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

Although in-person consults are best for 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 email, text, or Facetime/Zoom. These consultations may take longer, but are definitely doable.

The deposit is required in order to begin any drawing to compensate the Artist for any time 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 only lose your deposit if you do not provide at least 48 hours notice prior to your appointment for any rescheduling. 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.

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 would like, these funds can only be accessed again through tattoo time. *ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

The shops hourly rate is $180/h + tax. The minimum charge is $150 + tax for any piece that takes 45 minutes or less to tattoo. Flash or pre-designed tattoos are a flat fee, regardless of time it takes to complete.

The larger a piece gets, the more difficult it is to estimate a total time. For small pieces, it is simple to guess and can therefore provide an accurate estimate, or give you a range. For example, something could take 1-2 hours depending on multiple factors. For a complete breakdown of what affects the total time/cost, see our Policies page under Tattoo Pricing.

Drawings ARE NOT shared digitally prior to the completion of the tattoo itself. This is to ensure that you come back to your Artist to finish the piece the way that it was intended. We try our best to provide custom artwork for our clients and want to be able to realize the finished product. To see your drawing before your appointment, please come in person. That way we can properly gauge reaction and make any necessary changes without outside influence of friends and family. The only opinion that matters to us is the one wearing the tattoo.

Absolutely! We will redraw the piece as many times as it takes for you to be 100% happy with it. If there is any hesitation about a design, please say something! We may look scary, but we are not easily offended. Art is subjective and our goal is to make you happy, for you are the one that has to wear it for the rest of your life. If you feel that your Artist is not nailing your design after a few attempts, it may be time to look elsewhere. Unfortunately not everyone will be on the same page 100% of the time, and that’s okay. However, any major changes to the design will require another deposit.

References are great for your Artist to see what you’re going for, though because we are primarily custom Artists we will not copy an image from the internet to tattoo, especially if it has already been tattooed. Having multiple images as reference are going to be the most helpful so that we may compile an image that is unique to you.

Placement is discussed during the consultation process, and the short answer is yes. Though we make that judgement on a case-by-case basis. For example, we will not tattoo hands unless you already have both sleeves done, or if it is part of the forearm design. We will not tattoo faces unless you already have neck/throat tattoos, and those typically aren’t done until the chest is tattooed. Hand and face tattoos are also commonly referred to as “Job-Stoppers” because of their high visibility.

Absolutely. No one likes doing genital tattoos. Though pubic bone tattoos are okay. Booty tattoos are fine as well, but not too close to the center. These areas are difficult to keep sanitary and may not heal the tattoo properly. We will not tattoo extremely high-wear zones either. High-wear zones include the inside of the lip, palm of the hand, side of the finger, and sole of the foot. Tattoos in these areas WILL NOT LAST. As soon as they are finished healing, they are likely to disappear drastically (if not completely) in the first 3-6 months. Touch-ups ARE NOT covered for hands, fingers, face, or top of the feet for this reason as well. We also do not tattoo around the eye area for this can be dangerous and may cause blindness. Currently we do not have a permanent make-up Artist on staff.

Absolutely! Cover-ups are one of Bree’s favourite things to tattoo. She does not believe in impossible covers or living with a piece that you are not proud to wear. There are always options for covering up unwanted tattoos, though we NEVER recommend getting laser tattoo removal. Laser is way more expensive, hurts a lot more, and never gets rid of the tattoo completely. It can also be difficult to tattoo over lasered skin because the process does damage to the skin and alters the way that any future ink can go in. Laser makes tattoo cover-ups more difficult. Unlimited touch-ups are also included with any cover-up tattoo service for a full year since your last appointment. If you are not satisfied with the way your cover has healed within that time-frame, we will only charge the $21 supply fee. This only applies to areas that offer touch-ups.

The short answer is yes, though it depends on Artist availability as well as the design that you are wanting to get tattooed. If drawing is required (which, in most cases, it is), it is best to show up as close to opening as possible, and on designated walk-in days. Keep an eye on our social media for when those are. We can never guarantee walk-in slots, though we can often do a consultation on the spot and potentially book you in for a later date. It is also a great idea to call ahead for same-day availability!

We do not offer piercing services at Heart & Dagger, though we recommend Atomic Tattoo on 124 Street.

