Meet the Artist

The process is simple! Start by completing a form by clicking the 'book now' button on this website. Upon submission, you will receive an automated confirmation email promptly (in case it doesn't appear, kindly check your spam folder and add our email address to your safe list). Once the form is submitted, Dan will reach out to you if any additional information is required

You may already have a clear vision for your desired tattoo, including specific images, placement, color preferences, and the story behind the idea. Alternatively, you might be interested in giving Dan artistic freedom to create a unique piece or choose from his collection of "wannado" designs.

Dan excels at crafting exceptional, one-of-a-kind artworks! His creations often feature nature, animals, faces, or still-life scenes as the primary subjects. Renowned for his "color realism with a painterly twist," Dan's tattoos exhibit distinct brushstrokes and flowing styles, with bold colors that truly stand out. His expertise lies in using symbolism to convey your story within a personalized work of art. Though sometimes subtle, the meaning behind each tattoo is deeply significant, creating a narrative that is uniquely yours to share, if you choose to do so.

When you share your ideas with Dan Desroches, he will design a tattoo specifically tailored to your story, personality, and body. Remember to trust in the process and keep in mind that, as talented as he is, Dan cannot read your thoughts—his magical abilities have their limits in that regard. 😉 Place your trust in Dan Desroches to do his utmost to bring your ideas to life, while also accepting that his artistic influence will naturally shape the final tattoo design. Your tattoo may not match your exact initial vision, but that's precisely why you've chosen to collaborate with Dan Desroches—to create something truly special.

By selecting Dan as your artist (for which we are immensely grateful!), open communication and trust are key. Allow him the freedom to design and tattoo your artwork. Rest assured that Dan will ensure you receive a stunning tattoo that will be with you for a lifetime, all while ensuring that the process is pleasant and positive.

Side note: If you wish to cover up an old tattoo with something new, please include a photo of your existing tattoo in the 'book now' form. Please note that Dan does not modify or work on tattoos done by other artists, as there are often significant style differences that may affect the overall result.

Dan follows a truly unique design process, where he invests an incredible amount of love and time into each design. As a client, he encourages you to appreciate the effort involved. Once the down payment is settled and the date(s) are scheduled, Dan embarks on extensive research related to your tattoo subject and design ideas. If he lacks familiarity or requires a deeper understanding, he begins with informative research. This initial phase is followed by gathering images that align with your tattoo concept, creating a mood board of potential elements for the final design. This research and curation phase typically takes between one to four hours.

Moving to the second phase, Dan utilizes the photos you provide of the specific area on your body where you desire the tattoo. This enables him to ensure a perfect fit for the design. With a focus on your preferences, desired storytelling, body type, muscle flow, skin type, skin tone, and personality, Dan creates an initial design. He starts with a rough sketch and then works his magic to breathe life into the design. Elements such as composition, color, contrast, and details are carefully coordinated to achieve the best possible outcome. This phase of the design process can take up to ten hours, depending on factors such as tattoo size, subject, and level of detail.

The design process is an essential component of Dan's work method, and he considers it a crucial step in creating your customized piece of art. While many artists create tattoo designs on the day of the appointment, Dan prefers to be thoroughly prepared and dedicate as much time as he deems necessary to his designs. Consequently, he completes all design work prior to your tattoo appointment, minimizing any unnecessary waiting time for clients at the studio.

Viewing the Design: 

Once Dan completes your tattoo design, he is ready to proceed. Typically, the design is finalized a week before your appointment. Since Dan is a traveling artist, the viewing of the design occurs on the day of the appointment. Designs are not sent via email or viewed through video calls, and photography of the design is not permitted. This is to safeguard the design, which remains the property of Dan.

During the design viewing, you can suggest minor adjustments if needed, which is usually not a problem. However, if you wish for a completely different design, the process starts anew, requiring an additional deposit/down payment. If this situation arises, Dan will notify you accordingly. While it rarely occurs due to the thorough discussion of ideas during the initial video call, it's important to be aware of this possibility should you have a change of heart. All adjustments will be made during your scheduled session, but do keep in mind that significant changes may require more time, potentially reducing the time available for the tattooing process.

