Kollective Tattoo Studio

Reviews 4

ME

megan lee

Ive been debating writing this review for months now, but finally decided to do it when I went with my best friend to her tattoo appointment at Black Metal Tattoo in Strongsville. There, I saw how a professional does the job right, and was inspired to talk about my bad experience at Kollective. First off, I wasnt the person who got tattooed, it was my boyfriend. I told him late last year that for our anniversary I would buy him a tattoo that hes been wanting for a long while, and thought it would be a nice gift for him. He wanted a place that only did custom work, and after much research, saw Kollective. He went through their gallery and thought all the tattoos seemed well done and creative, and he had a custom job in mind so we were both prepared for the process to be long and pricey. He contacted Melanie and she drew up the design he wanted: Aries in goddess form pouring out the galaxy down his arm with some script within the half sleeve. It was an awesome concept and Melanie drew it up really well, just the way my boyfriend wanted it, which is why Im giving Kollective two stars. Everything started out really promising and professional, and ended extremely poorly. Anyways, Melanie tattooed Aries first and she turned out pretty well on my boyfriends upper back. She was just lightly shaded with tones of ivory, and the real color was supposed to come in on his arm in the galaxy image. All in all, we probably had four or possibly five sessions about two hours long each with Melanie. She was about $100 an hour which was expected, or maybe a bit under. I tipped her 20% every time, for every session, without fail. And with five sessions roughly $200-250 each, that was at least a $200 tip in all. Anyways, we went back for the last session expecting there to be at least one more session since she still had all the color to do for the galaxy part. Unfortunately my boyfriends skin is sensitive and got irritated about two hours in to the coloring. Melanie said we should stop now and claimed verbatim that the tattoo was finished anyways and touch-ups were free. First, though, we had to wait for his skin to settle down because it was very red and we couldnt really see the "final" result until a day or two after that session. It was not complete at all. At all. All the lines are wonky, half of the color is so washed out that you can see his skin through it. There is a painfully apparent outline around everything and nothing is blended well. I showed a picture of it to another tattoo artist and he said it looked like crayola washable markers were just scribbled over his arm. It looks terrible. Not because its a bad design, but because it is incomplete. It can be fixed, and when my boyfriend texted Melanie asking to come in for it to be completed since she was the one who claimed touch-ups would be free, he got back a long, unprofessional, and nasty text where she stated that she didnt like "being taken advantage of" and implied that my boyfriend and I were trying to scam her. She didnt even offer for us to send pictures or come back in so she could see the tattoo, she simply shrugged us off as if I didnt just pay over a thousand dollars for a half-assed job. I was absolutely appalled. We had been nothing but kind and cooperative to her and I tipped her without fail every session. She was the one who said that the tattoo was done when it obviously wasnt. No artist would look at this tattoo and say its done, and Im really questioning the integrity of a tattooist that has little to no concern for the outcome of their work. My boyfriend didnt even respond to her ridiculous accusations. We dont have time to play childish games with childish people. Instead, well be taking our money and business to a place such as Black Metal Tattoo where professionals can fix this poorly done water color of a tattoo.

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A

A Private User

This is the best place on the east side to get a piece of everlasting artwork. If you have ever felt intimidated walking into a place where the walls are plastered with flash, and the “artist” seem to be less than pleased that you have walked in the door? Then this place is for you. They are about art and that is the first thing you will see as you approach the gallery. The green overhang displays the name in a unique flowing typeset, a discrete neon open sign softly glows in the corner of the window and as you peer into the large storefront, allowing a moment for your eyes to focus you will pause for a moment and wonder if you have come upon the right place. You will find NO FLASH on the walls, only art work (REAL ART) and each artist’s room is personally decorated to their own unique style and personality. The talent that the artist has is beyond description. If you walk in the door with an idea in mind they have the ability to make it 100 times better. Sean has an insane eye for obscure, he takes the description you provide him and takes the time to process your wants and his ideas and the outcome is the most beautiful (or frightful) unique tattoo you will ever see. This is not a place of cookie cutter tattoos. If you want tribal, you will get tribal but it will not look like anything that you have seen on anyone else (ps tribal is out). Andrea Lynne is a warm and eclectic personality. As soon as you see her room you will be overwhelmed with her obsessive collection of religious items, but as you sit (or lay on the table) you become strangely comforted by the environment and her insane tales! She is talented beyond my understanding. Ben…Ben….Ben, the piercer, okay so piercing is not my thing but he is the man to go to if you desire a hole placed somewhere (even the unmentionable places). He is the best piercer around. He is fun and funny (take a look at his shoes!!) All three together make this one of..scratch that, THE best place to go.

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DO

Dominic G

I have been getting tattooed at various tattoo shops around Ohio for about 13 years and I have never felt as comfortable and welcomed as I do at Kollective. I first met Andrea (the owner) and gave her very little info about what I was looking for she was so patient and helpful through the process it was incredible. She stayed in constant contact with me and sent me various tattoo drawings until I found the exact one I liked. Andrea is an amazing artist and person. This is not only the cleanest and most creative shop around but it also has a family/fun atmosphere with all the artists and clients.needless to say I have gotten several more tattoos since my first encounter with Kollective by not only Andrea but Liz as well.this is the only shop I will get tattooed at and this is the only shop I recommend to people.. I am so glad I found my new Kollective family.

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A

A Private User

The set up rocks! Art gallery/Tattoo shop, but with emphasis on art! Andrea Tattoos my wife and Sean tattoos me and their styles are awesome! They rock when it comes to design and color! Plus their art that they hang is awesome and reflects their individual styles while being cohesive!. They are clean and professional but also just cool people... I end up spending an hour after my sessions just hanging out! I recommend this shop to Anyone!

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