Chronic Ink | Tattoo | Frequently Asked Questions about Tattoos

How do I know if a tattoo is right for me?

First, let us start by saying there is no right or wrong tattoos. Over the years, we have seen many people upset because they wanted a tattoo with meaning but couldn’t find one, or they didn’t know what others will think about their tattoo. We say, who cares?

The only person that matters is you. Now, we strongly encourage you to think hard about what you want because this is something that’s going to stay with you for life. Our opinion is that tattoos can be meaningful or it can simply exist for the purpose of “looking good”. Either will work as long as it works for you. The hard part is trying to come up with the design yourself, but that’s why we are here. Tell us what you like and let our artists do what they do best. Here’s more on our advice for getting your first tattoo

How do I choose a tattoo design?

For those that just KNOW what they want, this is easy. For others, it can be a longer process. Do some research, find images that you gravitate towards, save those and over time you will find that these images usually have a similar thread – be it subject or style or both.

Conversely, if you like a whole bunch of different things, maybe more thought is needed or you really want more than one tattoo. After your research, the best thing is to have a consultation. In your research, some studios must stand out to you, go to those ones and have a chat with them about your ideas. If the studio is any good, they will give you valuable feedback and you will be that much closer to figuring out a design. Working with your tattoo artist is one of the most important parts of choosing a tattoo design.

Does Chronic Ink do tattoos other than Asian?

Of course we do. We have artists that specialize in colour realism, black and grey realism, illustrative, custom lettering, blackwork and more. Check them all out in our tattoo gallery.

How much will my tattoo cost?

Tattoos are charged either by the piece or by the hour. Pieces that exceed four hours of tattooing will be charged by hour. Those under 4 hours will be charged by the piece.

The price of a piece is determined by subject, style, placement, colors, detail, and size. The hourly rates of our artists do differ, call us or come in for a consultation to find out. We don’t mind trying to give quotes online or by phone, however please understand that it’s most accurate to get quotes in person. All quotes not done in person are estimates and we reserve the right to change them if necessary.

What about health and safety issues?

You can rest assured that your tattoo or piercing from Chronic Ink will be done with one-time use only equipment and sanitary conditions and practises that exceed government requirements. The health department (Toronto + York Region) inspects our studio annually. All of our supplies come from reputable manufacturers and we make sure they are used well before their expiration dates.

How should I prepare for my tattoo session?

We recommend that you wear loose, comfortable clothing to make sure that nothing will be rubbing against your fresh tattoo. Make sure you have plenty of time, and don’t have to rush off to do something after your session. The artist will take whatever time is needed to bring your tattoo to life on your body. You certainly don’t want to rush that process. Don’t drink a lot of alcohol (under 3 drinks is recommended) or take any medication that will thin out your blood 24 hours before your tattoo.

How do I take care of my tattoo?

Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized at all times.

Take off wrapping after 2 hours.
Wash gently with unscented soap.
Pat wash and pat dry.
When your tattoo starts to dry (usually after 2-4 days), use aftercare.
Apply aftercare 2-3 times daily.
Repeat steps 2-5 until tattoo is completely healed (usually 15-30 days).

Things Not to do:

Do not scratch your tattoo.
Do not go sun tanning until your tattoo is healed.
Do not go swimming in a pool until your tattoo is healed.
Be careful not to let your pets touch your tattoo before it’s healed.

How do I know my tattoo is healed.

The best answer is, your body will tell you. You will instinctively know. Your tattoo will be a part of your skin and you will no longer “feel” that it’s healing. If you are unsure, give it a few extra days before you resume all the activities you held off during healing.

Is it possible to cover up an old tattoo with something new?

Yes, most tattoos can be covered up with something new. We have done a lot of cover ups and it’s great to see clients ecstatic with their new pieces. That being said, every tattoo is different and we really need to see the piece before we can give a definitive answer. Don’t guess, give us a call or come by one of our locations and we can discuss the possibilities.