Designs by Dana

So a friend recommended me here and to a specific artist, David. I really love this place. it was my first tattoo and the staff makes you feel comfortable and a lot less nervous. It’s clean and they do a great job. I will definitely be going here for any future tattoos.

I’ve been to Dana’s in Northside twice now, once for a coverup in 2005 (which went fabulously and I’m still in love with the work) and recently a couple weeks ago for some new ink on my left calf. Mike has a wonderful sense of inkmanship, does excellently with tribals/​black, and has a great «bedside» manner for customer service and ensuring you’re as comfortable as an uncomfortable procedure allows. I look forward to hitting him up again in the near future for another cover up job with florals/​colors on my left shoulder/​arm on an older 15+ year old tattoo that’s faded and blurry. Their business is clean, well run, has good customer service, is sanitary, and any artist working at Dana’s I trust to deliver good artwork. Mike rocks. I’d recommend him in a heartbeat (and indeed have to two other friends recently) and I’m definitely going back again for more work.

It’s our go to spot for awesome work. Jason always takes care of us. Great custom designs and detailed work. Comfy, clean, laid back, and completely professional. 25 years of our business comes with complete faith and respect.

I just got my first tattoo here a week ago! Paul did an amazing job. It was a simple handwriting tattoo, but he made me feel comfortable. He was able to rearrange the words how I wanted to. The shop was professional looking, but fun. Dana was there as well. He was really funny and nice! Overall, I had a great experience, and my tattoo seems to be healing properly. Pricing was also very reasonable. (Of course, my tattoo only took about 10 minutes to do) No infections, no problems! Love it!

I have been going to Designs by Dana for 12 years. I got my first tattoo at this spot. I love it and will recommend it to anyone. I am ALWAYS satisfied with the work I get done. The shop is filled with nothing but great artists. I always feel welcomed when I come in. Best tattoo shop in Cincinnati.

I have been to Dana’s before for a tattoo on my ribs. The artist Amber did a great job and I still love it. That was almost 5 years ago. I set up an appointment to get a half sleeve done with Amber. She was really booked so I had to wait a month to get in to see her, which was fine with me. Tonight I went in to get my tattoo and she wasn’t there. Then they told me she wasn’t even tattooing anymore! They asked if she called… umm. no she didn’t or I wouldn’t have gone to the shop! I’m pissed off that no one even checked that she called or even had gotten a hold of me. Its bad business. I will not be going back to any of the artists at Dana’s. I’m pretty upset and disappointed at how the whole situation was handled.

After my HORRIBLE experience at Andy’s Flying Tiger tattoo place, I came here. Everyone was so nice, and even though they were booked up, they called me the next day with a cancellation and got me right in! I am actually going back today to get another one, and will work with them on a cover up as well. I could not be happier and would recommend this place to anyone. Dana the owner is really cool and funny and everyone was so nice. Nothing like the snobby jerks at Andys.

My first tattoo came from here almost 25 years ago and it still looks great! so do all of the rest of them they have done. Excellent!

I have not gotten any ink here yet myself, but that will be remedied in the next several months. Came here with man-​friend last nite to get his shoulder worked on and Micheal did such a phenomenal job, both with touching up his old tat and creating a new one to integrate old tat.
I am relieved to know that there is more than one reputable place here in Cincinnati (One Shot Tattoo is also fabulous) where I now feel safe getting more work done, especially after such a terrible experience at Skincraft. Definitely book in advance, because their schedules fill up quickly!
We both enjoyed our time and were able to comfortably pass the time chatting while he got inked, and Michael was great about checking-​in to make sure he was doing ok /​didn’t need breaks/​etc.

