Ink Bottle Art Studio

Nelson is an awesome guy who did an awesome job with my wrist tattoo. He really took the time to help me develop my image idea, offering great suggestions on detailing and styling that I never even considered. I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned it. 100% would go back to him if I were to get another tattoo.

Long story short, you take your chances with Nelson.

You wouldn’t believe the whole story even if you had been a fly on the wall witnessing it all.

It’s hard to chose where to get your tattoos these days since there are so many different options. Nelson really knows his stuff, I mean he Musta been doing this for a lifetime because he’s got books and catalogs galore, he knows the true meaning of anything you’re looking for. He holds such great conversation you hardly even remember you’re being tattooed in the first place, before you know it you’re all done and a beautiful masterpiece right on your body! Be sure to let him know when you call for an appointment today.

Nelson did an awesome tattoo for me. This was my first tattoo so I didnt know what to expect. I had been to some other shops and just didnt get a good vibe. Nelson met with me and we got the basics I wanted in my dis de los muertos skull. He offered many suggestions and I let him have some liberty to show his artistic ability. I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend. All in all a great first experience and couldn’t be more happy with my tattoo, I am constantly getting compliments on it.

This man took a basic idea I had to honor my older brother that passed away and turned it into a work of ART! I was so amazed. Lo and Nelson are great and wonderful to work with. The ONLY thing is he does not charge enough for his abilities to craft art from vision.
Great people — I would wait for months if need be for another tattoo from Nelson.

I can not speak highly enough of Nelson. I have a few tattoos and was looking to add a another. I’m new to the area and thankfully I was pointed in the direction of Ink Bottle.
I walked in with what I wanted to get done. Nelson was really amazing about taking my idea and getting all the details correct. We had a consultation and together we designed a tattoo that was much better than what I had walked in with. His creativity and experience really impressed me.
As far as the shop and tattooing goes, it was the most comfortable experience I’ve had in a tattoo shop. Nelson is extremely friendly and conversational, making the hours pass quickly without that usual awkward small talk. He runs a clean, private outfit. Most of the time it was just him and I.
Overall I couldn’t find one thing that I didn’t like about my experience. The man is truly a spectacular artist and I’m really happy to have met him. Thank you again Nelson for the awesome tattoo!

A wise tattoo artist friend once observed that for some people, getting a tattoo is a form of accessorizing, not much different than acquiring a pair of new shoes, while for others it is a transformative experience. My tattoo from Nelson at Ink Bottle has definitely been in the latter category.
I am a breast cancer survivor, and the cancer experience had left me at best, feeling ambivalent about my body, and at worst, viewing it with enmity. My diagnosis in 2011 led to a year of chemotherapy and surgeries, including a mastectomy. I decided to make a tattoo part of my reconstructive process, thanks to the suggestion of a that same wise tattoo artist friend, who urged me to consider getting a decorative tattoo to create something new and beautiful, instead of trying to recreate what was lost.
Impressed by Nelson’s portfolio (and stellar Unilocal reviews), I made an appointment for an initial consult, and came in with several images of the type of tattoo I thought I wanted. Nelson explained why these tattoos would likely not work well with my surgical scarring. He spent a lot of time exploring my interests and showing me art that would work better on my body. We eventually decided on an Asian-​style drawing of flowering plum branches that twines from the back up the side and onto the chest.
Actually getting the tattoo (it is still in progress) has been a great experience. Nelson is not only talented, he’s a cool person to spend time with. At each sitting, we talk about all sorts of stuff from our kids to religion to why New York City is the Best City on Earth (sorry, SF!). The studio is private, comfortable, clean, and has all kinds of interesting artifacts to look at. Although the tattoo is on a rather personal part of my body, Nelson put me totally at ease, and I never felt awkward or uncomfortable during the process. Having this tattoo has helped me reclaim my body and the sense of agency that cancer took away.
I have to give a shout out to Lo, Nelson’s wife, as well. She expertly takes care of logistics like scheduling appointments, is also a really neat person to talk to, and introduced me to the delectableness that is peach lemonade. You can tell that making the studio a great place is a team effort.
I’ll definitely go back for more work here once my cancer «reconstruction» tattoo is complete. I’ve had about half a dozen tattoos done before the one at Ink Bottle, but really can’t imagine going anywhere else again.

Nelson is amazing! He’s a guy that takes his time and perfects your tattoos! I went and go my tattoo a while back and was sort of unsure what front I wanted. Nelson took his time and helped me figure out what font I wanted. He didn’t try to rush me. He took his time with everything he does. Which is great because it means he’s very careful and professional about what he does. Also, while I was there waiting for him to finish sketching my tattoo, a person called and asked to book an appointment for the same day saying it was an «emergency». Nelson was very straightforward and told her/​him that he only takes in appointments ahead of time and he won’t have an appointment till 3 weeks after. He’s such a sweet guy that he even recommended other good tattoo places! Can u believe that?! A lot of tattoo places would sometimes try to hack u of ur greens! But Nelson was very honest and even helped the person try another places to get tattooed! That shows what a down to earth guy he is!
And if u ladies are worried about getting tattooed at some provocative areas, don’t u worry! I got my tattoo right below my boobs. Not once did I felt he was trying to take advantage of me. He was so sweet he assured me of the whole process!
I highly recommend him!!! Best in sac and IT IS WORTH THE WAIT! Tattoos are with u till death so patience and time are definitely needed in deciding a tattoo.