Please give AT LEAST 48 hours notice prior to your appointment if you cannot make it for whatever reason, otherwise your deposit will be forfeit. If you are going to be 15 minutes or more late for your appointment without notice, your Artist may charge a LATE FEE. Unfortunately our business cannot be run on promises and dreams.

That is perfectly okay! Let your Artist know if you have a budget for your session. We will be more than happy to accommodate your specific financial needs. The more you are able to save for a single sit, the less the tattoo will cost overall. We always recommend saving up for the piece that you WANT as opposed to keeping the entire tattoo within a certain price range. This often results in a simpler, smaller design that may not be what you had hoped for in the long-term. Tattoos are with you for the rest of your life, and you definitely get what you pay for. Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good. A good option with a budget can also be a pre-designed tattoo from our books. These pieces are pre-priced regardless of how long the tattoo takes to complete. For a complete breakdown of pricing, visit our Policies page under Tattoo Pricing.

It is best not to be on ANY type of drugs for your tattoo. Some prescription drugs we can work with, just let your Artist know what drugs you are taking. ANY blood-thinners are not a good idea to be taken prior to your appointment for at least 24 hours, including ibuprofen. ALWAYS consult your doctor first before going off of any prescribed medications for a tattoo appointment. Party drugs or any illegal substances are not okay either. They can alter perception and judgement and therefore result in a bad decision, or more painful tattoo experience. If taking drugs to alleviate tattoo pain prior to the session, we recommend using Dr. Numb Topical Anesthetic Cream instead. For more information on Dr. Numb, see our Policies page under Tattoo Process, and our Products page.

No. Unfortunately the adrenaline released during the tattoo process can harm an unborn child and sour the milk as well as stop production altogether. Pregnancy can also increase the risk of infection as well, and the tattoo can result in premature labour. The body is under sometimes significant stress during a tattoo and can affect more than just the area being tattooed.

At Heart & Dagger, 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.

Ideal tattoo preparation begins a few days prior to the appointment. For the best experience you will need to be well-rested, well-fed, hydrated, relaxed, free of alcohol for at least 48 hours prior, and free of any blood-thinners. That means lots of sleep the night before, a (preferably large) meal the morning of your appointment, lots of water the day before and day of your appointment. For longer sessions, definitely bring snacks or a lunch, and a sugary beverage if you can help it. Wear clothes that expose the area getting tattooed, or are loose fitting and don’t mind getting ink on. Artist’s ARE NOT responsible for any damages to clothing during the tattoo process. *Also ask your doctor if it is safe to go off of blood-thinning medication for a few days before and after the tattoo.

The best time to get tattooed is in the Fall and Winter seasons. With the colder weather, tattoos are protected from the sun by clothing. Summer activities are NOT tattoo friendly because you cannot apply sunscreen to fresh ink, and you cannot expose it to the sun. No soaking or submerging your tattoos for approximately 4 weeks after getting them done as well. Other activities such as biking and quadding can also be quite dirty, and can dramatically increase the risk of infection. In Alberta, the weather can be quite dry, especially during the colder months. For healing a fresh tattoo, moisturizing more frequently may be recommended. For women, it is best NOT to get tattooed 3 days before, during, and 3 days after menstruation. This can increase the amount of pain during the tattoo process, especially in more sensitive areas. Everything in the human body is connected.

The feeling of a tattoo varies person to person, and area of the body. Generally, tattoos can be described as a cat scratch, a small razor cut, a scratch on a sunburn, etc. More sensitive areas can feel like wet fire, whereas less sensitive areas only feel the vibration of the machine. More sensitive areas include, hands, wrists, feet, ankles, joints, ribs, inner thighs, and bone (such as the shin). Things that can increase the amount of pain felt during a session are lack of sleep, lack of food and/or water, stress, underlying health conditions, and menstruation. After the tattoo is finished, especially if the tattoo includes shading or colour, it will feel like a sunburn for the first few days. Then it will get itchy as it begins to heal and flake. When it is finished flaking, the skin will feel quite thin and sensitive to the touch (almost ticklish). The tattoo is not finished healing until it appears more dull and has the same texture and feel as the rest of the skin around it.

