Stained In Pain Tattoos

I got 4 ear piercings done by Richie within a period of 2 weeks and they all became infected even though I washed them with antibacterial soap and cotton swabs 3 times a day as he told me to and took very good care of them. Not only were my ears swollen, but one piercings wouldn’t stop bleeding for 3 days straight until I finally had them taken out at another tattoo shop because the pain was so bad I couldn’t tolerate it anymore. I have sensitive skin and Richie uses the cheapest, shittiest metal that he probably bought somewhere on eBay for a few cents but charges $ 30 per piercing which is a rip off! I later found out that a piercer should use acrylic jewelry for sensitive skin, but Richie never offered me that option. I used to have my eyebrow, nose, tongue, belly button and lip pierced by other people in the past and nothing got infected, which leads me to believe that Richie is just a shitty piercer. I will definitely NEVER be going back and I would NOT recommend him to anyone! Save your money and go somewhere else!

A year ago I had gotten a tattoo done here that the artist (Frank) completely messed up. The lettering wasn’t evenly spaced & it was almost impossible to read, so of course I was pissed & went back in to get it fixed. I spoke to the manager who was extremely apologetic and offered to have it covered up for free with whatever I wanted. Matt Ward ended up doing the cover up & he did an amazing job! You can’t even tell that it’s a cover up & I ended up liking it even more than what I originally wanted.

I’m lasering off two tattoos done by JULZ which let me say is an extremely painful and expensive but will be worth it in the end. She completely messed up my arm tattoo and made it look like shit, she usually posts all her tattoos on IG but never did with mine, she didn’t take ANYTHING I said into consideration and made the three roses on my arm the size that could probably fit my dads shoulder smh with horrible DARK masculine And ROUGH colors. I model so what I wanted was a beautiful feminine pallet of small roses the colors of pastel pink, blue and purple. I guess I did kind of let her manipulate me due to her extremely demanding personality and how «she’s the artist» and knows what looks better” but actually no she’s not a true artist at all, clearly and since I didn’t like what she did with my arm or how she treated me I want the other tattoo she did for my removed too. I’m extremely sad/​sick about this situation especially because people at work will always comment on how bad the tattoo is so I always wear sleeves no matter what. But you live and you learn right ?!

Almost 3 yrs ago my niece passed away and the entire family was looking to do a tattoo tribute to her. My brother’s friend is a tattoo artist here so we came here. Eerie our tattooist did an amazing job. Captured every detail I wanted to incorporate into my tribute. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it.
Recently, I went back to add some flowers and detail to that tattoo and again EERIE did not disappoint. Absolutely amazing. I’ll definitely be back.
The shop is clean and Eerie opens all new needles, etc right in front of you.

Richie is the best!
I highly recommend him!
4 months ago I got my first piercing with Richie, it was a breeze. He was professional, quick, and actually cared. He explained the healing process and gave me a piece of paper afterwards, which explained how to clean it. He gave me instructions on how to clean the piercing and what metals I should use, when I decide to change the ring, as well as how long to wait before I can change it. My first piercing with Richie was my belly button. Now, I have gotten my nipples, ears, and septum pierced by him. Each time he explained the healing and cleaning process. He was very clean and professional.
He even helped me pick out earrings when I didn’t want just plain chrome stainless steel for my ears and septum. He was able to find me a titanium gold septum ring.
Every time I have gotten pierced by Richie it’s over so fast I hardly feel anything but a quick poke. I honestly feel more discomfort when I first clean it than when he puts the needle through. I used to be so afraid of needles and getting pierced but his technique has totally changed that.
The last piercing I got from him was my septum and naturally, I was nervous because it’s my face! But it was over before I knew it and he even showed my how to flip it upwards so I can hide it while at work. He once again explained the healing/​cleaning processes to me. I asked which gauge I should get for clickers that I wanted to buy and he let me know the gauge and when I could change it.
All of my piercings have healed just fine with his help, his instructions are clear and he is always up for explaining things in more detail should you need further explanations. I have even recommended a friend for a «hood» vagina piercing and was there during the process, she was afraid and he made her feel comfortable and she said it was so quick and it didn’t even hurt.

Fantastic experience. Made a call got a quick appointment. Fair price and attention to detail. I’ve got about 15 other tats this is my 1^st in an actual shop so it was cool. I’m already thinking of the next project. Erie is the man. Be back soon.

