Amy Duncan is. my. home. girl…read more I lucked out when I came across Amy's website when researching for a new tattoo idea I was cooking up. I live in Tasmania, so I had some local options I was all ready to look into further, but then I googled "botanical illustration tattooist Australia" just to see if there was anyone superb a little further afield... Amy's website is both first and second result, and the third is a Reddit thread also praising her. I read her entire FAQ and sent her an email, trying to be as charming as possible while explaining my idea. Her FAQ expressly says she may take months to reply; she got back to me within 24hrs, keen as mustard. Her studio is out in the Dandenongs but it's so easy to get to, only an hour on the Belgrave line from Flinders Street Station and then a short stroll up to the studio. It's among a short group of shops including a convenience store, a lovely cafe that does great takeaway treats, an op shop that has some amazing treasures and a couple of dinner options if you're getting tattooed all day. Tattooed all day, you say? Totally. I've had two sessions with Amy now, and they start with a fair amount of planning and sketching. A good couple of hours! From there, the tattooing starts, along with lots of chats and cups of tea. After our first session we even caught the train back into Melbourne to see a gig together. So yes, she's very easy to hang out with, but she's also an absolutely brilliant tattooist. She's been doing it for over ten years now and she definitely knows what she's doing. Her linework is detailed and good enough to display as is (my piece is being done all linework first and then colour, and I'm already in love with just the linework so while I'm walking around with a partly-finished tattoo it doesn't feel like that's what I'm doing at all). Her colouring is insane and I love following her instagram to see each new piece as she completes it. Amy is so easy to book in with and is very understanding about my interstate-ness and lengthy gaps in between sessions. Our first planning session was done over Skype. I sat for six hours of tattooing at our last session because I won't be back for three months. She is an utter legend and worth her weight in gold, and I'm so delighted to have her art on my arm forever. So excited to finish this piece.

One of the only tattooists I know of that doesn't take bookings; Ringwood Tattoo did my latest…read moretattoo, after I decided to try a new tattooist. I called them up and asked if they had time for a 'walk in', and the guy told me to come straight down. I popped in and showed him my design, and when I asked when he could so it, he said "Now." Half an hour later I left with a new work of art, and that was that. Having been in the game for a long time now, the owner knows his stuff, and the young guy who works alongside him seems to be quite popular too. Although I paid a lot more than usual, I put it down to the fact that since my last tattoo, this form of expression has become 'the new black' with everyone getting ink done these days.

Great service. Very friendly. Super hygiene. Got my first…read moretattoo there about a week ago. Definitely coming back !

I love my new tattoo, inked by Renata, Lucky 13 Tattoo studio at Burwood, Vic, professionally and…read morefocused

I got my first tattoo here back in March. The service was…read moreamazing, and the price was more than acceptable. The artist made me feel comfortable and helped me understand the process. I'm in love with the result of my tattoo and will definitely be coming back in future!

I got tattooed at the same time as my daughter here. The staff are awesome friendly people, who all…read moreknow their way around a tattoo gun(which is helpful, lol). My daughter and I are both very happy with their professionalism. Tim had my tattoo done in what felt like record time. Gabby spent 6 hours with my daughter, and made her comfortable and gave her as many breaks as she needed. Gabby was very precise in her work, and took pride in what she did and does. (I didn't even mind they are vegan, lol)

Got my first tattoo here by artist and owner Rob. Awesome couldn't be happier with the result.read more

I came here for a booking with Nicholas. This shop is clean bright and well decorated. Plenty of…read moreparking around which is always nice. Nicholas was great! I highly recommend his work. I loved the artwork on display around the shop

I came in to see Courtney who did a fantastic job and made me feel at ease. The studio itself is…read moreclean, and not too scary. It is well placed, just past all the East Brunswick Restaurant area, and the tram stops right outside their door. There is plenty of great art on the walls to distract you during the process itself. The staff at the studio are amazing artists, I'd recommend checking out their work on Instagram (https://instagram.com/lygonsttattooco/) as they don't seem to have a stand alone website. It is cash only, so make sure you know how much you're potentially going to spend and bring the dollars accordingly.

You know a business aren't struggling for customers when a person walks in and show's them their…read moredesign, and they say "F@#k that! I ain't doing that, that's going to take too long!" An incident that happened when i was with a mate, which made me laugh my arse off.. :) Professional and classy they are not, rude and arrogant they are... But what they lack in professionalism they make up in quality and skilfulness of work... I've had 3 tattoos done and have been happy with all of them... My first tattoo with them was 16 years ago and it's still in excellent quality condition... One word of advice is don't take things to personally with them... Would i go back? It's the only place in Melbourne where i get tattoos done...

From the owner: The Australian Tattoo Company has been operating out of Dandenong for over 18 years.read more

Obsession Tattooing was the place I went to when I got my first tattoo, back in 1999. I went back…read moretwice after that, as the detail and quality of the work was fantastic. Like most tattooists, first impressions of the staff can seem quite rough, however that's the business. You wont get a young kid who has only recently decided to cover himself in tattoos working here, as the guys at Obsession are professionals who have been in the game for many, many years.

Had 2 tattoos done with them, both with Stefano, great work, great artist, had a good time getting…read moresome pain with him 1 Their Website is a good way to see the different artists working there, and have a look on their work. Looks really tidy and clean. Nice couch if you have to wait a bit, and read some magazines. If you're looking to get a Tattoo, you should consider these guys for sure.

From the owner: Specialising in traditional hand & machine tattooing for both men & women.read more