At Phantom Avenue in Edmonton, tattoos start at a $125 minimum for small pieces. Custom mid-size tattoos typically run $200–$600, and large multi-session projects are priced at a day rate. Every quote is given at a free consultation, and there are no hidden fees — the number you're quoted is the number you pay.
What Actually Determines Tattoo Price
Four things drive the cost of a tattoo more than anything else:
- Size. A palm-sized piece takes 1–2 hours in the chair. A half sleeve takes multiple sessions. Time is the biggest cost input.
- Detail and style. Fine line botanicals, photorealistic portraits, and dense colour packing all take longer than a simple linework symbol of the same size.
- Placement. Some areas are slower to work on — they stretch, they're harder to access, or they need extra care to keep lines clean.
- Colour vs. black and grey. Full-colour work generally takes longer than black and grey at the same size, because saturation is built up in layers.
Phantom Avenue Pricing at a Glance
- Studio minimum: $125 CAD — covers setup, sterile equipment, and small pieces.
- Mid-size custom pieces: $200–$600 CAD, quoted per piece after your artist sees the design, size, and placement.
- Large projects (sleeves, back pieces, multi-session work): day rate, discussed at consultation so you can plan the full project cost up front.
We quote per piece rather than surprising you with an open-ended hourly bill. You'll know the number before any needle touches skin.
Why Studios Have Minimums
Even a five-minute tattoo requires a full sterile setup: new needles, fresh ink caps, barriers, gloves, and disposal — the same health standards as a full-day session. The minimum covers that baseline, which is why a tiny tattoo doesn't cost five dollars anywhere reputable.
How Deposits Work
A deposit secures your appointment and starts the custom design process. It's not an extra charge — deposits are applied toward the total cost of your tattoo. You'll see your design before appointment day, and revisions happen before you're in the chair.
Budgeting Advice From the Studio
The honest version: don't shop for a tattoo by price alone. A cheap tattoo that needs a cover-up later costs more than doing it right once — cover-up work must be larger and darker than the original, which means more hours. If budget is tight, a better strategy is to book a free consultation, tell your artist the budget, and let them design something excellent at that size. Good artists would rather scale the piece than cut corners on it.
One more line item people forget: tipping. It's never required, but 15–20% is a common range in Canada for work you're happy with.
Get an Exact Quote
Ranges only go so far — the real answer for your tattoo takes about fifteen minutes. Book a free consultation (in person or by phone), bring your reference images, and you'll leave with a firm quote and a plan. You can also read what to expect at your first consultation or check the FAQ for deposit and booking details.
