My last review of 2024 will be going to Paw Tattoo! :) On 12.08.24, I got my tattoo done of my beloved little love, Moki. It took two sessions to complete my tattoo, but it is so very worth it to have my Moki with me forever. Booking was pretty easy as I waited for the announcement to book for December, and I requested for an appointment. I let Jia know my design idea and attached the photo references. During my appointment, we worked together to finalize the tattoo design. Then it was go time for my tattoo. This is my first and only tattoo, and I absolutely LOVE it! Jia did an incredible job at creating my Moki tattoo. The first session was good with barely any pain, but the second session had some painful moments. Paw Tattoo studio is very pretty in pink, and there's a chill vibe with the lovely music playing. I'm so very happy, and my heart is so fulfilled that I have my Moki with me forever and always. If you're looking to get your beloved furbaby tattooed on you, Jia is THE tattoo artist for that. Thank you so much, Jia, for my beautiful Moki tattoo. :) read more

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Jia was wonderful and incredibly respectful through the entire process. At the beginning of my appointment, we had sat down and discussed any changes that I wanted to make to the final product, such as add any small items, adjustments to the size, as well as if there were any hair adjustments to the tattoo itself. There were a couple of times that I needed to take a small break through the session and she was more than happy to accommodate and would check in periodically to make sure that everything was okay. The entire process was wonderful through and through. I would absolutely go to Jia again for another tattoo. read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

Jia is an amazing artist who takes her time to sit with the client and come up with something that is going to meet the clients needs and turn out beautifully. My mom passed away two months ago and she would always send me cards and I always love the way that she signed those cards so Jia helped me get my mom's beautiful handwriting tattooed on me from one of the many cards with some delicate beautiful lilacs around it. My family has a large lilac bush in their yard and the last photo I have with my mom is in front of that bush. Thank you Jia for your professionalism and beautiful artwork that I now can carry with me forever in memory of my mom my best friend. read more

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Jia is amazing, the final work is even better than I thought. Highly recommended to everyone who wants a pet portrait. read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I am so pleased with the two pup tattoos, and will definitely be back. Jia is so professional, and keeps a beautiful and clean studio with a calming vibe. She took her time designing and deciding the best placement before getting started. She listened to my ideas, and was able to create amazing replicas of my two Beagles that passed away many years ago. I cried when I finally had a good look, and felt so elated to have a way of remembering my sweet boys. . The healing is going great, now two weeks later. read more

Paw Tattoo - Eli & Shiloh - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

Got my first large tattoo of my baby Jackie from Jia, and the experience was amazing! Her website was very informative for prep and aftercare. She was also responsive to my emails. The studio itself was clean and organized, and has lots of street parking options. Jia was very intent on following what I wanted for the placement, size, and color/shading. The 2.5 hours we spent was fairly charged, and I was comfortable throughout the session. She's definitely now my go-to for my next tatt, and I've been recommending her to all my friends. Thanks Jia! read more

Paw Tattoo - 1 month later - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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When I came across Jia's instagram for her tattoo studio, I knew I just had to get a tattoo of my dog, Max, who has been with my family and I for 16 years! Working with her proved to be a phenomenal experience as I felt I was in the service of a tattoo artist who received a Michelin star. The studio is very pink, clean, and simplistic. There is music playing in the background and let me tell you, I shazam'd so many time as I was getting tatted. For consultation, you basically need to pick a photo for your tattoo. I've read that she is able to make adjustments on the fly, whether that is adding or removing things. For me, I was really indecisive so her expertise in the area allowed me to pick a location that I was comfortable with and the sizing of the tattoo. However, it won't be until the day of your appointment where you have the most control of how your tattoo will end up. Then again, she sits down with you and discusses everything once you come in. I don't know if my other artists have done so, but she put a numbing spray halfway as the pain was getting to me. If I had to get another pet tattoo, I'd come back to Jia. I'll warn that the cost is pretty high but for the quality, it is worth every penny! Thank you again so much Jia! read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Updated review 2 years later. The lines on my tattoo (that was over my scar) had become lighter and I felt I needed a touch up. Jia was quick to respond and got me scheduled in. Jia was friendly as usual and the environment was very clean, cozy and relaxing, just what I needed after a busy work week! We chatted away and before I knew it I was done in under 1 hour! Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule. read more

