Frequently Asked Questions

General

What are your hours?

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm Sunday - Monday: closed



How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?

18 years old. No exceptions; not even with parental consent.



What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, debit, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, and American Express. For deposits, you also have the option of e-transferring.



How do I book an appointment?

You can easily fill out one of the booking forms located on the artist pages, as well as our contact page! Alternatively, you can also e-mail us at KelownaTattooCollective@gmail.com, but we prefer the contact form, as it keeps everything as organized as possible!
Things to include in your inquiry if you are e-mailing: - attach any photo references you have - approx. how big you would like the tattoo (ex: 6 inches x 5 inches) - where it will go on your body (ex: left forearm, right calf, right bicep, sternum, etc) - what style you are wanting (ex: black and grey, traditional, watercolour, realism, etc.) - if you have a preferred artist DEPOSITS TATTOO: We require a non-refundable $100 deposit at the time of booking to secure your spot. This will get deducted from your total tattoo cost when you come in.



What are your tattoo rates?

Paige - $200/hour | $200 minimum
Lex - $110/hour | $100 minimum Our rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Mininum charges are for anything that takes less than 45 minutes.



Do you accept walk-ins?

If we are not fully booked, yes! You can also call us at (250) 868-8818 to check the day of. ** Due to COVID-19, we are NOT allowing walk-ins at this time. Please call us at 250-868-8818 to see if we have appointments available on the day of**



How much is the deposit?

We require a non-refundable deposit at the time of booking to secure your spot. This will get deducted from your total tattoo cost when you come in. Paige: $200 deposit Lex: $100 deposit



Why do I need to put down a deposit?

A non-refundable deposit must be put down in order to book your appointment. When you book an appointment, a select number of hours is reserved just for you. If you choose to cancel, no-show, or let us know less than 3 business days (Tues-Sat) prior to your appointment, your artist will now have a portion of their day taken away from them, and thus loses their pay for that part of the day. Your non-refundable deposit will go directly to them.



Is my deposit refundable?

No, your deposit is non-refundable. A non-refundable deposit must be put down in order to book your appointment. When you book an appointment, a select number of hours is reserved just for you. If you choose to cancel, no-show, or let us know less than 3 business days (Tues-Sat) 72 hours prior to your appointment, your artist will now have a portion of their day taken away from them, and thus loses their pay for that part of the day. Your non-refundable deposit will go directly to them.



How much is the consultation?

They are 100% free! They can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes.



What is your cancellation policy?

You have 3 business days (Tues-Sat) prior to your appointment to move your spot to a later date to keep your deposit valid. If you choose to completely cancel, your deposit is non-refundable. If you tell us less than 3 business days (Tues-Sat) prior to your appointment, your deposit will be forfeited and you will be required to put down another deposit if you want to re-book.



How do I pick an artist?

It depends on your tattoo. You can feel free to e-mail us reference photos, and we can assign the best fit artist for you.



Do you tattoo hands and/or fingers?

We do not tattoo hands unless you already have existing tattoos on your: - throat or sides of neck (back of the neck does not count) - hands - fingers We will require a (free) consult with Paige for proof of existing tattoos before agreeing to an appointment. However, we do not tattoo fingers at all. Why we do not tattoo hands: We unfortunately live in a world where tattoos can still be judged negatively. Our artists do not want to be responsible for permanently changing how others may treat you with such visible tattoos that are not easy to cover.

Why we do not tattoo fingers: They fade very quickly. We don't even mean in a couple of years either. It could be two months later and the ink could completely fall out. Here are some examples of how finger tattoos heal:



Do you tattoo feet?

Yes. You will have to fill out an extra waiver during your appointment that states that you understand: - feet tattoos do not always heal properly. - the colour and/or linework may fall out or fade more (and quicker) than other tattoos - our free touch ups do not apply to feet. You will have to pay the regular tattoo rate for a touch up. - the artist is not responsible for any fading or problems in the healing process.



Do tattoos hurt?

Generally yes, but some spots may hurt more than others.



When is the best time to get a tattoo?

Any time is the best time! If you were to a pick a season, winter is best. Your tattoo typically won't get sun exposure, and you aren't likely to go swimming in the winter!



When should I not get a tattoo?

While pregnant, and/or if your job requires you to be in water. For example, if you are a swim instructor or lifeguard, we do not recommend getting a tattoo unless you will be out of work for two weeks following your tattoo due to the healing process.



Can I get a tattoo while breastfeeding?

