Where can I buy tattoo shop equipment in Canada?
Maple Tattoo Supply stocks the full range of professional tattoo shop equipment in Canada — arm rests starting at CA$74.95, work stations, artist chairs, ultrasonic cleaners, LED studio lighting, skin markers, ink display holders, and travel cases. Everything ships fast from our Toronto warehouse across Canada, priced in CAD with no surprise fees at the border.
What equipment do I need to open a tattoo shop?
A complete starter studio needs: at least one tattoo machine and power supply, an arm rest and work station for each artist, an artist chair, an ultrasonic cleaner for reusable tools, proper studio lighting, a sharps container for disposal, and consumables like cartridges, ink, gloves, barrier film, stencil products, and aftercare. Beyond the equipment side, opening a shop in Canada also means meeting your local public-health unit's licensing and inspection requirements, which vary by province and municipality.
What's the best arm rest for tattooing?
It depends on the work and the artist. The standard Arm Rest (CA$74.95) is the entry-level workhorse — sturdy, adjustable, and reliable for most sessions. The Arm Rest Premium (CA$139.95) adds finer adjustability and better stability for longer pieces. For large clients or full-back work, the Premium Large (CA$159.95) and Extra Large Premium (CA$269.95) give you more surface area without the client repositioning mid-session. Most working artists end up owning two — one standard for portability, one premium for the main bench.
Do I need an ultrasonic cleaner in my tattoo studio?
If you reuse any tools — surgical steel forceps, pliers, anything that goes back into rotation — yes. An ultrasonic cleaner (CA$60 in our range) uses high-frequency sound waves to remove residue, dried ink, and biological matter from instrument surfaces before sterilization, which is more effective than scrubbing by hand. It's the standard pre-sterilization step in any professional studio. If you run a fully single-use disposable setup, it's not strictly required, but most pro studios still keep one on hand.
What lighting is best for a tattoo studio?
For active tattoo work, LED studio lighting with adjustable brightness and a high CRI (colour rendering index) is the standard — it shows true skin tones and ink colours without washing them out. Our Double LED Light 50W (CA$149.95) is built for that level of precision work. For stencil tracing and design refinement, a Light Tracing Pad (CA$29.95) gives you a flat, even backlight to transfer designs accurately. Ambient room lighting matters less; the bench lighting is where the actual work happens.