I just got a tattoo this last weekend from Jia at Paw Tattoo and I am in love with it. The whole process, from being able to book the appointment with ease, share my wishes for my tattoo and then actually getting it was such an enjoyable and pleasant experience. I lost my heart and soul dog a month ago and I knew I wanted him as a tattoo forever and found Jia through an online search. Her work is impressive and so professional. I was able to book an appointment on his birthday and she works with her clients to ensure the tattoo is everything they want. I was able to send her pictures for inspiration and even change the color of the collar to something I chose. The location of her shop is perfect and the vibes of her studio are so calming and modern and makes you feel at home. I am so in love with my tattoo. It is healing nicely too.The detail is insane and people are so shocked by how real it looks. Just like his picture. It makes me cry every time I look at it but also such a comfort. What she does for her clients is beautiful and she herself is an animal lover. I can't wait to get a second tattoo from her and my mom as well. Worth it 1000%! read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

I have never posted a review anywhere but my experience at Paw Tattoo was too awesome not to share. I reached out to Jia because I wanted to memorialize my fluffy black cat and I hadn't found anyone who could capture him appropriately. She worked with several photos in order to get the detail right. Her appointment process was thorough, which I really appreciated. Her studio was immaculate and warm (both in temperature and vibe!). She answered all of my questions clearly and gave great recommendations when I was waffling on a design element. This is the most $ that I've spent on a tattoo and it was totally worth it! read more

I am incredibly happy with my tattoo that Jia did. To say she's hyper talented is an understatement, she is REALLY great at what she does and she's very passionate about it. My experience has been pretty similar to others, the entire booking and scheduling process was really easy. Jia is very communicative and quick to respond when I had a question. She is booked a few months out, so do not expect to get an appointment right away. She is absolutely worth the wait! The day of my appointment, Jia already had the photos I wanted of my pups. She then went over the details with me, making any changes I wanted and printed out a few sizes for me to choose from. The entire actual tattooing took less than 2 hours and it was pretty painless. Jia is really gentle and gives breaks if needed. During the tattooing, Jia and I had some conversations and it was really cool to find out her and I have the same story about our pets! Also, her studio is like the cutest! Very chic and welcoming. I didn't want to be weird and take a picture of her bathroom, but her bathroom was so nice! With such a small space, she really did the bathroom right. If you're looking for someone to do a portrait tattoo of any kind, not just your pet, Jia is your go to! Trust me, you will be really happy with her work. It was an overall wonderful experience and I'm still in disbelief with the quality of her work. read more

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Incredible experience. Jia is so talented. I truly can not say enough good things about her and her work. The way she takes photos and makes them look as realistic as the animal themselves in so special. Jia created my tattoo of my bun who has passed as a combination of 3 photos provided for her. I was nervous about getting it as I felt as though if it did not look just like him, it would bother me for life! Jia did such amazing work! I am obsessed with it and even months later can't help but stare at it every day. The resemblance to him is incredible! I highly recommend her work! I can't wait to get my next tattoo by her! Worth every single penny! read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I was honestly left speechless after my session with Jia. I had gotten a black and white portrait of my first dog, Bubbles from her on Bubbles' 17th birthday anniversary (3/29). I'm finally getting around to writing this review because I just haven't been able to put this experience into words until now. So far I have seven tattoos, including this one from Jia, and most of them were super uncomfortable and painful to the point where I felt like I might pass out, even the other ones on my forearm. I don't know if it's because Jia has a private studio for her work, the relaxing and vibey music she was playing, the fact that the table/bed she has you lay on feels like a fluffy couch, or maybe it was because her studio was the cutest and most aesthetic tattoo studio I have ever seen. The pink and neutral tones really gave me a feeling of peace while I was laying there getting tattooed. I fully expected the session to be 2-3 hours because of how insanely intricate and detailed Jia's work is but I kid you not, once she started tattooing me it only took about 45 minutes for her to finish! I was so shocked that someone could create something with such precision so quickly. I also cannot express how grateful and thankful I am for being able to have this session on Bubbles' birthday. When I filled out the form I wrote a note saying that I really wanted to do it on her birthday, but when I was choosing a date from the calendar there were no open slots for 3/29. To my surprise, Jia had reached out to me and offered me a time slot for that day because she noticed I chose a different day. I genuinely teared up a bit when she offered that, it meant the absolute world to me. I love the fact that Jia understands the deep connection and true love between a person and their pet. It truly makes the tattoo experience so much better. I wish this had been my first tattoo. It would have made it even more special. Thank you Jia! read more

