PLEASE READ THE FAQ BEFORE YOU CONTACT US!
If your question isn’t answered below then feel free to email info@tattoozoo.net
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT YOU’RE A PROTECTIVE SPACE?
A protective space is a place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm. 🌈
That means it is your responsibility (as well as ours) to use inclusive language while in our shop. If you’re unsure – visit this GLAAD reference guide with information about pronouns, a glossary of terms, etc and take a moment to refresh your knowledge before coming in for your next appointment. Thanks for being awesome! 🤩
HARASSMENT POLICY
We have a zero-tolerance policy against harassment, bullying and discrimination. Any allegations are taken seriously and handled confidentially and sympathetically.
FEEDBACK
We welcome all complaints, concerns or general feedback.
Visit our feedback page for more info!
WHEN ARE YOU OPEN?
Open 8 days a week! 🥰 At this time we are by appointment only.
WHAT KIND OF TATTOOS DO YOU DO?
Our shop does most styles of tattoos as well as cover-up/restoration of old or poor tattoos and scars.
MASKS
At this time we ask that clients and artists wear masks during the procedure.
VISITORS
At this time we ask that no friends or family attend your appointment unless you require assistance. Please talk to your artist about your needs BEFORE your appointment.
WHAT IF I WANT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SPECIFIC ARTIST?
Please contact our artists directly to book an appointment. See below for contact info.
ARTISTS:
GERI (she/her) @gerikramertattoos on Insta
BOOKS CLOSED – Join Geri’s mailing list for updates
CHARLIE (she/they) @charlie.labz on Insta
Click HERE to book
EMMA (she/they) @guttertattoo on Insta
Click HERE to book
KARA (she/her) @crashing.cadence on Insta
Kara does a semi-regular guest spot at Tattoo Zoo
Click HERE to book
ARI the apprentice (she/her) @aririchers on insta.
DO YOU SELL GIFT CARDS?
YES! You may purchase them online HERE
We are located at 826 Fort Street in the heart of Downtown Victoria. There is a bus stop across the street from our shop and the #3, #6, #11, #22 bus stops there. There is also metered street parking out front and a parking garage around the corner on View Street. There are also two bicycle racks about 50 feet up away our shop (towards Vancouver St).
You must be 18 years old (no exceptions) to get a tattoo. You must bring in a valid photo ID. We won’t tattoo you without it.
NO! 🙂 (see above)
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WHAT ABOUT PIERCING?
We don’t do piercing. We repeat. We don’t do piercing.
HOW DO I CHOOSE A TATTOO DESIGN?
Our artists can custom design something just for you or replicate an idea you bring to us. Remember getting a tattoo is about YOU. You are changing your body, for the rest of your life. So be curious and take your time deciding. Find an artist with who you feel comfortable, and check out their work. If you like the tattoos they have done in the past, then talk to them about your design ideas. Our artists are more than happy to help you design your tattoo.
Contact the artist of your choice directly. We require a (non-refundable and non-transferable) deposit that will be deducted from the price of your tattoo when you pay.
Your deposit is non-refundable.
If you need to reschedule – your deposit will be moved with the new appointment. Changes to your appointment must be made 72 hours before your appointment or you will need to leave another deposit.
Please contact your artist to cancel – but please note that your deposit is non-refundable.
If you are sick or have been exposed to Covid we will happily move your appointment with no penalty. We are doing this on the honour system so please be accountable.
Being tattooed can be stressful on your body. You’re being poked with a needle and it can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Come in well-rested and well-fed before your appointment.
A good tattoo should cost exactly what the artist’s time is worth. Our min to start charge is $100 and we charge an hourly rate of $180 per hour.
Tips of any amount are always appreciated but never expected.
Hell yes! But it hurts so good. Everyone has a different tolerance to pain, what might be painful for one person, is easy breezy for another. If you come in well-rested, well-fed and have a positive attitude… you will be fine.
We love kids but we ask that you do not bring your children. While you may have the most well-behaved kids in the world … our shop is not the best place to hang out. It’s boring, can get loud and is not a good place to crawl around in while our artists are trying to concentrate. Thanks for understanding.