Nelson is absolutely wonderful! He’s a good solid guy who does very clean work. He did my first tattoo and I don’t ever want to go anywhere else! He’s not creepy (so ladies don’t have to feel awkward about being alone with him).
When he was putting the stencil on my arm, we had it almost perfect to the way I wanted it, but there was one little detail that he wasn’t quite comfortable with in the way that the picture was lining up on my arm (although neither I nor my friends could tell). He took it off and did it all over again because he didn’t feel comfortable with it, which I appreciated.
Anyway, if you’re interested in checking him out, DO IT. He’s the best!

My tattoo is the floral cover up that we finished in Oct 2013 (so this is long overdue). I sat for several 3+ hour sessions and I couldn’t be happier. You can trust in Nelson’s talent and expertise; he’ll take your ideas and turn them into an amazing piece of art that you’ll love. He’s a kind, fair, family man who will truly appreciate your business so call… schedule and go!
P. S. I thought he was nuts when I read the healing instructions (2^nd day dry) but it makes a WORLD of difference in the healing process. (Will make sense when you go).

I have 5 tattoos, all a decent size. My last one was done by Nelson and let me just say, this guy is awesome. He and wife are very down to earth, honest, nice people. Nelson is very creative and really listens to what kind of work you want done. There was one slip up when I was there, the tattoo was traced on backwards, but it was all the. The slip up was fixed before Nelson had started. It was a simple mistake and I think he let it slip because he’s just so busy and I know it’s because he’s so good. My girlfriend and I were there for about 8 hours for two tattoos. I know we were there for a long time but it didn’t feel like it. We talked about a bunch of stuff and the time just flew by. Nelson let me put some music on his radio and the next thing I knew, my girlfriends tattoo was finished. We both love our tattoos and can’t wait to go back to get the color put into them.
Go Nelson!!!

Nelson is fantastic!
When researching the various tattoo parlors in the area, I was a little wary because even the most highly rated ones had detractors with consistent complaints: namely, rude customer service. Being a first timer, I was not looking forward to the possibility of being looked down upon or dismissed or pressured into a design that I did not want. Especially as what I wanted was pretty simple: a block of text featuring my favorite quote by a favorite author.
After checking around Unilocal,I decided on Ink Bottle Art, and am I ever glad I did! Nelson is not only a fantastic artist and tattooist, he’s also an incredibly friendly and helpful individual. (How many tattoo artists buy their clients a free ice cream bar?)
I’m extremely happy with the final result. It looks great and I experienced no issues with it while healing. If I ever decide on a second piece, this is the place I’ll definitely go.
Thanks, Nelson!

My profile pict is Nelson’s work. Dude has crazy talent and great vision. His studio is very cool and has a great feel. I was referred to him and now I know 5 people that have gone to him. Not one person has anything bad to say. Nelson is legit and holly is super fine.

You know when you first walk into a place you’ve never been and you hesitate but once you’re in… you’re in! Nelson was and is great. Own shop, cool vibe, and awesome person. Could not have asked for a better experience. Did I tell you his work is dope? Well now I did so go see him. Appointment only!

I want to recomment this Studio to anyone who is thinking of getting a Tattoo.
Our whole experieance was fantastic. I am a well seasoned grandma who went with
my oldest grand daughter to get matching tattoo’s. My first. one. We are both extremely happy with the professional job at the most sanitary shop. Nelson is the Best. He made us feel very comfortable and didn’t rush us. Next week my second oldest grand daughter is getting her first tattoo now that she is 18. He does private settings by appointment only and his work is Perfection.

I have many tattoos but my favorite and most beautiful is the tattoo that I got from Nelson at Ink Bottle. The piece is exactly what I was looking for. I had a large piece on my side, it is the Eiffel Tower and a Pinup girl with a flower. The Tower had intricate line work and he did it perfectly. I asked to have broken into three different sessions and Nelson fully supported that. He has a soft touch as far as getting a tattoo goes, and I will continue to go to him exclusively for all my future tattoos. I felt completely safe and comfortable in his chair and would suggest everyone to go see him if you are looking for a great tattoo artist.

Nelson has now done 3 of my tattoos and he will probably be doing the rest of my tattoos and art work from now until ever! I was definitely a little bit of a tattoo artist whore before, jumping around to different artists throughout Sacramento, but I have finally found one that I actually enjoy the company of and most importantly he is an AMAZING artist. He does not just have «his» style either, he is open minded and has totally worked with me on my ideas. The studio is extremely clean and abides by all the state laws they have recently enforced. I just had a piece done by him last night of my dog (I have posted on here under his pictures) and I am already looking forward to my next!
Seriously though, book your appointment with Nelson and you will NOT regret it!

You can tell Nelson enjoys what he does the moment you walk into his studio. He has a remarkably original perspective on the art of tattoo.
I have tattoos from 5 different artists and he made the experience the most comforting and enjoyable with in depth intelligent conversation, an above and beyond grasp of cleanliness/​safety and great music taste.
His original works are just that: incredibly unique and easy to recognize in a sea of body art.
He is the real deal in the profession of tattoo.

I’ve spent almost 30 hours under Nelson’s needle in the past year. He’s done my Chest piece and we are currently working on completing my right arm sleeve. I always look forward to my appointments and truly enjoy Nelsons company. I would suggest him to anyone looking to do a large longterm piece or someone looking for a personal experience for their first tattoo. The private studio and one on one attention focused on you and your art is a great experience and keeps it from feeling like one of those cookie cutter tattoo shops. Nelson is very personable and professional. I won’t go anywhere else to get ink done.