I highly recommend this shop. I have gotten a couple of pieces by Julz and she is the best! Her artwork is amazing and she does great work. Her suggestions are always on point and her calming energy makes the painful process much easier. The shop is clean and has free street parking right in front. Can’t wait for my next piece!

My husband went and got his first tattoo here. He worked with Kevin on his tattoo and couldn’t be happier. Very friendly and reasonably priced. Thank you!

Had an amazing experience with Friski over the weekend. A friend and I were getting matching tattoos to honor a friend who had passed away. My friend had never had a tattoo as was extremely nervous — but was put right at ease. Work looks great! Thanks!

AwesoMe clean and professional! I love Julia A newer artest there. After every tattoo she always blows me away with perfection!

Stained in Pain is easily one of my favorite tattoo shops in this city. It’s large, bright, and clean, with friendly, knowledgable, talented staff.
I have gotten 16 tattoos from Julz alone and I currently have no plans to see anyone else for my tattoos. Her apprenticeship ended less than a year ago but she’s one of the most talented artists I’ve had work done by. She improves with every tattoo she does and I have brought multiple friends in to see her as well as given out her business cards to anyone who asks me about where I got all my beautiful tattoos done. ¹¹⁄₁₀ would recommend.

Just got another amazing and perfect tattoo from a awsome artist named KEVIN he does the most unique and beutiful 1 of a kind tattoos this place is super clean and very professional and personal and attentive i only come here for my tats i highly recommend this place lots of good energy and amazing artists female or male and a veriety of styles too somthing for everyone great prices and great environment only place i will let my daughter get tattooed… and pierced cause i know it will be done correctly…

Just had another AMAZING session with Albert Smart! We spent about two hours working on traditional roses on my back tattoo piece and cover-​up. It felt like it went by in 15 minutes. Besides being incredibly talented, Albert is so friendly, funny and personable!
His detail and shading looks spot on and has great depth. Plus the color is even and bright.
Albert has all the talent of the great Chicago tattoo artists… With ZERO of the Chicago tattoo artist diva arrogant attitude. It’s going to be the best experience you can ask for all around.

Albert is fantastic. He does great, clean work. He works with you to make sure you are happy with your ink and that everything flows. True artist at heart and very creative. I’m def going back to get my chest piece done and couldn’t be more excited! So major kudos to Albert!

My tattoo artist has done three of my tattoos he is very professional and listens to my needs. I would strongly recommend him. He is great in restoring and cover ups.

I love this place. I was a walk in and ended up getting a tattoo by Chops. HE spent almost 5 hours with me. By the end i felt like he was part of the family. He was very attentive to my pain level and was very eagered to tattoo. He was even helpful in ways of explaining to my mom how and why i got another tattoo. Hes just a very awesome person all around. I cannot wait to get more. Im in the process of healing now but I cannot wait til this summer to show off my beautiful thigh piece!
P. S. The portfolio that Chops has in the shop does not do him any type of justice.

Albert smart is the best!!! So professional and such a nice guy. I can’t wait to get more done by him :)

This place is so inviting I feel like family when I have visited. Got a chest piece and an ankle tattoo by Matt. Custom work done just right!

This isn’t your typical tattoo shop where you walk in and there are rows after rows of artwork to pick from and more than likely there are 20 or 30 or even more others out there with the same tattoo on their body. This place has a few books to choose from as they are known for custom work… the way tattoos should be anyway, in my opinion. If you’re a walk in, they do have a few books to get an idea of the artist’s work.
My artist is Pinga, he was referred to me from a friend and I had him fix up a few tattoos that didn’t heal too well when he was at a shop previously that closed down. He is an awesome artist, very professional and as others have mentioned, reasonable in price. I highly recommend this artist and this tattoo shop. I will be there soon for my 6^th tattoo!

I came here for my second tattoo after I saw my sons tattoo. It turned out that my sons friend Kevin is a tattoo artist.
The place is pretty cool inside. It is an old Chicago style building and they set it up like you would expect a tattoo shop to be set up. I was able to email Kevin a drawing of what I wanted. What he drew up was a little of from what I wanted so he was able to take a couple of minutes to modify the drawing to what I wanted. He started and before you knew it he was done. He even invited me back if I wanted or needed touch ups.
I’ll be back