Laura Fraser / Ryersonian Staff

Tattoo artist Shane Sunday of Exotix Studios.

Amanda McNeil, a third-year arts student at Ryerson, will have to wait a week for her tattoo at Exotix Studios -- it's that busy. Thursday at 4 p.m., Steve Plum will be her tattoo artist.

Located at 368 Church St., Exotix is close enough to campus to keep the parlour stocked with a steady supply of adventurous Ryerson students.

Plum said he sometimes gets three or four students a day. He said it is especially hectic during frosh week when young girls get "Ryerson" inked across their lower backs.

But not all students are prepared for the pain of a tattoo, he said.

"I've had students puke, scream and cry," Plum said.  "You get a diverse crowd."

At $60 for the most basic of tattoos, he appreciates the business.  "And the good looking girls aren't bad either," he added with a smile.

On Thursday, Plum will be tattooing McNeil's Scottish family crest onto her lower back.  It will say "Conquest or Die" in Latin.  McNeil said the phrase is framed and up on the wall in her parents' home.

She points with a purple nail to where Plum, whose co-worker Shane Sunday is pictured, will draw her tattoo.  "I've always wanted it done," she said. "And it's clean!"