Black Line Studio

Got my first piercing (belly button) done here 2 weeks ago by Ion and I am thrilled with the result. I felt very comfortable in their spotless facility and my concerns were all addressed thoroughly and professionally. I was given clear instructions and great products for the aftercare, now my piercing is healing perfectly — I’ll definitely be coming back here and I’d highly recommend this studio to anyone. Thanks Ion!

I looked at different websites of shops around the city and made some phone calls to try to book a tattoo appointment. It was very last minute thing.
I didn’t want to drive downtown from uptown to put cash deposits down for some other shops in the area and have to go back down again for the appointment. Taking a chance on walk-​in availability was also not appealing.
I had sent an email to Black Line Studio and got a call back the same day and the staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating and was able to fit me in the next morning! Great work, friendly service, clean shop, price was bang-​on.
Thanks guys!

I (at the time of posting) have 5 tattoos, procured from a few different shops around the city. I’m slowly patching together a sleeve whilst planning another and I must say that my experience with Joseph and Mikey at Black Line Studio was by far the best.
I called in advance to check Mikey’s availability and the shops hours and was greeted on the phone rather enthusiastically by Joseph, the owner of the studio. He told me to come down at any time and they’d do a quick consultation and set everything up. A quick consult it was, I was only in there for 20 or so minutes (I was getting a smaller tattoo) but Joseph was very thorough, went through pictures on google to get exactly what I wanted whilst offering suggestions as to improve the look of the tattoo. He created a profile of what I wanted so Mikey would have no issue crafting a custom stencil for me. Incredibly friendly and helpful, Joseph had me feeling confident and excited upon my departure. The atmosphere of the shop is also awesome. They sell jewelry and art, clothing and accessories, workspaces line the side walls and leave the centre of the shop open for browsing. Full of interesting things you’d never get bored walking around.
The day-​of, I was ready to go. I entered the shop and was greeted by more enthusiastic and happy staff (seriously, this goes a LONG way to making people feel comfortable) who seemed as pumped as I was to be there, which was refreshing and welcomed. Mikey had a stencil ready to go, with his own little twist that was an incredible addition to my tattoo idea. He was professional and calm and offered information on his tattoo machines that previous artists had never explained. We had a great laugh about Archer and talked about music. Many people may say «so what?» but I’ve had a few experiences where I’m being tattooed and its just awkward silence permeating throughout the shop. Having an artist that wants to get to know their client’s better is not only refreshing, but also great to encourage a future working relationship. I will be back for more body art from «TheRealMrTattoo» (Mikey’s handle on Instagram).
This is a shop that not only truly cares about the quality of work it produces but also about its clients and the industry they represent. The price was a little more than I expected, but it was honestly worth it. The quality of this tattoo exceeds all my others and I know this is a shop I will return to for more work. The amount of effort they put into making sure people understand the proper aftercare methods is awesome, many shops just say «soap and water» and send you on your merry way. Not Black Line. They provide medical grade aftercare products and give you a through explanation of how to handle it so your tattoo gets the best possible results once its healed.
I highly recommend Black Line to the city of Toronto. The people working there are great, the tattoo artists passionate and dedicated and finished product shows that. Thank you Joseph and Mikey for an amazing experience and I will be in touch!

I came to this studio multiple times & saw three different artists. I can only say good things about this place & the people I dealt with.
Sometimes I’ve been a little apprehensive in the past about going into tattoo shops because they can be a bit pushy or intimidating, but not here.
I met with Joseph at the front all three times to get ideas going & then did consults with the artists to figure out what I wanted. The end results were awesome. I’ve recommended a few friends here since to see Sarah or India (who did amazing work!).
The studio itself is really well kept, clean & bright. You don’t feel stuffy in any of the rooms.
The price was about what I would expect. It’s based on an hourly rate. When it comes to tattoos I don’t think ‘cheap’ is a good thing when we’re talking about anything to do with them.
I am definitely a fan & will return for any future ink here!

Had a phenomenal tattoo done here– so happy with it. The service was good and the tattoo artist that I had drew several sketches as options for me; it really mattered to her that I liked it. It was not cheap though– my beautiful dove tattoo was about $ 500. I’ll always pay more for something that’s on my body for the rest of my life! Really cool vibe in the place too– you feel like you’re in a boutique business unlike mass tattoo producing places like Adrenaline or New Tribe. I would go back!

I had a great experienced getting. I went in for he tiniest tattoo and they did not make me feel bad at all! They were helpful, friendly, and clean.
The only thing I did t like was the price… seemed a bit pricier than most. But if that’s the cost of good service and cleanliness, I’ll take it!

