I am a local Indigenous woman, who has wanted to re-claim the woman's tribal practice of chin tattooing. I contacted Dean to ask if he has done tribal tattoos and he stated yes he has. He asked me if I was native because he would not apply a chin tattoo if I were not. This was very important to me. As it showed respect for our culture. I am very happy with how I was honored and respected during the process and his attention to detail. It heighten my spiritual journey in getting my 1:11's. read more

Visual Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Arcata, California

My husband and I have both been tattooed by Dean in the last year and we both had amazing experiences, Dean drew me a design that was just what I had imagined but better. He really spent time listening to what I wanted and it paid off. His prices are very reasonable and his work is great. My husband had to go in for a touch up because of where the tattoo was, and Dean still did a great job. I've had tattoo artists in the past be pissed if you ask about a touch up but Dean was great. Highly recommend read more

Three of us came in for walk-in tattoos and Dean was amazing! Our tattoos turned out exactly how we wanted and he was so so nice and professional. We will definitely be back! read more

I am a regular customer at Visual Tattoo. I'm a 62 yo great gramma. Dean is super nice and interesting. Sean is my guy tho. He has taken my photos and memories and they are alive on my skin. Not sure how he does it, it's great skill and a little magic. They ink history and fantasy and everything in between. They always make sure you know how to take care of skin before you leave. As a retired RN I can easily say their studio is clean and equipment well organized. Something that amazed me.... They wash their hands anytime they leave and come back to tattoo area!! Love Visual Tattoo and will continue to have work done here. 2018 Had a few tattoos done by Dean. They are Fabulous. Very happy. read more

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I have gone to Dean to get work done for years and he has always amazed me. Dean is an incredible artist! He takes his time to create exactly what you want. I have been continuously impressed by his quality of work. Half of my body is covered with his art and I love every piece he has created. I couldn't imagine getting my tattoos anywhere else. read more

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About three years ago I was on a solo trip to visit friends in Arcata. I stopped on Avenue of the Giants to walk the dog and heard a very distinct voice say "fifteen inches, left side of your spine, get it while you're here" and there was an outline idea. I thought - cool - a redwood - that makes sense. I asked the friends about tattooing and they said Visual Tattoo. It was a Friday night maybe and I called on Saturday, went in to talk about it and then Dean made an appointment on Sunday to do the outline of what was going to be a fully colored redwood tree. He was gracious, efficient, clean and I'm fairly certain he went out of his way a bit to do the work for me on a sunday. I only regretted not wearing a dress to drive back to SF in as the waistband on my pants was a little sore on the fresh back ink. I still might have it filled in but decided that I like the outline as is. I definitely recommend him as he was super enthusiastic about the rest of the piece - I feel bad it never happened, but I'm super happy with the work I have. read more

Best place in Arcata to get a safe, well priced, and professional tattoo. I will definitely get another in the near future! read more

Visual Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Arcata, California

This was my first time getting tattooed by Dean and I will definitely be going back for more work. He was such an easy artist to work with and he drew the exact style I was looking for. I needed some work on my sleeve to go around some existing tattoos, he never seemed bummed about it and was very enthusiastic about tattooing in general. It's nice to have work done from someone who really enjoys what they do. His shop is incredibly clean and it's nice that he has the whole place to himself. There's not a lot of foot traffic constantly popping in, he has a nice location where you can be tattooed uninterrupted. I'm all about atmosphere and comfort level with people and he checked all the boxes for making it an overall great experience. The tattoo was for my birthday and he was able to do it right before all the lockdown craziness with COVID-19 which made my whole birthday. Great work ethic, great dude, and wait until you see how AMAZING his prices are. We've gotten work from other artists before and some can really overcharge, this is not the case with Dean. Don't let his epic prices fool you, his talent and customer service goes above and beyond what you pay for. read more

last year i was in humboldt visiting my boyfriend's family, and was in the mood for some fresh ink. it was very spur of the moment and was looking for a place that i felt comfortable in, especially since i had no idea what was good there and what was sketchy. we went in and i met with the man (cant remember his name however) and explained that i wanted just a small piece, two letters behind my ears, and that i was leaving monday moring to go back home. he kindly drew me beautiful cursive letters and told me that since i was in a hurry that i could come back tomorrow and get it done even though the shop was closed on sundays! the experience was great and he made me feel totally comfortable, extremely friendly and layed back while completing the work. even though the tattoos were small, he took his time to complete them perfectly. read more

Last fall I was ready for some new ink, after much deliberation I decided to have it done in Humboldt, Dean was booked solid for 3 months, but he referred me to his apprentice, Sean Grimes. I was very particular about the tattoo I wanted, a white gardenia on the inside the crook of my right arm, I told him what details I wanted and collaborated with him, it took a little over an hour and the white was impeccable, clean thin lines and detailed shading, I don't know if it was Sean's demeanor or the placement but my last piece was less bearable. I'm definitely going back this fall to to extend the piece up my arm. read more

I am a happy camper after spending a couple of hours at Visual Tattoo, getting my first tattoo imbedded onto the back of my calf. Dean Schubert is the man to make your body-ink dreams come true. I didn't know where to go in the Humboldt Bay area for a tattoo, but had a list of possible practitioners based on web searches and a local newspaper's recommendations. I called several, but Dean called me back first, so i made an appointment to meet him and talk over the design. My first hit upon entering Visual Tattoo was that it was awesomely clean, and the expansive view out over Arcata created a sense of being both high and clear. Dean had the big, genuine, clear-eyed smile of someone who loves his work and is eager to share his gift. The place and the tattoo artist both seemed to click with me immediately. We scheduled the work for a couple of weeks later, after i emailed him a copy of my own design. (He is an artist who can draw most anything you like, but i wanted to use my own artwork.) When i arrived for the session, everything fell into place. I enjoyed chatting with both Dean and the other artist there, Sean (which helped keep the tattooing pain manageable); the music was great; the final result very pleasing. I paid up and walked away with pride and gratitude--having in my possession also a card of easy after-care instructions. I highly recommend Visual Tattoo! P.S. I am 53 years old and first decided to get a tat to cover a clump of little varicose veins in my leg. Works like a charm! Could be a trend... augmenting or covering the imperfections of aging with permanent artwork! read more

I went here in December to get a couple tattoos that I had been meaning to get. Both were very small, and Dean let me do the tattoos together. I absolutely love both of them. Dean was great, and charged me WAYYYY less than I went in expecting to pay. Great service, amazing tattoos. Prices, I've heard are a bit on the high end. I didn't experience this. But going into this I knew he was one of the best to get a tattoo from in the county, and was willing to pay extra for good quality. Highly recommend him for anyone else wanting tattoos! read more

Had several pieces done at Visual Tattoo, including the piece on the profile. Known Dean for years, been happy with the work he has done every time as are several of my friends. It's a little more expensive than some of the places in the area, but you get what you pay for. Isn't it worth it for something that will be on your body for the rest of your life? Highly recommenced, everyone is great there, but if you want the best ask for Dean. read more

Dean and Sean are awesome, and they do care about your opinion on the tattoo. Much love and appreciation

I asked around for about a year when I saw tattoos that I liked and every one of them referred me to Dean. I was getting my first tattoo and I wanted it to have great detail and be unique. I gave Dean a design idea and it took a long time to get an appointment, but when he showed me his final design I was so impressed. I love my tattoo and I get compliments on it everywhere I go, almost daily. I'm SO happy. He is amazing!!! read more

Dean does all my work. If you go anywhere else in humboldt for a tattoo good luck.