Best tattoo studios in Calgary: find options near you

I had a full tattoo of a cartoon baby sloth done on my ankle with pink flowers and shading and green leaves. It is so pretty..
Sabrina at Atticus is amazing, and she is a sweet Person. If I was to get another one done, I would definitely go see her. Atticus tattoos is in Calgary Alberta Canada. And is one of the cleanest, nicest tattoo places I have been to. I definitely give them five stars.
Mary

I got tattooed here with my Father. We were last minute walk ins and the service here is phenomenal. The receptionist is the sweetest lady. We had Deny’s tattoo us. We waited approximately 40 minutes before we went up. Denys professionalism and handle of the needle was gods work. Especially for both of our first tattoos. It is a very clean and friendly environment, I am definitely coming back here for more tattoos in the future!

The photo is very blurry due to being zoomed in. This was placed on my sternum.

Came for a walk in with my friend for tiny tat Tuesday and had an amazing experience! The receptionist was lovely and paired us with an amazing artist named Denys! He was very professional, hilarious and made me feel so comfortable. Not to mention his fine line work is stunning! I will definitely be back AND requesting Denys specifically! Thank you Atticus and Denys for your amazing work!

Got a small tattoo done recently. Emailed on a Wednesday evening with some references pics and was booked in for the following Sunday with Mike. Lady at the front desk was friendly and welcoming, as was Mike! We had a good conversation throughout and he kept checking to make sure I was comfortable as well! This was my first time at Atticus and I definitely plan to go back!

Wanted to do something meaningful for myself on my 30th birthday, and decided to get a larger tattoo as a gift to myself. I have plenty of self image issues and a rocky relationship with aging at the best of times, so I really wanted 30 to be a memorable and overly positive celebration for me. I’ve always loved and been obsessed with dragons, and wanted to get a bigger tattoo piece done for a while, so there I was with both desire and a reason to just take the plunge.

After research and comparing various artists and shops in the city, I found Luu’s portfolio on the Atticus website and knew that was the artist I wanted for this tattoo, I couldn’t stop from going back to her work during my research. Both the staff I spoke with online/via e-mail about what I wanted and the back and forth with Luu regarding the custom design were prompt and straightforward. She was incredible and really brought the image I had in mind to life after only a few revisions from the initial draft!

After 3 separate sessions, each about 5 hours, we finally finished the tattoo and I couldn’t be more elated. The front desk staff and Luu herself were always polite, professional, and personable when I went for my appointments. I always received a call from the folks at Atticus the day before I booked as a friendly reminder and confirmation I was still going to be making it.

Luu was so patient and kind even when I was being the most difficult person ever to work on (unintentionally). Seriously cannot overstate how skilled and patient she is as an artist, and how the sessions with her always had this sense of calm to them, haha.

I would highly recommend checking out Luu’s work and getting some ink done by her, she is absolutely phenomenal! I hope I get the chance to work with her again in the future for another tattoo project, because I am so thankful, excited and happy with how this tattoo came out!

Thank you so much to all Atticus staff, and especially to Luu for the incredible work in making my 30th birthday the best yet!

My partner and I got our first tattoo here, and we absolutely LOVED the whole experience. A huge shout out to Justin for making us super comfortable, listening to what we wanted, and explaining what he was going to do and why. He was very gentle with needle, extremely patient, and checking on us every few minutes (even though ours was a tiny tattoo compared to what he is used to ). Starting from booking the slot till the end, everything was done professionally and in timely manner. Clean space, and private offices for each artists make the whole process a lot better. Thank you, Justin – You gave us a beautiful memory, as these tattoos commemorates our journey with each other of 5 years!

Had an amazing experience at Atticus Tattoo with Luu. Her work is absolutely stunning! Clean lines & she really listens to her clients input. I sent her some inspo for a thigh tattoo that I wanted & she was able to nail exactly what I was looking for. I recommend anyone looking for fine line work or watercolour style tattoos to book with her. She is super friendly & patient too. I was in the chair for 5.5 hours & she reassured me that I could stretch or take breaks if I wanted. Thank you Luu & Thanks Atticus Tattoo

Royal Tattoo Review: Where Cardboard Scribbles Become Masterpieces

If you’re looking for a tattoo shop where your wildest doodles turn into jaw-dropping body art, Royal Tattoo is it. I walked in with a «design» I sketched on the back of a piece of cardboard—honestly, it looked like a toddler drew it with their foot during an earthquake. But Dave? Dave took one look and said, «No problem!»

