Austin In Ink

Reader MB writes:

I would like to get a tattoo, but would not like to get Hepatitis or something. Any in-town recommendations?

Well, as long as you don’t get your tattoo from a homeless guy in an alley you’re probably safe from disease. These things are regulated.

Beyond that, it’s time to do some legwork. We can get you started, but it’s really all about personal preference. Here’s a list of local places. There are a lot. Austin is a pretty inked up place.

We also asked a couple of friends who have tattoos we like. The first said he wouldn’t even consider any place in Austin except Perfection Tattoo. Both of his arms are covered in ink. The second, who’s got a reproduction of a Frida Kahlo painting on her back (among other things), got hers at the annual Star Of Texas Tattoo Art Revival.

Feel free to recommend your favorite Austin tattoo artists in the comments!

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By Kristina B in Other on June 29, 2005 2:14 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Jackie

You might also try Jason Masarik. My last four tattoos have been done by him. He does GREAT custom work. Any idea that I bring him, he can always make it happen. He works at Atomic Tattoo on Burnet road and he's been tattooing for like 13 years or something.

sandra

I'm the Kahlo tattoo chick... and I "second" the rec for Perfection Tattoo. But you don't have to wait on the 3 year list for Chris Treviño. He only hires the best for his parlor! Jason and Leo do excellent work - I have another tattoo (a Mayan goddess) done by Leo and its beautiful. He also has a very fast, light hand. He likes to stay on the d-l but he's there - just ask for him!

Ray

Chris Trevino at Perfection Tattoo is the man. To find someone better than that, especially in the Japanese style, you'd have to go out to the west coast.

He's expensive, and his waiting list is long, but good tattoos aren't cheap, and cheap tattoos aren't good.

Ben Brown

The important thing to do when looking for a good tattoo place is to go into a few different spots. Talk to the tattoo artists. Look at their portfolios. Make sure you find someone and someplace you are comfortable with - getting a tattoo takes an hour or two, depending on how big and complicated it is, and it hurts. You want someone who is going to put you at ease.

After you get your tattoo, you have to take extra special good care of it. Listen to your tattoo artist about proper aftercare.

Anywhere you go should be pretty sterile now adays. Watch to make sure that every needle comes out of a sterile package, and that the tattoo artist washes his hands and wears gloves. It should feel pretty much like a doctors office in there.