Frequently asked questions
how do i book an appointment?
TATTOOS
In order to book a tattoo appointment, we will need to get more information on the piece/pieces you are looking to get. When messaging the Facebook Page, please remember to include:
- As many reference photos as needed to give us the best idea of what you want
- Details for the piece, i.e.:
- Color or B/G
- Rough size
- Placement
- Custom drawn or pieced together with existing images
- Dates that work for you
- Artist preference
- One session or two
- Projected budget for this piece
- If this is a touch up*
- Etc.
(Please Note: We DO NOT Tattoo Pregnant or Nursing women for ANY reason.)
All appointments are booked on a ‘Rough Quote’ basis, meaning our team will give you an estimated amount of time for your tattoo with the information we have about your piece, however there are many factors that can affect the length or time it will take, please keep in mind that it will change the cost of your tattoo.
Our team will prompt you with these questions if you happen to forget anything, it just makes the booking process much faster when you have all the information ready for us!
*Please keep in mind that Fingers, Feet and Hands WILL fade out the quickest, there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop this from happening, it has nothing to with the artist, it has everything to do with healing environments, etc. We will offer touch ups however there will be a charge and cannot guarantee this will fix or stop the issue from happening.
** Touch ups: Fee is $50 for up to 30 mins. Over 30 mins will be considered a repair. If the work was not done by us, it will be the regular tattoo rate per hour. If the touch up is past the 6 month mark, it will also be considered a repair.
MINIMUM TATTOOS
Even though it is a small tattoo, we still need to see a picture of what you’re getting and get an idea of where it is going. Something as little as adding color to a tiny tattoo can change the overall time/cost of the piece.
Senior Artists: Minimum tattoos are anything that can be done in 30 minutes or less. Anything that exceeds the 30-minute mark will jump to the regular shop rate.
Junior Artists: We do not offer a minimum charge for Junior Artists.
PIERCINGS
In order to book a piercing appointment, please call or message our Cree8iv Ink Body Studio Ltd. Facebook page. When booking a piercing appointment, please include the following:
- Type of piercing/placement*
- Any allergies to certain metals
- Whether or not you have your own jewelry*
- Dates/times that work for you
(Please Note: We DO NOT Pierce Pregnant or Nursing women for ANY reason.)
We have a $25 minimum charge for any piercing services – Changeouts, removing a piercing, etc.
** Type of Piercing: We would like you to specify the type of piercing or its placement so our piercer is aware of what jewelry is needed so it can be ready for your appointment.
** Have your own Jewelry? We would like to know if you have your own jewelry because we need to sterilize it before your appointment. It takes anywhere from 10-15 minutes so we will ask you to arrive earlier to accommodate for sterilization times and keep appointments on track.
why can 't i get a service done while pregnant/nursing?
Infections can be present in the body for days before showing any signs. This means that there is an increased risk to the baby. We can’t take that chance, but will be happy to see you once that period is over.
CAN I TAKE ANY PAIN KILLERS OR BE ON ANY MEDICATION DURING MY TATTOO?
ONLY TYLENOL IS DEEMED OKAY BEFORE A PROCEDURE
- It is highly recommended that you are not taking any kind of medication before, during or after your procedure. Unless otherwise stated by YOUR DOCTOR.
- Acne Medications: Accutane, Minomycin (or any other Tetracycline-related medication), or any other prescription drug for acne. Cause skin to be hyper-sensitive. Getting a tattoo can lead to severe pain and scarring. You need to wait 6 months to a year for it to be out of your system, and safe for you to get a tattoo.
- Non-Steroidal Anti – Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs.) that contain Aspirin and some that do not contain aspirin can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. So it is best NOT to use pain killers beforehand.
- Prescription medication/pain medication that has a direct affect to your blood / blood pressure / skin for any existing skin conditions or any pain medication that would cause drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, high blood pressure, headaches, skin rash or dermatitis,
- Antibiotics: Some antibiotics make the skin hypersensitive. Some people have reported unusual skin reactions to tattoos when they were on antibiotics.
- Blood Thinners:If you are taking any kind of medication to thin your blood, consult your doctor before booking an appointment. Depending on the reason you’re taking the medication, it might not be wise to get tattooed.
- Anti-Rejection Drugs:If you have had an organ transplant and/or are on anti-rejection medication, getting a tattoo might not be in your best interest. Consult with your doctor first to determine if your overall health is strong enough to withstand the stress of getting tattooed and if your medications may interfere with the healing process.
- Anti-gout medication
why should i disclose my budget?
We ask for your projected budget for your benefit, we want you to get the best possible design for what you are able to afford. If we are aware of your budget beforehand, the artist is able to plan accordingly! Alternatively, you can split your work into sessions, please discuss with your artist prior to the start of the tattoo.
which artist should i book with?
We ask that anyone looking to book tattoo appointments, research the artists beforehand. In the artists tab we have provided each of our artists and their corresponding Instagram pages for you to check out and choose who you think is best suited for your tattoo.
(Please keep in mind that for smaller tattoos you may be asked to book with a junior artist as that is what they are more than qualified to do, as appealing as their rate is, they are not ready for larger pieces and you will be asked to choose a senior artist for any and all large scale pieces.)
HOW EXPERIENCED ARE YOUR TATTOO ARTISTS/PIERCERS?
Senior Artists have an upwards of 5+ years’ experience with both lifesaver certification, business licenses, and Bloodborne pathogens certification.
Junior Artists have under 2-3 years’ experience, they have both completed our Tattoo Training Program and received all the necessary certifications to fit our standard, OR have completed apprenticeships at another shop and also received proper certification to fit our standard.