The choice is up to you. With any tattoo, there is a risk of infection. If your tattoo happens to get infected, and you are placed on antibiotics; you would have to stop breastfeeding. If you are comfortable with the idea of potentially not breastfeeding any longer, then that is completely your choice and we will tattoo you.



Can I bring my pet(s) to my appointment? I can't get a sitter!

Unfortunately, no. It is a bio-hazard for pets to be in the shop. Please leave all pets, including hamsters (yes, this has happened before), at home.



Can I bring my children to my appointment?

Unfortunately, no. It is a bio-hazard for children to be walking around aimlessly touching stations, or left alone in the receiption area.



If I bring in a photo of a tattoo I found on the internet, can I get the exact same one tattooed?

Our artists will NOT copy another artists' work. However, they will gladly design a custom tattoo just for you. We think this is cooler anyway; you'll have your own unique tattoo that no one else has! You can definitely still bring in reference photos of tattoos you like from the Internet/Instagram/Pinterest to give your artist ideas.

Exceptions: logos, flags, cartoon/movie/tv characters, and symbols.



Can I get my own/family/friend's drawing tattooed exactly as it is on me?

If you let our artist know, we have no problem doing that for you! You can also ask them to add some flare to it if you'd like. If we do need to make a change, it will be for healing purposes. (Such as a loop that may be too small to tattoo)



Do you have any tattoos up for grabs?

Yes! We have flash pieces hung up on the wall in the studio! Come on by and check them out!



Do you do tattoo removals?

No, sorry!



Do you tattoo cover-ups?

Yes! Paige is our master of cover-ups! E-mail us with a photo of your existing tattoo and what you'd like instead. We require a (free) consultation before booking any cover-up appointments to ensure Paige can cover the tattoo.



Do you offer touch-ups?

Yes! We offer one free touch up within one year of your tattoo appointment. If you find that any lines have fallen out or faded a bit, just e-mail or call us to book in! You will not have to pay set up fees, taxes, or anything-- it'll be 100% free!

However, we do not offer a free touch up if pigment was lost due to you scratching your tattoo or taking poor care of it during the healing process. Trust us, we can tell the difference!

If your tattoo is on your hands/feet, we do not offer free touch ups for them.



Do you sell after-care?

Yes! We sell a variety of the best after-care products! There is even a lotion that makes your tattoos not itch during the healing process! Come to the shop and we'll help pick out the best products for you.



Is your ink vegan + cruelty-free?

Absolutely! We love animals! (Just don't bring them to your appointment)



Where can I park?

We have plenty of paid street parking available every day of the week directly in front of the studio! If you have a half or full day appointment, we highly recommend parking at the parking lot on the corner of St. Paul Street and Cawston Avenue, as it has all day parking, and you won't have to leave partway through your appointment to keep paying for the street parking directly in front of the studio!

Both the street and the parking lot mentioned can be paid for with the app PayByPhone, so you can extend your time while you are here if needed!



Do you tattoo white tattoos?

Unfortunately, none of our aritsts are willing to tattoo white tattoos, as they heal very poorly. After a few months, they fade to a beige/yellow tone, or sometimes fade completely-- and we want your tattoos to last forever!

We do tattoo white highlights on tattoos, as it is just highlight details, and not the entire tattoo like mentioned above!



Pre-Tattoo

Is there anything I should do before getting my tattoo?

Make sure you have a good meal-- especially if you are getting a big piece! If you do not eat before a large piece, you may be at risk for passing out.



What should I wear for my tattoo?

It depends on the location:

arms, shoulders –– t-shirt or tank lower legs –– shorts upper legs –– bathing suit or underwear
chest –– you'll be shirtless ribs/stomach –– a loose-fitting shirt that can easily be pulled up



Can my artist send the drawing to me before my appointment?

Our artists do not typically draw before appointments, as they like to work with our clients one-on-one and have their entire creative process done at the same time, rather than split up into multiple days with multiple clients in-between. We understand that it can be quite terrifying to come into a tattoo appointment without seeing what you are exactly getting beforehand, but we can say in full confidence that our artists will be able to make your dream tattoo come alive way better this way! If you would prefer to have a drawing presented prior to your appointment, an extra non-refundable drawing fee will be charged.



Should I show up early for my appointment?

We do not recommend coming in any earlier than 10 minutes prior to your appointment time as you will just end up sitting around and waiting. Our artists' are typically setting up / cleaning their station, or still tattooing the person before you if you come in too early.



Should I know what font I want before coming in?

