Oakland Ink

Trin is an amazingly talented artist, a true professional, and will treat you with respect. I mention this because after checking out a few other artist I found that this is not always the case, particularly if you are a woman.
The tattoo he did for me turned out way better than I could have hoped for, and I’m beyond happy. I can’t wait to get my next tattoo. A soon as I figure what my next tattoo will be, I will be going back to Trin. If you are looking for high quality work, then look no further.
Couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

I recently moved to Oakland, and was looking to get some more tattoos. I took the recommendation of my housemates to go to Oakland Ink. Neither of them had tattoos, so I wasn’t too sure and was pretty nervous upon walking in.
My anxiousness melted away as soon as I hit the door. I was greeted with great art on the walls, and the Descendants playing on the house stereo. I was met right as I walked in by Noah. He listened attentively, and drew up exactly what I wanted.
Since then, I’ve worked with four artists in the shop (3 in house and 1 guest)
I’ve been blown away with the results every time! In just over year’s time, I’ve jumped from two tattoos to nineteen! (Noah having done the majority of my work)
The shop minimum is fantastic, the artists are great and the shop is more than a place to get tattooed; It’s one of the spots that makes Oakland such a treasured place to live.
Even if you aren’t looking to get inked, go in and check out the space, as it doubles as a gallery.
Be sure to tell ‘em Jay sent you!

I have received 5 tattoos at this shop and could not be more content with the quality of the design, healing, and customer service. The artists are clean, knowledgeable, and have serious talent in terms of artistic vision. The shop itself has a welcoming atmosphere– and the entire staff is friendly. Oakland Ink will always be my first choice whenever I get an itch for a new tattoo.

1 star is for the piercing. Their tattoos artists are great.
I went in to change two pieces of jewelry, the piercer (A tall, pierced, thin Black dude) said ‘no problem’, mentioned he’s been doing it for 20 years so I felt fine doing it, seeing as it was only changing the jewelry anyways. I had my old jewelry in, and the minute he touched me he was already shaky but I didn’t want to think anything of me. Then he got his tools to try to remove the jewelry (From my ear, which I do myself without a problem), and it started hurting. Also, while he wore gloves he ‘forgot’ to get tools out so touched his drawers got stuff out, went downstairs, came back to ‘work’ on me without ever changing the said gloves, if i was getting pierced this would be a major sanitary issue.
Anyways, long story short, he finally got them out, putting the new jewelry in seemed to be very difficult for him, more shaking, more tools, more pain to which he said ‘i must have sensitive ears’. I have been pierced for years, changing jewelry for a professional piercer has always been a matter of 10 minutes at most, and pain free for a piercing that’s as old as 3 years!
I was in there for almost an hour, I Gave up and told him to stop trying to put the jewelry in, I left with my old jewelry back in there.
You guys need to either train him, or get a new piercer because I Won’t come back for jewelry or piercings until that’s changed.

Went there to get my ears pierced and stretched. Ally the piercer is awesome! I hardly felt a thing, walked in and out in 10 minutes. She was incredibly friendly and gave me great advice on stretching. I also got to talk to one of the tattoo artists who listened to my ideas and gave me a quote. Everyone there was very nice and friendly. Also, great pricing!
Overall, a very cool place. Ally is the best!

To summarize: light-​handed, friendly, fast, affordable.
I went here for my first tattoo as a walk-​in that hadn’t even called in advance. I had gotten a pretty high quote for my piece and checked in here to get a second opinion. I was quoted almost half of what the first quote was and I decided to get it then and there.
Christopher helped me out. The whole process took a bit over an hour, it was quick, and it didn’t hurt that much. Of course, it was in a sensitive area (upper forearm) so it wasn’t completely painless, but I have a feeling it could have been worse. It’s been a little less than a week and it has been healing up really well. It’s very dark on my skin, and I’m pleased with the outcome. The only criticism I had was that I wished I received after-​care instructions, but it’s nothing that Google didn’t fix.
Thanks for a good first experience, Christopher!