What he handed back was not just a tattoo—it was a freakin’ masterpiece. Somehow, he transformed my kindergarten-level scribble into something worthy of a gallery wall (or at least a solid Instagram flex). My vision of something special created for my parents came to life.

Dave is the real deal: professional, funny, and the kind of artist who genuinely cares about what he’s putting on your body. He made the whole experience comfortable, hilarious, and borderline magical. If you’re thinking of getting inked, do yourself a favour and let Royal Tattoo bring your cardboard chaos to life.

Highly recommend. 11/10.

I got my first tattoo done by Alina and my experience was amazing! I would highly recommend this place as you get the best service possible. Everyone I dealt with was super friendly and made the whole process go smoothly. My artist Alina is so talented and was so nice to work with. She made sure that her sketches and stencil was exactly what I wanted. Her micro-realism work is unreal.

Been working with Alex and Royal Tattoo on a leg piece. He has surpassed all expectation and it has turned out amazing so far. Everyone at Royal Tattoo is great from the moment you walk through the door you are made to feel welcome. Would highly recommend whether it is your first or a veteran they have amazing artists.

We were walk ins and they were so patient with our indecisiveness on the style. Alex & Arhat did an amazing job and the shop was so clean, you could have performed heart surgery.
Thank you both! We both highly recommend.

Alex has killed it. He took my idea and worked with me to put it to paper then to skin. Very professional and an amazing tattoo artist. Front end staff was always nice as well. Absolutely cannot wait to go back for my next tattoo

I walked in to royal tattoo today and was given the artist Alina. She was absolutely amazing. I got 2 black fine line birth flowers with gems. They look fantastic and I could not be happier with the work she did. I will recommend this shop 1000% to anyone that is looking for a tattoo, and will definitely be back to see Alina.

Today we had a memorial paw print of our cat Thomas whom we had for 16 years. Front of house was fabulous, friendly and witty. The artist Brandon was awesome. My husband and I love our tattoos so much, our son is going to get one as well. Highly recommend Brandon, we will be back. Thank you
Christine and Lee

I have pierced my belly button with George in this shop in October 2024. She is always very nice and careful with my piercing.
And after piercing, whenever I had a question I sent her a photo of my belly and she answered back quickly and the services after piercing were great and free. (2 times, once in December 2024 and second in April 2025)
I recommend this place to everybody.

I went there to get piercings back in December! George the piercer is absolutely amazing she is so sweet and makes it such a comfortable experience, I’ve also had two situations where I needed to come back for help with the piercings (all my own doing) and she helped me every single time and just laughed when I had no clue how I did it. She is amazing and I have recommended George to all of my friends to get their piercings there.

They are absolutely amazing there. From the front staff to the rest, so friendly & make you feel comfortable! George helped me with my piercings she is gentle so you feel no pain. My tattoo artist, Valeriia, did a great job on my tattoo & put extreme work into shading & lines! I have another appointment next week & can’t wait!

Extremely friendly staff and piercer! I’ve always gotten my piercings from here and they’ve healed fast and looked so good! They also have a wide range of tattoo artists and styles! Highly recommend going there for tattoos or piercings

Went in today to get my septum pierced. George did my piercing and she was amazing. She was super warm and friendly and made me feel so comfortable.

Everyone I encountered at the shop was approachable and welcoming. Will definitely be back!

Absolutely thrilled with my experience with Valeriia! She went above and beyond my expectations—her attention to detail, creativity, and professionalism are unmatched. She really brought my vision into reality.The shop itself has a super cool vibe, and the front desk staff were friendly and welcoming. I’ll definitely be back for more work with her. Highly recommend!

Recently had my ears pierced here by George and I cannot recommend her enough! She was so sweet and awesome. My piercings turned out perfect and beautiful. I’ve previously had tattoos done here as well. My artist is no longer there, but my tattoo experiences were also top notch. The staff is super friendly and the studio is so clean and very relaxing.

