How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in Ontario?
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The Short Answer
At HeadRush Whitby, tattoos start from $135 (tax included). But the final price depends on size, detail, placement, and how long the piece takes. A small wrist tattoo and a full back piece are very different projects.
What Affects the Price?
Size and placement: Larger pieces take more time. Awkward spots (ribs, feet, hands) require more precision. Detail and style: Photorealism and fine-line work demand extreme focus. A bold traditional piece moves faster than a hyper-realistic portrait. Custom design time: Every piece at HeadRush is drawn from scratch for your body. Your artist spends hours designing before the needle touches skin. Session length: Most artists work in 2-5 hour sessions. Longer pieces are broken into multiple sittings.
Rough Price Ranges
Small (2-3 inches): $135-$250. Medium (4-6 inches): $250-$600. Large (half-sleeve, thigh panel): $600-$1,500+. Full sleeve or back piece: $5,000-$12,000+ across multiple sessions. These are estimates. Your artist will give you an exact quote at your free consultation.
Why Consultations Are Free
We never want price to be a surprise. Your 30-minute consultation covers the design concept, placement, sizing, and a clear price quote. No deposit required at the consult. You only commit when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum price for a tattoo in Whitby?+
$135 with HST already included. That covers very small, simple work — a single line, a small symbol, a few-character word. Anything larger or more detailed is priced by the artist's hourly rate.
How much does a sleeve tattoo cost?+
Full sleeves at HeadRush usually run $5,000–$12,000 in black & grey across 6–10 sessions, billed at the artist's hourly rate of $180–$250/hour. Colour sleeves typically run higher because they need more sessions. Your artist gives you a session-by-session estimate at the consultation so the total never sneaks up on you.
Why do different artists charge different hourly rates?+
Two reasons: experience and specialty. An artist who has been tattooing for ten years and specialises in colour realism is doing slower, more technical work than someone doing fineline or traditional black & grey — so their hourly rate is higher. At HeadRush hourly rates run $180–$250 per artist; you'll know each artist's rate at the consultation, before any deposit.
Is the deposit refundable?+
No. Deposits at HeadRush range from $100 for small pieces up to $226 ($200 + HST) for most sessions, and they are non-refundable. The full deposit applies directly to your final price. If you reschedule a larger session with at least 7 days' notice, the deposit transfers to the new date.
Do you offer payment plans for large tattoos?+
Yes — for larger projects (sleeves, back pieces, full-day sessions) we can set up financing through iFinance. The application is done in person at the studio so we can walk you through it, so plan to bring it up at your consultation.
Are tips expected?+
No, tips are never expected — the hourly rate is the full price. If a session goes well and you want to leave something extra, it's appreciated, but there's no standard amount and nothing is required.