Slave To The Needle

I got my first tattoo with this outfit. I selected Eli as my artist based on the artwork he had posted on the slave to the needle website. We met for about 15 minutes and I explained what I was looking for. I set up an appointment for the work, which was about two months out. I walked in, Eli showed me his design, and I lost my mind. He is pretty amazing! I let him pick the colors, and it couldn’t have turned out any better. I will be back!

Update: was super happy with Josh Martin’s work — came in to get my second tattoo! Really happy with the result — Josh is a true professional
12/​28/​2015
Came in about 10 days ago with the hope of getting something done before I leave town for the holidays. I originally thought I’d work with Greg but he was booked up, I was introduced to Josh chatted up with him and after I saw his work we set up an appointment.
I wanted something very specific and needed an artist’s twist to it. Sent him some inspirations and we had some back and forth on the day of the appointment, I ended up going with his twist and it looks great.
I was nervous about the pain but it wasn’t too bad at all. Josh was super nice and quick! About 85 minutes sit and I’m very pleased with the result.
Definitely recommend this place.

Great place! I got a tattoo by Josh and he did an amazing job. Not only that but he was very cool to talk to for five hours. One of the best shops in Seattle.

I just got my first tattoo. The artist was able to fit me in the same day I wanted to get the tattoo. They are a bit pricey. $ 100 minimum. Despite it being pricey, I WILL go back. It was well worth it. I highly recommend Slave To The Needle.

I got a tattoo here last September while I was visiting family. I went to the Ballard shop and worked with Daniel. I got a chrysanthemum on my left arm and I wanted to sprinkle in some sakura here and there. He doodled it out for me so I could see how it looked and I’m glad he did — didn’t dig the sakura. Daniel was a little more heavy-​handed than the other two artists I’d seen, but he was incredibly fast and his coloring was really well done. I went in at 8:00pm and was scheduled to be there until closing but he finished in just about two hours. He was also really friendly. He asked me what I study in school (religion and history) so our two hours flew by with ramblings about religion and that Ricky Gervais movie.
I’m not sure if it’s just a Hawaii thing to have tattoos wrapped in a paper towel and tape after you’re done, but I was really happy that he wrapped pink gauze tape around my arm instead of just slapping a paper towel on my arm. This place really raised my standard for tattoos and I’m hoping to get more work done by Daniel. He does really nice floral (really nice anything, actually) and you can check out his work both on the website and his Instagram (@bloodminer). It’s been over a year and I’m still completely enamored with my tattoo.

Rex is great my wife and I went and got our ring fingers tatted and couldn’t be happier with the reesults! They match while mine is more masculine and hers more feminine. They look great and he was very professional, it was my wife’s first time and he eased her mind. Great experience.

I got my first tattoo here and although the tat turned out good I was not impressed with the artist. He didn’t really talk to me and I felt a little light headed and nauseous and asked to take a break a few times and his response was «we will never finish if you take breaks». I felt like this was pretty rude given the fact that I was in pain and this was my first tattoo. Not sure if I’ll ever go back because of this. I know they have a good reputation but when I’m having someone put me in pain and put permanent art on my body, I at the very least would like them to talk to me and make sure I’m having an okay experience.

Best tattoo shop in Washington State!!! Very professional and clean environment. They do have a minimum of $ 100 even if you are getting something small, but to get one of the best artist for something that will be with you the rest of your life is well worth it!

