BOOKING FAQ
Hey! Thanks for being here ~ Please read before booking an appointment
How do I request a tattoo with you?
For Custom work, you will need to fill out the Custom Booking Request Form.
Please note, that I open this form for custom work during certain periods of the year; typically in January, April, June, and September. Getting your request in early when I open my books each season will give the best chance at your request being taken. I will sometimes leave my books open and it will act as a waitlist of sorts. But, there is no guarantee that I will get to later submitted requests before it is time to open again for the next season.
This is how I have found success in staying organized and on top of everything. So, if your concept was not chosen, it is most likely that it just did not fit into my schedule well enough this time around, and I would definitely encourage you to re-submit the next time!
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I also draw flash designs! These are designs that are drawn by me and are ready to be tattooed as is, or with minor alterations by request.
To book a flash piece, you may fill out the: Flash Booking Request Form
I try to respond to these requests within two business days, but sometimes it takes me a bit longer. I really appreciate your patience. Don’t hesitate to give me a nudge if you do not hear back within the week, though!
Special Flash Design Drops are announced on my Instagram, and have a special form to fill out that is located here. These drops are fresh designs inspired by life at the moment. I will only tattoo some designs once, and others 2-3 times max. So, they are first come, first served. Any designs that are not claimed at the flash drop, will then go to my general flash page until retired.
PLEASE NOTE: I do not monitor my Instagram DMs, so please do not request appointments, ask for quotes etc via DM. You may email pokey@pokeyrae.com for answers to your questions that are not available here.
Questions to consider when Requesting an Appointment
~ Flash: Include a screenshot or its specific number + brief description of the piece.
~ Custom: Include reference images (for style, overall vibe, specific item etc)
~ Both: Approximate size in inches. If you do not have a ruler, compare the length to the size of either a toonie, credit card, playing card, juicebox. (Something with a standard size.)
~ Both: Placements that you are considering.
~ Extra info: Do you have any health concerns or allergies? Is this your first tattoo? Do you have any accessibility concerns? Have a specific budget? Etc!
Please include above information whenever inquiring about a tattoo via email. Much appreciated!
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Cancellations and Rescheduling Policy
I Do require a deposit to hold your appointment. $50 for Flash and $80 for Custom appointments. (+tax)
These deposits are held to ensure folks are serious when requesting a tattoo and they will go toward the final cost of your appointment. Once we have discussed your design, I will give you a time quote and send a deposit invoice to your email. By default, I require the deposit to be paid within 2 days; however, this can be adjusted if needed. I do not begin drawing custom designs until the deposit has been paid.
I require 48-hours notice for rescheduling/cancelling. You will be asked to pay a new deposit if you wish to reschedule and it is within 48-hours before your appointment. If you feel you are becoming sick and won’t be able to attend your appointment - please give as much notice as possible to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
The only exception to this rule is if you must reschedule due bad weather/impaired driving conditions. I do appreciate as much notice as you can give though!
Cancelling and Rescheduling is totally necessary sometimes, and totally understood! No-Showing on the other hand is not. If you do not come to your appointment, and you do not communicate that with me, you will not be invited back to the studio. :(
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What are your rates?
I currently charge $115 an hour for Flash Designs and $125-$140 an hour for Custom Designs. Both flash and custom designs are subject to a ‘sitting fee’ of $50.
This is subject to change as inflation rises and my experience and expertise grow! Please give a budget when requesting a custom tattoo, and I will design accordingly. Please do not hesitate to request a quote if one is not given. quotes are subject to change if size/placement are changed come the day of!
For example, if I state that I think your Flash Tattoo will take roughly 2-2.5 hours, then you can expect to pay $280-$340 + hst in total.
For a Custom piece, you could expect to pay $330-$400 + hst to be safe! Most of my work ranges from $220-$470 + hst
The costs cover: supplies, drafting time, correspondence time, day of labour and just all the background stuff that goes into your tattoo! Please don’t hesitate to share your budget with me, and I will always do my best to work within it or offer alternative ideas! Sometimes I like to trade other goods for tattoo credit: hair services, massage, photography, facial, acupuncture etc. are all services I have traded for in the past - so, feel free to offer!
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Deposits
As stated above, I do require a deposit to hold your spot. ($50 for flash and $80 for customs)
Once we have discussed your tattoo over email, I will send you the deposit invoice which must be paid within 48-hours (this timeline can be adjusted as needed)
The deposit is non-refundable and goes toward the final cost of your tattoo.
You risk forfeiting your deposit if:
You arrive 20+ minutes late for your appointment.
You arrive without government-issued photo ID
You arrive and you are not 18+
If you cancel without proper 48-hour notice.
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Tipping Your Artist
Tipping is always appreciated — but, never expected!
A tip lets me know that you thoroughly enjoyed your experience and that you were happy with how the appointment went overall! If something was not to your liking, you can always let me know in person or via email so I can continue to improve my services.
Where do your tips go?
Private Health Insurance benefits, sick days or mental health days, savings, and providing sliding-scale pricing for eligible clients.
Non-monetary Ways to Tip
I fully understand that not everyone is in the place to be able to tip their artist, which is totally valid! Other ways you can let me know that you are happy with your appointment are:
Referring a friend and/or tagging and sharing my work on social media! Word-of-mouth is huuuge.
Have some plant clippings? Yummy baked goods? A product of your own crafting?! Handmade art and unlikely treasures are also super loved by me!
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Thanks so much for reading! General inquiries and questions that are not answered on my FAQ page can be emailed to pokey@pokeyrae.com
Hannah (Pokey)