Salem Ink Tattoo and Art Gallery

Category:	Tattoo Shop
Address:	201 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Phone:	+1 978-744-5486
Site:	saleminkma.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–7PM

Location

Photos 36

Reviews 5

Sarah Monroe

I hate leaving bad reviews, but want to share my disappointing experience so that anyone in a similar boat can make an informed decision about where to take their business. BEWARE: if you care a lot about the design you want, want good communication with the artist before your appointment (assuming youre not a walk-in) and basically want to be treated with respect, do yourself a favor and just avoid this place!! I went in to Salem Ink mid-March for my first tattoo -- I wanted a mid-sized custom one and had a basic idea. I looked through the artist portfolios, and Cassandras work really appealed to me. Since she was there at the desk, we were able to have our initial consultation about the tattoo design right then. We got along well and she seemed to "get" what I wanted. We made an appointment for a few weeks later on a Saturday, along with a follow-up appointment (it would have needed two sessions). I was really glad when she told said she would send me the design about a week before the appointment so I could see it, since that was really important to me. I didnt say at the time how important, but since she said she would send it to me, I trusted her word. The week of the appointment rolled around and no news, so I reached out. One day before the appointment, I got part of the design -- half of it line-drawn, half of it a really loose pencil sketch. I said I wasnt comfortable getting a permanent tattoo done without having a day or two to sit with it and make sure it was what Id want for the rest of my life. I decided to push the first session to the second appointment wed made for a couple weeks later, hoping thatd give her enough time to finish the design. Well, that didnt happen. At this point, I was feeling ignored. A couple days before the second appointment was supposed to happen, I decided to simply cancel the tattoo after still not hearing from her. She sent a nice reply (albeit two days later) hoping to work things out and offering to send me the scans of the sketches. I said that would be great and also hoped to work things out for perhaps a different tattoo or other solution (didnt really want to lose my $100 deposit), but then I never heard back. That was more than two weeks ago. Throughout this process, I would email sometimes several times in a row, only to go days without hearing back. Im just so disappointed and frustrated with everything thats happened. I understand now it is often shop policy not to show the final design until the day of the appointment, but that was never clearly shared with me. When Cassandra wasnt able to fulfill her promise about sending the design early, she didnt even reach out to tell me, I had to ask. Its just not considerate, or good customer service. And to go days, even weeks at a time without receiving email replies? Unprofessional. All this and to be out my $100 deposit, its just a big regret. Really cant recommend this shop to anyone if this is how they treat their customers. It seems this happens a lot since Im not seeing a bunch of other reviews where people had similar experiences. Guess I should have done more research before.

Charlie Vagabond

I have been tattooed all over the world. Some great experiences and some not so good... Since moving up to this part of the world I got my first piece by Mike Guinn at Salem Ink and havent looked back since!!! A piece that covers one half of my calf that took only 3 hours and is my star piece, hands down! The Shop owner Loki gave me my second piece across my guts. I was pretty nervous, though half my body is now tattooed, the guts aint no joke, hey!? We ought to call him "Light Hands Loki" due to his gentleness and still gets the ink right in there, no worries!!! Ive yet to get work done by pretty red head Ashley or Adam, whom they call Number 2... Not sure why that is but he kept my mind off the nerves with his endless knowledge of trivia facts, lol! If I remember correctly he runs a trivia night at a local bar called Murphys. These guys seem to be a central part of the community and I like that. If I walk into a studio and get that, "Rockstar, smug, blase" feeling that so many shops have, I will turn around and walk out immediately! Thats not what you get at Salem Ink, believe!!! Here, youll not leave with just a beautiful new piece but a few new mates to boot... Im headed back this week to get my full chest piece by Loki and Im fully stoked to get going, hey!? Giveem a go and youll go nowhere else again, truth!!!

Carla Hauck

I got my first tatoo here...and a second, and I brought my boyfriend in for his. I came in as a walk in for my first session with Matt, and had a wonderful experience! Everything was very clean and sterile, and the art gallery in the front of the shop is impressive. I knew I was getting my ink done by the best when I saw all of the artists professional work on the walls. My first tattoo was painless, even though it was on my rib cage. I loved it so much that I had to book another session with Matt. My second tattoo is very special to me because I got it to help myself heal after someone dear to me passed away. Matt did a wonderful job listening to exactly what I wanted and it came out even more beautiful than I could have imagined. It is a medium sized piece on my back over my lower ribs, so it was rather uncomfortable, but done in one session. Matt played calming music that I would hear in my yoga class and even guided me through some breathing during the more painful parts. I cant say enough great things about this shop!

Dru M

This is one of the cleanest, most upacale, most inviting tatoos shops over ever been inked in. The location is perfect, with easy walkable access and parking. The shop itself is immaculately maintained, well lit, clean and comfortable. The chaise by the windows in front for instance. Every single artist in this shop is great, both in technique, style and personality - from the owner Loki all the way down to their most recent interns and apprentices! I am happy to call most of them friends. Of the three tattoos Ive had done at this shop, each one has been successively my most favorite one. Recently I had a lotus flower done as part of a larger 3/4 sleeve project by Loki, and from the color choice to the line work I was ecstatic. Ive gotten so many compliments on it and it has healed just perfectly. If youre contemplating getting a tattoo donew in Salem, MA it is definitely best to check these guys out first. Drew

Raymond Myers-Kieran

Ive been a lover of body art for a very long time having received my first piece on my 18th birthday. As such I set a pretty high standard for artists with whom I will collaborate and who will ultimately leave their work on my person. Loki and his team are simply among the best Ive ever experienced. I had the pleasure of having a long awaited back piece designed and inked onto my back and the entire process from concept to execution was handled with the utmost professionalism, class and most importantly talent. I have mentioned this to the folks over at Salem Ink that having traveled the world and having been inked by some of the best artists in the country, I truly feel that Salem Ink is at the top of the list. I will have all of my future work done solely at Salem Ink...they are THAT good!