Completed Sleeve Tattoos in Edmonton — Case Studies, Timelines, and Pricing
Thinking about a sleeve? Here’s a look at completed sleeves I’ve done at ODD Tattoo Studio in South Edmonton — what they cost, how long they took, and how we planned them from start to finish. Whether you want a black & grey realism sleeve, a fine line collage, or a bold Japanese flow, this guide shows what to expect and how to book.
> Quick facts
• Studio: ODD Tattoo Studio, #105 — 2920 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton
• Rates: $200/hr (or $180/hr cash), $200 minimum
• By appointment only — custom work planned for long sittings
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Sleeve Case Studies (Completed)
Case Study 1: Japanese-Style Full Color
Concept: Golden Dragon, Wind, koi elements, and traditional waves, designed to wrap with natural body flow.
Sessions: 7 sessions (avg. 4–6 hrs each), plus a touch-up session once healed.
Total Time: ~38.5 hours
Tan Skin & Placement: ¾ sleeve outer & inner arm, shoulder cap integration.
Notes: Line weight was varied to hold detail long-term; negative space used to keep the sleeve breathable.
Photos:
Internal: Add 2–4 selects to the body of this post.
Optional external gallery: link to Instagram project post.
Suggested image alts:
japanese-sleeve-edmonton-outer-arm.jpg — Outer arm view of completed Japanese-style black & grey sleeve in Edmonton, healed.
japanese-sleeve-edmonton-inner-arm.jpg — Inner arm details showing wind bars and wave textures in a healed sleeve tattoo.
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Case Study 2: Two‑Days back to back Finish outside arm (Black & Grey Realism)
Concept: Cohesive collage built over two sittings (studio prep + show finish).
Sessions: 2 full day efforts
Total Time: ~ 22 hours
Notes: Heavy use of soft transitions and textured backgrounds to tie disparate focal pieces into a single read from wrist to deltoid.
Photos:
Internal: 3 angles (neutral, flexed, and close‑ups of transitions).
Optional external reel: link to convention reel.
Suggested image alts:
realism-sleeve-two-day-finish-edmonton.jpg — Completed realism sleeve finished over two days; healed macro of transitions and textures.
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Case Study 3: Fine Line Collage Sleeve (Light, Minimal, Layered)
Concept: A buildable sleeve using fine line florals, script, and minimalist symbols; designed to add pieces over time.
Sessions: 3–5 shorter sessions to place and connect elements.
Total Time: ~10–16 hours (varies with density)
Notes: Strategic use of negative space + micro‑shading to keep it elegant and readable on skin.
Photos:
Internal: flat light, no gloss; include healed follow‑ups.
Suggested image alts:
fine-line-sleeve-edmonton-collage.jpg — Minimalist fine line sleeve with floral linework and soft micro‑shading, healed.
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How We Build a Great Sleeve (Start‑to‑Finish)
1. Consultation & Fit — We map the arm’s movement (pronation/supination) and musculature to place anchors (shoulder cap, elbow hinge, wrist flow).
2. Design & Flow — We sketch large shapes first (wind bars, drapery, or background textures) and place focal points where the arm reads best from 3–5 feet.
3. Session Strategy — Long sits for lining and primary shading; mid sits for textures; short sits for polish and micro‑details.
4. Healing & Review — I use a 3‑Day Dry Heal approach for clean heals with minimal scabbing. Once healed, we schedule a short refinement session.
5. Final Polish — Edge crispening, contrast balancing, and background tie‑ins.
Pro tip: Building sleeves in phases (outline → black/grey structure → details → micro texture) saves time and improves longevity.
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Time & Cost (Transparent)
Half Sleeve: Commonly 18–20 hrs (upper or lower arm)
Three‑Quarter: 30–40 hrs
Full Sleeve: 35 – 60+ hrs depending on style, coverage, and skin
Shop rate: $200/hr ($180/hr cash). Complex realism or color saturation may push toward the higher end of the ranges. I’ll estimate during consult based on reference density, cover‑up complexity, and skin condition.
