Inkwell Studio

I’ve been to inkwell twice now and am defiantly coming back, Aaron tatted me up and I couldn’t been more happy. He had a great additude and has always been professional. I highly recommend this spot!

Went there on a whim to get a tattoo done because the normal spot I go to couldn’t get me in for a while… and yes. I have a new tattoo artist. Stix is the man. I got a pretty detailed outside of the Great Lakes, and Stix KILLED IT. It is so good. Also, he’s very personable (everyone in there was, actually) and he made it an overall great experience. I recommend checking this place out for a tattoo and I HIGHLY recommend Stix.

This place is amazing! It’s very clean, colorful, and has pieces on all the walls. I got my tattoo done by Duckie. It was my first time so of course being a girl I had my best friends with me. They were so loud and talked about some personal things but Duckie just laughed and talked to us too! He was really nice, gave me all the information I needed to take care of it afterwards, and got me through the first couple of minutes by asking me if I’m okay. My tattoo is a revised version of what I brought in and I love it! I don’t know how tattoos are supposed to be priced, trust me I was looking for references, mine was $ 300. I’ll try to post a photo. It was worth every penny though. Also, he was really good looking so I mean that was just a plus! Ahaha. I’m getting another one in a couple of months by him. Hope it goes as well as it did today.

This review is for piercing services only.
Today I stopped into Inkwell to buy some jewelry (lip and septum ring) and Wade helped me out. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and thorough. He’s a little weird — but it was clear that he cared a lot and wanted to do right by me, the customer.
I decided that since I was there, I might as well get my ears pierced; I’d been thinking about it for a while! Wade was SO thorough; he talked me through all the steps, took really good care of safety with the sterilization and everything, it was just overall the best experience I’ve had at a piercing studio, ever. Really great.
He also gave me a great deal! Go here to get piercings done.
Cons (not enough to knock off even one star, though):
— Their jewelry collection is actually really small, but he said they’re continuing to grow it.
— Credit card machine was down while I was there, I had to go across the street to get cash. This can happen to any business, I think, though, and it’s hopefully temporary.
— They were playing really loud, really annoying music (like, the Meow Mix jingle on a loop weird). I think they were kidding around with it, trying to annoy each other? It was kind of funny. But I could see someone that was more nervous about their piercing be put in a bad mood because of the ambiance.

I needed to get a tattoo done and every place I went to and called were simply too busy to see me. These guys not only were willing to see me (as a walk in) but they got on creating my tattoo right away. Justin did an amazing job stenciling my tattoo and confirming with me on the details before the needle even came out.
The place was clean, sterile and inviting. It was so chill that some of the guys were playing billiards as I walked in :) I was totally comfortable and impressed with their professionalism and artistry.
If you want a tattoo done (and done RIGHT) come to these guys!

I thought I’d try Ink Well because it was very convenient for me. I wanted to complete my half sleeve and get some «blow out» covered up. Jori was very friendly and helpful with giving me ideas because I was completely clueless. Aaron Davis was my artist and gave me exactly what I was looking for, he even made some additional suggestions which came out awesome! The things I like about these guys is that they were very professional yet easy going. I swear, for some reason Aaron is the first artist where I didn’t feel any pain. Maybe because I told him my skin is so sensitive. Haha it was a little pricey but I will definitely be come here for future work.

I had a tattoo done here and was (and still am) really excited about it. I left another tattoo parlor in Oakland after they had me waiting forever with an appointment. My girlfriend is friends with the owner and they were able to take me immediately as a walk in. Justin was my artist. I had my own design, so all he had to do was blown it up, create the stencil, and finish it. It literally took 15 minutes from when I walked in to when we were done. Cost $ 100, but I expected to spend as much on a tattoo anyway, so I was fine with it.
Because of this great experience, I decided I wanted Justin to design another tattoo for me of my children’s zodiac’s signs mixed together. I called him, got his e-​mail and sent him some ideas of what I wanted. We had a bit of a back and forth. He sent me an idea and I recommended some changes. He was supposed to send me the final product because we had set an appointment a few days later. Crickets. I reached out a final time (I had sent an e-​mail that went unanswered during this week) on the day of the appointment to ask if I should show up (I live in Oakley). Justin replied that he was glad I e-​mailed because he was going to ask me to reschedule. He gave me his cell number and told me to text him in order to reschedule. I texted. Crickets.
So, Inkwell does good work (which is what most people getting tattoos are concerned about). However, I abhor the unprofessionalism I received in attempting to get my second tatto and I don’t appreciate the fact that I had to reach out to him when he was the one rescheduling. There’s nothing I dislike more than a lack of responsiveness. I understand that artists are labeled as flighty, but one does not have to prove the theory correct.
I did end up getting my tatto at King Cobra in Oakley by Nixx and it was great! :-)

