+ How much do tattoos cost?

• The cost of your tattoo will vary on factors such as size, placement, and the complexity of the design. Our artists' hourly rates range from $150/hour to $200/hour, with a minimum cost for tattoos under 30 minutes that ranges from $120 - $150.

+ How much does it cost to get pierced?

• The prices for piercings can be found on the Solis Invictus Body Piercing page.

+ Do you offer piercing at both locations?

• Solis Invictus is located at our Broadway location, 634 10th St East. We do not currently offer piercing services at our West Side location.

+ Can I pay with card?

• We are presently cash only, please stop at an ATM before your appointment.

+ Can I request a custom tattoo design?

• You can absolutely request a custom tattoo design. Please have a look through our artists’ portfolios to assist you with choosing your artist. If you would like an artist recommendation, please send us an email with photo references or a description of what you are wanting.

+ Do you do cover-up work?

• Yes, all the time. Cover ups are a huge part of the job. It's your body and your choice if you want to have your tattoo re-worked or covered. Do not feel obligated to return to an artist you are unhappy with. In many cases, we have met clients bullied by the first (unskilled) artist into spending a LOT of money for a worse result than the original. We will not "fix up" a tattoo that we feel actually is a high quality tattoo in the first place. With cover ups, we strive for clarity and quality in our design choice. There are many factors involved, such as fading and placement of the original, size of the proposed design, composition of linework, and damage to the skin. Sometimes the design you want may NOT actually cover the design you have. Even talent and experience cannot cover a solid black tattoo with bright yellow. We can refer a local business for spot laser tattoo removal in order to accomodate specific cover up requests that we feel will be too difficult to be taken on. Not all tattoos can be covered (without some laser removal first - which is painful and expensive) so think before you ink!

+ Can I use freezing gel before my appointment?

• Not all freezing gels are suitable for use before tattooing due to their effects on the skin - please be sure to talk to your tattoo artist about suitable and unsuitable freezing gels before your appointment.

+ How do deposits work?

• Deposits are required at the time of booking your appointment - this is typically at the time of your consultation. Deposits are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule an appointment, please give us more than 24hrs notice to keep your deposit. For tattoos requiring multiple appointments, your deposit will be carried forward through appointments and applied to your last tattoo appointment. They are to account for the time the artists take to prepare your tattoo before your appointment, as well as to secure your appointment time. We recognize that situations beyond people's control come up and appointments occasionally need to be moved - we will carry deposits over to new appointment times. BUT, if the appointment is being rescheduled 24hrs or less before your appointment time, that deposit is forfeited and you WILL need to bring a new one for future appointments.

+ How old do I need to be to get tattooed?

• Rites of Passage shop policy is 18+ for tattoos. ID is necessary to receive your tattoo.

+ Can I get a tattoo while pregnant?

• No, please feel free to book in when you are no longer pregnant!

+ How long can I expect the colours in my tattoo to last?

• Tattoos do naturally fade with time. They will look their best if properly cared for. If you follow proper aftercare instructions and use sunblock in the sun, your tattoo will look the best it can for years.

+ What is your policy on touch ups?

• At Rites of Passage, one touch up appoint (if needed) is free, if booked within two years of receiving the tattoo. We guarantee our work. If the touch up is due to bad aftercare, regretting your design choice, or just wanting colour added, there will be a fee involved.

+ How long does a tattoo take?

• Anywhere from 30 seconds to hours.

+ How can I spot a good tattoo artist?

• There are a few ways. Luckily, Rites of Passage Tattoo takes pride in our industry and quality workmanship. Pat literally wrote convention criteria on judging a quality tattoo based on the following standards: Good tattoos should have crisp, even line work. Bad line work looks scratchy, shaky, or jumpy like morse code. Often, bad line work has "inconsistent line weight" where a single line goes from thin to thick unintentionally.  Solid areas of consistent smooth colour are important in full colour tattoo work. Shading should be smoothly graduated and consistant, without looking patchy like a sketched checkerboard.  Placement should compliment the area of the body that the tattoo is placed on, and not conflict with body flow. While these are ideal standards in a quality tattoo, always look at photographs of a tattooists work , or even better - live examples, before getting tattooed. When speaking with your artist, look for professionalism, confidence ,and competence when discussing design options. Do not allow yourself to feel pressured to be tattooed by a bully or someone with an insecure attitude towards your design.

+ Will you tattoo people's faces? How about hands?

• Generally, no. We prefer to only tattoo hands of heavily tattooed people, who already know the social stigma of having very visible tattoos . We also may tattoo hands to cover up a gang insignia, etc. Faces and necks are the same criteria. If you don't know what it is like to be treated like a criminal for no reason, get a very visible tattoo, and you soon will.

+ Can you quote me a price over the phone or over email?

• It is difficult for us to give an accurate quote without seeing the design you're interested in, as well as knowing were you want your tattoo and how much time will be involved. An email with a brief description of what you're looking to get done, as well as some reference images of similar work, are super helpful in getting appointments booked. Very small designs are usually our minimum charge.

+ Can I get drunk before getting tattooed?

• No. Drinking thins the blood, making you bleed more, and drunks rarely sit still. They tend to be more animated when talking. It is a bad idea to show up under the influence, or even smelling of alcohol; you will likely be asked to leave.

+ What can I do to keep my tattoo from fading?

• Use a decent sunblock whenever you are exposed to the sun, and generally take good care of your skin.

+ What are the different styles of tattoos?

• There are so many styles, it's hard to pin down. Portrait/Realism, Traditional Americana, Japanese Based, Black and Grey, Grafitti New School, Fine Line, etc. Don't feel restricted by styles. Do what you want and go to a tattooist who can do what you want, regardless.

+ Can you send me a picture of what I'm looking for?

• We do not send out any drawing, flash or pictures of our artwork for tattoos without a deposit and commitment to being inked by one of our artists. You may be able to purchase a custom design alone from your favourite artist for any use,  from murals to clothing design.

+ Do those tattoo kits you can order on Amazon really work?

• No. Don't even think about tattooing. Leave it up to the professionals. Don't start scarring up your friends. "Tattoo" kits only work in the sense that as soon as you ignorantly drill some ink into someone's skin, you have technically "tattooed" them...

+ How can I get started in tattooing?

• Don't. There are better things for you to do. It's not like hairstyling with an endless amount of hair to cut. Go to school for graphic design. These aren't the droids you're looking for.