It definitely makes our lives easier! But it is not a problem if you don't! We can help you pick out a font online once you arrive for your appointment. This won't cost you anything extra!

Our personal websites we recommend:
www.fontspace.com www.dafont.com



I have plans and/or somewhere to be after my tattoo, will I be done on time?

We cannot guarantee it. Only make plans after your tattoo appointment if they are well after your quoted time. We suggest not having plans too close to your tattoo as we sometimes unfortunately cannot control when a tattoo can take longer than usual. For example, the client before you could have came in 10 minutes late, which then goes into your time. We will always try our best to ensure your appointment starts right on time, but in the event that we are running behind for whatever reason, we suggest not planning to be somewhere too quickly after your tattoo. Even if you are getting a minimum tattoo that will take 10 minutes to tattoo, you should expect to be at the shop for just under an hour as there is drawing, stenciling, and prep time.
Please book on a day where you are not as busy! You can then relax and enjoy your time here!



Is it ok to be under the influence of alcohol during my appointment?

No! When you have alcohol in your system, it thins your blood and causes excess bleeding, which makes it difficult to tattoo. We have the right to stop tattooing you if we feel that you have been drinking prior to your tattoo.



Can I bring a friend to my appointment?

Absolutely! However, each of our artists' stations can only have one friend in it at a time. If you are bringing more than one, they will have to swap out and wait it the reception area. We do not recommend bringing a large group as we have limited seating available in the front.

** Due to COVID-19, we are NOT allowing any guests along to your appointment. Please come alone :) **



Can someone hold my hand during my appointment?

As long as they are calm, then yes! Any jumps or sudden movements that they make while holding your hand will also move your body, and thus could make the artist mess up.

** Due to COVID-19, we are NOT allowing any guests along to your appointment. Please come alone :) **



Can I listen to music during my appointment?

Absolutely, bring your ear/headphones if you wish!



What if I'm running late?

If you are late due to traffic, no worries! Just give us a call at 250-868-8818 and let us know an approximate arrival time. If you are going to be more than 30 minutes late, we may have to reschedule you.



I'm going on vacation soon after my appointment, is that ok?

It depends on where you are going. You cannot go swimming or have excess exposure to sun during the first two weeks of getting your tattoo. If you are travelling somewhere hot and/or will be in water, you should move your appointment to when you are back.



Post-Tattoo

What are your aftercare instructions?

1. Your artist will apply antibiotic ointment to your fresh tattoo, followed by the Tegaderm bandage. 2. You will keep the Tegaderm on for 4 days. While the Tegaderm is on, you have nothing to worry about. You completely leave it alone and allow it to heal. You can shower while it's on, just avoid soaking it as this can cause the adhesive to break down and fall off. It is totally normal for there to be a small amount of blood, plasma and ink that collects under the bandage. 3. If you find there to be a substantial amount of liquid under the bandage, DO NOT REMOVE IT! Pull the bandage away from the skin somewhere on the tattoo and poke a small hole in it to drain it. We don't want a lot of fluid on the fresh tattoo because this can lead to colour loss from over-moisturization. 4. After the 4 days, you can remove the bandage. If you do so in the shower, the warm water will help release the adhesive and make it a bit less annoying to take off. 5. Once the bandage is off, make sure to clean the tattoo with your un-scented soap and allow it to air dry for about an hour. 6. After the tattoo has dried, apply some H2Ocean Care Lotion or any un-scented lotion as often as you feel necessary.

7. If the tattoo is feeling tight, sore, or itchy, apply a small amount of lotion as well as often as you feel necessary for the following 4-7 days, or until it no longer looks dry/flakey. 8. Wash your tattoo regularly with your un-scented soap as well. Avoid irritating the fresh tattoo, no scratching or rubbing with anything abrasive as this can cause an infection!



Can I shower?

Definitely! Just try to avoid putting the Tegaderm bandage directly under the stream of water as it will cause the adhesive to break down.



Can I swim / take a bath / sit in a hot tub / go in a sauna?

NO! During the healing process, you should NOT submerge your tattoo in water. We suggest waiting a minimumof 2 weeks before partaking in any of these activities. If you are allergic to adhesives and we did not put a Tegaderm bandage on you, or if you took off your bandage before the 4 day mark, you should not be partaking in any of these activities for 1.5-2 months.



Can I go *insert physical activity here*?

While your Tegaderm bandage is on, try to avoid excessive sweating. This can cause the tattoo to pre-maturely fade from the excessive liquids, and the bandage to fall off too early. After 4 days, it is ok to get back to your physical activities.



