CIPHER INK
Fine Art Tattoo Studio
Book a Session
Where Skin Becomes Canvas

Every Line
Has Meaning

CIPHER INK is a collective of fine art tattoo artists — specialists in blackwork, fine line, neo-traditional, and realism. By appointment only.

Blackwork · Fine Line · Neo-Traditional · Japanese · Realism
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Pieces Completed
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Years Operating
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Resident Artists
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Styles Offered

Eight Styles,
One Studio

Every artist at CIPHER INK holds a distinct mastery. We match you with the specialist whose hand speaks your vision best.

01
Blackwork
Bold, ink-saturated designs rooted in geometric precision. Patterns, mandalas, and abstract compositions that age with power.
02
Fine Line
Hair-thin precision. Single-needle work for delicate portraits, botanicals, and script. Minimalism elevated to high art.
03
Neo-Traditional
Rich color palettes, bold outlines, and exaggerated forms. Old-school soul, new-school execution — iconic and timeless.
04
Japanese (Irezumi)
Dragons, koi, chrysanthemums, and waves in a flowing compositional tradition stretching back centuries. Full sleeves and back pieces our specialty.
05
Geometric
Sacred geometry, sacred numbers. Platonic solids, Fibonacci spirals, and precision grids that balance mathematics with body flow.
06
Realism
Photographic precision. Portraits, wildlife, and still life rendered with depth, shadow, and tonal mastery that challenges photography.
07
Watercolor
Painterly splashes, loose edges, and vivid pigment. Tattoos that look painted rather than inked — emotionally charged and ethereal.
08
Script & Lettering
Words that endure. Custom calligraphy, gothic blackletter, brush script, and typographic design from hand-lettering specialists.

Selected from
The Archive

Six works — chosen across styles and artists — that define what we mean when we say fine art tattoo.

Blackwork
Blackwork
Obsidian Serpent
Blackwork · Full Sleeve · 2024
Fine Line
Fine Line
Botanical Studies
Fine Line · Forearm · 2024
Portrait Realism
Realism
The Lioness
Realism · Thigh · 2024
Geometric
Geometric
Metatron's Grid
Geometric · Chest · 2023
Japanese
Japanese
Koi Ascending
Japanese · Back Piece · 2023
Neo-Traditional
Neo-Traditional
Midnight Rose
Neo-Traditional · Upper Arm · 2023

Five Steps to
Your Piece

We take every commission seriously. Here is the journey from your first message to walking out with your new tattoo.

InquiryDesignApprovalSessionAftercare
Inquiry & Consultation
1–3 days
Custom Design
1–3 weeks
Design Approval
2–5 days
Tattoo Session(s)
2–12 hrs
Healing & Aftercare
2–4 weeks

Featured In
& Awarded By

2024
Inked Magazine
"Best Fine Line Studio in the Northeast" — Annual Studio Awards
2024
New York Times
"CIPHER INK: Tattooing Elevated to Fine Art"
2023
Vogue
"The 12 Tattoo Studios Redefining the Art Form"
2023
Tattoo Life Awards
Gold — Blackwork Composition of the Year
2022
Architectural Digest
"Beautiful Studio Spaces Worth Traveling For"
2022
GQ
"If You're Getting Inked in New York, Go Here"

Common
Questions

First timer or seasoned collector — here are the answers we give everyone who walks through our door.

Fill out the booking form below with your design concept, preferred style, placement, and size. We'll match you with the most suitable artist and get back to you within 48 hours. A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required to secure your appointment date.
Our resident artists charge between $200–$350 per hour depending on their experience and specialty. Minimum charge is $200. Small custom pieces typically start at $300. Large-scale work (sleeves, back pieces) is quoted individually after a consultation. All quotes are transparent and agreed upon before we begin.
Absolutely. We welcome reference images and existing designs. Our artists will review them and discuss how they can be adapted to tattoo well — some designs require modification for longevity and skin compatibility. We never tattoo copyrighted artwork verbatim from other tattooers.
Pain varies by placement and personal tolerance. We recommend eating a full meal 2 hours before your session, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol for 24 hours prior, and wearing comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the tattoo area. We provide numbing cream on request (best for outline stages).
We provide full written aftercare instructions and a starter kit. The first 2–3 days use second-skin bandage (we apply this). Then: wash twice daily with unscented soap, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion, avoid sun, soaking, and gym for 2 weeks. We offer a free touch-up session within 3 months if needed.

Start Your
Story Here

We are by appointment only. Fill out the form and we'll respond within 48 hours to confirm your artist and date.

Phone
+1 (212) 555 0347
Studio Hours
Tue–Sat, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location
168 Ludlow Street, 3F
New York, NY 10002
Email
book@cipherink.studio