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Styles I Complete Most Often
Black & Grey Realism — portraits, statues, fauna, textures
Japanese‑inspired Flow — wind bars, waves, clouds, florals
Fine Line Collage — minimal, buildable, elegant
Dark Art / Surreal — skulls, chiaroscuro, high contrast
Color Work — selective color pops or full chroma sleeves
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Aftercare That Keeps Sleeves Looking Sharp
Edmonton’s dry climate changes how sleeves heal. I recommend the 3‑Day Dry Heal method for sleeves — dry protect for days 1–3, then ultra‑thin moisturizer once flaking begins, and light care from week two onward. This reduces thick scabbing and preserves detail. Add hydro boost daily after healing.
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Frequently Asked Questions (Sleeves)
How many sessions will my sleeve take?
Most full sleeves take 5 –10+ sessions depending on duration per session and style; I’ll map a plan after your consult.
Can I finish a sleeve quickly?
Yes, with longer sits and good prep (sleep, hydration, nutrition). Back‑to‑back days are possible for some clients.
Do fine line sleeves last?
They age well when designed with the right line weight, strategic spacing, and smart placement. Expect periodic small refreshers over the years.
Will a cover‑up make it longer or costlier?
Usually yes. Cover‑ups require extra planning, higher contrast, and more passes to neutralize the old ink.
What if I’m sensitive to pain?
We’ll place breaks, set realistic sit lengths, and focus on efficient needle time. Many clients find the rhythm very manageable.
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Ready to Start Your Sleeve?
Book your consult and tell me your theme, references, and timeline. We’ll build a piece that reads beautifully from every angle and still looks great healed years later.
Book Now
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Related Reading:
Fine Line Tattoos in Edmonton — Why They’re Taking Over the Tattoo Scene
Tattoo Aftercare Guide — The 3‑Day Dry Heal Method
Tattoo Shop Rate $$$ — How Pricing & Scheduling Work at ODD Tattoo
Large Finished Projects — See more completed work (sleeves & leg pieces)
Rates post: /the-odd-blog/2025/8/19/tattoo-shop-rate
Aftercare post: /the-odd-blog/2025/8/24/tattoo-aftercare-guide-the-3-day-dry-heal-method-for-long-lasting-vibrance
Fine line blog: /the-odd-blog/2025/8/25/fine-line-tattoos-in-edmonton-why-theyre-taking-over-the-tattoo-scene
Large Finished Projects: /large-finished-projects
Fine Line portfolio: /fine-line-tattoo-edmonton
About: /about
Location / Edmonton page: /edmonton-ab (or /edmonton-1 if you prefer that landing page)
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Backlink Playbook for This Post (quick wins)
Instagram cross‑link: Add the sleeve case study photos to this blog and post reels/carousels on @TattooEdmonton and @GirlsTattooClubYEG with the blog URL in captions and bio for 1–2 weeks.
Local directories: Ensure Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Tattoodo list this specific sleeve blog URL in the website field temporarily (then revert to homepage after the push).
Event leverage: If a sleeve was completed at the Edmonton Tattoo Show, add a line in this post referencing it and reach out to the event’s blog or socials for a repost/link.
Feature swaps: Offer a short Q&A (3–4 answers) about sleeve planning to local lifestyle blogs or barber shops’ blogs; include a followed link back to this sleeve URL.
Pinterest board: Upload 5–8 vertical images (before/after angles) with keyworded titles and link pins directly to this post.
Anchor phrases to use when someone links to you:
Edmonton sleeve tattoos, black and grey sleeve artist in Edmonton, fine line sleeve Edmonton, Japanese sleeve Edmonton.
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Image & File SEO Checklist (for you or your VA)
File names: edmonton-sleeve-odd-tattoo-<style>-<view>.jpg
Alt text: describe style + view + “Edmonton”
Add image captions with style and total hours
Compress images to < 300 KB each (TinyPNG/ShortPixel)
Use 1200×675 for Featured (OG) image
Add one healed photo above the fold
Interlink to Aftercare beneath the first fold
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FAQ Schema (JSON‑LD)
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CTA Block (drop anywhere in the post)
> Ready to build your sleeve?
Book a consult with Chris at ODD Tattoo Studio.
Rates: $200/hr ($180/hr cash).
Location: #105 — 2920 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton.
Booking: oddtattoo.com/chris
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Notes for publishing
Use the Slug above; keep the H1 exactly as written for consistency.