My tattoo looks like the ink is bleeding out of the lines / merging together under the Tegaderm bandage!

Don't panic! This is 100% normal! When you take off the bandage after 4 days, your tattoo will look as good as new!



What is the Tegaderm bandage that I was wrapped with?

Tegaderm is a 3m brand second skin product. It is semi-permable, which allows moisture and oxygen to get to your healing tattoo without allowing bacteria to cause an infection. If you keep it on for the full four days as instructed, it actually skips the awful scabbing phase of the healing process! Your tattoo will basically be healed in 5 or so days after you take the bandage off. Believe us when we say Tegaderm is the best for healing tattoos!



My Tegaderm bandage is severely itchy!

If it is extremely itchy, not just annoying-itchy, you are most likely allergic to adhesives. Take it off early and skip to Step 4 of our aftercare instructions (#01 on our Post-Tattoo FAQ). Ensure you put on Polysporin.



My Tegaderm bandage is off, and my tattoo is really itchy! Can I scratch it?

This is a totally normal part of the healing stage! Please do NOT scratch your tattoo as that can lead to pre-mature pigment loss. We do not offer our free touch-up if pigment was lost due to scratching a tattoo. Keep your tattoo moisturized with an unscented lotion; they tend to itch more when they are dry!

If the itching becomes unbearable, we do sell some awesome products that stops the itching as soon as you put it on. Head on back to the shop and we can help you pick it up!



My Tegaderm bandage is peeling off!

This tends to happen naturally as we move a lot.
If just the edges of the bandage have peeled off, that is not a problem! Just leave it. If it has peeled to the point where your actual tattoo is exposed, please come back to our shop and we will re-wrap you for free!
Although if it is day 3 or 4, feel free to just peel it off and skip to step 4 of the after-care instructions (#01 on our Post-Tattoo FAQ)



My Tegaderm has fallen off before the 4-day mark. What do I do?

If it has been 1-2 days, come back to our shop and we'll re-bandage you for free!
If it is day 3, don't stress! You can skip to step 4 of the after-care instructions (#01 on our Post-Tattoo FAQ)



My tattoo is flaking!

This is a totally normal and standard part of the healing process! Ensure you moisturize multiple times a day with your H2Ocean Lotion. Do NOT pull off the flakes! This will cause your tattoo to pre-maturely fade. We are not responsible for giving you a free touch-up on the bits that have faded due to you picking at the flakes.



Does the sun / tanning beds affect tattoos?

Yes, sun exposure can pre-maturely fade your tattoos. Use lots of sunscreen!



Can I shave?

As long as there is no scabbing and the tattoo is fully healed (no longer flaking). Typically around the two week mark after your tattoo appointment.



Do you offer free touch ups?

Yes! We offer one free touch-up within the first year of the tattoo. You will not have to pay a set up fee or taxes either. We reserve the right to deny a free touch-up request if the tattoo has faded due to your lack of care of the tattoo during the healing process. We do not offer free touch ups on hands, fingers, and/or feet.



Do I have to keep the Tegaderm bandage on for 4 days?

Yes. It is absolutely essential in the healing of your tattoo! It not only speeds up the healing process, but it also completely skips the awful scabbing phase! It will basically be almost fully healed by the time you take it off. If you have friends who have gotten tattoos elsewhere, and they tell you that their bandage was supposed to be taken off after 2 to 24 hours, DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM! Tegaderm is a very special bandage that most shops do not carry, and therefore they have different aftercare instructions than we do. Trust us, Tegaderm is the absolute best in the industry for the healing process!



I've never had to keep a bandage on for 4 days with my previous tattoos. Why do I have to this time?

We are one of the only tattoo studios that use Tegaderm, which must stay on you for the full four days. This special bandage allows your tattoo to breathe and heal all at once. But the best part? It completely skips the scabbing phase, and makes it heal way faster than other wraps! Keeping it on will definitely be worth it!

We understand there can be frustration in folks who have many tattoos and this is their first time being asked to keep it on for more than 24 hours, but we believe us, this is the best way to heal a tattoo! You will be able to go swimming / return to your regular activities after just two weeks following your tattoo appointment, rather than waiting a 1.5-2 months.



There is sticky residue on my tattoo after taking off the Tegaderm!

This sometimes happens, but you have nothing to worry about! After a few days of your soap/lotion routine, it will eventually come off.



When can I stop using un-scented soap/lotion?