Slave to the Needle is the best of the best. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for a tattoo. Top-​notch artists, clean shop, friendly staff — everything is perfect.
I got my first two tattoos done by a guest artist. My third was done by Rok and my fourth by Eli. All four were great experiences and I’m totally satisfied with my body art. :)

I hope my review doesn’t make it even harder to get in with my artist, Rok than it already is, but I just love my new tattoo so much that he deserves credit for it. I’ll post a picture after I get it touched up. Every where I go, I literally keep getting compliments on it and with my profession of being able to have my tattoos be visible, I get remarks on it every single day from clients, positive remarks of course. I can see why Slave to the Needle is the premier shop to go to for your tattoo here in Seattle! The shop is super clean and professional in the work they do. They have another location in Ballard I believe, but I went to the one in Wallingford. It is a super easy location right off the freeway and finding street parking is easy too.
I have been wanting this piece forever and it took well over a year for me to finally get it because I am not sure if high end tattoo artists’ nature are just flaky/​unreliable are not, but I’ve visited so many shops with artists not replying to me or doesn’t even show up for an appointment. I actually lost a deposit somewhere because I lost trust in the artist’s lack of professionalism. It took me about 4 – 5 months to get in with Rok, but he definitely showed up and was ready to do my tattoo! If you are looking for someone who specializes in black & gray, portraits, or realism, he is your guy. I’m also surprised with the size of my piece, it took shorter than I expected so yay.
Current price is $ 150 per hour for projects like mines that required more than one sitting.

I went to STTN for my first tattoo at 53 years old, and could not be more pleased with it.
Based on great reviews, I went into the shop for information one afternoon, and met Kiwi Matt. I felt comfortable in the clean shop, and Kiwi understood what I was looking for. Six weeks later, I was back for the tattoo! It turned out much better than I imagined. I had the tattoo done on my left outer calf, and 72 hours later, the healing has been going very well. The cost is more than most other places, but you get what you pay for. Kiwi, and I imagine every artist in the shop, are at the top of the pack. Get your tattoo done here.

I had a great experience here. I came for a helix and my 2^nd earlobe piercing. They were so cool and nice about it. I had Adam pierce me and he was so great. He made the atmosphere calm and made it very easy to relax. It was done in a pinch, the prices were fair (in my opinion) and days later, my piercings are great with little to no pain or inflammation.
These guys are great and they take their business very seriously. I have nothing but positive words for them. Overall, ¹⁰⁄₁₀. :)

I originally scheduled an appointment over at the Ballard location, but the first impression I got was pretty condescending and just really passive aggressive. It being my first tattoo & experience I just thought I was being overly paranoid & went ahead to book the appointment. After a couple months passed, it just still didn’t feel right. I was more nervous about the artist and HIS design then I was getting the tattoo. So I decided to get something else, & as fate has it that particular artist doesn’t do scripts. So after trying to plan another appointment with other artists, the receptionist mentioned I could go to the Wallingford location as well. So I called them, the receptionist Marissa at this location was so amazing & genuine she really made me feel welcomed not so much like the Ballard location. She got me an appointment with their guest artist Eli (who is going to be a permanent artist now) and I can’t even describe how amazing he was. He absolutely was willing to listen to what I wanted & found a way to be HUMBLE about changing the location. He definitely kept my session feeling great & he was just a very genuine person. I even got the honor to meet Aaron Bell & have him look over my tattoo! Haha so awesome. Absolutely going to be back. Got my loyalty, thank you so much for this amazing piece that means so much to me! Mind you, I live in the Puyallup/​Tacoma area & it’s about an hour and a half drive for me. Totally worth it.

Josh Wright is amazing! His first sketch wasn’t exactly what I was looking for and he was very accommodating and was more than happy to make the changes that I had requested. This was my first tattoo and on my entire side. Boy, I was NOT prepared for the pain. He was so patient with me and allowed me to take breaks almost every ten minutes. My whole body tensed up every time the needle touched my skin and he was quick and pulled away if I moved too much. I know I made it very difficult for him, but he was so patient and professional. I could not have asked for a more patient, talented, knowledgeable tattoo artist! Thank you so much Josh!

Man… I can’t say enough good things about slave to the needle ! Josh wright is a very humble and terrific artist. I love my tattoo and look forward to more to come.

I waited a long time to get my first tattoo. After reading reviews and a personal recommendation, I chose Greg at the Wallingford location. He was worth the 3 month wait to get an appt with him. I brought a photo of a tattoo I liked and he made it into an original. I LOVE it. He was professional, friendly and he is an awesome talented artist. Exceeded my expectation. Thank you so much!