I had a great experience getting my first tattoo at Black Line Studio. Overall, a great bunch of people, super friendly, and very professional. Everyone I dealt with took the time to ensure I was taken care of and comfortable. And Sarah does great work! A very clean and great looking studio, a very comfortable place to spend a few hours. I will definitely go back when it comes time for the next tattoo.

Just dropped in to get a piercing re-​done. Fantastic service! I’m not a big fan of needles and they made me feel totally comfortable. They only charged me for the stud and not the piercing itself because it hadn’t grown over completely. This was very nice of them because I definitely wouldn’t have noticed.
The studio itself is absolutely beautiful, too. I could have hung out all day.

This place is garbage, they have got to be some of the worst piercers I have ever come across.
I went to buy jewelry to start stretching up again as I had taken mine out about 2 years ago, the piercer told me they’d have to measure my holes to see what size they were first. Right before he started I made it very clear to him that I didn’t want him to tear my ear so to be careful and stop when I told him. Clearly this was too much for this idiot to understand as when I asked him to stop he told me it was fine and pushed the tapering pin right through and tore my ear.
I would recommend that anyone that is planning to have a piercing done find one of the many other places in this city that are capable of doing their job right.

The tattoo artist Sarah was far too grouchy to deliver the kind of work that she did. I expected far better. I got a lecture about how she «doesn’t do sh*tty tattoos» and now that mine are healed I can see all of the imperfections.
If she was rude but an amazing artist, it would have been okay.
Not doing free touch-​ups on work that isn’t on fingers is bull.
Also, when I made my appointment I was underquoted on the price.
Customer service was decent.
I’m sure Toronto has better and/​or nicer artists out there.

I am surprised this place doesn’t have (much) better ratings. From consultation to application I spoke with 6 people that work there and they were friendly and professional about all my questions. I can’t say I relate to the previous comments.
The studio is beautiful: high ceilings, hardwood throughout and very bright. It has more of the feel of a spa/​clinic than a tattoo parlor. I believe I was very lucky to have found India — she created a piece of art that perfectly covered an old tattoo. She’s patient but very serious about what she does and the result is amazing.
I would definitely recommend Black Line Studio (and obviously India). I can’t comment on price in relation to other studios but quite honestly, a tattoo isn’t really the service I want to haggle on either ;-)

After reading some of these reviews which are not all AMAZING I had to question whether I had the right place. It seems that I do.
My experience here was awesome. I just got a very small simple tattoo behind my ear so maybe I can’t speak much for the skill level but I can say that everyone at Black Line was beyond accommodating and extremely nice.
I was only in town for a few days and the tattoo was a bit impulsive. I checked out a few shops. The first one I stopped in (lucky for them I cannot remember the name of it) looked like a pretty good shop but they were so rude. They gave me an oddly judging once-​over and i guess because I am not COVERED in tattoos decided i didn’t know what I wanted or was talking about.
So I left there discouraged thinking maybe I didn’t want a tattoo after all. Then I came upon Black Line!
The shop is beautiful. Really funky and cool looking. Probably because the very sweet girl at the desk is also a designer and designed the whole storefront. She did a fantastic job.
When I told her what I wanted she immediately disappeared into the back with where she printed out several ideas for me. Without me even asking. Like I said, beyond accommodating.
Long story shortened. everyone there was really great, the vibe was very friendly and they made my trip to Canada extremely memorable. I’ve actually thought of booking trips back to take some of my friends who are planning their first tattoos.
It was that good. I only wish I lived closer (I live in NY) or knew more people in Canada so I could send all my friends there!
It’s a wonderful shop and I hope I get to go back one day for a bigger piece.

This is long overdue. I have 8 tattoos, from a number of different Toronto shops. And when I feel the need for some more ink, I will be calling Black Line. 1) The place is immaculate and is designed so that you can TELL it is immaculate with clean glass and metal surfaces everywhere. 2) They have some of the world’s most interesting and unique artists visit to tattoo for a week or so. 3) Their in-​house artists LISTEN during consutations, but also advise, so you don’t wind up with permanent crap on your body. Everybody has an IDEA of what they want, but it is the consultation that turns it into a tattoo that you will be proud to show. 4) I have a piercing in a very personal place from Black Line too, and though it hurt like hell for about 5 seconds, I was completely comfortable and had no doubt I was in professional hands throughout. 5) THEY REMEMBERED ME on my subsequent visits. That is a completely unique feature when compared with other shops I have patronized.

