Terms of Service

Welcome to Archive Ottawa

These Terms of Service govern your relationship with Archive Ottawa and apply to all bookings, sessions, and services provided at our studio located at 1081 Carling Avenue, Suite 502, Ottawa, Ontario.

By booking an appointment or receiving services at Archive Ottawa, you agree to these terms in full. Please read them carefully. If you have any questions before your session, we are happy to discuss them.

Age requirement 18+

Valid government-issued photo identification will be required at your appointment. Accepted forms of ID include a Canadian driver's licence, passport, or permanent resident card. If you cannot provide valid ID on the day of your session, your appointment will be cancelled and your deposit will be forfeited.

By booking with us, you confirm that you are of legal age and that the identification you present will be genuine.

Securing your appointment

All appointments require a non-refundable deposit to be confirmed. The deposit amount is determined by your artist and communicated at the time of booking. The deposit is applied toward the total cost of your session.

Your deposit secures the date, time, and your artist's preparation time. Because we reserve that time exclusively for you, deposits are non-refundable under any circumstances, including change of mind or personal scheduling conflicts.

Appointments are not considered confirmed until the deposit is received. We reserve the right to release your slot if payment is not received within 48 hours of the booking agreement.

Changes to your session

We understand that life happens. Our rescheduling and cancellation policy is designed to be fair to both clients and artists:

• Rescheduling with 72+ hours notice: your deposit transfers to the new date — no penalty
• Rescheduling with 24–72 hours notice: a new deposit may be required at the artist's discretion
• Cancellations or rescheduling with less than 24 hours notice: your deposit is forfeited and a new deposit will be required to rebook
• No-shows: deposit is forfeited. A new deposit equal to the full session cost may be required to rebook

If Archive Ottawa needs to cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason, you will receive a full refund of your deposit or the option to reschedule at no additional cost.

Your health, our priority

For your safety and the quality of your tattoo, please disclose any relevant health information on your consent form. This includes allergies, skin conditions, medications (particularly blood thinners), pregnancy, and any chronic conditions that may affect healing.

We reserve the right to decline or postpone a session if we believe it poses a health risk to you. This is never a decision we take lightly — it comes from a place of care.

Please arrive to your session:

• Well rested and having eaten a full meal within 2 hours of your appointment
• Sober — we do not tattoo clients who are under the influence of alcohol or substances
• With the area to be tattooed clean and free of sunburn, open wounds, or active skin conditions
• Without having used blood-thinning medications (including aspirin and ibuprofen) unless medically required — please inform your artist in advance

What to expect

Tattooing is a permanent procedure. You are responsible for reviewing and approving your design before the session begins. Once tattooing starts, design changes may not be possible and could incur additional costs.

Tattoo pricing is based on the artist's hourly or day rate as listed on our Rates page. Final cost depends on complexity, size, and session duration. Your artist will provide an honest estimate — we do not engage in hidden pricing.

Payment is due in full at the end of your session. We accept cash, card (via Square), and e-transfer. Tips are always appreciated but never expected.

Caring for your tattoo

Your artist will provide aftercare instructions at the end of your session. Following these instructions is essential for proper healing and the longevity of your tattoo.

Archive Ottawa is not responsible for changes in tattoo appearance resulting from failure to follow aftercare instructions, sun exposure, poor skin health, or individual healing variations. Tattooing on living skin carries inherent variability — minor touch-ups may sometimes be needed and are a normal part of the process.

Touch-up policy

Each artist determines their own touch-up policy, which will be communicated to you at the time of booking. As a general guideline:

• Touch-ups related to natural healing are typically offered complimentary within 3 months of your session, at the artist's discretion
• Touch-ups resulting from improper aftercare, sun damage, or neglect are not covered
• Touch-ups on work done at other studios are treated as new sessions and billed accordingly

Art and ownership

All custom tattoo designs created by Archive Ottawa artists remain the intellectual property of the artist. By commissioning a tattoo, you receive the right to wear the design permanently on your body, but you do not acquire reproduction rights to the artwork.

We may photograph completed tattoos and share them on our portfolio and social media. You will be asked for your consent before any images of you are published. You may decline at any time without it affecting your service.

Our right to decline

Archive Ottawa reserves the right to refuse service to anyone, at any time, for any reason — including but not limited to: intoxication, aggressive or disrespectful behaviour, health concerns, design requests that conflict with our values, or requests for work on areas we deem inadvisable.

This right exists to protect our artists, our clients, and the integrity of our work. A refusal is not a judgment — it is a professional boundary.

Our liability

Archive Ottawa's liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific service in question. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your tattoo or your experience at our studio, to the maximum extent permitted by Ontario law.

Tattooing carries inherent risks including, but not limited to, infection, allergic reaction, and scarring. By proceeding with a session, you acknowledge these risks and confirm that you have disclosed all relevant health information.

Jurisdiction and disputes

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any disputes arising from your relationship with Archive Ottawa shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

We believe in resolving disagreements through direct, honest conversation first. Please contact us before pursuing any formal process — most concerns can be resolved simply.

Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Questions? Talk to us.

If anything here is unclear or you have questions about a specific situation, please reach out before your appointment. We would rather have a conversation than a misunderstanding.