WOW!!! I got my first tattoo here (2012), and though it was rather on the large side, Robert did an excellent job. I was super impressed with his work and of course, the work of everyone else too. I even got a free touch up, which really helped!

I have had 2 tattoos done at both locations. My first one was back in 2009 and I had the guest artist. He did a great job on the cross, which is located on my ribs. Great line work and the colors were beautiful.
My second tattoo was done by Elijah. Basically I wanted the Pollard Birches painting and incorporate a dog paw. He showed me the drawing when I had my appointment and fell in love with it.
1.5 hours later, I was done. The trees had an erie feeling, in which that’s the whole point of the tattoo. Love, love, love it!!! When I get my next tattoo, I will definitely go to Slave to the Needle!
Give them a shot, you will not be disappointed!

This was the second time I had a tattoo done at Slave to the Needle. The fist time I went to the original location in Ballard and had a tiger done. The young man did the whole thing freehand and I was very happy with the details of it.
I had my tattoo done by «The Spaniard» at this location. I went in looking for a cover up tattoo since my very first one I had was mistakenly done without much research in Renton and it was a half butt job without proper coloring and it was shamefully small and the lines were not smooth.
I really liked the cover up tattoo results of course and my dragon was far better and proper compared to the old one underneath.
Anyway, the work was well worth it and I have attached a picture so you can see it is a cover up. It is a bit obvious since just the black area was used to cover it; it’s no Pussykat Tattoo cover up.
Scheduling is a bit difficult since they are so popular and well word of mouthed. I am happy with my tattoo but overall, personally, these are not the best I have ever seen so I can’t give it 5 stars. But I am definitely a fan.

4 years ago I saw a guest artist here at Wallingford location to do a mostly full back piece of a Cherry blossom tree that extends from the base of my neck down the length of my spine. My artist was professional, accomodating and the work he did is amazing. He worked with me on sketching exactly what I wanted and threw in a couple ideas that were brilliant. It was almost like he understood how I think. I had a small cover-​up that he incorporated into the new piece too. The facilities are very clean, reception staff helpful, hours are stellar and prices are worth it.
I also had the experience of working at an insurance agency two years ago and they were the company that insured this shop. From that experience, I can assure you that are in great hands. The insurance agent that handle their account had nothing but good things to say about Aaron and his wife. She was always pleasant when we saw or spoke with her.
I plan to come back this week for more and I can’t wait. It’s been far too long!!!

Time for an update.
2 years later and the mandala on my shoulder that Marc did for me STILL looks amazing. No need for a touch up at all. However, I was itching for some new ink and always wanted my dotwork to at least make it’s way to a quarter sleeve. After a hefty tax return I made my consult appointment with Marc and set on a nearly 3 month course to get to my finished product.
First off — the Wallingford shop has expanded since my last visit here. SO MUCH MORE ROOM. Seriously, this place is huge. They did a great job with the expansion and remodel — all the artists have their own, roomy space, they are able to show more paintings and prints, and even sell some merch without the place feeling crowded at all. Kudos on a job well done there.
2^nd, and more importantly — my tattoo. The initial consults to hammer out the artwork were a breeze — Marc took some basic mehndi elements I wanted to incorporate and came up with a beautiful design that flowed seamlessly from the previous tattoo he did for me. Then I waited. and waited. Yes, you have to schedule out here — but these people are the top in the business and totally worth it.
2 inking sessions and I have a gorgeous new piece. Marc was friendly, effiecient, and equally as proud and excited for the finished piece as I was. This isn’t my first time to the rodeo — but if I were to have any after care questions or concerns the folks at STTN are there and happy to address any issues that could come to mind. Healing has been un-​complicated, touch ups are free if needed (but doubtfully needed), and I won’t think about coming anywhere else when it comes to future tattoo projects.