How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in Ontario?
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The Short Answer
At HeadRush Whitby, tattoos start from $135 (tax included). The final price depends on size, detail, placement, and how long the piece takes.
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: every piece is drawn for your body, and the design is agreed with you before we tattoo. 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.
What You Get at the Free Consultation
The 30-minute consultation covers the design concept, placement, sizing and your exact price in writing. We take the deposit only when you decide to book.
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–$200/hour. Colour sleeves typically run higher because they need more sessions. Your artist gives you a session-by-session estimate at the consultation.
Why do different artists charge different hourly rates?+
Rates reflect each artist's experience and the complexity of the work. At HeadRush hourly rates run $180–$200, and you get the exact price in writing at the consultation.
Is the deposit refundable?+
No. Deposits at HeadRush range from $100 for small pieces up to $200 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. Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm can split a deposit or a session into instalments. We send a link and you pay on your own phone, before or on the day. The provider decides who is approved, for how much, and on what plan.
Are tips expected?+
Tips are never expected. The price we quote is the full price. If you want to thank your artist, it is appreciated.
Free 30-minute consultation. Design and price in writing.