Our Piercers both have 5+ years of experience and are constantly upgrading techniques and knowledge through various training programs.
What is a junior artist?
Junior Artists are beginner tattoo artists who have completed our Tattoo Training just next door or completed an apprenticeship at another shop! They’ve undergone proper training to be able to tattoo with us in the studio. The rate per hour is lower so they can take their time to perfect their pieces. As they are beginners, minor mistakes can reasonably be expected. Junior artists’ are not able to complete large complex pieces, tattoo fingers or do custom, sorry! Be sure to check out their Instagram pages from the ‘About’ tab in the menu selections!
what if i have an allergy to piercing jewelry?
We use: ASTM-F136 ELI Titanium
The ASTM ‘F’ specification certification shows they are suitable quality for the use in medical and biomedical applications. While titanium is considered to be “nickel free,” and is commonly used as an alternative to stainless steel for customers who may have nickel sensitivity, it is possible that trace amounts of impurities including nickel could be contained within these materials.
** Please note that: even in very small amounts, the impurity could still lead to a reaction.
how do you sterilize your piercing equipment?
We use three different steps including an ultrasonic cleaner, but the main component is an autoclave – a machine that uses steam under pressure to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores on items that are placed inside a pressure vessel. The items are heated to an appropriate sterilization temperature for a certain amount of time.
Autoclaves are commonly used in healthcare settings to sterilize medical devices.
how is your tattoo equipment sterilized?
Tattoo needles and grips are ALL one use and disposable. They are purchased from reputable suppliers and only opened and operated at the time of service. Your service provider will confirm expiry dates with you prior to machine set up.
Machines and bottles used are all covered with a one use and disposable plastic ‘machine’ cover as well as wiped down with CaviCide before / after each procedure.
WHAT KIND OF DISINFECTANTS DO YOU USE? AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU DISINFECT?
CaviCide, an intermediate-level surface disinfectant that is effective against Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, viruses, bacteria (including MRSA and VRE) and fungi.
This disinfectant can be used in the NICU, operating rooms, isolation rooms, patient care areas and laboratories (hospitals).
Disinfection of tattoo and piercing areas occurs after EVERY procedure.
** Please see COVID response plan for facility disinfection.
what if i GET AN INFECTION?
While we definitely care and want to know, if you get your new tattoo or piercing infected, we unfortunately can’t help you. Anytime that you are concerned about your healing, a doctor’s advice is strongly recommended as infections can worsen over time if left unattended.
when can i change out my healing jewelry?
Every piercing heals differently, we give you the average healing time for your piercing, however it can vary for many reasons. So we install healing bars for the initial piercing to accommodate swelling during the healing period. It may look silly but bumping or reducing the size of jewelry too soon can actually restart the healing process and cause it to swell again, we want to make sure that we eliminate the possibility of that happening as best we can.
Please keep in mind that some piercings can take up to one year to heal.
what if i don't have facebook?
If you do not have Facebook we would be happy to assist you through email OR if you have any general inquiry questions feel free to call the shop.
(We cannot book appointments over the phone we NEED to see reference photos beforehand.)
what should i do before my appointment?
FOOD
Pain lowers blood sugar! Please make sure you have eaten a full meal before any service as well as bring a snack or sugary drink to keep your blood sugar levels up!
CLOTHING
Please wear accommodating clothing for the area being pierced or tattooed. Loose/baggy clothing is best as to not restrict the area being worked on.
HAIR REMOVAL
Please avoid waxing for at least a week prior to your tattoo appointment, freshly waxed areas can become irritated very quickly and we don’t you to become uncomfortable during your procedure.
NUMBING CREAM
We do not reccommend using Numbing Cream for time tattoos as we won’t be able to properly gauge how well you are doing during the procedure.
(We do not provide numbing cream for piercings.)
what should i do after my appointment?
TATTOOS
~ BANDAGES
Keep your bandage on for the required amount of time. Once the bandage is able to come off, wash the area with the soap provided and apply ointment, keep applying ointment as needed.
AT HOME
Try not to get/put these on the tattoo area:
- Pet hair
- Lint/fuzzies
- Makeup/Hair products
- Dirt
- Clothing
- Lotions/polysporin or other rapid healing creams
- Etc.
Change your bedding (especially if its white) to something fresh and dark colored (if possible) to lessen the chances of lint/fuzzies, pet hair etc. from getting onto your tattoo, and to keep the ink from staining any white or light colored sheets.
Wear baggy clothing or no clothing on the area to keep ointment from rubbing off.
AT WORK
For jobs that require getting dirty/wearing coveralls/protective gear. I.E.: Oilfield, Welders, Firefighters, Etc.
Baggy clothing over the tattooed area is preferred (just add extra Ointment to accommodate constant rubbing) and wash right away. DO NOT re-bandage. Re-bandaging can trap bacteria in the tattoo and cause infections to grow.
GOING OUT
If you are planning on drinking right after your appointment, please keep the bandage in place until you get home and are able to wash the tattooed area.
The better you are at keeping it clean and moisturized the better chance you have at NOT getting it infected.
SUN EXPOSURE
Tattoos should not be in direct sun/UV light for at least the 2 week healing period. Once the tattoo is healed you should be applying SPF to the tattoo when planning on tanning to protect the tattoo from premature fading.
SWIMMING
Avoid any submersion of your tattoo whether it be in a pool, kitchen sink or bath tub for AT LEAST the 2 week healing period. You want to keep your tattoo from sitting in any water for long periods of time as it can cause fresh ink to look faded and can cause infection.