Frequently Asked Questions
We at Body Canvas Studio believe that you, the client, have the right to know what measures are being taken for your protection. The infection control measures performed by our studio exceed regulations in order to prevent and eliminate the spread of infectious agents. We would like to take this opportunity to acquaint you with some of these measures so that you can be assured that everything possible is being done to protect your health and well-being.
Can I get H.I.V. or AIDS?
HIV is a very delicate virus and does not last long outside of the body. Nor is it spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is transmitted when
sufficient quantities of blood are introduced into the body of another. The structure of a tattoo needle does not lend itself to HIV transmission and the
possibility body fluid transfer is minimal when tattoos are done correctly. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) there has not been a case of
HIV transmission from tattooing done by a professional artist in the United States, but that does not mean that it is not possible or has never happened, it just hasn't been reported.
What about Hepatitis?
The disease to consider when getting tattooed is Hepatitis, unlike HIV, it is a very hardy virus that can withstand long periods outside the human body and can be transmitted through little more than a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other infectious blood borne pathogens, Body Canvas Studio autoclaves their single service equipment, uses individual portions of ink and lubricant, utilizes barrier protection, and thoroughly cleans the work station between clients. We also dispose of needles after one use, and never reuse needles. These procedures are called standard precautions. Basically we treat everyone as if they are infectious. That way, everyone is protected and the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.
What is single service equipment?
All equipment should be single service. This means that each needle and tube set is individually packaged, dated, sealed and autoclaved. Most of our single service equipment is disposable and is bought pre-sterilized then thrown away after one use. The tattoo artist or piercer should open a fresh set of tubes and needles, forceps and any jewelry in front of you. Any ointments, inks, gloves and needles, razors etc. are discarded after use.
What is an autoclave?
An autoclave is a machine that uses heat, steam and pressure to kill all pathogenic microorganisms and their spores. We keep an autoclave log for our autoclave and they are spore tested by an independent laboratory once a month to insure they are in proper working order. An autoclave is the only accepted means of equipment sterilization in a tattoo/ piercing studio. Boiling equipment in water does not kill all pathogenic microorganisms. Household cleaners and alcohol are also not fit for proper sterilization.
Why does the tattoo artist or piercer wear gloves?
Gloves should be worn whenever a procedure is being done that will break the skin. This protects both you and the artist from any blood borne pathogens that may be present. The gloves must also meet certain standards in order to offer proper protection. Allergic reactions can also occur from using the wrong type of gloves.
How should I pick a tattooist/piercer?
Any professional will allow you to you look at their portfolio of photographs and drawings. Most often, the picture will have been taken right after the work was completed so redness and swelling are common. In spite of that, there are things you can look for. Are the lines of the tattoo clean and smooth or broken and jagged? Do they meet up? Does the tattoo artist work in the style that you are looking for? Do piercings look like they are placed to accent anatomy? Is the artist/piercer able to answer your question in a professional experienced manner? Are the artist, piercer and employees clean and well groomed? Is the studio neat and clean? What you see up front is a good indication of what you will see elsewhere in a studio.
How do I pick a design?
Most of the work that we do is custom. We take your ideas and create a tattoo just for you in any style that you like, and work with you on placement to get it to fit perfectly on your body. You can also bring in a sketch or drawing and we can clean it up for you. We also have thousands of designs to look at or choose from, but you must have some sort of idea of what you are looking for before even walking in to the studio. You can't just sit there and look through over 10,000 designs with different styles/themes and expect for one to just jump out at you.
Pricing
"The bitterness of a disease or permanent damage long outlasts the sweetness of a low price!" Price should not be the biggest influence on where you choose to get your tattoo from. Professionals cannot price match with inexpensive guys that perform services out of their house for $20.00. If you are educated about the risks of getting tattooed or pierced you will be able to avoid many of the dangers. If you want something for cheap be prepared for the consequence in the future like getting a larger cover up or painful tattoo removal or even more serious, a disease. What a bargain!
Tattoo Pricing
Here are the Body Canvas Studio standard rates for a tattoo:
* $50 minimum
* $100 an hour
* We can price by tattoo by looking at the design and giving a flat price. Prices are based on size detail in the design.
* Some tattoos are too big, detailed, or complex to estimate how long they will take to complete. In these cases, a flat price cannot be
determined and the rate will be $100/hr.