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Jia is absolutely amazing. I made an appointment at her place when I saw her books open up. A week before the appointment my soul dog "Freckles" passed away unexpectedly. I was a complete train wreck. She was so kind and compassionate during the process. The tattoo of my "Freckles" was a gift to start the healing process. I love it so much I can't thank you enough read more

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After searching for other pet tattoo artists and you reminding me of our experience it's given me more insight on my experience. This shop seems to hustle mourning pet parents. $2000+ for a pet face is a crazy price to pay. That's not including the additional hourly charge if it takes more time + an expected 20% tip ($400). I almost paid that and after grieving for some time, I've come to realize that is an insane price to charge. I could get my whole back tatted for $2500. This was a terrible experience after losing a pet. Honestly this is highway robbery taken upon grieving pet parents. $3000+ for a small tattoo is just not right. Please stop having your friends harass me with messages. read more

Anyone who loves and considers their pet their child understands the heartbreak of losing your best furry friend. When I found Paw Tattoo, I knew exactly which photo I wanted of my little buddy. Jia was professional, responsive and her shop is clean and quiet. I cannot believe her level of detail...it's actually so small, you can't see it with the naked eye - the blow up of my buddy shows the brown and gold specs in his eyes and little spots on his nose. I cried when I got to Jia's studio in anticipation of my tattoo, and I sobbed when she was done...I absolutely love her work and my tattoo. Every 5 star review on here is spot on. read more

Paw Tattoo - Incredible detail...his face is a little over an inch big - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

This was my first time with Jia and I had an incredible experience! She's responsive in emails and when you first get to the appointment, she does a run down with you of your piece. She gives you different options of what you're looking for and will show you how each piece looks/ would look like. She's very patient, Makes you feel super comfortable and is open to your ideas and tries her best to make things work! She's super attentive to detail as you can see in her work! For COVID precautions- her studio was very clean (also very aesthetically appealing). We wore masks the entire time and she schedules her appointments so that you don't run into others on the way in and out. Her studio is just her so it's very easy to maintain social distancing when we weren't working on the tattoo. Definitely coming back to her in the future and would highly recommend to others! read more

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From start to finish, working with Jia is a DREAM. If you're a first time applicant, make sure you follow her on Insta so you can see when her slots open up. From then, it's luck of the draw - you apply, put your idea, and hope she responds. Please be patient - she has a LOT of interested clients but she dutifully looks through every single e-mail and will let you know if she accommodate you. If it's pets, she usually will, but for more unique ideas it has to fit her style - she's a honest tattoo artist and will NOT copy other tattoo artists' work. If you're selected, you'll get an email. You put a deposit to hold your spot and that deposit $$ will count towards your final pricing. I worked with her over email to design my Totoro tattoo which im OBSESSED with and have gotten SO many compliments on already!! Her studio is pristine, clean, and SO cute and zen. It's almost spa-like. Jia herself is the nicest person ever - really attentive to detail, making sure that everything she does is to ensure your happiness with your tattoo. We spent about an hour on procreate and photoshop designing my tattoo, then it took about 4 hours to complete. She is gentle, wants you to take breaks, and just does the most detailed work - the first two hours were so relaxing that I almost dozed off a few times. Towards the end, I had to go to the bathroom a lot (SORRY JIA!!!) and my skin was more raw then so it was a little uncomfortable but not at all painful. I're received compliments about how my tattoo looks like it's a stamp, or a sticker, or just floating on my skin - it's THAT GOOD! Highly recommend, but be ready to save some money. She's expensive, but it's high quality. read more

