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Please submit a booking form through my booking form here!
You will be contacted through the email you provide on the booking form. I will reach out to you by the next Tuesday to set an appointment and collect a deposit to secure your spot.I require $50-200 non-refundable deposit for flash and custom designs (depending on the scale of the project) to book an appointment, and this will go towards the total cost of your tattoo.
My available flash designs can be found on the Available Flash page on my website. I always love creating one of a kind custom designs as well. Please take some time to browse through my work and make sure that you like my art style and that I would be the right fit for you.
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Flash
Each flash piece has a set price (or price range for pieces with greater sizing range). My flash pieces generally range from $250 - $500.
Custom
I love doing custom pieces that align with my style! I love tattooing anything birds, tigers and other big cats, and peonies and other flowers. I also love tattooing anything from nature (all animals, flowers, mountains, bugs, basically if you can find it outside I'll love it) and I will occasionally do a fun lil object.
If you are interested in a custom piece, please submit a booking request (plenty of reference pictures and detailed description preferred).
If the project is accepted, I ask for a $50-200 non-refundable deposit which will go towards the total cost of the piece (I can usually give an estimate for how long the piece will take and what the total cost will be). In the case that an estimate is not possible, my hourly rate is $180. I do not send out designs before the appointment, so please be sure to be clear in your description and have trust in me. That being said, I always set aside time at the beginning of the appointment for minor adjustments to make it absolutely perfect.
✿ cash or etransfer only
✿ the minimum to be tattooed is $250 -
Yes! Every month, I offer 2-4 free tattoo sessions for black and indigenous folks. LGBTQ+ folks and women will be prioritized.
Flash and customs (that align with my style) are both welcome!
Please book through my booking form and leave a note for me in the questions section of the form at the end.
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Everyone is excited the night before their tattoo appointment. It could be your first tattoo or your millionth. Here are some tips to help you prepare!
1. GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
The last thing you want is to be completely exhausted for your tattoo session. It’s super important to be well-rested so that you can be in-tune with your body. I recommend going to bed earlier than you normally would. This will give you extra time to rest and fall asleep, especially if you’re super anxious for your appointment.2. STAY HYDRATED
24 hours before your appointment (and in general) you should be drinking a lot of water. Not only is it good for your health, but it will make sure that your skin is hydrated and prepared for your tattoo session. Hydrated skin takes ink a lot better than dehydrated skin. If you didn’t have a chance to drink a good amount of water before your appointment, we recommend keeping a water bottle with you during your session.I highly encourage clients to ask for water if they forgot their water bottle (we have water bottles and snacks in the studio at all times). After your tattoo session, please continue your amazing hydration habits as it will help your healing process. Your body has been through a lot and water is going to be your new best friend.
3. SHOWER
Please remember to shower before your appointment. You want to keep your skin as clean as possible since tattooing opens up your skin.4. MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN
Before I continue, please do not moisturize your skin on the day of your tattoo, but don’t worry if you forget and accidentally moisturize though. Your skin will be cleaned thoroughly and there will be no trace of moisturizer left before we start your tattoo).Okay now that that’s cleared up, moisturizing your skin days and even weeks in advance is something you wanna do. Everybody’s skin reacts differently to lotions and moisturizers, so take the time to find one that is compatible with yours and don’t try out any new products right before your tattoo appointment. Leading up to your session, I recommend that you moisturize your skin 1-2 times a day for 5-7 days before your tattoo.
5. EAT & BRING SNACKS
Make sure you eat a good meal within two hours of your appointment. You are going to need your energy especially if you are going to sit through a longer session. By doing so, you will avoid getting light-headed and you won’t run the risk of passing out from exhaustion. If you forget to eat and bring snacks, please let me know! I usually have snacks on hand :)6. DRESS FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Make sure to wear a comfortable outfit that allows easy access to the area you are getting tattooed. Also, loose clothing and dressing in layers will help make sure that you aren’t randomly getting itchy, overheated and it will allow you to easily re-adjust your positioning in case you become uncomfortable.7. DO NOTs
Please do not show up intoxicated or with damaged skin (cuts, bruises, burns, peeling, or fresh tans). I will be unable to tattoo you and the appointment will have to be rescheduled with a new deposit. -
Welcome to Slowside Tattoo Studio! Hope you’re feeling ready to go for your appointment, and if there is anything you wish to address (maybe you didn’t sleep well, hungover, anxious) please let me know sooner rather than later so I can get ya as comfy as possible.
