Common Questions From Our Clients

A: Most of our artists are booked in advance, so we highly recommend scheduling an appointment. If you decide to walk in without an appointment, feel free to call or email us, and our manager will assist you in finding an available artist. Please note that availability is not guaranteed, and appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis! Let’s make your first tattoo experience amazing! Reach out to us via our website, phone (780) 695-9235, or email at tattooforestca@gmail.com to book your consultation or get an estimate.

A. There is no charge for consultations! For larger pieces, we highly recommend scheduling one. During the consultation, you’ll have the chance to share all the details of your tattoo idea and discuss it with the artist to ensure they fully understand your vision. Depending on your idea, the consultation typically lasts around 30 to 60 minutes. To make the most of your consultation, we recommend having your idea ready and bringing along reference images. If you’re not local to Edmonton, we also offer online consultations! Reach out to us via our website, phone (780) 695-9235, or email at tattooforestca@gmail.com to book your consultation.

A. We understand that safety is a common concern when getting a tattoo. At TATTOO FOREST, we prioritize cleanliness and follow strict sterilization procedures. We use sterile, single-use needles and cartridges and adhere to all Alberta Health Services guidelines. Our manager and artists are more than happy to address any safety concerns you may have. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, and we want you to feel confident and safe in our shop.

A. In many cases, yes. But it depends on the specific condition. People with certain health issues such as diabetes, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis should consult with their doctor before getting tattooed. Some health conditions can affect how you heal or increase the risk of complications like infection or poor ink retention. If you're on medications that affect bleeding, immunity, or skin integrity, it’s especially important to talk to both your doctor and your tattoo artist ahead of time. At Tattoo Forest, your health and safety is our priority. If you have a health condition, please let us know during the booking process so we can work with you and your artist to make sure you're safe and comfortable throughout the experience.

A: We accept debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), as well as cash. Please note, we do not accept checks or prepaid cards.

A. For any tattooing on or around scars, surgical areas, or healed wounds, we recommend ensuring that at least 2 years have passed. This allows the scar tissue to fully heal and become more stable. However, since we are not medical professionals, we strongly advise checking with your family physician first to get the green light before proceeding with booking cover up or tattoo. Your doctor can confirm if the area has fully healed, if the tissue is strong enough for tattooing, and if there are any medical concerns that should be considered. Your health and safety are always our top priority!

A. Welcome to Tattoo Forest! We're excited to be part of your tattoo journey! Think About Your Idea Consider what your tattoo means to you! It could be something personal, symbolic, or simply something you love. Look for reference images if you can! Share Your Vision With Us Send us a message with details like your tattoo idea, approximate size, placement, color or black & gray, and any reference pictures. If you have a preferred artist, let us know too! Get a Quote & Artist Input Once we have your idea, we’ll share it with the artist(s), get an estimate, and provide you with any suggestions or feedback from the artist to help bring your vision to life. Book a Consultation (if needed) For larger or more detailed pieces, we recommend a consultation. It’s a chance to go over everything with the artist in person (or online if you’re out of town). Secure Your Spot Once you're ready, we’ll find a date that works for both you and the artist. A deposit is required to book your appointment. Let’s make your first tattoo experience amazing! Reach out to us via our website, phone (780) 695-9235, or email at tattooforestca@gmail.com to book your consultation or get an estimate.

A. Absolutely! We can tattoo minors with the consent of a parent or legal guardian who can be present during the entire tattoo process. We would need both of you and your parent or legal guardian's government-issued IDs and the minor's birth certificate.

A. Yes, we can touch up or fix tattoos done by another artist! If your tattoo needs some adjustments, whether it’s faded, uneven, or needs refinement, we’re happy to help. Please share a picture of your current tattoo that you'd like to refresh, and let us know what improvements you'd like to make. Some tattoos may require more work than others, depending on the condition of the ink and skin, but we will work with you to get the best result.

A. We want your tattoo to be just as you envision it. So, about 1-3 days before your tattoo appointment, we'll share the final design with you. This gives you time to check it out and let us know if there are any tweaks or adjustments you'd like to make. We want to make sure you absolutely love your tattoo!

A. Yes, old tattoos can often be covered up with a new design, depending on factors like size, color, and placement of the original tattoo. We always do our best to fulfill our customers' individual needs. Cover up tattoo requires a consultation to assess the tattoo and explore your options. During the consultation, your artist will assess your original tattoo, your skin tone, and the design you want for the cover-up to ensure the best possible outcome. Larger or darker tattoos may require a more detailed design to fully cover the old ink.