Paw Tattoo - Natural sunlight - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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My cousin found Jia on Instagram and we both started following her a year ago. Based on her work, I knew she needed to be the artist to do my 1st tattoo of my kitty that passed away 6 years ago. The hole process took about 2 hours and was very easy. Jia's studio is clean and extremely comfortable. To say that Jia did an amazing job would be an huge understatement. From the coloring/shading to the fine hairs at the tips of his ears - the tattoo came out perfectly. Someone even mistook it via text for an actual photo! If you get the opportunity to get a booking with her (she is appointment only booked from her website) you will NOT be disappointed! She is incredibly talented and you will absolutely love it! read more

Paw Tattoo - Comparison of the photo used next to the actual tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

I just had my first tattoo with Jia for my beloved cat Eevee who just crossed over the rainbow bridge. I am so lucky to have chosen her for the tattoo as she was patient and attentive throughout the entire time to ensure that I could depict Eevee exactly how I wanted. Like always Jia's work is a piece of art and now l I feel like my baby will be with me forever. I would recommend Jia for anyone who wants to celebrate or memorize their pet in this way. read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

I am thrilled with my tattoo experience and first-time tattoo! Before the appointment, Jia was super responsive via email and even made a few photoshop adjustments to the photo I had sent over. On appointment day, Jia was super patient with me during the consultation and allowed me to facetime my wife to give me input on my tattoo piece and placement. She gave me multiple options and her opinions on placement pros and cons. During the tattoo, I was shocked at the attention to detail she had put into it. She made sure to include every little color, fur detail, and more! I'm extremely happy with how it turned out. read more

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Jia is AMAZING!!! I was lucky enough to get an appointment pretty quickly after a friend recommended me to her. I had given her a photo of my pup as well as a photo of my favorite childhood stuffed animal and wanted to somehow combine the two. After arriving Jia quickly whipped up a few sample ideas as well as a variety of sizes to see which would work best. My overall experience was great and I could not have been happier! Keep in mind this tattoo is only about 2-3 inches I was so amazed at how much detail she was able to put in. This tattoo greatly exceeded my expectations and it makes me smile every time I see it in the mirror :) read more

Paw Tattoo - Dyson - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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10/10!!! Jia did my first tattoo ever and I had the most pleasant experience. I booked a few months in advance when Jia first opened her availability. I had my email notifications on so I booked right away when she was available! I first found her on Instagram so I knew I wanted her to do my first tattoo. Her style was exactly what I wanted! She was super communicative and understanding with me through email when I wanted a few changes to my design after I submitted my application to have work done by her. On the day of my appointment, I arrived to her studio right on time like she requests so we don't run into any of her other clients on their way out! I loved that she only takes one client at a time. It really shows that she cares about the quality of your tattoo and puts all her attention on you. No guests are allowed so it's really an environment for her to focus, which is super appreciated! Her studio was SO beautiful and extremely clean! If you love pink and aesthetic and clean vibes, this is totally your place. The music playing in the studio is also very soothing. It puts you in a relaxed headspace while getting tattooed. We first started out making a few edits to the drafts she had on her computer and figured out the size and placement. Once that was all finalized, she printed out some stencils and you figure out together where to best place your tattoo based on your preference. I waited about 5 minutes for it to dry and then we started the process. For my first tattoo, it didn't hurt a lot during the first outlining section because the needle was thin, but it did get a little more painful throughout time because your skin is more raw by then which is expected! Of course this is a personal pain level. I don't have a high pain tolerance we took 2 breaks in between and she sprayed on a numbing spray which helped a lot during the shading and contrasting lines. My tattoo overall took 3 hours! For reference, my tattoo is about 3 inches long, I did his full body and added some peonies and twinkly stars. Jia, thank you so much for making my first tattoo experience pleasant! Can't wait to book with you again in the future read more

