Empress Tattoo

Empress Tattoo has been serving Airdrie and the greater Calgary area since 2019, growing from a solo studio into a full team of artists working out of a private-room studio space. Founded by Kailey Jacob alongside her husband Taggart, the shop expanded over the years to include additional artists while keeping its founding philosophy intact: treating artists as their own bosses, with flexible schedules and a shared, communal creative atmosphere rather than fixed studio hours. In 2024 the team moved into a larger location offering personalized private rooms for each artist, allowing for privacy during sessions while still fostering a collective, collaborative environment among the group.

The studio's artists cover a wide range of specialties, including colour realism, black and grey realism, cover-ups, fine line, micro realism, pointillism, full colour and grey-scale work, cartoon styles, anime, gothic ornamental, and stylized realism. Empress operates primarily by appointment, with occasional walk-in availability depending on the artist. New clients are matched with an artist whose style fits their vision, followed by a free consultation before booking, giving each person a clear, personal path from idea to finished tattoo.