We cannot accurately quote prices without seeing the art first. We cannot give a quote by answering generic questions over the phone or internet.
For example:
"How much does a small tattoo cost?"
"How much would a name on my arm cost?"
"How much would a medium cross on my leg cost?"
There is not enough information in these questions to give a price. You have to set up a time to stop in the studio and discuss the size and complexity of the design with an artist.
All tattoo appointments require a $50 non refundable deposit. The $50 will go towards the final price of your tattoo. Appointments will not be honored without a deposit payment. So if someone else requests an appointment for the same time that you want one and they pay first, then they get the appointment.
Piercing Prices
Almost all basic piercings are $30.
Microdermals are $40 each. Discounts available for multiple microdermals in one sitting.
Feel free to call or email to get an accurate price for your piercings.
This is my first tattoo/piercing what should I expect?
Getting a body modification can be a very exciting experience and being prepared for what to expect can keep it fun. You should be free of drugs and alcohol, well rested and well fed. If you are tired or your blood sugar is low, you may experience a higher level of discomfort. The best thing to do is just relax and try to accept the discomfort. Fighting or tensing will only increase the pain. If you start to feel faint or queasy tell your artist/piercer right away. There is nothing wrong with taking a break. If you need to change position or stretch, sneeze or wiggle for any reason let us know before you do it.
Religiously follow the aftercare we give you! Do not listen to your friends, mother, or anyone else. A tattoo is not complete until it is healed, and you can actually ruin the tattoo during the healing process.
How old do I have to be? What do I need to bring?
A valid, non-expired, state issued ID or passport is required for everyone regardless of age or procedure. School IDs do not meet the South Dakota requirements. You must be at least 18 years old to get tattooed in the State of South Dakota. Parental consent for tattoos on minors is allowed in the state of South Dakota, but it is up to each shop if they choose to tattoo minors or not.
Minors
As of January 1st, 2015 we no longer tattoo or pierce minors. Not even with parent's permission.
We do offer basic ear lobe piercing for minors with parent's permission. Child has to be old enough to realize what is going on and also consent to the ear piercing. We will not force pierce your children!!!! We do not offer ear piercing for babies.
We hope that we have helped educate you on your decision to get a tattoo or piercing. Body Canvas Studio is not only concerned about the outcome of your tattoo or piercing but your safety as well. We invite any question that you may have.
Can I get H.I.V. or AIDS?
HIV is a very delicate virus and does not last long outside of the body. Nor is it spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is transmitted when
sufficient quantities of blood are introduced into the body of another. The structure of a tattoo needle does not lend itself to HIV transmission and the
possibility body fluid transfer is minimal when tattoos are done correctly. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) there has not been a case of
HIV transmission from tattooing done by a professional artist in the United States, but that does not mean that it is not possible or has never happened, it just hasn't been reported.
What about Hepatitis?
The disease to consider when getting tattooed is Hepatitis, unlike HIV, it is a very hardy virus that can withstand long periods outside the human body and can be transmitted through little more than a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other infectious blood borne pathogens, Body Canvas Studio autoclaves their single service equipment, uses individual portions of ink and lubricant, utilizes barrier protection, and thoroughly cleans the work station between clients. We also dispose of needles after one use, and never reuse needles. These procedures are called standard precautions. Basically we treat everyone as if they are infectious. That way, everyone is protected and the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.
What is single service equipment?
All equipment should be single service. This means that each needle and tube set is individually packaged, dated, sealed and autoclaved. Most of our single service equipment is disposable and is bought pre-sterilized then thrown away after one use. The tattoo artist or piercer should open a fresh set of tubes and needles, forceps and any jewelry in front of you. Any ointments, inks, gloves and needles, razors etc. are discarded after use.
What is an autoclave?
An autoclave is a machine that uses heat, steam and pressure to kill all pathogenic microorganisms and their spores. We keep an autoclave log for our autoclave and they are spore tested by an independent laboratory once a month to insure they are in proper working order. An autoclave is the only accepted means of equipment sterilization in a tattoo/ piercing studio. Boiling equipment in water does not kill all pathogenic microorganisms. Household cleaners and alcohol are also not fit for proper sterilization.
Why does the tattoo artist or piercer wear gloves?