Got my 3rd tattoo from Goldsmith and it was perfect. The consultation process was smooth and easy on the phone and in person. Baldev took his time and the piece turned out amazing! Highly recommend! The studio is also very clean and he provides all info for aftercare.

Absolutely stunned with the cover up! The sitting was relaxing and the artwork came out beautifully. Definitely recommend and I will definitely be reaching out for more to complete the sleeve.
I discovered this artist randomly for a birthday tattoo that he did absolutely perfect and after the cover up I can’t imagine anyone else finishing the sleeve. Great work!

I had an amazing experience getting my tattoo done here! The artist did an incredible job, super professional, clean, and really took their time to make sure every detail was perfect. You can tell they have a lot of skill and passion for their work. The lines are crisp, the design turned out exactly how I wanted, and the overall vibe at the shop was welcoming and chill. Couldn’t be happier with how it turned out, highly recommend to anyone thinking of getting inked! Thanks again for the awesome piece.

I got my 4 tattoos done at this salon, and I’m really happy with the experience. Baldav bro was my artist, and he did an absolutely amazing job, he made sure I felt comfortable and informed every step of the way. The whole studio has a great vibe and it’s clean, welcoming, and relaxed.

I had a great experience at Goldsmiths Tattoo! The work was top-notch—clean lines, great detail, and exactly what I asked for. The pricing was very reasonable for the quality of the tattoo. Most importantly, the artist has a really friendly and respectful nature, which made the whole process smooth and comfortable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality work at a fair price, done by someone who truly cares about their craft and clients.

Moved to Calgary a couple years ago, wanted to find an artist to continue work. Baldev’s Instagram account captivated me, I love how he works with blacks and reds, and how he is capable of both extreme simplicity and extreme complexity. I finally was able to book an appointment, we just decided to fill in the space between two of my stripes with red ink. The experience was exactly as I anticipated – he is sensitive, kind, patient, creative, takes the time to sit with you and discuss the work, shows you the needles and the expiry date to ensure you understand that he takes health and hygiene importantly, and the atmosphere in his shop is relaxing. I am going to return and continue this project, thanks Baldev for being so cool.

It was wonderful getting my tattoos done. He’s work is so wonderful and he’s so relented. He’s takes his time and so much detailed work he does. I’m so thankful for his work and the time he takes. Thanks again. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Artist, Wes, did a fantastic job!!

He completed a black, white and grey portrait tattoo of my Dad-on my right, inside lower leg.

The shop, overall, has a super-chill and very relaxing atmosphere–the perfect blend for any client seeking a tattoo or piercing.

Wes is friendly, kind, gentle with the tattoo machine: A true professional!

Although I will miss my Dad forever, the finished result of my tattoo has created a sense of closure and I feel more at peace.

I look forward to my next tattoo project at Gypsy Rose . Thanks again Wes!
-Katie

🙂 Update: My 1st tattoo here is Beautiful!! Very pleased. Two more appointments booked already. Very glad to have found this ‘shop’ and Demara!!

Had a great 1st visit/consult … Eden is a doll and Demara was Super friendly and open to what I’d like done … Can’t hardly wait!!

I brought my daughter to get her upper lobe pierced, Lucas explained step by step what to expect to my daughter and then after care procedures. He answered every question my 12 y/o asked. Very happy with the service, you get to choose the earrings and they also sell piercing aftercare spray.

Great help. Very knowledgeable staff.
The piercer knew her stuff. Corrected an issue from a different shop out of province. Very satisfied.

I got my helix done.
This place was amazing, the people were so nice, the atmosphere was so calm, the prices are great. We totally messed up before and forgot out ids but everyone was so understanding and found another time to fit us in
I was really worried about the pain and stressed out but it barely hurt for a second. And the placement is perfect.

Genuinely amazing experience, I will definitely go back if I want to do anything more!

I have gotten 14 tattoos at Gypsy Rose and all of them have turned out very well. Different artist and everyone is always friendly. Place is always clean. Depending on what tattoo you want, they have someone that cam do it and will recommend someone there for you that’s best for the job.

Jo was amazing, kind, and patient. Even though I had a little fainty moment during my tattoo, she and the rest of the staff were so supportive! I pulled it together with their help, and the rest of the appointment continued on smoothly.
The experience was great, and I absolutely love my tattoo! Thank you so much!