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I want to make it clear that I think Jia is an amazing artist and very nice. But I wish I had known how my tattoo would age and the initial price and touch up price was clearer (her FAQ is a little more clear now) if I had I would not have spent $1100 on it. I went back for a year touch up but only the border was retouched. So after 4 years (and it really started aging and looking bad at 2 years) I reached out to find out that a touch up would be $116.67 every ten minutes. I ended up getting it touched up elsewhere and they did an amazing job for $200 which is what she said she would've charged me for the tattoo in the first place and her and many other artists were outraged with how much I was charged. read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

Jia's work is amazing! She's so sweet and professional. She's very passionate and precise with the work that she does. I appreciate that she took the time to find the best placement, angle, and size of the tattoo. Also, she made sure to ask about specific details, like shade of eye color, etc. My sweet boy passed earlier in the year, and I wanted to have a part of him with me forever. I couldn't have asked for a better artist for such a memorable piece. The whole experience was flawless and she made me feel very comfortable. Her studio is so cute and very clean! She's very gentle and detailed. I even started dozing off while getting the tattoo because of how comfortable I was! I look forward to booking with her again to get my other two fur babies! read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Jia is top notch! I flew up to San Francisco to see her and it was worth every single penny. It took me a while to search for the perfect artist to put something permanent on my body and behold Jia was her! I sent her reference photos of my wedding bouquet and I selected specific flowers, at the day of my appointment she had emailed me different layouts of each flower.. Upon getting there, it was pretty late at 8pm but the studio was easy to find.. I walked in and immediately felt at ease, she was so friendly and made me feel very comfortable. I look forward to my next tattoo with Jia! read more

Paw Tattoo - Outline...starting on color - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

I am so in love with the beautiful piece of art that Jia helped bring to life! She is so talented and so extremely skillful. I had been following her work on Instagram for well over a year and knew she would be perfect to do such an important piece. She has a beautiful studio, it is so comfortable to be there, and the booking process was easy. She had very helpful information on her website as well as through her communication emails regarding the upcoming appointment. Her attention to detail in such a small area is just incredible. The texture of the elephant's skin!! She is a sensational artist. read more

Paw Tattoo - Finished tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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My experience at Paw Tattoo was fantastic and I highly recommend Jia as a tattoo artist! I received a tattoo on my left forearm, with a picture of my pet dog. Communication with Jia was excellent both before and during the appointment. Jia made sure to discuss important details about the design with me beforehand, and she took feedback on exactly what portions of the reference picture I wanted as part of the tattoo. She was very transparent about the time it would take to do the tattoo, our original plan was to do part of the tattoo in a separate session, however we were actually able to finish the entire design in a single session. Jia was very informative about the entire process, answering all of my questions whenever I had them. She helped me figure out pros and cons of the size and placement of the tattoo, giving her input when I was not sure. The tattoo studio in itself was very aesthetic, Jia has a pink color scheme for the entire studio and the overall design of the studio gave me confidence in her sense of artistic taste and talent. The studio was also spotlessly clean and well air conditioned. The location in San Mateo downtown is great with plenty of free parking right next to the building. The tattoo process in itself went very smoothly. Jia stayed focused throughout the period and made sure I was comfortable at all times. The tattoo quality is also great, it's been 2 days since I got my tattoo so it's still in the process of healing, but it looks exactly how I imagined it to look, with impeccable photographic detail. The after care instructions were easy to follow, and all the things needed for aftercare are conveniently available at a Walgreens nearby. The price for the tattoo is on the pricy end but it's well worth the high quality service you will receive. Overall, I would recommend working with Jia to anyone looking to get a special tattoo of their pets, or anything that requires a high density colored design. read more