*Note: To ensure accuracy, it is important to provide photos of your body part taken in daylight settings, showcasing the full area without any clothing obstruction. Dan needs to see your skin type, skin tone (including freckles, moles, scars, and imperfections). These photos should be taken by someone else from a horizontal angle to the middle of the body part (no selfies or mirrored pictures). Additionally, Dan would appreciate receiving measurements (both horizontal and vertical). If the photo uploaded via the 'book now' form is deemed insufficient, he will notify you during the video call.

When securing your appointment, you will be required to provide a non-refundable down payment. The amount is determined based on the size of the tattoo and the duration or number of days needed for the tattooing process. The down payment represents a minimum of 30% of the total tattoo cost. It serves as compensation for the time invested in designing your tattoo and ensures the reservation of your appointment. Please note that the down payment is non-refundable. In the event that you are unable to attend your appointment for any reason, the down payment will be forfeited. While we assume that you will never 'no show' without a valid reason, ultimately, the reason for cancellation does not affect the payment requirement. Dan, like anyone else, cannot neglect his financial obligations due to another person's reasons for canceling an appointment 😉

Rescheduling: 

You can reschedule your appointment free of charge up to 60 days before the scheduled date. However, for cancellations or rescheduling occurring at any time during the process, or if rescheduling is done within 60 days of the appointment, your deposit for the original day(s) will be forfeited. A new deposit will be required when making a new appointment.

Upon completion of your tattoo, the down payment will be deducted from the final price of your tattoo. For day sessions, the down payment is settled per day.

Note: Payments are accepted in cash, Zelle (both without additional charges), or through PayPal and Credit/Debit cards (with an additional 4% charge).

Does the tattooing process involve pain? The answer to that question varies from person to person. However, having sufficient energy can help your body handle the process better. Make sure not to be the client who skipped breakfast and runs out of energy by noon 😉 Eat a nourishing meal, get enough rest, and relax!

Bringing someone along for support: Regrettably, Dan does not permit companions to sit with clients during the tattoo session. To ensure an uninterrupted flow, Dan prefers to focus solely on tattooing you without any external distractions. Additionally, children and animals are not allowed in the studio. If you wish to show someone the design, please consult with Dan beforehand. Since the tattoo design is tailored specifically to you and it is your decision, discussions regarding the design will be exclusively between you and Dan.

Here is a brief outline of what to expect on the day of your tattoo: Please arrive on time, as the clock starts ticking at your scheduled appointment time. Dan will be ready with your design and the basic setup of his workstation. If you wish to make any last-minute changes to the design, they will be addressed during your appointment.** Once you approve the design, Dan will take final measurements, adjust the size if necessary, and create a stencil (a guide for the tattoo design). He will prepare your skin and apply the stencil. If adjustments are needed, he will make them until you are satisfied with the placement and appearance. The stencil will then need to dry for approximately 15-20 minutes. It's important to note that modifications to the design or size, beyond what was previously discussed, may impact the tattoo's price. You will be provided with a permission form from the local health department to sign, and the payment method will be arranged in advance. Afterward, the workstation will be set up with ink and needles, and Dan will begin the tattooing process.

During the session, we kindly request that you try to remain as still as possible, allowing Dan to work efficiently. The more you move, the longer the process may take. If you prefer to listen to music or watch a movie, please bring your own headphones. It's recommended to wear comfortable clothing, preferably in black, as the stencil or tattoo ink may stain clothing. Black attire also tends to look best when capturing photos of the finished piece. For hygiene purposes, eating or drinking is not permitted during the session. However, you will be given short breaks every one and a half to two hours for that purpose. If you require additional breaks, simply inform Dan.

After completing the tattoo, we will take photos of the artwork for Dan Desroches' portfolio, promotional materials, and social media. The tattoo will be wrapped in plastic wrap, and you will receive detailed aftercare instructions.

*Regarding Covid-19: Masks are not required, but if you prefer to wear one, you are welcome to do so. However, Dan will not wear a mask while tattooing.

Determining the final price for your tattoo is not possible without a video call, as each tattoo is customized, and every client has unique requirements. The price of your tattoo is influenced by various factors such as your preferences, size, placement, level of detail, color, skin type, and how you manage during the session, among others. During the video call, you will receive an estimated price, which will be reevaluated when you come in for your appointment. This is because there may be changes to the tattoo's size or last-minute modifications, which can affect the duration of the tattoo session. Dan charges an hourly rate and has a minimum daily rate for multiple-day sessions. Occasionally, he may offer a set price when touring. For larger tattoos spanning multiple days, there will be a minimum number of hours booked per day.