1. ENTERTAINMENT
If you have a longer session, it may help to bring your phone and headphones, a book, or any form of entertainment that won’t move your body. However, there will be free endless entertainment because I usually have some sick tunes playing and I am very chatty and like to talk about anything and everything.2. BRING A FRIEND
You are welcome to bring one extra person for moral support and/or entertainment, but please let us know in advance as our space can get snug.3. ASK QUESTIONS
I will always try to explain the process before the tattoo and as I am working. If you are unsure of what is happening or you are not comfortable with how the process is going, please ask questions. I will always happily answer any questions you ask. It is completely natural to have questions and you want to pick a tattoo artist who is professional and informed about their work.
✿ Side note, please do not apologize for having questions or requests (moving the stencil, needing a break, needing to shift to a more comfortable position). This is your tattoo and your body; we want to do everything we can so that you feel in control and comfortable. -
Please keep your tattoo dry for two weeks (you can shower, but no submerging - no baths or swimming).
Wear breathable clothing and shield your tattoo from direct sunlight until fully healed. After fully healed (approximately 2-4 weeks), always wear sunscreen after its healed (do not use sunscreen during the healing process).
Remove the plastic bandage after 2-3 hours (if using second skin, remove after 3-5 days) and clean with warm water and fragrance free, antibacterial soap. Dab dry with a clean paper towel. Do not re-bandage.
Avoid heavy exercise with excessive sweating for two weeks (shower immediately and remove second skin immediately after if you do exercise or sweat).
Make sure to keep your tattoo moisturized. Any fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer is good to use. I recommend Lubriderm. Do not use Vaseline. Patch test any new moisturizer for allergies prior to tattoo.
Do not pick, scratch, or let others touch your tattoo during the healing process.
Ensure you have a clean environment while your tattoo is healing (bed sheets, clothes).
✿ Please contact me if your tattoo is acting irregularly or if you have any questions! ✿
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Late Policy
Please arrive on time for your appointment.
I understand that life happens, so please message me (DM, email, or leave a message through this website) if you are running late.
If you are more than 15 minutes late, I may be unable to do your tattoo and your deposit will be forfeited. You will need to make a new appointment with a new deposit.
This late policy is in place so that I can be fair to all of my clients and ensure that each one of ya gets my full care and attention (can’t do this if I’m rushed)!Rescheduling & Cancellation
To book an appointment, I require a non-refundable deposit, which goes towards the total cost of your tattoo. If you need to change the time of your appointment, you must request a reschedule (through email: heather@happytattoos.ca) with a minimum of 48 hours notice. The deposit will be honoured and transferred to the new time.
If you need to reschedule within 48 hours of the appointment time (change in schedule, unsure of tattoo design, etc.), the original deposit will be forfeited and you will be required to pay a new deposit✿.
If you need to reschedule more than one time, the original deposit will be forfeited, and you will be required to pay a new deposit.If you no-show without any notice, your deposit will be forfeited, and you will not be given the opportunity to book another appointment✿.
Studio Policies
Slowside Tattoo Studio is a queer-run private tattoo studio. There is zero tolerance for homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, racism, or discrimination.
You’re welcome to bring a friend, but please note the space can only accommodate one extra person and we ask that you let us know in advance.
Our most important policy is openness and kindness, and always encourage clients to bring up any questions or concerns they have before, during, and after the tattoo. Just reach out and we can chat.
✿ Policies are subject to change under my discretion, and deposits may still be honoured in regard to extenuating circumstances.
Again, gentle reminder that rules are rules, but I will never ever be personally mad at you, so please don’t be anxious to reach out whether you’re late/rescheduling/cancelling/no-showing. -
Slowside Tattoo Studio is located in the Chinatown neighborhood of so called “Vancouver”. Our address is 205 - 475 Main St. and you will be able to see us in the corner of the second floor if you look up from the street!
The building is accessible by public transit, and I recommend parking at the EasyPark on Keefer & Columbia if you are driving.______________________________
We are adjacent to the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood, which is one of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhoods, and the historic heart of the city.The DTES has many assets, especially for its low-income residents, who appreciate feeling accepted and at home, and benefit from living near health and social services.
In recent years, the Downtown Eastside has struggled with many complex challenges including drug use, housing instability, unemployment, and loss of businesses in the community.