Paw Tattoo - Same day as I got the tattoo, transparent bandage still on. - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I cannot say enough good things about Jia. I had my first ever tattoo with her, two portraits of my dogs, and everything from start to finish was thoughtful, well-planned. She's incredibly communicative with the design process, reminders, scheduling, FAQs, aftercare, etc. The studio is gorgeous, impeccably clean, comfortable and organized. When I arrived, we sat to together to plan out the additional flowers I'd asked for to one of the portraits and she made small or large changes as much as I desired, then print out our stencils in 5 sizes to choose from! The process itself was as painless as one could hope it would be, and when I was especially uncomfortable she added a little numbing spray to help me out. The quality is quite literally beyond compare, and I have no doubt I will return to her for more work in the future, since everyone says you never stop at just one tattoo! Can't recommend Paw Tattoo enough! read more

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I got a tattoo here back in May of last year, and even though it was pricey, it was definitely worth it in my opinion. It was my first time getting a tattoo and Jia exceeded my expectations. My tattoo was of a flower, I don't have any good pictures because it's on my back and hard to take pictures of, but I'll upload one from when I got it and of it healed now, 8 months later. I absolutely love the way it has healed. This tattoo means a lot to me, and once again I will say Jia did an amazing job. The place is SUPER cute and aesthetic, I loved it. If I ever get a tattoo of my cat, I'm definitely getting it here. read more

Paw Tattoo - Tattoo 8 months later - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Jia did an incredible job on my tattoo of my fur baby. Before the appointment Jia was communicative and responsive, checking in on what reference photo I wanted to use and making sure I didn't forget about my appointment. When I got to her studio, it was by far the most relaxing and immaculate studio I've ever seen. She has beautiful minimalist decor and soft relaxing music (I couldn't hear a single noise from the street, I almost forgot where I was!). Before starting on the tattoo Jia sketches it up in photoshop and asks you questions about every detail to ensure the design is exactly what you want. She prints out a range of different sizes so you can play around with them and choose the size that works for you. The tattoo itself took maybe an hour, I couldn't believe how quickly she works. The tattoo is a DREAM! I couldn't have imagined it turning out any better. It looks exactly like my pup, my friends and family thought it was fake because it looks like a literal photograph. I can't help but smile every time I look at it. It's been a little over a week since I got it and its healing really nicely. She provides you with detailed aftercare instructions before you leave so you know exactly what to do. Last but not least, Jia has great customer service. I realized after I had left I made a silly mistake in my payment. She responded to my email right away and provided me a refund so I could correct it. Is the price higher than some other studios? Yes, but you really won't find another artist like her and she does such an incredible job, it's really worth the money. I would get a million more tattoos from Jia (and I probably will!) read more

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Jia is truly amazing! I have several tattoos, and the quality and experience relating to this one is unmatched. After a rough end to 2021, when I lost two of my three fur babies, I decided that I needed a tattoo of all of their beautiful faces to have with me forever. I found Paw Tattoo on Instagram and signed up for her mailing list. A few weeks later, I got an email saying that books were opening that Saturday, and I made sure to sign up as soon as the books opened! I heard from Jia shortly after and we scheduled the session for about 8 weeks later (after I made a deposit online and spoke with her about the details of my tattoo and therefore which appointment time slots I should book). When I walked into her studio, I was amazed by how clean and modern it was. The space itself is beautiful, spacious, relaxing and clean. Jia pulled up my pet pictures on her computer and spent time with me working on the layout and size. She printed 8 different sizes and we placed them against the area that I wanted the tattoo. She discussed the pros and cons of the various placements and sizes and was so helpful in terms of helping me make a final decision with size and placement. When she applied the stencil on my leg, she spent even more time looking at it from all angles to make sure it was perfect. Her attention to detail and strive for perfection was so appreciated and was a level of care that I haven't received from other artists. Then, while prepping the colors, she asked to see additional photos and asked questions about my pet's features and colors. We likely spent 45 min to 1 hour working on all of the details before she began tattooing me. Again, this was a level of detail and attention that I hadn't received before and it was greatly appreciated! During the tattoo session she checked in to ask if I was ok. During the break she applied numbing spray (hallelujah!) which really helped. As soon as she was done, it was love at first sight. And it really helped with my grieving process to see my two babies on me again! It turned out even more amazing than I could have imagined. The healing process was easy and I appreciated her handout with the detailed instructions. This is by far my favorite tattoo and Jia is the most talented tattoo artist! She made getting a tattoo such a positive experience. The space, the service, and her talent are all amazing. I can't say enough great things about Jia, and I can't wait to see her again for my next tattoo! Thanks, Jia!!!! read more