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A True Master of the Craft

Kerry Temple

I cannot speak highly enough about this artist’s work—His talent truly knows no bounds. Every single piece he creates is a testament to his skill, creativity, and deep understanding of the art form. Whether it’s intricate line work, bold color, delicate shading, or deeply personal custom designs, Kerry approaches each tattoo with unmatched precision and passion.

Kerry’s professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to bring visions to life is nothing short of extraordinary. He takes the time to listen, collaborate, and ensure that every tattoo reflects the client’s unique story.

What sets him apart isn’t just technical talent—though that alone is next level—it’s his heart, artistry, and intuitive ability to make every person feel seen and valued. You’re not just getting a tattoo—you’re getting a piece of art that will stay with you forever, created by someone who truly cares.

If you’re looking for someone who pours soul into every drop of ink, look no further. This is where artistry and authenticity meet. I wouldn’t trust anyone else.

He did my first Tattoo 15 years ago and it still looks as good as they day I got it.

I got my forearm sleeve done with Kerry Temple at Honor Bound Tattoos. Kerry is great at what he does and his years of experience speaks volumes in the whole experience. His creative artistic design advice helps explore new ideas and ensures you really know what you want to get. His experience is also evident when tattooing as the experience was relatively low pain and the design came out beyond what I was expecting and looks really good. I would highly recommend bringing your tattoo ideas to life with Kerry Temple at Honor Bound Tattoos, you will not be disappointed.

I’ve been coming to this shop for over 10 years now to get piercings. Anthony has been phenomenal from the first time I came in as an awkward 14 year old. He has always showed me so much kindness and has even fixed botched piercings and jewelry applications from other studios. I have gotten multiple ear piercings, nostril, septum, chest dermal, belly button and more. I highly encourage anyone looking for a piercer to check him out! He is super knowledgeable in his craft and an absolute delight to be around. Anthony also has the BEST rate in the city for piercings. Highly recommend

Review

My husband and I went to Honor Bound with a few tattoos in mind, including a simple quote, an outline of a photo and matching queen/king chess pieces. After a few emails and an in-person consultation, our artist Kerry knocked these tattoos out of the park! While the tattoo begins as a simple template, the detail that Kerry adds through his freehand is mind blowing. I immediately booked him for more, and this is the result of my dream tattoos. I absolutely love them. The attention to the details, of both what you want and what he envisions, will leave you in awe of and in love with the ink on your skin.

All of Honor Bound team are awesome – friendly, supportive of their clients and of each other, professional and great to chat with while you’re hanging out getting tattooed. We both highly recommend Honor Bound, and specifically Kerry Temple, if you have tattoo dreams too!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I can’t recommend Honor Bound Tattoos enough!
My daughter had her belly button and nose pierced here, and the experience was fantastic.

We initially faced some hesitation from another studio who claimed her belly button couldn’t be pierced on the top and we had it pierced on the bottom and then it rejected. After it rejected she was discouraged but then we found Anthony at Honor Bound Tattoos and he reassured her that she was misinformed and confidently he pierced it and it was a success, without any issues. Not only was he professional, but the piercing has also healed beautifully without any rejection, unlike the previous studio.

Anthony truly is the best in the business! He has also done my conch and yesterday he did my flat ear piercing, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The atmosphere in the shop is welcoming, and the staff is knowledgeable and honest. If you’re in Calgary and looking for a piercing, this is the place to go. Don’t waste your time anywhere else—Honor Bound Tattoos is the top choice!

Fantastic experience at Honor Bound Tattoos, everyone was friendly and professional with a nice clean atmosphere. Andrew is an amazing artist and it really shows in his work. I would highly recommend Andrew and Honor Bound Tattoos!!!!!

Just got a tattoo on my leg that is in tribute to my late grandparents. From the very beginning, Bryan was extremely professional, personable and very easy to collaborate with! I knew trusting him with the design would be easy, but when I saw the final product I was absolutely blown away! The entire shop is very welcoming, clean and an awesome atmosphere! Thanks again to the team at Honour Bound for making it a great experience and for helping me honour my grandparents. Will be back very soon!
-Preston

Fantastic Experience at Tattoo City with Harman!

