Monster Ink

Category:	Tattoo Shop
Address:	1126 19th St, Sacramento, CA 95811, USA
Phone:	+1 916-446-7181
Site:	monsterinktat2.com
Rating:	4.8
Working:	12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM Closed

Location

Photos 16

Reviews 5

A Private User

Currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, I was looking to get a tattoo to commemorate my service so I researched online and tattoo shops in the Sacramento area caught my attention. I got work done from 6 artist from 4 shops. Viewing a website is not sufficient enough for me to determine a place to get a tattoo, I physically visit the location and meet and talk with the artist to see what kind of vibe and response I get. I knew from my first visit to Monster Ink that it was the place for me to get this significant piece done. The shop was well managed and clean. I spoke with Ryan Lewis, a.k.a. El-Dugi, about my idea for my tattoo and he was able to apply what I had in mind. His artistic talent and skill translated well into the tattoo as he did an excellent job. I even changed ideas as the piece went along and he responded, "No problem, we have to get the tattoo the way you want it." Scheduling and hours were flexible and not an issue. I appreciated the fact that he was easy to work with and not to mention, very chill and relaxing. Good music was playing during our sessions and Ryan was easy to converse with, talking about different subjects and at times, laughing and telling jokes. My time spent at Monster Ink allowed me to get an inside perspective about how Ryan, Greg and Tuan run things....nothing but good folks at Monster Ink and they are artist that I would recommend to anybody, even my squadron commander. Coincidently, another airman visited the shop to get a piece done by Greg. I also got other tattoos touched up by Tuan and had a great experience with him, watching skits from SNL on his computer while getting tattooed. My overall experience was all positive and I plan to return to Monster Ink to get more work done. Visit the shop...talk with Ryan, Greg, or Tuan...let them know your ideas and experience for yourself what the talented artist at Monster Ink can do for you.

Andrea Sanchez

I have been a customer of Stephens for about a year now and have gotten 3 pieces worked on. The first day I met him he greeted me right when I walked in and asked me what I wanted done, as Ive seen him do with everyone who walks in the door. For every piece that we work on we collaborate ideas and its always fun to know what he thinks would look good or bad. Always take his advice. Ive never had any issues with the shop, everyones always polite and they have you laughing the whole time. As for the work, Ive seen all 3 artists. All have unique styles and wonderful work. Ive only worked with Stephen personally but every piece hes done on me I always come back wanting more. When I first came in I had a piece done by another artist that was horrible to the point of major anxiety. He made me feel comfortable when covering the tattoo and his hand is very light compared to the other 3 artists Ive been to downtown. I couldnt imagine going to anyone else for a tattoo. The detail is perfect, shading is perfect, line work is perfect. I have nothing but compliments for this shop. When it comes to availability if youre new at getting tattoos you have to realize it will take a good amount of time to get a tattoo session scheduled. You need to realize if they are exquisite artists they will be booked months in advance. If theyre not good artists theyll take you within that week or the next. This is worth the wait. Great people. Great shop. Great work. Enough said.

A Private User

A few days ago I made my first visit to Monster, a decision based on these reviews, and somehow my experience at Monster still managed to far surpass my expectations!! I got a dia de los muertos woman + a rose, my biggest piece yet, and something Ive been wanting for awhile. I called in for Ryan the night before who miraculously had gotten his next days appt. dropped, which I jumped on. Based on his portfolio I was sure he was the most apt day of the dead style artist in the area. Soon I discovered that his obvious technical skills are matched with his dedication to creating the piece that YOU want. Based on a couple examples I sent him the night before, and some basic ideas I had about the piece, we were able to create a design in a short time. He has a great eye for whats going to work, and I think our styles meshed perfectly. Ryan had the idea to add an earring to the piece and when we found the right earring we were both PUMPED. What a sick idea. It was clear that Ryan really really cares about the work he puts out and its artistic integrity; I think he may have enjoyed the experience just as much as I did. Hes an intelligent and down person, and he DOESNT MESS AROUND. Dude did his own chest piece, ridiculous. Anyways the shops got a good vibe about it, likable dudes, and beautiful work. Check their portfolios for proof (mines the one Ryan did titled "Day of the Dead Woman with Rose") WIll definitely be coming back; THE HYPE DON"T LIE! Peace!

A Private User

So I started off my search for a tattoo artist who could do four beautiful flowers on my back that represented my family. Living in Tracy and seeing other artists work I was quite disappointed. I searched San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, and still wasnt fully convinced that I had found a tattoo shop to get my first tattoo at. We had found a shop that was okay in Brentwood, but we felt forced to make a decision and so I put down a down payment, but when the guy try to reschedule me for a month later, I took my money back. And the search was on again! I came across Ryan at Monster Ink on this very website and Im so glad I did! I looked at the pictures on their website, and I was sold! We made the long trip up to Sacramento, and he was booked up for a month, which was promising since the majority of amazing artists are. March 19th was the day he gave me four amazing flowers on the back of my right shoulder! Ive been drawing flowers on myself since I was four, and its nothing compared to what beautiful work he did on my back. The shop was comfortable and I didnt feel awkward or out of place.. I get compliments every time I go out and asked who did it because they look so real! Thank you Ryan for this work! Im so happy I didnt settle for someone who tried charging me thousands of dollars or was rude or was mediocre. I will definitely be back to get more work done sometime soon! I wouldnt go anywhere else! (:

Kaleb Young

I had an appointment set for Tuan on a Friday and as soon as I walked in I shouldve left. There was a dog in the store (a red flag for a place that is supposed to be sanitary) and his office was really disorganized. The stencil he drew up was rushed but he told me that he would be able to make the lines look straight for the simple band around my arm. I let him do the tattoo but asked if he could touch up an area to match the sketch that I brought in. He proceeded to tell me that he did it exactly the way it was drawn up but when I asked for the sketch I brought in, he couldnt find it amongst the other papers in his office. The day after I noticed that the band wasnt filled in evenly and there are areas where the lines were rushed and have a slight bump to them. He may be better at doing realistic artwork but I expected a lot more in terms of ability and professionalism from an artist of 16 years. Very disappointed with an overpriced tattoo ($180 for a simple arm band) 2 WEEK UPDATE: The tattoo has now fully healed and it is even more apparent how poorly shaded in it is. The worst part is that I now have two scars near the edge of the tattoo where he pressed too hard with the needle. The scars are shinier and raised and clearly stand out from the rest of the tattoo. Obviously a touch up will help hide/fix some of these mistakes but I will NOT returning to have it done here.