I went into Inkwell with a small idea of getting a wolf tattoo on my knee. I decided to work with Aaron Davis after reviewing his portfolio. This is not my first, second, or fifth tattoo however, I have never been treated so well as I was that day. Without giving much direction Aaron drew up an original piece for me ASAP. it was EXACTLY what I was looking for even though I wasn’t able to articulate it. He promptly placed and finished the tattoo but was also able to make me feel comfortable and joke with me. I’ve been to a lot of shops that have been rude and/​or pretentious and Aaron and Inkwell was the exact opposite. I had never been to the shop prior but once I walked in I felt like I was worth the time. I will 100% be coming back for much more work by Aaron he is talented and hilarious!

So I have been wanting to check out this shop for a while and I’m happy I did. I originally wanted to get a battle axe tonight but it would of took too long so my appt is next week for the axe. Instead I got a sick ass sweet ass red tailed hawk on my right forearm. My tattoo artist was Justin and he is an amazing dude. Not only that but he is very detailed oriented and patient with you as a customer. The prices aren’t bad also

I went in to Inkwell tonight to get a small tattoo – some lettering on my arm – and Aaron helped me. He was great, really chill. The whole shop is relaxed and welcoming, not intimidating like I feel some could be maybe. Great music also. The tattoo took about 20 minutes, and Aaron chatted while he worked, and I absolutely love the finished product. Will definitely go back to Inkwell for my next tattoo!
One thing: If you’re paying with a credit card and are probably going to be giving a gratuity (and why not?), consider bringing cash for the gratuity – no place to put it on the receipt. I stupidly didn’t bring any cash and felt like a complete tool afterward, because I loved how it all turned out and the entire experience was as comfortable as it could have been.
So in sum: GO HERE. Great work, beautiful art, really talented artists.

Great spot! I’ve been a patronizing Zebra for over 15 years and I’m so happy I found a spot closer to home to go for my peircing and tattooing needs. Great location, easy parking and great staff. The owner is very nice. They even have local art and offer clothing items.
On a side note: this has been my third time I’ve gotten my nose peirced and it was definitely the least painful. My peircer, I believe her name was Shawna, was very gentle and made my experience very comfortable. Its always a little weird having someone so close to your face looking up your nose, but she pulled it off: D Anyway, they made a customer for life. Check it out if your in the area! I can’t wait to go get a new tattoo!

Thanks for my piercings Dylan. You’re awe-​some. Nice guy, personable, made me feel comfy and we had good repartee as well as being patient with how i wanted my simple piercings to look. Much appreciated :)

I got a botched nose piercing back home in Boston so I went into Inkwell at the recommendation of a friend I was visiting in the area to get it fixed. The shop is bright and clean, and the staff was very welcoming and helpful.
The piercer (whose name I can’t remember) was really nice and helpful. After I explained my situation she brought me in and put in the type of starter sterile jewelry that should have been used in the first place and gave me thorough instructions on care.
They also have an art gallery with some great pieces that you should check out.
Thank you!

I’ve been contemplating touching up my old work and subsequently inspired by an ex lover to add on to my back piece for a few months’ now.
I had driven by Inkwell many times on my way to work and I was always impressed with the exterior. I finally walked in to check out some portfolios of the resident artists.
I was pleasantly greeted and listened to respectfully about what I was looking for and whether or not any of the artists were willing to touch up old work and add onto it.
I have to say that I was apprehensive at first, but when I sat down and met with the artist (Jori) my fears were put to rest.
I cannot say enough about the level of professionalism and attention to detail that Jori exhibits. He takes immense pride in his work and does not just crank out flash.
Actually there is no flash on any wall in Inkwell studio, everything is custom designed and painstakingly renderend onto the flesh.
I am now ¹⁄₃ of the way done with my piece and I cant wait to get back and see the final outcome.
If you’re looking for a true professional environment and artist setting in every sense of the word, look no further then Inkwell.

