Bound By Design

Came in kinda late with a group of four who all wanted a nose piercing. We are not the easiest group of girls to handle and Patrick did such an amazing job with being patient and explaining everything to us multiple times. I was really scared and he was totally reassuring and sensitive. He even didn’t hesitate to change the jewelry when two of us decided we wanted something smaller. Even Ashley at the front desk was super friendly and helpful. This place is A++ in my book.

I got my nose pierced here yesterday! The customer service was excellent. Tiffany was wonderful & made the experience painless and easy. Thanks so much!

I’ve only come here for piercings, I haven’t gotten a tattoo [yet]. My friend originally referred me to this place because she’s gotten pretty much everything pierced.
When you walk in it’s a pretty spacious, laid back environment with one room for just piercings and separate rooms for getting tattoos done. Most of the time that I’ve come here I haven’t had to wait very long at all. They are very conscientious about being sanitary with piercings. I got my triple forward helix piercings here, rook, and two lobes pierced and I have never had any issues with them. They use gloves and change them as needed and they clean the earrings prior to use. All of my piercings have been quick and painless. The recovery is a whole different story. The rook has been by far the most painful recovery for me in case anyone is wondering.
They go through instructions on care and they are extremely nice about coming back to get anything fixed. If you even have a doubt in mind (infection wise), just drop by and have them look at your piercing and they will help you out. They are all extremely professional here and I highly recommend them. They may not be the cheapest place, but when it comes to my body I will pay to get it done right.

DO NOT GET PIERCINGS HERE! I got my lip and my belly done here and neither one of them heeled correctly, even when cleaned properly. They don’t tell you the gauge of the piercing they are putting in so it makes buying new ones almost impossible in the future. Plus, I waited almost two hours to be treated with serious disrespect.

Many moons ago, I got a couple tattoos here, both of which I love. Every time I drive past Bound, I think ’ I really would like to get a new tattoo, and if I did, I would come here. ’ I remember how comfortable I felt there, and how clean it was. But alas, the timing and money never worked out.
A few days ago, my bestie asked me about industrial piercings (the bar that goes across two holes in your ear). I won’t bore you with the details, but it basically ended with me looking at all the different kinds of ear piercings and getting that itch to do something, anything, to add a little spice to my style. I immediately thought of Bound, but living in the age we do, it’s hard to not go to Unilocal to see what others are saying. How had Bound held up over the years, especially on the seedy playground that is Colfax Avenue? As I read through the reviews, the name Tiffany came up over and over. Apparently, she was the second coming of piercers. And today I just happened to be in the neighborhood and she just happened to be working. Fate? Destiny? Or just an excuse for me to scratch that itch? Call it what you will, but the end result was nothing short of one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Ever.
Oh yes, Bound has held up very well since I last ventured in there. The inside is gorgeous, with shiny wood floors, crystal clear glass display cases, and one hell of a friendly chick working the front desk (so sorry I don’t know her name!). She answered all my questions, pulled out an ear diagram with all the possible piercing options and really took time to listen to what I wanted and made suggestions. Once I decided on a tragus in my right ear, she quickly rung me up (25 for the piercing and 31 for the jewelry i piced out, plus tip) and let the piercer know I was there. I knew it would be Tiffany, as I had scoped out her hours to make sure she would be there. And even though I came in during her last hour on duty, she took all the time in the world to make sure my piercing would be in the perfect spot. Honestly, I felt like we’d known each other for years, that’s how easygoing she is. I really felt like we should have been at a bar drinking beer, not in a tattoo parlor with me about to get a hole punched in my ear.
I can’t say enough about her piercing technique. I was never worried about the pain, but it was still pretty awesome how she just did it, before I could even take the deep breath she wanted me to before the needle went in. I think the whole process took 45 seconds, and her hands moved faster than my brain could process any of the pain she described. She was very thorough in her aftercare instructions.
In summary, Bound by Design lived up to all my expectations. I don’t know how it compares price-​wise to other places. I thought 25 was pretty reasonable, and my jewelery options ranged from 20 – 50. My friend asked about an industrial piercing and it was 70, piercings and jewelry together. But it’s not the price or the jewelry that mattered. It was the people. I felt so welcome, even though I might not look like the stereotypical body-​mod person. Some reviews said they had issues with rudeness, but I didn’t get any of that. As soon as I walked in, I was comfortable, and it can be hard to get that feeling from a place that faces Colfax. I love how professional but relaxed it was and I can not wait to go back to get more piercings from Tiffany!