As long as your Tegaderm bandage stayed on for the full 3-4 days, you can return to using your regular scented lotions and soaps on your body after 2 weeks from the date of your tattoo!



Is it ok to drink alcohol after getting my tattoo?

Yes! You just shouldn't drink prior to your appointment.



What products do you use and sell?

Tegaderm - a 3m brand second skin product. It is semi-permable, which allows moisture and oxygen to get to your healing tattoo without allowing bacteria to cause an infection. Antibiotic ointment - we use a no name brand antibiotic ointment under the Tegaderm to prevent infection and to keep the Tegaderm from sticking to the healing tattoo. H2Ocean Ocean Care Lotion - a moisturizer to be used on your tattoo after the Tegaderm comes off. It is a non-greasy and super moisturizing lotion. It takes away that healing itch and keeps your tattoo from drying and cracking which can cause colour loss. H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap - a medical grade non-chemical soap that is mild and gentle on the skin, used for cleaning your fresh tattoo once the Tegaderm is removed. H2Ocean Nothing Soap - a medical grade gentle soap with a small amount of lidocaine. We offer this for purchase for those people who may find the tattooing process to be more painful than they can handle. Not to be used during the whole process, but to ease pain in long sessions. Once purchased, it is for you to take home and can be used in place of the reuglar foam soap.



Do you do tattoo removals?

No, sorry!



COVID-19

Are you tattooing during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes!

We understand that during this time, things can be very confusing, but we have created a way to streamline the appointment process for everyone's safety and understanding. There are new procedures and rules in place due to COVID-19. We do have some new expectations for our clients, as well as our artists. There are new screening and cleaning protocols. We hope you can be patient with us in navigating these new rules.

Prior to your appointment:
All clients must complete the COVID-19 Screening Waiver on the day of their appointment. We will be checking to see who has done their screening waiver. It must be done before 10am when the shop opens, so that we can use it as a confirmation that you are feeling well, and coming to your appointment that day. If you are sick or showing any symptoms, we will call you to reschedule your appointment for a future date. Please refrain from filling out the waiver days prior to your appointment; we need to know the answers to those questions on the day of your appointment to ensure everyone's safety at the studio. We can also see when the waiver was done, and will know if you did not follow the directions. There will be no leniency in this regard, if this waiver is not done, we will assume that you are not coming or that you are ill, and you will be forced to reschedule for another time. Complete all other waivers sent to you, prior to your appointment as well. It is acceptable to do the other waivers any time after you receive them, but only complete the COVID-19 Waiver on the day your appointment before 10am. General appointment rules: All clients are required to wait outside in their vehicles or away from the studio until called by their artist to come in. Please do not be too early, as you will have to wait. Do not be late for your appointment. If you are not here, ready to come in when called, you will be rescheduled for a future date, and are subject to losing your deposit as timing is key for us to clean appropriately and keep everyone safe. Bring a mask. If you do not have one, you may purchase a mask from us (if we have stock available) for $4. If your mask becomes damp, it will need to be changed, thus, you may need more than one mask during your session. Quantities available for purchase will be limited, so if you don’t have a mask, it is possible that we also won’t have any to supply to you, and if that is the case, we will have to reschedule you No friends or family are permitted in the shop. You MUST come alone. Bring something to eat and drink, you will not be allowed to eat or drink inside the studio, but you will be allowed to take breaks where you can have a drink and something to eat. Work with your artist to plan these breaks effectively so that you don’t lose tattoo time. Once at the studio: Your artist will call you when they are ready for you to come into the studio. Once you come to the door, your artist will meet you to take your temperature outside of the studio. If you present an elevated temperature, we will have to reschedule your appointment. You will need to put your mask on prior to coming into the studio. Your mask will stay on while inside the studio, no exceptions. Eating and drinking will be done outside of the studio. Once allowed in the studio, you will immediately be asked to wash your hands, and sanitize anything you intend to have in your hands while you are being tattooed, ie. cellphone, etc. We will have disinfecting wipes available for you. During your session, you cannot touch your mask. If you have touched your mask, we will require you to wash your hands and it will take time away from your tattoo, so please refrain from playing with your mask or touching your face. Your artist will show you where you can put your personal items during your session. Thank you so much for taking the time to carefully read through our new COVID-19 protocols. If you find any of this confusing or are not quite sure what to do, feel free to email, call us at (250) 868-8818, or reach out to your artist for clarification. We are so excited to be able to have you back in the studio with us!