Joey (they/them)
Hand poke tattooer, multidisciplinary artist
Mixed filipinx settler on the unceded land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (tsleil-waututh) nations/ “vancouver bc”📧 [email protected]
FAQ + INFO
HOW DO I BOOK?
: I use a booking platform called TATO.ink to accept tattoo requests, which you can access by clicking the “book a tattoo” button above. Normally, I book one month in advance at a time but do sometimes have last minute availability— which will always be announced via my Instagram story on a first come, first serve basis!
PRICING
: The bulk of my flash collection falls between ~ $150-350. I am happy to chat about working within a budget, shoot me an email if you’re not sure!Custom tattoo pricing is based on:
- Drawing Time
- Complexity
- Placement (a leg or an arm is standard, but placements such as stomachs and ribs often require a greater time allowance)
- Size
Generally, a range of $200-400 covers most of the customs that I do. Larger pieces are $400+
LOCATION
: I work at Sleep Talk Tattoo, 88 Powell st.
Our studio is wheelchair accessible, and we are ground level. It is transit accessible via Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain station, Waterfront Skytrain station, & several centrally operated bus lines. If you come in a vehicle, there is both street parking and parkades available nearby. Street parking around the studio generally has a 2hr limit, so I recommend parking in the underground at the International Village Mall and walking over.
If you are planning on bringing a guest along to your appointment, please limit to a +1 — exemptions can be made if you communicate with me in advance :)
NOTES ON PREPARATION
Arrive to your appointment:
- Well rested
- Nourished & hydrated
- With the desired tattoo spot moisturized
- Wearing comfortable clothes that allow easy access to the area being tattooed, and that you won’t be worried about potentially being stained
- With a snack, a water bottle, and optionally, a pair of headphones if you wishAvoid:
- Arriving with the desired tattoo spot sunburnt or with any open wounds
- Drinking alcohol or ingesting blood thinning medication within 24hrs of your appointment
- Arriving tired, hungry or dehydratedIf you would like to use a numbing cream to manage your pain during the tattoo, I recommend the brands Zensa & Dr. Numb! Please follow the directions on the bottles, usually they require you apply the numbing cream in advance and let it sit. If you are using a different brand, please ask me first as different creams can affect the skin’s texture. Please note that I do not provide numbing cream, but I do use Bactine, which is an antiseptic spray with a Lidocaine component.
RESCHEDULING, CANCELLATIONS AND DEPOSITS
: All tattoo appointments require a $50 deposit, which goes towards the final cost of the tattoo on the day of. I may require a $100, or $150 deposit for appointments with multiple tattoos, or large scale projects.
I will transfer your deposit once to a rescheduled date if you reschedule with 48hr notice. Please do not come to your appointment if you are sick!
Here are the cases in which you would forfeit (lose) your deposit:
- Rescheduling more than once
- Rescheduling without 48 hours notice
- Arriving to your appointment more than 30 minutes late
- Cancelling altogether or no showing your appointmentIf you would still like to make a new appointment after you forfeit your initial deposit, you will be required to provide another depositDeposits are a way for self-employed artists to maintain some financial security when clients do not show up to their appointments— please let me know as soon as you can if you don’t think you can make it! Note that if you have rescheduled/ cancelled multiple times in a row, I may no longer accept your booking requests
FAQ
Q: Do you tattoo under 18 with parental consent?
A: No, sorry! 18+ only, with idQ: What days of the week do you work?
A: My work days during the week do not currently follow a pattern! I try to accommodate for everybody’s schedule by including a variety of availability. I do accept appointments for the weekend, as well as early mornings and later in the evening!** in September, I will only be working Fri-Sun :)Q: Can I schedule farther in advance to come get tattooed by you while visiting on a trip?
A: Absolutely! This is the only case in which I would allow booking an appointment farther in advance than one month, to make sure I can fit you into the schedule.Q: Do you make machine or hand poke tattoos?
A: I primarily make hand poke tattoos! This method is non-electric and does not use a machine. Sometimes, I do introduce the machine based on the tattoo project :). If you have a preference for no machine, let me know and that’s totally ok!Q: Do hand poked tattoos last as long as machine tattoos?
A: Yes! There is no difference in the longevity of a professional hand poke or machine made tattoo. Note that all tattoos are subject to fade & blur over long periods of time, in some areas (such as fingers) faster than other areas, regardless of the tattoo technique used.
AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
Immediately after receiving your tattoo, refrain from strenuous physical exercises for the next 48 hours that could cause excessive sweat to build up under the bandage.
Small secretions of blood, excess ink or plasma under the bandage is normal. If your bandage pulls up at the edge and exposes the tattoo, take it off early and keep it as clean as possible.After 48 hours of its application, & with clean, freshly washed hands, remove your second skin bandage under running water by pulling at the bottom corner & wash gently with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean towel/ paper towelFor at least the next 2-3 weeks, continue to gently clean your tattoo twice to three times a day. Keep your tattoo as clean as possible.
Moisturize the tattoo with a thin, chapstick-amount layer of unscented lotion whenever it starts to feel dry. Do not pick or scratch at any scabbing that might occurAvoid heavy sun exposure for the next 2 weeks. After the tattoo has healed, it’s important to use sun protection (sunblock/ sunscreen) on it regularly to prevent premature fading, especially in areas of the body that receive a lot of sun.
Avoid baths (showers are fine), swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, swimming in the ocean etc. for the next 2 weeks. These are big hotspots for bacteria and pose a huge risk of infection.Remember that your tattoo is essentially a large, open wound and that it is vulnerable to germs and bacteria. Do not expose it to unclean environments and visit a doctor if you notice any signs of infection.Send me a healed picture after 2 weeks, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out! Touch ups are free within a year of getting your tattoo :). [email protected]
hello :—)! booking a tattoo? venture onwards!
I use TATO.INK to accept bookings, you will be redirected to my platform there!
don’t see your city on TATO? you can request future guest spot locations here ⬇️ :-)