Can You Do My Coverup Tattoo?

Can you do my coverup? 

Let me take a look! Whether a coverup can be done will depend on several factors. For the most thorough evaluation I would recommend booking an in-person consultation.

How do I start the coverup tattoo process? 

The first thing to do to decide is what you want for your new tattoo. Next step is to fill out the email form, and arrange to come in for a free in-person consultation. From there, we will be able to sketch your vision together and give you a good idea of the timeline and cost for your coverup project.

Where are you located?

I work out of Archive Tattoo, a well-established studio in downtown Toronto, located at 1528 Dundas St W.

Though an in-person consultation is always ideal for a coverup, for clients who would be traveling from a further distance, sometimes a Zoom or FaceTime consultation can be arranged instead.

What can I expect at my coverup tattoo consultation session?

Your free initial consultation session takes about 30-60 minutes. I will need to take a look at, photograph, and trace what needs to be covered. From there, we will chat about your ideas for the new project, what’s feasible to achieve, and what you can expect for the final result. If the original tattoo is light enough, you can get full or nearly-full coverage with your coverup. Other times, we work with the refreshing the original piece when full-coverage isn’t necessary. Occasionally, I will recommend getting a few sessions of laser to help lighten the original for better results. In the very rare occasion I do not think I’m able to do the project, I will be up front in explaining my reasons why. Once the design is agreed upon, I can give you a more accurate cost estimate for the project. Only when you’re happy with what we’ve discussed will you be asked to pay a deposit.

How much will my coverup tattoo cost? 

Coverup tattoos are priced just like regular tattoos, at an hourly rate. My hourly rate for coverups is $180 CAD/hr + tax. The total time a tattoo takes (and cost accordingly) will depend on size, intricacy of the design, body part, how well you sit, etc. Once we’re satisfied with the consultation, I require a deposit of $50 (per 4 hours tattooing) to book the appointment(s).

I started a project with another artist but for some reason I am unable to finish it with them. Can you finish my old tattoo started by someone else? 

Yes! My ability to match another artist’s style means I can usually look at an unfinished piece and envision right away what it’s supposed to look like finished. Completing old unfinished work is a common request I take on.

Can you do a coverup tattoo over scars? 

The short answer is yes. I will always advise clients that heavy or raised scarring will still appear visible after the tattoo is healed. Parts of the new tattoo will appear relatively light over a heavy scar. Post-surgery and self-harm scars are commonly requested areas for coverup tattoos, and the act of adorning these scars with new tattoo art can be a joyful part of the healing process.

For a more detailed evaluation, please send me an email with some photographs, a description, and/or reference photos.

Can you do a coverup tattoo over mastectomy scars? 

Yes, and you can do a lot of beautiful designs over mastectomy scars. However, my specialty is still art tattoos. If you are looking for anatomically realistic nipple tattoos, I would recommend searching for an artist who specializes in post-surgical reconstruction.    

Will the coverup tattoo cost more than the original unwanted tattoo?

Most likely, yes. The new tattoo usually has to be about 10-40% bigger than the old one, and will cost more accordingly.

Help! I need a coverup tattoo but it seems too expensive. 

A big tattoo project can be understandably daunting!

I am always mindful about concerns regarding budget. I guarantee I will always suggest ways to make each tattoo project as cost-efficient for the client as possible. For most projects, I am able to offer several different solutions that fit a range of budget levels. Furthermore, most projects can be split into shorter sessions over months to make each appointment less costly. A 4-hour tattoo session (that can cover about a palm-sized area) can usually be split into two 2-hour sessions to make each session more affordable.

If you have any budget concerns about the tattoo, please don’t hesitate to bring them up at your initial consultation so that we may consider different solutions that fit your needs :)