which is built on capitalist and colonial structures of dispossession, extraction and wealth accumulation. The modern tattoo industry has a long history of racism, sexism, exclusion of and discrimination towards marginalized communities. Safe, high quality tattoos are an expensive item and a form of expression that are disproportionately accessed by people with money and privilege – particularly white, cis-gendered, heterosexual, able and thin-bodied people. Offering flexible pricing is a way for me to bring down some of these barriers for my clients.
These options are offered so that you can make a choice based on your own needs, free of judgement or prejudice. Please remember that your choice of where you fall on the sliding scale is in no way interpreted as a judgement of the value of my work.
How Do I Decide Where I Fit On The Scale?
If you pay on the higher end of the scale, you are allowing me to cover my costs and wage, and helping me to offer my goods and services to others at a reduced rate. You might consider paying on the upper end of the scale if any of the following applies to you:
+ You have a high level of social and class privilege based on your gender identity, sexual identity, race, ability, etc.
+ You are in a higher income bracket, have access to accumulated or intergenerational wealth, property, assets or investments, are able to access high-paying work.
+ You are in a generally good financial position at this time.
If you pay in the middle of the scale, you are allowing me to cover costs and my wage. Consider paying in the mid-range if you fall somewhere between the above and below descriptions and it is financially feasible for you.
If you pay on the low end of the scale, you are allowing me to cover costs and letting those with the means to pay on the higher end support you. You might consider paying on the low end of the scale if any of the following applies to you:
+ You are BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, a person with a disability, an immigrant or refugee, a person who experiences systemic and societal oppression and discrimination on a regular basis.
+ A person of low income, with limited financial safeguards, supporting dependents, or experiencing financial instability of any sort.
* This is an evolving process and I always welcome feedback on it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have comments, questions, concerns or suggestions.
Payment Plans
I offer payment plans to allow clients and to pay for their tattoo in multiple, equally priced instalments after their deposit.
If you choose this option, you will pay your deposit as usual. At the end of your appointment, you will be asked to pay the first instalment of your tattoo, and you will be invoiced for the following two payments by email over the next 2 months. Payments can be made online by credit or debit card, or via e-transfer.
Tipping
It’s customary in the tattoo industry to tip your artist. I personally do not expect tips - given that my clients and I agree on a price prior to their appointment, I do not expect them to budget for more than they have agreed to pay. This is a personal choice – please tip your other tattoo artists!
If you prefer to tip, I won't turn tips away, I just don't expect them :)
Trades
I am open to trading goods and services for tattoos. If you would like to discuss a potential trade, you can say so in your booking form or send me an email.
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Trades I am especially interested in include: tattoo, massage, chiropractic, esthetic services, acupuncture, naturopathy, herbal medicine, bike mechanics, carpentry & woodworking, trades including plumbing and electric, any textile related skill, jewelry, sewing machine tune-ups!