I recently got a new tattoo at Tattoo City and had an absolutely fantastic experience with Harman. From start to finish, everything was top-notch.
Harman’s line work is incredibly precise

The shop itself is very clean and well-maintained, creating a really professional and hygienic environment. I particularly appreciated the consultation process; Harman took the time to listen to my ideas, offer great advice, and ensure we were both on the same page before starting.

I’m thrilled with my new tattoo and highly recommend Harman and Tattoo City to anyone looking for a high-quality tattoo artist and a great overall experience. I’ll definitely be back for my next piece!

Great tattoo shop. Prices where very reasonable and Harmin was super friendly. Absolutely slayed my request to get my chefs knife tattooed on my forearm, the attention to detail just in the handle alone was very impressive. Highly recommend.

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Absolutely blown away by my experience at Tattoo City! Harman is an incredible artist who went way beyond my expectations. From the initial consultation to the final result, he was professional, patient, and clearly passionate about his craft. He took my idea and elevated it to a whole new level—every detail was perfect. The studio was clean, welcoming, and had a great vibe. I couldn’t be happier with how the tattoo turned out. Highly recommend Harman.

I recently got a tattoo done by Harman, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience! From the very first consultation, he was patient, attentive, and truly passionate about his work. The final result exceeded my expectations — the linework is crisp, the shading is beautiful, and every detail is absolutely perfect. The studio was clean, welcoming, and had a great atmosphere, making the whole process comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend Harman to anyone looking for a talented, professional, and friendly tattoo artist. Thanks for creating a piece I’ll cherish forever!

I recently got a tattoo done by Harman and had a fantastic experience! He was incredibly professional and made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. I really appreciated how patient he was and how much time he took to carefully work on the details of the tattoo. You can tell he’s passionate about his craft and it definitely shows in the final result. Highly recommend Harman if you’re looking for quality work and a great overall experience!

I had an amazing experience getting tattooed by Harman! He was incredibly careful and made sure everything was clean and comfortable throughout the session. He was respectful, easy to talk to, and had a really calming presence, which helped me feel relaxed the entire time. You can tell he genuinely cares about his work and his clients. I highly recommend him if you’re looking for someone skilled, professional, and kind

Me and my friend decided to impulsively get tattoos, while on our little getaway, we booked a same day appointment with Harman, he was incredible! very calming presence, really easy to talk to, made us both feel very comfortable. you can tell when someone cares about their work and clients and he definitely does! he was super careful, precise, and clean! we absolutely love our tattoos, and would 100% go back to Harman!!!

Excellent experience from start to finish! It was very easy to contact the artist I was interested in, Kay, and they responded to my email within a day or two! I was interested in some of their flash designs as well as other concepts (specifically, marine organism scientific illustrations). They were kind and professional via email correspondence, as well as transparent with pricing options based on size, and if I had a specific budget let them know and they could work within that.

The shop itself is clean (one of my basic requirements) as well as bright and modern/updated (not required but definitely appreciated!!) Reception staff were friendly and helpful.

I have tattoos from 7 different artists in 4 different US states. 2 of the 7 treated me with respect, kindness, and listened to my ideas and provided their professional opinions. The other 5 did not. Kay at Immaculate Concept was awesome (part of those 2 artists!), and it was also a blast nerding out with another biology wildlife person, while getting biology wildlife tattoos.

I plan to come back as often as I can to fill up the rest of my leg, and bring my boyfriend too! 15/10! Worth the trip from the US for amazing work and a really great overall experience! Thanks Kay!

Photos show my other work (color) vs. the black line work by Kay (kelp crab and moon jellies).

Had such a great experience with piercer Hailey. Came in for some help with my Tragus piercing, and she was able to find and fit jewelry exactly how I had wanted! She was super knowledgeable, and very kind and so helpful. Will be coming back!

I recently got an alphabet and two butterflies tattooed. My tattoo was done by Elliott, and I was really happy with how it turned out. It felt ticklish, but not painful. I was at ease and seemed safe in the environment around me. Each employee was excellent. Thank you so much.

Had Hailey as a piercer she was absolutely incredible made me feel so comfortable and did an amazing job I’m so pleased, great environment highly recommend.