I absolutely love Bound By Design! The piercers are wonderful (very patient with nervous customers) and the tattoo artists are wonderful. I will always go here for piercings and tattoos. I recommend Zech Tallant (tattoo artist).
Their jewelry is amazing quality and I ALWAYS get infections from other places’ jewelry. Always.

Silly me had a little too much fun over the weekend and lost my nose ring. I panicked when I couldn’t get a ring in the next day, and went straight to Unilocal to check out good piercing places near me to get it gauged. I’m so glad I trusted my fellow Unilocalers! All of the staff were extremely helpful, and the shop was extremely UN-​intimidating!
The artist who gauged my nose ring also recommended a different type of stud than I had previously, so that I won’t have issues snagging it out anymore. The process was clean, fast, and relatively painless!
I usually entrust my tattoo artist back in Detroit for all of my work, but since I visit so few and far between, this might just be my new tattoo shop as well!

I love this place. Not intimidating at all, in fact the customer service here is superb. I got my nose pierced here a month ago. The woman piercer is so nice, comforting, and informative. I went back to buy a stud for my nose and the piercer put it in for me! I didn’t expect that so when asked beforehand if I wanted to leave a tip on my card, I said no because I thought I’d just be buying the stud and leaving. I will be back soon enough and leave her an extra tip for that. The woman behind the counter is extremely friendly as well.
Great service. Will definitely be back for any piercings and hopefully soon for tattoo work.

Super laid back staff, seen them serve a variety of different people and styles. Never had an artist I didn’t like and always seem to get the perfect person for what I’m getting done.

Preface: I am the type that is super intimidated by tattoo parlors. I only have my ears pierced, no tattoos, and my version of being rebellious was getting my tragus pierced. I know, it’s rather pathetic.
I walked into Bound by Design, and announced my plan for a piercing. The artist, whose name I can’t remember, was very professional. She had tattoos and piercings galore, and though it would have been very easy for me to feel out of place, she made me feel nothing but comfortable.
As for the piercing, she talked me through what would happen. She cleaned everything thoroughly, used gloves, and was very quick and efficient. It hardly took long enough for me to even think about being uncomfortable.
Afterward, and this is embarrassing to admit, I stood up and was feeling super woozy. I must have swayed a little bit, because the tech grabbed my shoulders and assisted me in sitting down. Then, she offered me some apple juice and peanut butter crackers and encouraged me to eat before leaving. Again, she was beyond friendly the entire time. I felt respected and as a result, I will go back for any future piercings and/​or tattoos.

I came in for a tattoo and let them know my idea. They gave me professional advice on what would look best short term and long term. Mandy was my artist and I gave her a little artistic freedom when it came to drawing my tattoo out and I do not regret it one bit. She was super nice and told jokes during the whole process. I am extremely satisfied with the result. Mandy did an excellent job.

This is the best place! Tiffany did my tragus piercing and also pierced my two friends. She is efficient and extremely friendly. She doesn’t make you uncomfortable. Walks you through it and voila, done. Best place in town.

I just got my septum pierced with Candace and I have to say that she did an excellent job! She was really informative, particular about her work and made me feel right at home. I think I will check on getting a tattoo there next!

Absolutely adore the staf and love everything about the place. Patrick is the shit. He does an excellent job with piercings and making sure everything is well with the shop. Been coming here for years. No other place like Bound!

