Custom Ink & Steel

Category:	Tattoo Shop
Address:	G3490 Miller Rd #4, Flint, MI 48507, USA
Phone:	+1 810-732-2911
Site:	flinttattoo.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM Closed

Location

Photos 34

Reviews 6

Jamie Chiu

Terrible. After looking up their Instagram account and seeing that their piercers seemed to use high-quality jewelry from reputable suppliers (Anatometal, Industrial Strength, Neometal, BVLA), I was convinced that they were a decent shop to stop by and have troublesome piercings looked at. I was worked on by Nikko - he appeared knowledgable enough on the surface, telling me that one of my piercings was rejecting and that the jewelry they were originally pierced with was improper. Now, I was pierced with ASTM certified implant-grade titanium from Anatometal, so I know for a fact that the material was high quality - perhaps it was just the sizing that was off. He proceeded to suggest a smaller gauge curved barbell in stainless steel (he didnt specify from which manufacturer) with smaller balls to relieve some stress on the piercing that could be saved. I agreed, assuming that this shop and its reputation would assure his advice was legitimate. Major red flag #1: Nikko didnt seem to have a full understanding of jewelry length and size. He said that we would try a 1/2 inch, but would go up to 3/8 inch if it seemed too snug. 3/8 of an inch is nearly two standard sizes smaller than a 1/2 inch - even just a bare minimum understanding of how fractions work would have informed him that was incorrect. Major red flag #2: He did not use any insertion tapers. When removing my jewelry, he left my piercing bare. When inserting new jewelry, he essentially just shoved it in. Granted, the jewelry he was inserting was MUCH smaller than the original, so there was likely lots of room for the new jewelry to go. Even so, insertion tapers are standard procedure so the piercing is NEVER LEFT EMPTY with a chance to close up and jewelry can be reinserted without causing the client discomfort or potential harm. There was no insertion taper, and no medical-grade sterile lubricant to ease the jewelry into the piercing. Major red flag #3: Nikko tried to give me my old jewelry back by handing it to me without a bag. Cross contamination is NOT OKAY. That jewelry had been sitting in a healing piercing for over a year and is rife with bacteria - if I had just put them in my bare hands and proceeded to touch a doorknob with those same hands afterwards, I would have endangered everybody else who touched that doorknob following me. Major red flag #4: I know better than to touch my piercings in a shop. I trusted Custom Ink & Steel enough to not warrant a physical inspection of the jewelry inserted into my piercing, so I gave it a quick glance and felt assured that the right decisions had been made. When I arrived home, on closer inspection, I could see that the jewelry he installed was EXTERNALLY THREADED. The ball was already 1/4 of the way unscrewed and I could see the threads exposed on the actual bar, rather than on the ball itself. When the threads are on the bar (external threading), they act like little razors that cut the piercing when inserted and removed. When threads are on the ball (internal threading), the bar is smooth and does not cause damage to the piercing when inserted and removed. Additionally, the size of the balls he had chosen were inappropriate, as they were practically sinking into entrance and exit sites of the piercing. This kind of mystery jewelry is especially alarming since most of it is manufactured where labor is cheap and ethics are an afterthought. The materials that go into this type of jewelry are questionable - likely with a high nickel content that many people react poorly to. They are not polished properly, which leave dents and divots in the jewelry that can collect bacteria and lead to irritation or (god forbid) infection. The fact that Custom Ink & Steel carries this kind of low-quality jewelry means they are willing to use it. The fact that Nikko used it on me means that he does not understand the ramifications of using sub-par materials on his clients. TL;DR - You only have one body. Dont let them butcher it here.

The Great and Powerful Kevin

I am only available on Sundays, so Sunday around 1 or 2pm I spontaneously go to Electric Chair Tattoos because I got a tattoo there before and knew they are open on Sundays. The earliest available time they had was the following Sunday, but I didnt wanna wait. I called the next closest tattoo shop that was open according to Google Maps, Custom Ink & Steel. The tattoo I wanted was a Joker tattoo. They put me on the phone with Jerad, who later told me about how excited he was about my idea, as he loves Batman comics and has several comic posters up in his room at the studio. He said he would be available as early as 15 min. So by the time I drove the 3/4 mile down Miller Rd to the shop, he had already had sketches ready. He kept me distracted by asking about my interests during the whole thing and by the time I looked at the tattoo he was already almost done. Everyone there was very welcoming and the whole place was exceptionally clean as well. Jerad was awesome.

Emily Lessnau

Dorian has poked 13 holes in my ears, redoing several lobe piercings and making their placement perfect. I have nine retired piercings done by several different piercers and hes the only one Ive revisited. Hes professional, polite, personable and has an extremely steady and swift hand. Not only do I enjoy every piercing, but every experience Ive had with him. He always goes above and beyond basic customer service and Id recommend him to everyone without hesitation. Five stars are not enough! PS I used to see Ryan Brown for two amazing tattoo cover ups and he has since left Custom Ink & Steel. However, when I inquired about him, not only did other artists and the shop owner tell me where he went, they offered me multiple ways to contact him!

A Private User

I love custom ink & steel! The guys are so friendly yet still professional and do some amazing work. They have a lot of knowledge and definately made me feel at ease while still answering all my questions. I love the atomosphere there; very layed back, fun and professional. I dont mind sitting on the couch while they help other customers because they are all so friendly and will say hey and come talk with me :) The guys at custome ink & steel run a very clean establishment, I have never found one thing I didnt like. After searching for my favorite shop, I have finally found it and will definately be coming back :)

A Private User

Me and my boyfriend both got our first (i actually got two) tattoos done at Custom by Jerad. He was completely awesome and was patient with me. He went as slow as I need him to. And the prices were great :D Not to mention, before we even made a decision, we were taken back to see the clean room and were told how everything was sterilized My best friend also went there for her first, her tattoo was done by Frank, but after she left, she said she wished hers had been done by Jerad. Its been a month now and all the tattoos look great and healed up nicely, Im definitely going back soon. We 3 love Custom Ink Tattoos :)

A Private User

Great place, clean, fun atmosphere. Woody has done tattoos for both my husband and I, he is an amazing artist. Although I have never had any done by Frank, the work I have seen is beautiful. Im the type of person that gets anxious about spending any amount of time with a bunch people I dont know well but they made me feel like an old friend and made my 4 hour session fly by. I get compliments almost everyday on my tattoo, I would (and do) recommend them to anyone I know. Cant wait to go back and finish my 3/4 sleeve!