Black & grey realism
Animals, portraits and heavy-contrast pieces built with soft whip shading over multiple sessions.
Calgary, Alberta · by appointment
ASH INK tattoo studio
Black & grey realism, portraits and fine line work — drawn for one person, one body, one session at a time.
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Black & grey realism · Portraits · Fine line · Blackwork · Cover-ups · Lettering · Black & grey realism · Portraits · Fine line · Blackwork · Cover-ups · Lettering ·
The studio
A private room in Calgary. No walk-ins, one client at a time.
Ink settles into skin for the rest of your life. That is worth a slow drawing, a sterile room, and an afternoon that belongs to you alone.
Every piece starts as a conversation and a reference pile, becomes a drawing, then a stencil placed and re-placed on your body until it reads right standing up. Portraits and animal realism are built in long shading passes; fine line work is done with single-needle cartridges at a pace that keeps the skin calm. Consultations are free, quotes are given before the machine starts, and aftercare is walked through in full before you leave.
9Years tattooing
1Client per session
100%Custom drawn
FreeConsultations
What Ash tattoos
Three directions the studio is known for.
Fine line
Single-needle birds, botanicals, script and small symbolic work that stays legible as it ages.
Blackwork & cover-ups
Bold ink splatter, ornamental panels and cover-ups that use heavy black with structure and restraint.
Selected work
Tap any piece to open it full size.
Stencil to skin
Drag the handle on any piece to move between the stencil and the finished tattoo.
StencilHealed
Tiger hand piece — stencil placed across the knuckles, then splatter freehanded around it.
StencilHealed
Lion forearm — mane mapped to the muscle so the flow follows the arm, not the paper.
StencilHealed
Portrait — only the structure is stencilled; every value is shaded in freehand.
StencilHealed
Retriever portrait — fine line stencil, dotwork shading added over four hours.
Equipment and hygiene
What touches your skin, and what it is for.
Rotary machines
Pen-style rotary machines run quiet with a consistent give, so lining and shading stay even across long sessions.
Cheyenne Hawk Pen · FK Irons Flux
Single-use cartridges
Every needle comes out of a sealed sterile pack in front of you and goes into sharps waste the moment the session ends.
Kwadron · Cheyenne · 3RL to 23MG
Regulated power
A digital supply holds voltage steady to the tenth, which is what keeps grey wash smooth instead of blotchy.
Critical CX2 · foot switch, no clip cord drag
Pigments
Vegan, REACH-compliant black and grey wash sets. Batch numbers are logged against your appointment.
Eternal Ink · World Famous
Sterilisation
Autoclaved grips, barrier film on every surface, fresh setup broken down and rebuilt between clients.
Statim cassette autoclave · AHS standards
Aftercare
Breathable second-skin film for the first days, then a written routine and a free touch-up inside the first year.
Saniderm · unscented balm
Aftercare
Congratulations on your new tattoo. How you look after it over the next few weeks decides how it looks for the rest of your life.
Wrap, wash, dry
- Keep the protective bandage on for as long as your artist tells you to.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.
- Once the bandage is off, wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and a mild fragrance-free soap.
- Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Never rub it.
Thin layers only
- Use a very thin layer of the aftercare moisturiser your artist recommends.
- Don't overload it with lotion — the skin needs to breathe.
- Keep it clean and lightly moisturised right through healing.
Itching and peeling is normal
- Your tattoo may feel itchy and start to peel. That's part of healing.
- Do not scratch, pick or peel it.
- Wear clean, loose clothing where you can.
- Keep washing and moisturising gently.
For the first few weeks
- Swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean.
- Long baths, or soaking the tattoo in water.
- Direct sunlight and tanning.
- Scratching or picking at it.
- Tight or dirty clothing rubbing over it.
- Heavy sweating during the early healing period.
Every tattoo and every person heals differently. If you get excessive redness, swelling, severe pain, unusual discharge, or any signs of infection, contact a healthcare professional.
Clean it. Moisturise it. Don't scratch it. Let it heal.
Thank you for choosing Ash Ink Tattooz — we appreciate your trust, and we hope you love your new tattoo. Questions while it's healing? Call or message the studio any time.
Book a session
Send the details once. Ash replies within two business days with a quote and dates.
Tell Ash the idea
Placement, rough size, style and any reference you already love.
Consult, free
In studio or over the phone. You leave with a quote and a deposit link.
Drawing week
The design is drawn for you, then adjusted at the stencil stage on the day.
Session day
Eat first, wear something that exposes the placement, bring headphones.
From the feed
Fresh work, flash drops and cancellation spots go up first on Instagram.
Before you book
The questions that come up most in consultations.
How much will my tattoo cost?
Small pieces are priced flat, anything larger is charged by the hour with the estimate agreed before the needle starts. Size, placement, detail and how your skin takes ink all move the number, which is why the consultation comes first and costs nothing.
What is the deposit, and is it refundable?
A $100 deposit reserves your date and comes off the final total. It covers the drawing time, so it is non-refundable — but you can move your appointment once with at least 48 hours notice and the deposit moves with you.
Do I get to see the stencil before you start?
Always. The stencil goes on, you stand up, walk around and look in the mirror. If the angle or size is off it comes back off and goes on again. Nothing is tattooed until you are happy with where it sits.
Does Ash do cover-ups?
Yes. Send a clear photo of the existing tattoo in natural light with your booking. Some pieces need laser fading first, and Ash will tell you honestly if that is the case instead of forcing a design that will not hold up.
How do I prepare for the session?
Sleep, eat a proper meal, and drink water. Skip alcohol for 24 hours and avoid blood thinners unless they are prescribed. Wear clothing that gives easy access to the placement, and bring snacks and headphones for anything over three hours.
How do I look after it afterwards?
Keep the second-skin film on for the time Ash tells you, then wash gently with unscented soap and let it air dry. Thin layers of balm, no picking, no pools, gyms or direct sun for two weeks. You get the full routine written down before you leave, and touch-ups inside the first year are free.
Booking & contact
Calgary, Alberta — by appointment. The address is sent once your session is confirmed.
Calgary, Alberta — by appointment
Call or text+1 403 966 2864
Instagram@ashink_tattooz
LocationPrivate studio. Address shared with your confirmation.