I decided to get my nose pierced and called the shop. The women who answered the phone was polite and answered my questions. Candice did my piercing. She was awesome! She patiently answered all my questions, and did a great job explaining everything that needed to be done for the healing process. The piercing was probably less than 45 seconds, and thanks to Candice’s skill, didn’t hurt at all. I highly recommend this place!

this place is so great! Clean, professional, and very helpful… not snooty like some places you walk into. I would totally recommend this place for piercing and they have fantastic tattoo artists too

Oh let me count the number of body parts I would entrust to Tiffany and her stabby utensils!
So far I’ve only handed over two (both of the nipples) and the whole process was nothing like any of the piercings (tongue, navel, etc.) I’ve had done (and taken out) over the past 18 years (so what. I’m old.).
The long and short of it is: The piercing was the least painful out of any I’ve had and they are healing better and faster than any I’ve had.
Tiffany is a lovable, down-​to-​earth, attentive, skilled beyond belief, one-​hell-​of a piercing beast. She’s super patient with her markings, redoing them a couple times if necessary as your body shifts and adjusts, taking any input you may have without rushing you.
As far as the piercing itself? She is swift and precise. Have you ever thought the worst was over after the piercing, but the jewelry going in makes you rue the day you ever committed to a body mod? Tiffany swaps the needle for the barbell as if the two are melded together. She’ll never have you cringing or catching your breath. What a pro.
Now the shop itself is pretty standard-​issue quasi-​hipster tattoo parlor — I can’t say I feel all that comfortable in that atmosphere (despite being a quasi-​hipster and having tattoos myself). I got different treatement (kindness) from the gal at the counter than a woman who walked up after me asking some basic questions (who got some attitude). So I’m not entirely sure what your experience will be.
Everything is clean and professional — for $ 88 including jewelry (and of course, don’t forget to throw in a tip), you can’t help but surrender your naughty bits to Tiffany.

Holy Crap! this place is so awesome! I so badly wanted to get my navel pierced on my birthday but couldn’t make up my freaking mind. Last second my friend convinced me t go through with it. Bound by Design stayed open a little extra so I could come in and get it done. They very easily could have turned us away or treated us with contempt. Instead Patrick was kind thorough, and calm. He didn’t rush but he got the job done quickly. I will def. go back to him for any more piercing needs. I will mention that I thought the choices of first time navel curves was slightly lacking, but I am still happy with the simple blue gem.

I was in the market for a new nose ring since mine was about 100 years old* so I looked on Unilocal to find the closest place I could purchase one. In this case I was definitely looking for convenience and Bound by Design was my answer.
For some reason on the drive over I got really ballsy and said to myself, «Self, today is the day you are going to get those second earring piercings you’ve always wanted!» Because, you see, I’m a pretty big baby when it comes to needles. I can’t even watch the doctor give my son a shot or take my blood without feeling all woozy. BUT, I’ve wanted a second hole in my ear for at least a decade. What can I say? It takes me a while to work up to commitments like this.
I walked into Bound by Design and squared away my nose ring purchase and then asked if they had time to pierce my ears. Was I secretly hoping they’d say no? I’m not going to say because it’s a secret silly. Either way they said yes, and a lovely girl who was also named Tiffany could piece my ears. Oh, hai fate.
I went into a back room and laid on a thing that was much like my chiropractor’s thing to lay on, which is probably also something like a tattoo chair since they do those here. I don’t know from experience though so I’m sticking with chiropractor. The other Tiffany was getting things ready when I blurted out my intense fear of needles. She simply laughed and said, «I hate to tell you, but I’m going to disappoint you today because you probably won’t feel a thing.» She also likened the sharpness of her piercing needle to a «hot knife cutting through butter.» And I have to say, it really was that easy. I think my son has pinched my ears and made it hurt more than my piercing did.
$ 40 and 15 minutes later I was out the door with two new earrings and a sense of accomplishment. And now, I have a second place to wear all my amazing earrings.
If you need piercings or jewelry for your piercings I’d easily recommend Bound by Design.
* This is a gross exaggeration of the age of my nose ring, but it makes for good reading.

What a totally awesome experience!
I went in Saturday and got my first visible piece (the rest of my work is back/​ribs/​stomach) on my forearm and had the incredibly talented Mandy do a quote for me.
.PERFECT! I couldn’t have asked for anything more!!! She took my very scattered lettering request and turned it into a beautiful piece of art :)
I absolutely will be back for my next forearm piece and will have her do it. I highly recommend!