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I can NOT say enough nice things about my experience at Paw Tattoo. The basics for those interested: the facility is very clean and nice, Jia is incredibly welcoming and patient. Now about the work - I was STUNNED at how amazing the piece turned out. A little bit of back story, I lost my dog back in April and I wanted to get a piece in his honor. I had a family member get a tattoo done by Jia a while back and I have been infatuated with her work since. This experience did not disappoint. The tattoo is incredibly detailed and Jia was patient with my nervousness and excitement while she was working diligently. For those who are weary about the pain, once the outline was done on the tattoo I was given a numbing spray which helped a lot when it came down to doing the colors and details! (I'm a sissy when it comes to pain). I saw a review or two that stated that the Paw tattoo is overpriced, I do not agree with this. The work is so intricate and detailed it is well worth the price and time. Will be back for another soon. Check her out! read more

Paw Tattoo - My baby boy Atticus - this captures his personality perfectly!! - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

Ever since I saw Jia's work on Instagram (@paw.tattoo) I knew I wanted her to do my portraits of my babies, and when an appointment opened up, I made my husband rearrange our vacation to include a stop in the Bay Area, and I have no regrets! The shop is beautiful and impeccably clean. It's easy to access from CalTrain or by car if you happen to have one. Jia and her shop assistant communicate quickly and effectively and I felt safe and welcome. Jia worked with me on design, placement, and made a few suggestions that made my tattoo even more perfect. The process was as painless as a tattoo can be and I cannot wait until it's done healing to show everyone! Photos below are from the day of and one day after. read more

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I don't even know where to begin! Getting my FIRST tattoo from Jia was such an awesome and calming experience. So I'll definitely be back! Bookings get filled pretty fast and I can see why! She responds quickly to your requests and emails which I loved. Upon arrival there's no parking lot I believe but enough street parking! It's a day-of consultation and I was already happy with what Jia had shown me. She works fast even with the changes we made. Her studio is so pretty, calming, and clean. My tattoo took a little over 3 hours with a couple breaks and I couldn't be any more happier with the outcome! read more

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My experience at Paw Tattoo was perfection. Jia's skill is remarkable. I am over the moon with my tattoo and with the overall experience. Five stars is an understatement. I chose Paw Tattoo for a memorial tattoo of my recently departed silky terrier, Charlie. Not only was this a very meaningful piece, this was also my FIRST tattoo, so I was a little nervous about the commitment. I found Paw Tattoo while researching pet tattoos on instagram. I immediately fell in love with Jia's style and knew I wanted to work with her. I was thrilled to see that the shop was local to me, but she is worth the travel if you're not local. I signed up for booking alerts and set an alarm for five minutes before booking requests opened to make sure I was online. I was so nervous filling out the form and hoping to get an appointment, and I was ecstatic when Jia accepted my proposal. The vibe of the studio is so peaceful and welcoming and blissful. I couldn't imagine a better environment for my first tattoo. The bench was comfortable, the music selection was lovely, Jia was so gentle, the experience was like a dream. Jia was so sweet, professional, and diligent through the entire process. She worked to ensure the design was exactly what I wanted, asking for multiple reference photos to get the little details right. It's clear that she cares deeply about her work and her clients. Again, I couldn't imagine a better artist for my first tattoo. I was beyond ecstatic when I saw the final result. While I was confident in my choice with Paw Tattoo based on Jia's other amazing work, I was still admittedly a little nervous about my first tattoo -- it felt so weird to commit to artwork being permanently on my skin before I knew exactly what it would look like. But my trust in Jia was well placed, the piece turned out even better than I envisioned. Jia perfectly captured Charlie's essence, down to the sparkle in his eye. This isn't a tattoo of just any silky terrier, this is truly MY Charlie, and I get to wear him on my sleeve forever. Thank you so much, Jia, for your time and talent in creating this perfect portraiture. You made my first tattoo experience as magical and meaningful as I ever could have dreamed. When the time is right, I hope to be back for more of your beautiful art. read more