Gloves should be worn whenever a procedure is being done that will break the skin. This protects both you and the artist from any blood borne pathogens that may be present. The gloves must also meet certain standards in order to offer proper protection. Allergic reactions can also occur from using the wrong type of gloves.
How should I pick a tattooist/piercer?
Any professional will allow you to you look at their portfolio of photographs and drawings. Most often, the picture will have been taken right after the work was completed so redness and swelling are common. In spite of that, there are things you can look for. Are the lines of the tattoo clean and smooth or broken and jagged? Do they meet up? Does the tattoo artist work in the style that you are looking for? Do piercings look like they are placed to accent anatomy? Is the artist/piercer able to answer your question in a professional experienced manner? Are the artist, piercer and employees clean and well groomed? Is the studio neat and clean? What you see up front is a good indication of what you will see elsewhere in a studio.
How do I pick a design?
Most of the work that we do is custom. We take your ideas and create a tattoo just for you in any style that you like, and work with you on placement to get it to fit perfectly on your body. You can also bring in a sketch or drawing and we can clean it up for you. We also have thousands of designs to look at or choose from, but you must have some sort of idea of what you are looking for before even walking in to the studio. You can't just sit there and look through over 10,000 designs with different styles/themes and expect for one to just jump out at you.
Pricing
"The bitterness of a disease or permanent damage long outlasts the sweetness of a low price!" Price should not be the biggest influence on where you choose to get your tattoo from. Professionals cannot price match with inexpensive guys that perform services out of their house for $20.00. If you are educated about the risks of getting tattooed or pierced you will be able to avoid many of the dangers. If you want something for cheap be prepared for the consequence in the future like getting a larger cover up or painful tattoo removal or even more serious, a disease. What a bargain!
Tattoo Pricing
Here are the Body Canvas Studio standard rates for a tattoo:
* $50 minimum
* $100 an hour
* We can price by tattoo by looking at the design and giving a flat price. Prices are based on size detail in the design.
* Some tattoos are too big, detailed, or complex to estimate how long they will take to complete. In these cases, a flat price cannot be
determined and the rate will be $100/hr.
We cannot accurately quote prices without seeing the art first. We cannot give a quote by answering generic questions over the phone or internet.
For example:
"How much does a small tattoo cost?"
"How much would a name on my arm cost?"
"How much would a medium cross on my leg cost?"
There is not enough information in these questions to give a price. You have to set up a time to stop in the studio and discuss the size and complexity of the design with an artist.
All tattoo appointments require a $50 non refundable deposit. The $50 will go towards the final price of your tattoo. Appointments will not be honored without a deposit payment. So if someone else requests an appointment for the same time that you want one and they pay first, then they get the appointment.
Piercing Prices
Almost all basic piercings are $30.
Microdermals are $40 each. Discounts available for multiple microdermals in one sitting.
Feel free to call or email to get an accurate price for your piercings.
This is my first tattoo/piercing what should I expect?
Getting a body modification can be a very exciting experience and being prepared for what to expect can keep it fun. You should be free of drugs and alcohol, well rested and well fed. If you are tired or your blood sugar is low, you may experience a higher level of discomfort. The best thing to do is just relax and try to accept the discomfort. Fighting or tensing will only increase the pain. If you start to feel faint or queasy tell your artist/piercer right away. There is nothing wrong with taking a break. If you need to change position or stretch, sneeze or wiggle for any reason let us know before you do it.
Religiously follow the aftercare we give you! Do not listen to your friends, mother, or anyone else. A tattoo is not complete until it is healed, and you can actually ruin the tattoo during the healing process.
How old do I have to be? What do I need to bring?
A valid, non-expired, state issued ID or passport is required for everyone regardless of age or procedure. School IDs do not meet the South Dakota requirements. You must be at least 18 years old to get tattooed in the State of South Dakota. Parental consent for tattoos on minors is allowed in the state of South Dakota, but it is up to each shop if they choose to tattoo minors or not.
Minors
As of January 1st, 2015 we no longer tattoo or pierce minors. Not even with parent's permission.
We do offer basic ear lobe piercing for minors with parent's permission. Child has to be old enough to realize what is going on and also consent to the ear piercing. We will not force pierce your children!!!! We do not offer ear piercing for babies.
We hope that we have helped educate you on your decision to get a tattoo or piercing. Body Canvas Studio is not only concerned about the outcome of your tattoo or piercing but your safety as well. We invite any question that you may have.