Tiger Tiger Tattoo

I got my first tattoo last week and it was an amazing experience. All the guys are really nice and accommodating. I went with Charles, he was super sweet. I felt a bit embarrassed that my tattoo wasn’t something extravagant. It is on the cutesy side. He didn’t make me feel like an idiot for asking him to do something small. I will totally go back to him again.

I’m writing this review to thank Jimmy and Chula for the outstanding work by both of them. In 2010 I went in search of the best «black and gray» portrait artist in the Seattle area. after alot of research, I went with Jimmy. It was simply a portrait of my best buddy, my big dog, Atka. As we all know, most times in life– you get what you pay for. Meaning, it took Jimmy a little longer and his hourly is higher than some but for good reason — he is very good! By making each fur stroke one at a time, it came out fantastic… not cartoonish.
Was so happy w/​it that I booked another tat for my birthday present a couple of yrs. later (as I plan to do this Oct 28^th ’15). A funny twist of fate occurred. Jimmy accidentally double booked on my birthday. Initially disappointed, Chula talked w/​Jimmy and with me. He drew up an elaborate scorpion in no time. Couldn’t be more pleased w/​it.
If its quality work you want, look no further. These guys are great.

Tattoo shops tend to be intimidating when you walk in, and Tiger Tiger was very welcoming when I first got there. I did my research and decided to go with JIMMY THE SAINT, and I am so happy that I did! Jimmy The Saint did such an amazing job on my piece. It was exactly what I wanted, the colors are radiant, and the shading is impeccable! I will definitely be back for the rest of my arm! He was very thorough with the consultation (s), meticulous with the sanitation, and in depth with the after care. I couldn’t have picked a better artist to tattoo me! If you want beautiful work, someone who doesn’t cut corners, and has years of experience, I HIGHLY recommend that you make an appointment with JIMMY!

Jimmy the Saint– What can I say about this guy. Got my first tat done and the hospitality of this guy is amazing. Jimmy makes sure that he does a good job on your tattoo, but he also makes sure that it’s exactly what you want first. His strokes and skills are amazing and from what I hear from others it’s some of the best. I was really satisfied with it and def recommend him to anyone trying to get some work done.

Chula gave me the coolest tattoo! We chatted about my idea, he drew it up and it came out better than I imagined! This tattoo is the raddest I have seen. He did a great job. Placement is perfect, shading is dark and amazing and it totally increased my toughness!
I hadn’t gotten a tattoo in 14 years so I am basically a newb about to getting one. I had some nervousness along the way about my tattoo coming out the way I wanted and a little about the pain and how to care for it while healing. Chula’s skill, knowledge and confidence put me at ease through the whole process.
Chula is super great to chat with, is totally sweet and keeps it real! :)

Tiger Tiger Tattoo is the best place to get work done. I worked with Chula for the past year and I have to say that I couldn’t be happier with how my design and overall tattoo turned out. Before meeting Chula I had interviewed about 3 different tattoo «artists». My idea and concept for my piece was different and it was a collage of different things that each meant something to me.
Each tattoo «artist’ I talked to just didn’t seem like a good fit. I was looking for an artist, someone who could take my concept and bring it to life, not just stencil something onto my back and piece it together. I went into Tiger Tiger and met with Chula. Instantly I knew he was the one I wanted to work with. He was knowledgeable, straight up and most of all, he explained every detail to me, plus answered all of my questions. What was most important was that he was an artist first. He told me that I would have to trust him and let him have free reign. I have to say I was a bit scared, but after our first session, I knew I was in good hands.
A year later, the final piece has been completed and it turned out even better than I had expected. Each milestone made each piece come together. I highly recommend going to see Chula or anyone in the Tiger Tiger family. They are all great and fun to work with.

Had my first amazing tattoo done by «Jimmy the saint». I went in one day with a quote in mind, wrote it down and told him to do what he pleased with it. Came back a few hours later and agreed on a design right away! I couldn’t be happier with his exceptional freehand skills and amazing line work. The comma in my quote has a perfect circle might I add.
The staff is extremely friendly also, Chula and Sam talk to you as if they’ve known you forever and really create a comfortable atmosphere for you.