Yes and no. For consultations, we recommend coming alone so that we can focus on what you’re wanting your tattoo to look like without being influenced by someone else’s opinion. This also applies if you are coming in to look at the drawing before getting it tattooed. For your actual tattoo appointment, you can definitely bring ONE person with you for moral support and/or company. More than one can crowd the shop due to the finite amount of space available. We ask that you DO NOT bring any children under 12 years of age with you to your appointment. Please leave your children at home or with a sitter. Sufficient supervision is NOT possible during your tattoo because both client and Artist are distracted. There are potential biohazards in the tattoo shop and young children may not know what is safe to touch. The tattoo area is also considered sterile which becomes more difficult to uphold with more bodies, and rogue children.

There are two products that are necessary for healing a tattoo; soap and lotion. Our top recommended products are Public Goods Body Wash and Hustle Butter. Public Goods Body Wash is recommended for those that do not have a citrus allergy. This body wash is gentle and free from parfum and alcohol, both of which can dry out a tattoo. Things to look for when choosing a body wash are that it’s in liquid form, unscented, and NOT anti-bacterial. Anti-bacterial may sound like a good thing, but they often contain a high alcohol content. Aveeno is a great substitute if you do not have an oatmeal allergy. For lotion, Hustle Butter is recommended if you do not have a coconut or mango allergy. Hustle Butter reduces redness, swelling, itchiness, flaking, and therefore ink-loss. Things to look for when choosing a lotion are also unscented with a low alcohol and water content. Water should NOT be the first ingredient on the list because too much water can also dry out a tattoo and require more lubrication. Aveeno is also a great brand for lotion.

If getting more work done on the same piece, it has to be completely healed before we can re-open the skin. Healing time varies by placement and person, but 4-6 weeks is standard. Bree will wait the full 6 weeks before booking your next tattoo appointment to be on the safe side. If getting tattooed in a different area, you could come in again as soon as 3 weeks after your last session. This window is to ensure the body has begun to heal properly and will heal out the next piece fine as well. If there is already a healing tattoo on one part of the body, the next session may be shortened and/or hurt more due to body fatigue from healing last piece. For large projects, it is an option to book 2 consecutive days in a row. The body will not begin the initial healing process until approximately 24 hours after the skin is opened. However, second day sessions tend to hurt more. These types of sittings are only recommended for out-of-town clients with an inconvenient commute.

It is unlikely for a tattoo to become infected, although it is always possible. Causes of infection include but are not limited to dirt, germs, or foreign substances sitting on the surface of the fresh tattoo. If it is difficult to keep clean, keep it covered. Any textiles such as clothing and bed sheets that may come into contact with your fresh tattoo need to be clean and/or freshly laundered. Exposure to the sun can also cause a sun infection, which will alter the appearance of any colour in the tattoo and result in longer healing. Allergic reactions can cause infection as well. Let your Artist know of any allergies that you have so that we can recommend the best aftercare products for your skin. If you are unsure as to whether or not it is infected, reach out to your Artist with any questions or concerns and send photographs, or pop by the shop in person. If your tattoo is infected, wash it with gentle soap before applying Polysporin or a similar healing product. Regardless, it is strongly recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening.

How long your tattoo will last depends on where it is on the body, how well it is taken care of, and if there have been any touch-ups. Tattoos are permanent but will fade with age. High-wear zones include the hands, feet, and any mucus membrane. Tattoos done on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or inside of the lip, etc. will fade out almost completely as soon as it is finished healing. We do not tattoo these areas for that reason. Back of the hands, top of the feet, or elbow tattoos can be done, but will fade out quicker than any other placement. Touch-ups are not covered in these areas. Every other tattoo placement will last for about 5 - 10 years before it begins to noticeably fade, especially depending on size and style of the design. Smaller and more detailed pieces will fade much quicker, and your Artist will recommend the proper size for optimal longevity. Bigger is always better. To ensure proper healing, follow the aftercare instructions provided. Sun burning your tattoo will result in a much faster fade. Touch-ups are always recommended within the first year to ensure quality and increase longevity. Any touch-ups done after the first year will be a brand new tattoo charge.

Bree uses a variety of disposable items throughout the tattooing process to maximize sterilization and accompany her coil machines. She only uses Red Line Tuff Tubes from Good Guy Supply for disposable tubes because they are the best quality on the market and comfortable to hold for long sessions. For needles, Bree will either use Hydra from Eikon or White Box from Bleeding Edge, whichever is available. The best brand of inks that Bree has tried thus far is fusion for its high pigmentation and smooth saturation. Fusion inks are also vegan and come in a wide range of stunning colours.