Had work done by Noah at a convention. He was great, personable and quality work. I have to go and schedule my next piece.

This is my go to tattoo shop when visitimg the Bay. Got work done by the homie «Stix» who came from Southern Caifornia and is familiar with old school black and white Chicano style work. He is very professional and works well to your needs. He has a light hand and doesn’t dig into your skin like a madman. He did my neck up and honestly I barely felt a thing and I would be the one to admit pain. This guy is experience and knows what he’s doing. I ask for a pillow as a joke and he then right away grabs a towel paper roll, wraps it in saran wrap and tucks it under my head, what service! What tattoest does that? I love the laid back character, great personality and talented art, this is the must to guy to book. I shouldn’t be Unilocaling this because now my appointments will be harder to get. Another guy to go to is «Christopher» filipino brother who has a wide extensive album portfolio of excellent detailed imagery, very talented and just a cool guy! And saved the best for last is the homie «D», the owner of the 1902 building, fully remodeled into great art that covers the room done by himself personally. The man D’s mentor is one of my favorites of the Bay Area name Shannon «Mo Better». I got tatt work done by D and it was — and still looks fantastic. These are a great set of talented artists all in one filled room with great vibes and good energy. The location is just a block off the bus stop and bart. Easy to find and get to location. If you are in the area and looking in for very positive energy and light handed needle work then go see these guys, you will not be dissapointed. Pictures provided but not the ones of me I don’t anyone copying my ink but trust me the man’s lines are straight!

I was visiting from LA and looking to get my ears pierced. It was my first experience in a tattoo/​piercing shop. The staff was courteous and professional. Allison was the one who performed the piercing. She was very friendly and easy to talk to and did a nice job. I would definitely recommended this place.

It was pure chance that I walked into this institution one fateful Saturday afternoon. My friend and I were eating nearby at Golden Lotus and were planning to go to Industrial in Berkeley when we discovered via Unilocal that Oakland Ink was conveniently 1 block away.
When I first stepped into Oakland Ink, I was overwhelmed with all the artwork around the shop. Really awesome portraiture of MJ, Jimi Hendrix, & lots of others, graffiti art, works in progress, and an array of different art works. When I talked to the staff here, I found out that this location duals as an art gallery, which is perfect! People waiting, sketching out their future tattoos and others getting their tattoos. It was really cool to see.
My friend got her nose ring replaced with an awesome small black hoop ($ 10) and the piercer Ally also helped replace a gem in a nose ring she already had. I don’t know if it was the three hour yoga session, the yummy vegan food I had earlier, or purely my semi-​quarter life crisis that compelled me impulsively to get my navel piercing redone (it had closed up ~6 years ago), but it just happened. I think a big part of it was that a piercing and the jewel together was $ 30, which is the lowest price I’ve seen in the area.
The process was quick and painless (slightly painful during the piercing portion, but in like a good way ;)). Signed some things, got my ID photographed for age, and went to the back. Within 15 minutes, I was done. I think my case was a little hard because I already had a scar from the previous piercing and the new piercing had to go right above the scar. I wouldn’t say it was perfectly straight, but it’s because I“m really anal. Despite my neurosis, I REALLY like the piercing. I want to get the jewel replaced after 6 weeks (recommended) with something a little shorter. Kudos for Ally for really multitasking and being so awesome especially because was such a busy day. I would highly recommend Oakland Ink for the reasonable pricing, chill atmosphere, and rad services.

Oakland Ink is the best!!! Daryl is working on this amazing cover up on my chest, back, and shoulder. He works really fast and prices are very reasonable! I’ll post it when it’s finished. Also gona do my sleeve and full back tat with him. Best in Bay!!!