Paw Tattoo - about to step in for my first tattoo! - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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After months of searching different Bay Area tattoo artists, I found Jia on Instagram and knew I had to get on her waitlist one way or another! I signed up online to wait for emails saying when her books were open and I was able to get in for the month of November. Her studio is located near a parking garage on the otherwise of the train tracks that you can park in. It's a quick walk over from there. Once you arrive Jia has you sign in via an iPad. Then she prints out multiple size options of your tattoo for you to choose from. I loved that she asked for other reference tattoos to get my cats' fur colors just right. The tattooing began and I was laying in the most comfortable position I've been in while getting a tattoo which was nice plus she had an awesome curated playlist playing in the background. Her studio is bright, airy, and quite welcoming as well. What I love about Jia is that we were able to chat while she was tattooing but she was also quick and still had great attention to detail. I am beyond grateful, excited, impressed with how my tattoo turned out and I'll have to come back. I'd highly recommend anyone and everyone to Jia/Paw Tattoo! Thanks for an amazing experience Jia! I'll for sure be back! read more

Paw Tattoo - Portraits of my two furbabies (Samie & Ivy) - Tattoo Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I can't praise Jia enough for her work. Ever since I found her on instagram my mind was set on getting a tattoo from her. When my application was accepted, communication was always quick and easy. She's very responsive! There was never any confusion because of how thorough she was. I was having trouble choosing a photo and she helped me pick what would translate best onto skin. She made it clear what to do in preparation for tattoo day, what would happen the day of the tattoo, and aftercare. On the day of the appointment she showed me the stencil she came up with. She provided me two versions: one where my cat had a rounded face and one that was more true to the photo. I wanted to add his paws to the stencil and she added them with no problem. She helped me choose what size would heal best and what placement would be the best to prevent warping when moving my arm. You have to keep in mind that skin moves! Overall I am in love with the result and so happy that my little guy can be with me forever now. I would love to get another tattoo from her. New clients must submit an application only when her booking periods are open (about every other month) but I believe returning clients can email her at any time. That's something you don't see too often with many tattoo artists so I think that's really cool of her. Touchups are free within the first year. I can't wait to book with her again! :) read more

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MY FIRST TATTOO! Wonderful experience! I noticed and followed Jia's amazing work on Instagram for quite some time. I actually wasn't fully committed to getting a tattoo until I saw that her bookings opened up and I was like "Well why not? Let's see if she'll do mine". She confirmed my booking and communicated through email. I arrived exactly at my appointment time (11am). She had me fill out the tattoo consent form while she was looking at the pictures I've sent beforehand. She asked for my opinion to make sure I liked how it my dogs were positioned next to each other. She gave me the sketches in six different sizes to choose from. She made sure the placement of my tattoo is exactly where I wanted it to be. I was very nervous because I didn't no what to expect or how painful it would be. To me, the pain felt like an epilator so it was tolerable. 2.5 hours later... I am super happy with the result! I'd definitely come back for my other future tattoos if I decide to get more. I love that she donates a portion of the profit she makes to Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. I am happy that I get to contribute to such a great cause. Thank you Jia! I love it! read more

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I went to Jia for my first tattoo and I cannot recommend her enough!! She's incredibly sweet and patient throughout the whole process. She was very informative, and helped set expectations for the experience (from expected pain level, to how long it would take the piece to heal). She worked with me to figure out the best orientation and placement for my tattoo, before freehanding some additional details. The flowers I wanted had a bunch of tiny details, and she was able to capture them all perfectly. In all, my piece took almost 3 hours, and we took 2 breaks. read more

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