A friend of mine told me that her shop had some zombie art pieces on display for Art Murmur, and being a local guy and appreciating local talent, I decided to check-​it out: besides, I had never been to InkWell and thought I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
Aside from a few in Vegas and some of the larger local studios, most of the tattoo shops that I’ve visited have been a bit cramped and offered no room to relax. I don’t have tattoos or piercings, but I have accompanied many friends: I have been to very small shops where you basically have a small bathroom sized waiting room, only to go back into an even smaller sized room to get inked — same with piercing studios where you’re not sure if you would walk in without shoes let alone get pierced in the shop. I’ve also been to places where the employees aren’t friendly and are more intimidating than accommodating, so I really didn’t know what to expect from InkWell.
As soon as I walked in, I was amazed by the size of the shop. It’s a huge corner lot with a lot of natural light. They have multiple stations for tattoo artists and piercers, neat shirts (some by local designers), hand-​knit items that can be customized, and a pool table with lounge area. It’s clean and nice — very impressive when compared to other local shops. They want you to like your experience and to feel comfortable in the shop — very casual vibe without the fake tough-​guy act.
Immediately after walking in, a very nice young woman (Winnie) asked me if I needed anything. She probably saw my expression of awe and mistook it for confusion, or maybe she picked up on how out of place I looked, but either way, she spent a few minutes walking through the shop with me and showing me all of their services and products. It was first-​class all the way and she made me feel very welcome without once pressuring me to buy anything. They have pictures that you can point to, but from my visit, it seems as if the tattoo artists want to sit down and design something with you — a personalized tattoo versus something from Google images.
During my visit, I met Jaylyn from DOJA. I heard her talking about her line of shirts — the environmental impact and the «made in the USA» philosophy — and I walked away very impressed by her ideas and ideology. She is an attractive woman with some good ideas and strong determination, and I don’t think it’s the last I’ll hear about her. I hope Jaylyn hits me up for the shout out because I would love to hear more about her ideas and upcoming designs/​events.
I met 2 piercers during my visit, Kim and Shayna, both very nice and accommodating. They totally chatted with me and smiled at my lame jokes/​attempt at flirting — I almost felt guilty about not buying anything.
InkWell is a very positive place with some very friendly/​welcoming staff members. The store is large and bright, and I’d be very surprised if anyone had a negative experience.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GET A PIERCING HERE! DOOO NOT!
the lady that pierced me was soo inexperienced. she pushed at my nipple for 45 seconds and still didn’t finish. I had to stop her and ask her if she was almost done. I shouldn’t have let her finish, but I was there and made it that far, so she pierced my second nipple. SHE WENT UNDER MY AREOLA. So they are crooked and messed up… I wasted my money, and now won’t ever get my nipples pierced again. I don’t know about their tattoos, but do NOT get any piercings there.

Had the most awesome experience with the artist, Jake! He put not only myself, but my friend at ease & did a wonderful job on both of our tattoos.
The shop is clean & well put together. Everything was sanitary & as a germaphobe I really appreciated that he opened everything right there in front of me. I will most definitely be coming back & I’m quite excited about my next tattoo experience!

I am a total baby when it comes to tattoos, even if they are small and simple, but Jake really put me at ease when getting my little back symbols a couple months ago. The shop itself is really nice and laid back, and I VERY MUCH appreciate that each work station is private. There’s nothing worse (to me) than being forced to lay whining and whimpering about a little tattoo in front of the entire shop AND all the patrons. So ya, the privacy screen was a nice touch.
Yes, they are a bit expensive. But come on, when it comes to getting something permanent put on your body, are you really going to go bargain hunting? My symbols came out exactly as I imagined them, after Jake gave me good advice on placement and what to expect. With the ointment cream I got, they healed great within a week!

Just got some pristine lettering from Danielle at the new shop site yesterday. She did a great job and her touch is light, but the ink is in.
This new space (2400 Broadway, right next to the YMCA) is clean, open and full of natural light. The owners are competent and warm people and who are filling the lounge with great style. The prices are normal and fair.
Anyone looking for a a great consultation, professional interactions and sterile conditions should really get work done here.
Their First Fridays are lining up to be be pretty fun as they are now in the HEART of Oakland’s ArtMurmur. (And a block away from Mua and Nex, and 3 blocks from WholeFoods so you can grab some sustenance before you get your tattoo!)

Yo, Had a tattoo done here by a guy from InkWell named Juri and the tattoo was not what I described to him, the reason being is he didn’t listen. When dealing with permanent ink the person tatting you have to listen and let you decide on modifications; It’s your skin. They do not free hand on you they draw on paper, lick it, then put it on you. LOL. I am not speaking on the shop as a whole; only the person I mentioned that performed my tattoo.
1) They are like car sales men, they will tell you just what you want to hear AND THEY ARE HELLA EXPENSIVE!!! CALL & ASK THEN COMPARE prices to other locations… The work appear’s average until I seen the work of another artist. (Or go to Sacred Heart off Broadway in Oakland). They are much better!
2) They go for the kill on your body since they are not good listeners. 3) When you go back to and state you have an issue with the outcome of work. There is no need to assist you cause your tattoo is permanent and he has your money!!! Trust this post.
********************************************************************************
GO TO FIVE & DIME TATTOO AND SEE FRANK AT:
FIVE & DIME TATTOO
1607 2ND AVENUE
OAKLAND, CA 94 607