Went to get my nose pierced Allison was awesome. Super sweet super quick super clean. I have no idea about the tattoo artist other than they were super funny and welcoming to this preppy looking customer. #nojudgment

I’ve had 3 tatts done here so far. Two done by Noah (very light hand and quick) and one by Ciara (super quick and HELLA good with her line work). Very nice and laid back location, nice music, awesome people watching opportunity. Very reasonable pricing!

Best tattoo experience ever! Took my 18 year old son with me for his first (and my 3^rd) tattoo. We were treated with respect and professionalism. The staff here is young, fresh, and confident. Highly recommend this shop for all your piercing and tattoo needs. Prices are set by the artist doing your tattoo and they quote you upfront. VERY AFFORDABLE!

Couldnt have been more happy! I always wanted to get my navel pierced but always put it off. One day I spontaneously found this place on Unilocal because I was in the area. I was so nervous and I wanted it to Be PERFECT. Perfect was exactly what I got. My piercer was incredibly sweet and down and she did the job perfectly! I would definitely reccomend this place and come here again for another piercing

First, I like to apologize for not giving an early review, Hey… i been busy – you know how it is…, however, there is no reason why i should not take time to let you all know about my second tatto I got here at OAKLAND INK! by CATFISH! –Sure, my tatto was a three letter word, but it was on my arm, small, feminine and most important – PERFECT!!!
I wanted to make sure to pick a nice font, but not something you see on everyone, and I was thankful that they were patient with me and were able to find the ONE I TRULY LOVE, which again was PERFECT AND FEMININE.
Having a tatto on your arm can go wrong or go… PERFECT, THANKS to CATFISH it went amazing.
Now lets talk pain! Man, I have to say, part of me doesn’t like the fact that my new favorite tatto artist its in Oakland, because I am going to have to come here all the time, but you know — soo worth it! He was great, pain I felt, but not as much, and its almost as if he was barely touching me. Great job CATFISH!
Now, i had to get a little touched up, and CATFISH was so sweet and helpful. I know it comes with the payment, but I really enjoyed his attitude towards it. The little touch up I need it, make it look supper amazing!!!
Look what you need to know is couple things, Catfish gave me my second tatto. My tatto was not lifted, it healed nicely, it looks amazing and after touch it up, still didnt lift ITS beautiful nice flat, and I LOVE IT!!!
COME CHECK HIM OUT!!!
I know i am coming to see him again and again and again — well you get the pic!!!

Got my tattoo done a few weeks ago. done by Darryl. and what can I say I LOVE IT!!! It was exactly what I wanted. he was very professional and super nice, I will definitely go back when I want another one done!

I was glad to see that a new tattoo shop was opening up so close to my work. They’ve only been open for about a couple of weeks. I ended up coming here on Friday because I needed some plugs. I’ve had mine out throughout the week and was going out of town. And, I forgot to put some in before leaving home that day. I figured this place would have some so that’s when I decided to stop by. First off, I wear 6g. When I asked about 6g plugs, the plugs weren’t organized and the sizes weren’t labeled. One of the guys used a metal device to measure them in order to find me my size. He ended up finding them, but I had to get cash to pay for them.
After getting cash, the plugs were all wrapped up for me in a cleaning solution. I brought them back to work and attempted to put them in. I couldn’t get them all the way through because my ears started to hurt. At first, I thought, «Maybe the holes started to close up or the plugs are the wrong size.» I looked at them and I thought they looked a little too big. I decided to take them back and have the guy remeasure them for me. He showed me that they were a «6» even a little smaller than a 6. So I figured, my ears had started to close up, but I recall that when I stretched my ears from an 8g to a 6g, I had little to no discomfort.
My ears were throbbing and hurting towards the end of the night, I decided to take them out. Once coming home, I put in actual 6g’s that I have and what relief! My ears felt normal again. I compared my plugs with the ones I purchased at Oakland Ink, and they were too big. They looked like they may have been a 4g. I even received some more 6g plugs that ordered online last week, in the mail today, and all fit fine.
So now I’m stuck with 4g that I paid $ 20 for. Yay.