Absolutely brilliant tattoo studio had 2 done on the same day! The Guys who work there are really talented and designed both of them and my sisters and my best mate’s. One was a cover up and the difference is astounding! would always go here. Great service!

If it’s going to be your first tattoo or on the last inch of space your body has left for ink I’m always going to recommend Black Line Studio if you’re in Toronto.
I read some of the other reviews, and I mean okay, that’s fine not everyone is going to have a great experience everywhere but here’s why I recommend this place.
For starters it’s clean. This is a big thing for me, especially when it comes to tattoo shops. Also it has high ceilings and is bright. Which again, add to the whole being clean and open.
I wasn’t the one getting the tattoo however, this place still made an impact on me. So much so it’s compelled me to Unilocal!about it. Nevertheless, it was my friends first tattoo and it was going to be on their ribs — not a walk in the park for your first tattoo. The tattoo artist, whose name escapes me right now, was awesome to make sure my friend was holding up okay and was willing to give them a bit of a break when they’d ask. Just a really chill guy easy to talk with, you know all the little things that make you feel comfortable when getting a tattoo but not realizing it.
They also have a lot of merchandise here. So if you are waiting you can check out body jewellery, accessories, clothing and art so you’ll be occupied.
Anyway, it’s been a couple months since my friend got their tattoo and I know they’ve been mentioning they’re going to get it touched up a bit (obviously there is no charge for this) and overall they’re really happy with it.
Just a suggestion though (I noticed another review mentioned it as well) if it is your first tattoo remember to eat something before you go so you don’t get light headed. Oh and if it’s a large piece or in a painful spot make sure you take it easy a day or two later.
One last thing, they sell the aftercare soap and lotion there so you don’t need to worry about that. They’ll take care of you here if it’s your first tattoo or your 100^th tattoo.

Lost my tattoo virginity here, and I’d say overall it was a good experience. Yeah, the place is obnoxious, and the guys at the front desk tend towards being douchebags, but I really liked Peter, the tattoo was exactly what I wanted, and the price turned out under what I expected. I’ve been back with friends since for them to get piercings and tattoos done, and they’ve been overall happy with the experience.
The hard sell on the aftercare products was annoying, but really, it’s the same stuff that everyone hustles, and they’re relatively inexpensive.

I got a HUGE tattoo on my back and went to Aaron. He was great — laid-​back, friendly, and easy to hang with; I’m sorry to say that Black Line lost him to Red Buddha, a tattoo shop he’s opening in Peterborough. PETERBOROUGH?
I like the studio itself — it’s clean, bright, and I felt really comfortable there. Although I didn’t appreciate the dimwit who booked my appt. He didn’t think to offer any suggestions to a new client (although this wasn’t my first tattoo). I was being all proactive with questions: A) Should I wear a stretchy black bra in case I’m bleeding? B) Should I wear a black T-​shirt? C) Anything I need to buy in advance? D) Do I need to swing by in advance with my ideas? The problem is, if someone is that Type A about things, they wouldn’t be working in a tattoo shop — they’d be doing concierge at the Four Seasons. So, if you’re a tatt newbie, bring snacks or eat first; wear black; don’t make any plans for right after (you may need to go home and veg); be prepared not to move actively for a few days (as you’ll be in some pain); wear loose, comfy clothes that you may bleed a bit on; in advance, have Saran Wrap and bandage tape prepared at home; have a friend lined up to apply moisturizer on your tattoo if it’s in an awkward place (mine was on my back, so I needed help). Also, if it’s a large tattoo, prepare to come in for a few sessions — make sure your artist will be around to finish it! Tattoo artists move around.
I’d return there… there’s another artist I have my eye on. We’ll see…

So, I went here to get my first tattoo. A very small word on the inside of my wrist in white ink. You can barely see it, it’s so tiny and took about 15 minutes to do. Unfortunately it cost me 80+ bucks. Their minimum is higher than most, but it’s understandable once you enter the studio. It’s higher class than most tattoo shops in the area. Plus they pride themselves on their merchandise.
The one thing that I didn’t appreciate from this place in comparison to others is that they make you think that if you don’t buy their products, your tattoos won’t heal properly. There are plenty of other products you can use that cost much less and actually help heal a lot better.
Overall, I had a good experience. I was sick and ended up passing out like a minute into it and the entire staff dealt with me pretty well. Getting out smelling salts and letting me crash on their bathroom floor until I had energy back.
None of the artists really stood out to me too much, my sister, friend and I all went to Scott. or was it Steve? If he’s still there, I’d recommend him as his portfolio was the best at the time… which was also over two years ago.