A. We generally do not recommend tattooing directly over moles, freckles, skin mark or other skin conditions. Tattooing over such areas can potentially affect how the skin heals and may obscure important details that a dermatologist or healthcare professional needs to monitor. If you have a mole, freckle, or any other skin mark, we advise consulting with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure it's safe to tattoo over. If you still wish to proceed, we can work with your artist to find a solution that doesn't directly cover those areas while still achieving your desired design. Your safety is always our top priority!

A. Tattoo pricing depends on a few key factors: the artist you choose, the size and complexity of the design, the placement on your body, and whether it's black & gray or color, etc. Our artists' rates range from $130 to $200 per hour. If you could share your tattoo idea, we can discuss into it further, and I can also get you approximate hours by your preferred artist(s). 1. Tattoo Idea 2. Color or Black & Gray 3. Which body part would you like tattooed? 4. Approx. Size 5. Reference pictures 6. Skin tone 7. Preferred Artist(s) ** If you haven't decided on an artist yet, we can help you find the ideal artist for your tattoo!

A. Many people are worried about the possibility of getting an infection from being tattooed. It is rare for a person in good health who takes good care of their tattoo to get an infection. That said, some people may experience reactions, usually to the ink or to healing products like ointments or lotions. These reactions can include itchiness or small pimply rashes in the tattooed area. They’re typically not serious, but they may cause discomfort or affect how the tattoo heals. Red and white inks tend to cause the most reactions. When something unusual or alarming occurs, we recommend that you consult a doctor, and we always would like to be informed about concerns. ** People most commonly react to red and white inks.

A. Our artists don’t highly recommend using numbing cream for tattoos. While it may provide temporary relief, numbing cream can sometimes alter the texture of your skin, leading to increased bleeding or affecting how the ink settles into your skin, which can impact the final result. If you still feel that you need numbing cream, please let us know in advance so we can discuss it with your artist and make sure it's the best option for your tattoo. Additionally, we do have a pain-relieving spray available that is effective on open skin. It’s safe and won’t negatively affect the tattoo, but if you are allergic to any ingredients in the spray, Benzalkonium, Lidocaine, please let us know beforehand to avoid any reactions.

A. You’ll receive a text with detailed aftercare instructions about an hour before your appointment. You can also visit our "Aftercare Info" page anytime for guidance on how to care for your new tattoo properly. Please keep in mind that each artist have different aftercare instructions based on your skin type and the style of tattoo. So it’s important to follow your artist’s specific directions. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at any time! ** If your question is related to second skin and we haven’t responded within 2 hours, please carefully remove the second skin as a precaution. Leaving it on during a possible allergic or cross reaction may worsen symptoms.

A. We use high-quality inks that are considered some of the safest available. However, everyone's body reacts differently. If you have any concerns, we recommend starting with a small tattoo to see how your skin responds. If you’ve had allergic reactions in the past or have known sensitivities, please let us know in advance so we can take the necessary precautions.

Absolutely, we want everyone to feel welcome at our studio and you’re welcome to bring friends or family for support. Just keep in mind that depending on how busy the working area is, there may be a limit on how many people can sit with you in the working area to maintain hygiene and help the artist stay focused.

A. Comfort beats fashion! You’ll likely be sitting or lying down for at least an hour, so it’s best to wear something you can relax in. During the session, there may be some ink or blood involved, so we don’t recommend wearing anything too nice. Depending on where your tattoo is being placed, you might also want to wear something that gives access to the area or allows you to cover parts of your body that you’d prefer to keep private.

We use trusted, high-quality single use cartridge and needle brands. Kwadron, Da Vinci, Good Guy, and Cheyenne are our main catridge brands.

We only use well reputated brands inks. Eternal (Color & Gray Wash), Intenze (Color & Gray Wash), Dynamic (Black & Color & Gray Wash), Allegory (Black), World Famous (Color & Gray Wash), Solid (Color), Kuro Sumi(Color) are our main ink brands. To read their MSDS, see their linked sites: Eternal, Intenze, Dynamic (Triple Black), Dynamic (Union Black), Dynamic (Teal), Allegory (Black) If you previously had reaction with certain ink brand or wants to know what specific ink brands your artist use, please let us know for more information.