The guys at Tiger Tiger are fantastic. I not only love the tattoos they produce, but I also love chatting with them and have always felt incredibly welcomed and accepted — unlike most shops I’ve been in. The shop is gorgeous and these guys take cleanliness very seriously. They go above and beyond in making sure everything is neat and tidy while maintaining a cozy and comfortable shop. I also love that they have the loft upstairs where they can work on tattoos that might show a bit more skin than you would want strangers to see while looking in the windows. Since my tattoo is on my torso, I had the majority of my body exposed, and really appreciated that I could maintain some modesty by being tucked away upstairs. There are always hugs all around whenever I see them, and I like that they make me feel like I’m part of the family — it really makes going through the emotional/​painful/​intense process of getting ink more special.
Chula did my tattoo, and I am very pleased with it. I will note that Chula primarily works free-​hand, so consultations don’t usually end with a sketch of the tattoo on paper. This can be a bit intimidating for someone like me (a control freak) since you just have to trust him, but I’m glad I did! I’ll be back for more soon!

Jimmy the Saint has been doing all my ink for almost 10 years now — I’ve been tattooed everywhere from biker’s basements to bourgeois studios, and I feel fortunate to have found the best, anywhere. Jimmy’s tattoos have converted almost everyone I know — his style can flex from a cholo tattoo on the back of my neck to lyrical, impressionistic flowers on my wife’s foot. Now my dad is working on a half-​sleeve after getting his first little piece from Jimmy.
It’s nice to see an old-​school shop on the street — I love the vibe of people dropping in while I’m getting work. They ask questions, lookey loo… some are «our people,» others are curious. Sometimes an old Chinese lady will swing by to ask about getting her eyebrows/​makeup tattooed.
Not only are these guys excellent artists and stand-​up people, they’ve become dear friends and pioneers — it’s not so easy swinging a new business in Chinatown, dealing with the politics of the neighborhood board, cleaning up the riff-​raff. They’ve improved their corner immensely, have the blessing of their neighbors and continue to develop honest relationships with the folks around them.
I’m saying, it doesn’t get better than this. Just don’t book them out so hard that I can’t drop in for a few hours once in a while on a Sunday.

This is THE place I send friends who are looking to get tattoo work done. Of my 4 tattoos, Chula has been involved with 3, love ‘em all, especially my back piece. The years of experience and professionalism in this shop are rarely matched. Chula and Jimmy are committed to a great customer experience.

Chula is a true artist. I appreciated the collaborative effort, the honest feedback, and the beautiful work. You can’t go wrong here.

They legitimately are the best shop from both the artist and service perspectives. The studio is Immaculate without feeling sterile or cold. I have had work done by both Jimmy and Chula and I would not trust anyone else in the world. They can hold a conversation and still stay focused on what they are doing. You will be blown away by their work. There is pride in knowing you have great pieces by great artists and that’s exactly what they are… artists!
The last time I got work done I brought the whole family in to see Chula. When we got there we were not even sure exactly what we wanted. During the consultation I described the meaning and then he designed the most amazing sketches for each of us using our own styles and perspective, yet keeping the flow so they all correlate to one another. My design almost brought me to tears it has a feminine touch and the edges are worn and chiseled not to mention it is original and only for me! He will suggest a better body placement… so the end result is more flattering. Chula did an incredible job of interpreting what we wanted and we couldn’t be happier. Every time I go back to get another tattoo I know I’ll be in good hands.

I’ve been a client of Chula’s for around 7 or 8 years now. He’s done some amazing work on both me and my partner. His passion for what he does is obvious and I love how excited he gets by the process.
The new shop is beautiful, the people are warm and welcoming. There is no I’m too cool for school attitude I’ve experienced elsewhere.
If your shopping around for the cheapest place please remember, you get what you pay for and laser removal is really effing painful and costs way more than a good tattoo.