Please note that we can only provide an estimate of the tattoo's cost since the time required can vary. It depends not only on the design but also on various factors involving our valued customers. The duration of your tattoo session depends on aspects such as the time required for proper stencil placement, your ability to remain still during the process, the number of breaks you may need, and the condition of your skin. Due to these unpredictable variables, the price remains an estimate.

We do not discuss prices through direct messages on social media platforms.

** The appointment time includes the period from when your appointment begins until you leave the studio. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. The appointment duration encompasses all necessary activities, including stenciling, final setup, ink preparation, and any breaks.

Please bear in mind that Dan specializes in providing custom, individual works of art.

It's important to note that different tattoo artists may have varying approaches to aftercare instructions. The reason for the differences is that every tattoo is unique, with different styles and techniques requiring specific aftercare guidance. When you receive a tattoo from Dan, he provides the following explanation for your aftercare routine.

Tattooing involves creating wounds on the skin. The top layer of the skin, known as the epidermis (outermost layer), heals relatively quickly. In approximately three weeks, provided there are no infections or scratches, the epidermis may appear to be healed. However, the second layer of skin, called the dermis, where the tattoo ink resides, takes longer to heal. Therefore, the complete healing process of the tattoo, including the necessary aftercare, usually takes about six weeks. It's important to keep in mind that the colors of the tattoo may still undergo slight changes for up to six months.

After the completion of your tattoo, it will be covered with a plastic cling film. You can remove this film after 3 to 5 hours. Once the film is removed, follow these steps to clean your tattoo:

• Wash the tattoo at least twice a day using mild unscented soap. Begin with cold water and gradually increase the temperature while lathering with the recommended shower gel. Thoroughly wash the tattoo to ensure no soap residue remains. Then, lower the water temperature and allow the tattoo to air dry. It's important to completely remove the slippery gel layer that may have formed beneath the cling film. Avoid excessive washing, as it can soak and soften the skin and tattoo.
• If you work in a dusty environment, have pets at home, or there's a risk of accidental contact with the tattoo that could lead to infection or damage, promptly clean your tattoo to prevent any complications.
• Gently dry the tattoo using a clean towel or allow it to air dry after washing. Avoid rubbing or scratching the tattoo. Let it dry as much as possible before applying any aftercare products.
• Apply a small amount of tattoo aftercare product (not exceeding half a pea-sized amount for a full hand-size tattoo).
• Do not cover the tattoo. The wound requires oxygen to heal. If you need to wear clothing over the tattoo, opt for cotton fabric, as it allows better airflow.
• In the first few nights, the tattoo may exude some fluid or blood plasma. This is more common with larger tattoos. During the initial week, make sure to wear clean cotton pajamas every night. If the fabric sticks to the tattoo in the morning, gently wet it in the shower to remove it.
• If the skin appears swollen, drink plenty of water and keep the tattooed body part elevated whenever possible.

During the healing process, follow these guidelines to properly care for your tattoo:

• Minimize touching the tattoo as much as possible. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before tending to the wound.

Do NOT:

• Scratch the tattooed area.
• Peel off any scabs that may form during the healing process, as this can remove ink from the tattoo.
• Cover the tattoo with tight or dirty clothing.
• Use bandages to cover the tattoo.
• Expose the tattoo to sunlight or tanning beds, especially in the case of color tattoos.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the tattoo.
• Avoid bubble baths, swimming pools, saunas, and steam baths for a period of 6 weeks.

Even after healing, the tattooed skin remains highly sensitive to sunlight. Always protect your tattoo by applying a high SPF sun care product, preferably with a minimum SPF of 50. While sun care products cannot prevent changes in the color of your skin or tattoo, they help prevent damage.

If you have any questions regarding the aftercare instructions for your tattoo, please feel free to contact me.

Note: If you experience extreme redness, swelling, bleeding, excessive wound fluid, noticeable color changes, or chronic pain, it is advisable to consult your doctor.