The artist was incredibly helpful in guiding me through the design process, offering great advice and creative suggestions. He was so patient, making sure I was completely happy with the design before starting.
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A custom tattoo at Tattoo Lab in Halifax is not drawn in one sitting. It moves through a consultation, a plan, a deposit, a draft, your changes, and a stencil that can still be improved on the day. Here is exactly how that works, step by step.
Free consultation. No deposit yet.
Prices exclude tax.
Step by step
In your own words. What it is, roughly what size, where on your body, and any reference images that show the feeling you are after. If you are not sure how to describe something, say that too.
For anything detailed or complex it is necessary, not optional. Your artist sketches on the spot, talks through a plan, and tells you honestly what will work and what will not. Always free.
How many sessions, whether they should be longer or shorter, a rough timeline, and the scope. Tell your artist your budget: it lets them give you a plan that actually fits. Here is what the hours in a custom piece pay for.
It locks in your date and starts the design work. We do not provide designs before a deposit, so drawing time is not spent on appointments that never happen. The design fee is part of your deposit, and it comes off the tattoo price.
Look at it properly and be specific: “bigger here”, “too busy”, “the angle is wrong”. More than one round is normal. It costs nothing to change on paper. See finished pieces from every angle.
Even a finalised design may need adjusting once you are in the studio: the final placement, how the size reads on your body. The stencil is not the final limit.
A short break roughly every hour. Stepping back is how an artist re-reads the work and comes back sharper.
Your artist explains it in detail and in writing. How your tattoo looks in five years depends heavily on the next few weeks of aftercare. Message us with anything that worries you, at any point.
The artist was incredibly helpful in guiding me through the design process, offering great advice and creative suggestions. He was so patient, making sure I was completely happy with the design before starting.
Went through sketches to come up with the perfect tattoo! Vivek was so patient as my wife wanted to ensure all the details were included to her liking.
For anything detailed or complex, yes. Simpler pieces can often be planned over the booking form.
After your deposit. Your artist sends you a draft to review before your appointment.
It is our policy, so drawing time is not spent on appointments that do not happen. The deposit also locks in your date, so it protects both sides.
Yes. Be as specific as you can. It is easy to change on paper and permanent on skin.
A small custom design can go from idea to appointment in a week or two. A large project can take several sessions over months. Your artist gives you a realistic timeline, not an optimistic one.
A custom design is $100 to $200 when you ask your artist to design the piece for you. It is part of your deposit, and it comes off the tattoo price. The consultation itself is always free.
Send your idea, rough size, placement, reference images and budget. You get an honest opinion on whether it will work, roughly how many sessions it needs, and what we would change.