Jimmy the Saint is an amazing tattoo artist! Not only does he take the time needed to make sure the tattoo is phenomenal, but he also takes the time to make sure the placement is just right. Right now I am getting some tattoos removed from other artists so I can get my next original design from Jimmy. If you want a killer tattoo go visit Tiger Tiger you won’t be disappointed!

These guys are amazing. Chula and Jimmy have created a tattoo shop that exemplifies what the best of tattooing should be, amazing art, a welcoming environment and a supportive experience.
I had a guy doing my work in Seattle for years, he did 5 large (shortest 3 hours, longest 18) pieces on me (I have over 30-​ish tattoos). He LITERALLY ran off to be a farmer. I hope he’s very happy but I need some high quality work done on my partner. I need to be setting up a great experience for her with someone I’ve never worked with before! I’ll be looking at this piece for (hopefully) the rest of my life on her body, and you know she expects me to hook her up with some significant talent.
A friend tells me to see Jimmy at Tiger Tiger Tattoo. I hadn’t heard of this new shop in the International District but I’ve heard of the guys that work there through other tattooing folks I know. We only have about four days to get this all set up (and did I mention that I now live in the Bay Area so I’m trying to do this from far away).
Jimmy and Chula went out of their way to work with us. Getting the idea together over email, setting up an appointment (and later a second one after hours to do more work later in the vacation) and across the board exceeding our expectations. Jimmy and Chula are the kinda guys that you’re happy to hand your cash over to because the work is better than your imagination (well, within the current scope of tattooing technology) and the experience was worth every penny.

I’d been going back and forth on getting a tattoo for the past 20 years, just waiting for the right idea and time in life to get one. When I finally decided to take the leap I asked my friends (who had great tattoos) who they recommended and I got two names back consistently: Chula and Jimmy the Saint. Those who knew me best suggested Jimmy, so I made an appointment.
Jimmy instantly put me at ease, describing the process and what to expect. I gave him a loose theme (the astrological signs for myself, my wife and my two daughters), a couple of artistic movements I like (cubism, abstract) and let him do the rest. After a couple of iterations he nailed it and over the course of the next few weeks it took shape.
Like others have said, Jimmy (and Chula) are true artists and masters of their craft (I always had great customer service as well). Tiger Tiger is a great asian themed shop with big south facing windows, dotted with cool mid-​century modern furniture, in the heart of the International District. It’s a place that inspires in and of itself.
Getting a tattoo is a huge deal, whether it’s your first or your twentieth and while there are a lot of great tattoo artists and shops out there, Tiger Tiger is totally unique gem.

It was six years ago that my sister died out of the blue. She was a tremendous artist, much like Chula continues to be. I never thought I would ever have a tattoo, nor did I think I would ever need one. But I did.
Dave Tupper took the whole situation to himself as if he had lived through my own pain. He is a REAL artist, not just some tattoo junky.
When I met him I was referred to him from a older friend I worked in the bar industry with.
I will not trust anyone but Chula. If one word comes to mind it would be Sincere to describe him.
I could have never made it here, nor could think to go on with out my sister, and Chula has made the impossible possible for me. I will proudly carry his work on my shoulders. I didn’t deserve it, and I don’t know who does.
Thanks Chula,

I recently had my first tattoo (at age 54) done by Chula. He took a plain design that I brought in and made it amazing. He took time to explain every step of the process and there were no surprises at all — except how great the finished work turned out!
Thanks for an excellent experience.

Oh, Chula. I love him so much.
I was 23 when I went to him for my first tattoo. He did a brilliant job and was understanding and careful about the pain and said I could yell or scream or cry if I wanted. I’d been terrified, and he really helped ease that, which was important to me.
Just recently, now that I’m 30, I went back again and had him modify my original tattoo into something totally different. I had no idea how it would be done, but he took my idea and ran with it, making it into a brand new beautiful work of art that I never could have dreamed up myself.
I wish I wanted more tattoos – I would have him do every one of them.

Chula and Jimmy are part of the rich tradition and collegiality of the «Seattle Tattoo Emporium» crowd. They can definitely help you make a good decision.
They opened this large and beautiful new space in the International District space sometime September 2010.
is not ready as of this posting but I think they have plans to make that live.