I am not a tatted up lady. I was incredibly nervous stepping foot into this place. Greg made it easy to relax because he was confident and laid back.
My 2 best girl friends and I have been talking about getting matching tattoos for 10 years, but it never happened.
Recent events brought us to Dana’s on NYE — 3 walk in’s… we thought… if it’s meant to be then they’ll be able to get us in… I was secretly hoping they wouldn’t be able to fit us in… and considering the popularity of this place I thought that would be the case.
They were able to get us in so now I permanently have a beautiful tattoo on my left upper back — 3 bird silhouettes.
The process was easy, it was VERY clean (which made the nurse inside me happy), the staff was professional and kind, and the prices were very reasonable.
Greg mentioned everyone at Dana’s goes through an apprenticeship which shows they really care about having quality artists. I heard nothing, but wonderful reviews about this place from friends and now I can recommend it too!

Dana’s is the best shop in Cincinnati period dasha did mine she was very nice and did one awesome job going back soon for my next dasha also tattooed my son and he’s going back Dana’s is the place why mess with any other shop

I went to Designs by Dana for my fourth tattoo. I went to a different (but also well-​rated) studio for each of the previous three, so I had some nice places to compare to when I went in. My fourth (from Amber at their Northside location) is definitely the best quality of the lot. My design turned out exactly the way I had hoped, and all of my lines and shading are stunningly crisp and precise.
Not only that, the experience couldn’t have been better. Amber joked and chatted with my partner and I through the whole thing, and seemed to take a genuine interest in getting to know us a little while we were there. You’d think this would be a given at any shop, but unfortunately I can tell you from past experience that it’s not. And, in my opinion at least, it makes the whole process hurt considerably less… don’t discount it!
I walked out completely satisfied with my tattoo, the price, and the hospitality– and I think you will too. Give them a shot.

I would recommend Designs by Dana to anyone that wants to be inked. I have two tats from other locations and have been thinking of a third one for over 6 years. Yes, you should think hard about those tats, people! They are going to be there for a good long while and you definitely want to make sure that the tat you are getting will be inked by a professional; one that really cares about you, what you want and how you’d like it done.
Designs by Dana has been consistently voted the BEST by CityBeat and others, and with good reason. Not only do they have the combined experience that blows away any competition, they are staffed by wonderful artists. When I first stopped in to discuss ideas and price ranges I met with Dana. He was quick to point out that I should be talking with Dasha, that she would be the best fit for the type of artwork that I desired. I met with Dasha and we quickly were «on the same page» with my ideas and her ability to produce them. We looked at a very large number of pictures, designs and other tats. And, she was patient with me as I said things like, «oh no, too frilly»; «nope, too pink»; and even when I found two designs that were close to what I envisioned, but only conceptually. She advised that I give her some time to draw up some sketches and stop back in to approve them or discuss them further. Unfortunately, it was almost 6 months later that I was able to stop back in. Alas, as I cleared the doorway, Dasha says, «Hey, butterfly girl!». Yes, in those 6 months she had not forgotten me. And, she was able to go directly to the drawing. Needless to say, it was perfect! Dasha was able to create exactly what I had been picturing in my mind.
The design is completely original and free-​hand. I have been for one sitting in which the outline was complete and will be going back for 2 additional sittings to complete the shading and coloring. One might think my review a bit premature, since the tat is not fully complete; however, trust me… you just KNOW when you are at the right place and working with the right artist. I wish that I had been this enthused with the two previous tattoo «artists» that did my other two pieces!
If you are going to make the investment in a tattoo, you should swing by either location of Designs by Dana and give them a chance. It will be a decision that you not only won’t regret, but will be extremely happy that you did so!

If you’re gonna etch something into your skin, shouldn’t it be done by an established shop?
Why go anywhere else when Dana and killer team can make you look the way you want to look. Go to the shop and look at the photos of the work yourself and you decide. It’s a small investment effort for a bit of art you will look at until you die. Don’t go to some bullsh*t tattoo shop and have no name joe stick a unidentifiable picture on your arm that looks like a bad Dali. If that’s your prerogative then you could just come to my house with a dollar and I’ll get out the ballpoint.
I went there for the first time in 2001 to get my first tattoo and I have not needed a touch up. I’ve been back since (Dec 2010) and I love the talent of the artists available. A young lady does my work and I have nothing but compliments for her and all the other artists.