I can’t remember the last time I had such a wonderful experience at a tattoo shop! Everyone working was super friendly and helpful and made me feel very welcome as soon as I entered. The lady at the front desk was very nice and my experience with Steph was wonderful. She was friendly and made the whole time I was there, very comfortable. She is such a sweetheart, and I can’t wait to get more tattoos from her! I would 10/10 reccomend this place to anyone looking for new art for their skin! So many styles and talents all in one place! Keep up the amazing work Immaculate team!

First time getting a tattoo here, and it will not be the last! I got inked by Salem (@linkachutattoo on insta), and they are absolutely AMAZING. I’m definitely making another appointment with them in the future

I’ve had to large pieces done by Steve, they turned out great. Artistically exactly what I wanted, also his use of colour and skin tone is out of this world. The colours have lasted years, I get compliments all the time. I’ve recently seen John and he did a cover up that came out beyond my wildest dreams. It fit perfectly and was over black ink, he used so much colour it turned out so amazing. I’m actually going to have another couple cover ups done because I was so impressed. He even matched the colours to my other large pieces. I would 1000% recommend either of these artists. I feel like the webpage doesn’t even do justice to how amazing their work is in person.

Absolutely amazing place!! Clean, sterile and so many gifted artists!! Stevin was my artist who did an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL job. I highly recommend anyone here! The receptionists are super friendly, kind and very welcoming.

Stevie’s work was precise, fine line work and realism… honestly he is quick, detailed and incredibly great at using the gun, barely painful at all. That all comes down to pain tolerance, regardless. I am super, super happy with the results!

They strive to do their best to accommodate walk ins for both piercings and tattoos!! THANK YOU Legacy Tattoo!!

Went in with my friend to get matching tattoos. The receptionist recommended we come in on a Tuesday or Thursday as they do tiny tattoos for 99$. So we booked for then.
Ryan did an amazing job and had us out within about an hour

Went to Legacy tattoo for my first tattoo and it was a really great experience. Denys did a fantastic job, he was very kind and patient and checked in on how I was doing throughout the process (I was a tad nervous). The shop was clean, the receptionist made it easy to book and the communication was very fast and smooth. I might just have to go back for more now!

Edited: I did go back, photo in comments!

Thanks Denys!

@ink_gineering

Cool little place, staff were pleasant, prices were great. Place was clean. I got my elbow ditch done by Sabrina, who was very attentive about the tattoo placement and mindful of existing tattoos and just overall did a great job on my tattoo! . I definitely recommend this place and will come back soon!

**Edited my picture to a healed uncovered version

i got my tattoo with the super talented Sabrina and i was worth every bit! she was very kind and funny and open to listening what i wanted, liked and wanted to tweak about her design. the shop itself is very neat and tidy with a friendly and kind receptionist. would definitely recommend coming here and booking with Sabrina!!

I got my belly button piercing done a week ago and it’s healing perfectly! There’s no discomfort, swelling, or pain — just a smooth healing process. The staff was super professional, explained everything clearly, and made me feel very comfortable. The studio was clean and hygienic. I’m really happy with the result and would definitely recommend this place for anyone considering a piercing!

My husband and I went to Legacy tattoo today. He got the Awen symbol done by Ryan and I got my daughter’s names with their birth flowers done by Yeva. My daughter and her fiance saw Ryan last week and got tattoos as well. Their tattoo artists are exceptional and very friendly and accommodating to everything you want to have done. The receptionist there is great as well. Great sense of humor which makes the visit even more enjoyable. The artists take the time to go over every detail and do everything to bring your vision of your tattoo to perfection. I would highly recommend going to Legacy Tattoo for your next tattoo. You won’t be disappointed.

About the tattoo & artist: I’m not new to tattoos, but I was nervous for my first full day session with Bell as we were hitting some tough spots, including my knee and finger. I came prepared with plenty of distractions, but I didn’t need any of it. Bell has a light touch that didn’t jar my skin, and she was so easy to talk to and connect with. The session flew by & I adore the tattoos she created for me. In 18 years of getting tattooed by dozens of artists, being tattooed by Bell was, hands down, the best experience I’ve ever had. I went in expecting this to be my last tattoo session, but I know I’ll be back to collect more of Bell’s work.

