My pup Dexter recently passed away unexpectedly due to illness and I wanted to commemorate him by getting a tattoo (my first) of his paw-print. After researching shops, I came across Designs by Dana and sent a message. Ryonen reached out to me within 24 hours and we discussed my request to replicate his paw print but I also wanted it to look "pixilated". She said she would be more than happy to work on this and we scheduled my appointment for after the New Year. The shop was clean, and Ryonen was very friendly and professional explaining every step and helped me decide where to place the tattoo. She was very patient when I asked her to slightly revise the initial pixilation of the template. I had a great experience with my first tattoo and am already thinking about what to do next as I will definitely be returning in the future for a second! read more

Designs by Dana - Dexter's paw print. Tattoo by Ryonen at Dana's - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Ohio I really needed generally a half hour or less in shading he did none instead I end up paying 140$ for three scattered Playboy bunnies he never used a stop and start time my hourly rate which he charge for an hour he also disappointer when he let another client in on time after he just told my Lover only having 1person in at a tim was completely floored the way bandaged his work was extrem lazy and disgusting I was compl impress with the cleanliness of t establishment that include restr also. I see the place had restrict points in the store due too COVID-19 guild lines which it really didn't make any sense for me to not be able to flip through the wall hanging tattoo pages read more

Designs by Dana - Nathan's Review - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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! read more

Designs by Dana - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

I'm very picky about the tattoo place I choose because I want to go to a reputable and respected place. So, not only did I read great reviews about this place online, I heard from listening to many other people. And I do have to say, they are detail orientated and very professional. This is my 2nd time going there and getting a tattoo done from 2 different artists and they really put in the work and effort to make it look great, i did have to come back after my first session for a touch up but it was free! My first tattoo I went to their Kentucky location and my 2nd time i went to the Northside location, both were awesome with a cool vibe. Highly recommend it and thanks for your great work, Dana artists! Thanks for reading, go find that Perfect Vision! ;) read more

Oh, Dana. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Designs by Dana was the pinnacle of a day-trip to Cincinnati with my mom. I followed David Armacost to Dana's from his previous shop, and my mother had liked his work so much she decided she'd make an appointment with me and have David do a cover-up for her; y'know, make a fun day out of it, bonding and making sweet, painful memories together. Walking into Dana's, I was immediately reminded of the Tattoo Factory in Chicago, where I spent a ton of time during college. Original flash by the likes of Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry line the walls, and it soon became obvious that this is much more than a tattoo shop; Dana's is a watering hole of sorts and is basically a madhouse on a Saturday afternoon. I talked with Dana forever about my neighborhood in Indy (where he just happened to grow up), the aforementioned Tattoo Factory (of which we both knew the owner), early serial killers (totally normal tattoo shop fodder), and he regaled me with stories of his gold teeth and running with the Indianapolis Outlaws. Suffice it to say, if I were a local, I'd be spending a lot of my free time here. Now I've worked with David before, so it goes without saying that I'm a fan of his work and completely comfortable with having him apply permanent artwork to my various appendages. He creates weird and unique art and works quickly, meaning that you get an awesome tattoo for a great price ($125/hr). My mom was really happy with the cover-up that David did, and because of the conversation and laughs, five hours passed like 30 minutes. There's definitely good reason Designs by Dana has lasted so long and is so well-known. I look forward to visiting this family of artists again very soon. read more

Designs by Dana - David Armacost doin' his thang! - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

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. read more

I got my tattoo like 10 years ago at Dana. The tattoo is still very vibrant to this day! I get compliments on it all the time. People ask me all the time when and where I got this tattoo, I tell them Dana in Northside, and it was at least 10 years ago!! The are shocked to hear how long ago that was, and it's still very beautiful! read more

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. read more

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. read more

First off let me start by saying I don't do very many reviews like this. I have one tattoo and it is one that is dear to my heart so this is a pretty biased review but none the less an honest one. Danas is the best Tattoo parlor around and speak for myself and girlfriend. (Don't tell her). My artist Greg was the man, super chill and of course super talented. For a portrait larger then my hand. It took him about two hours and for a tattoo that I thought was going to be 400 plus dollars it didn't even hit the 300 mark. (I tipped him very well) so again let's review. Great service, great price, great place! read more

Designs by Dana - My brother, RIP Neo. - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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. read more

Designs by Dana - Ankle work, old lady pain! - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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! read more

Designs by Dana - Memorial tattoo in my dad's handwriting. Bottom left is the format I asked Paul to change it too. Love it! - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I LOVE this place. This is my second time having Jason tattoo me and he's awesome! Had some great color work done today and it turned out great. It was also a real pleasure meeting the one and only Dana. If you're looking to get a tattoo in the Tri State Area look no further. This is the real deal and they do beautiful work. Thanks so much Jason for bringing my tattoo to life. Happy Holidays. David read more

Designs by Dana - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Dasha is freakin awesome!!! Highly recommend her for all types of tattoos. Great place!!!

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! read more

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. read more

Prior to getting tatted at Designs by Dana, I had got my previous three tattoos at Beelistic in Clifton. I've had no issues at Beelistic and I think they are a very solid tattoo parlor. However, I wanted to try some place else in the Cincinnati area to get my fourth and most recent tattoo and I came upon Designs by Dana. I've heard nothing but good things from the reviews I've seen from multiple sources so I had to go for it. Not surprisingly, I am very pleased with how my tattoo came out and the process involved. While Beelistic artists were efficient and good at their craft, they seemed to lack a bit of energy and I could instantly tell the crew over at Designs were really passionate about their work and in ensuring the best outcomes for their clients.I already had a design prepared when setting up an appointment and, Jake, my artist, modified it a bit to fit my body type and location preference. In the end it came out perfectly and I couldn't be more happier. Jake (and I'm sure the other artists on staff) was personable, professional, and exceptional. He explained what he was doing, how long it would take, and how I was doing and if I needed anything throughout. I definitely recommend this place both for your first tattoo and the avid ink collector. read more

Paul was awesome! My son and I got our first tattoos recently. He was so accommodating as my son was in a wheelchair and wouldn't be able to move to another chair. He was amazing to have for our first tattoos. It was a great experience. So many have complimented me on my tattoo and said how great it looked and how well it is healing. I couldn't recommend Paul and the shop highly enough! read more

If you want something done by genuine, humble artists this is your place! I will never go anywhere else. There is a reason they've been around for 30+ years. read more

Very happy with my ribcage tat on my right side...It took almost 6 months to get done and I gotta say that Paul is a true artist. I have another idea for my next tat for my ribcage on my left side and I will be back to get it done at DBD. read more

Got 2/3 of my tattoos here! Jason Cline is the man! I seriously love this place!!! So clean, and chill. Everyone there is willing to help you and work with you too. read more

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. read more

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. read more

I came here to get a my first tattoo from a recommendation by a friend. I got that tattoo on my side(ribs) and it's of my zodiac sign(). The tattoo is actually very similar to the emoji . It's a really simple tattoo just straight lines and part of a circle. But the two lines aren't parallel and at the top were the two lines meet the circle are uneven... read more

Designs by Dana - zodiac sign on side - Tattoo Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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. read more

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 read more

My wife got tattoos here, my best friend got his first tattoo here and now I just had a half sleeve done here and this place is AWESOME! Every time I am in this place, it gets better and better. My friend and I both got our tattoo done by Carter and he was great. Every tattoo artist is funny and friendly and that is what makes a great tattoo shop and even better to recommend to others. Go get your tattoo here! read more