AFTERCARE? HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY TATTOO?
Your tattoo artist will explain everything you need to know about taking care of your new tattoo. You can also click on the image on the right. If you have any questions or concerns after your tattoo – email info@tattoozoo.net
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SAFETY?
We practice the highest standards of sterilization in the industry, setting us apart from many other studios. For your protection at Tattoo Zoo, you will see: sterile packaged single-use needles disposed of in your presence, a personal single-use supply of ink and lubricant, and nitrile gloves (for our protection as well as yours). We are licensed by the City of Victoria and we are inspected regularly by the Capital Regional District Health Department.
PRIVACY?
We are an open-concept studio. For tattoos where you may be required to remove your top – we can provide nipple pasties and always do our best to keep you covered whenever possible. If your bottoms need to be removed – we can provide a paper bed-sheet for modesty. We also have some privacy screens available but it’s not always possible to cover every angle. Please let your artist know if you are uncomfortable and require anything.
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WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT LIMITS ON THE BEDS/CHAIRS?
Our massage beds have a working weight of 400lb. Our armless banquet chairs are padded and have a working weight of 500lbs
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ACCESSIBILITY?
BUILDING:
We are a street-level storefront. One floor only. Our building is very old and our shop is very small (just 850 sq feet) but it can accommodate most wheelchairs. There are no stairs but there is a slight incline to get to our front door and there are low wooden transitions in each of the doorframes.
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ENTRANCE:
To enter our shop there are iron gates at our entrance (27.5″ wide or 55″ wide if both gates are open) and there is a slight incline to get through the gates to the inset storefront door. The front door (37″ wide) must be opened manually using the doorknob but the door is fairly light and swings open into the shop to the right.
LOBBY:
Our front lobby of the shop is small (8′ x 5′) but can accommodate most wheelchairs. We have “saloon” type doors (25.5″ wide) that separate the lobby from the artist’s workstations. These doors can be pushed or pulled open and swing back into place.
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WASHROOM:
Our washroom is not wheelchair-friendly. It is small (4′ x 5.5′) and difficult for wheelchairs to enter and manoeuvre. We are located across from the Victoria Disability Resource Center and they have offered the use of their washroom if necessary.
Our washroom is located in the back of the shop and it requires moving through the main part of the shop and a door frame (30″ wide) into our backroom. The washroom doorframe is the smallest (24″ wide) and the room itself is very small (4′ x 5.5′). The door opens into the washroom where there is a single toilet with a small sink.
BEDS:
Depending on where the tattoo is on the body, etc we may be able to tattoo a client while they are in their wheelchair. Our massage beds have a working weight of 400lbs and the height of the beds are approx 2′ to 2′ 5″ from the floor depending on the artist working and their personal requirements.
SENSORY STIMULI:
We are an open-concept shop and there is almost always music playing (at a conversational level) and there is a constant buzz of tattoo machines as well as client/artist conversations. In the summer we have portable fans and the front and back doors open (no air conditioning) so you will hear street noise. In the winter there is a heater fan blowing. You are welcome to bring noise-cancellation headphones or other items that will assist in your comfort but please check with your artist BEFORE your appointment as not all items are allowed.
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If there is anything else you would like to know in regards to accessibility or anything you would like us to add to this FAQ please email us at feedback@tattoozoo.net 🙂
WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS BEING A GREENER STUDIO:
The tattoo industry creates a lot of waste. Single-use plastics are used and much of what we use to tattoo you – must only be used once for hygienic reasons. Tattoo Zoo is committed to working towards being a greener studio by replacing plastic wherever we can – while keeping your health and safety our top priority. As we transition from our previous products to our new greener products – you will start to see us use biodegradable gloves as well as compostable razors, ink caps, rinse cups, bed sheets, machine bags, wash bottle bags, clipcord sleeves, station covers and garbage bags.
If you have any questions or suggestions for where we could improve – please contact us at feedback@tattoozoo.net
MORE QUESTIONS?
Feel free to email info@tattoozoo.net