About the shop: Super cool & clean space. Each station is set up to reflect the artist, and there’s so many cool things to look at. I was tattooed on a Sunday, so the shop was really quiet, and it made for a very chill session. My consult was mid-week, and the shop was bustling with activity.

(Side note: to find the shop entrance- just enter through the double steel doors at the bottom of the ramp on the north side of the building, at the parking lot.)

Jason at the shop is always great, he prioritizes your satisfaction while also giving his professional opinion on what would work best. The shop has a really great atmosphere and cool interior design. Jason always does really great work and I consistently get compliments on the work he’s done on me. Thanks again!

TLDR:
I have no experience with tattoos, but was looking to get one to memorialize my mum who recently passed. The treatment I received was callous and beyond the pale.

The Story:
The owner assigned me an artist after giving him an idea of what I was looking for. I went in to meet the artist, Cody, for a consultation to talk about what I wanted, pay a deposit, and make an appointment for my tattoo. Although my appointment was made for about three weeks after the consultation, Cody said that I would receive a draft design well in advance of my appointment so that I would be comfortable with what I was getting and/or ask for changes. The three weeks passed without receiving anything. On the day before my appointment, I messaged Cody and the owner to tell them that I was concerned that it was the day before my appointment and I had not recieved anything. I mentioned that I am not comfortable keeping the appointment with no time to review a design, and that they should send me my deposit back. The response I got from Cody was that they don’t refund deposits within 48 hours of the appointment. Cody also falsely claimed that he had sent me a design the night before. I asked for proof that he had sent me something which he never gave. I never received anything, and he can’t prove he sent anything.

In Cody’s emailed response to me (which I still have), he claims that there’s no gaurantee they send you a design in advance of your appointment, and there’s no ability to cancel an appointment within 48 hours. This implies that you are essentially forced to either forfeit your deposit or get a tattoo with a design you have never seen before your actual appointment. Seems pretty unreasonable, and not something he was upfront about when I met him.

From the reviews it’s clear that people generally have good things to say about this place. This was definitely not my experience.

P.S. I also called the tattoo shop and asked an employee to have the owner call me back, but he never did.

Great shop with a great group of people working there; My partner and I went to get some Flash from Reegan and it ended up being a great match for me and what I wanted to do in the future. I’ve been thrilled with everything done and their holiday Flash Days are awesome to be a part of.

Great job people. From the Castle over a Castle guy.

Got my first tattoo with Bell today and was everything I could’ve hoped for & more! She’s the Sweetest soul ever and explains the process as she does it and is super welcoming and talkative. Super amazing for a first time nervous Nelly like myself who’s never had a tattoo done before. Shop was cleanly and professional and all staff were very kind! Overall the best experience I could’ve hoped for as a first timer!

Tucked in the basement of the historic Snowden Block on 11 St SE, Fox and the Machine is a treat to walk into. A nice clean shop with decor aplenty to take in and enjoy.

No outside shoes allowed in the shop, which is a great way to keep a space hygienic.

It’s pretty open with a few artists having their spaces a bit more secluded and a little larger.

I’d found Alex while looking for a specific style in an artist, someone capable of executing my design while adding their own touch.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and especially getting a moment to learn more about Alex as an artist. This was my fifth tattoo and fourth studio and definitely the best experience yet.

Alex’s space was not all adorned with accoutrements. It really only had his 1st place fine line plaque from a Lethbridge competition on display. If you’re looking for any ink that lines up with what you find in his online presence, he’s the guy. If you’re trying to get him to do something else, think again about your inability to understand an artist.

Fox and the Machine has a stable of talent and a sweet location. Find an artist that’s style matches yours and go from there.

The only problem I found with fox and the Machine was try inf to find it. Once you knew how to follow the signs and get to the door, the rest was amazing. The owner Dean was absolutely a pleasure to talk with and very personable. Asked us if we wanted coffee or water and ensured us that the artist was on his way (we arrived before opening time). Thereafter the artist (Chris Spence) took over and was very welcoming. He did an amazing job on the tattoo that was requested. He adjusted and changed the tattoo to the liking. There was not a single spec of feeling uncomfortable.