Odds are, you’ve thought about getting a tattoo at some point. It lasts forever, and depending on your personal religion, might affect your burial grounds. For those who are ready to take the plunge, or needle rather, we’ve talked to a few brave BUers who shared the best tattoo places our beloved Binghamton has to offer.
Locations
Artifex, 2539 Vestal Parkway, Binghamton
If you’re looking for a custom design, Artifex is the way to go. There are no ‘flash designs’ (that wall of pre-made designs you pick from) which often lack creativity and individuality, so a custom consultation and sketch is free.
‘Getting tattooed is a very personal decision that changes your life,’ said Chip, the senior tattoo artist at Artifex. ‘It’s fine to pick your lunch from a picture on the wall at McDonald’s, but I think that a tattoo should be decided upon with more care and consideration. After all, lunch will last you 20 minutes, but a tattoo will last your lifetime.’
Although the prices run a little high, requiring a $50 minimum charge and deposit, BU junior Heather Soukas says Artifex is worth it if you have the cash.
‘They’re really good,’ said Soukas. ‘Color designs are harder to pull off; if you’re getting one done they have to know what they’re doing. If you want something complicated or in color, you should definitely go there,’ Soukas added. When deciding, also keep in mind the saying, ‘Cheap tattoos are not good, and good tattoos are not cheap.’
The Shaman’s Den, 143 Washington St., Downtown Binghamton
Across from the back of the Sports Bar, The Shaman’s Den gets good marks from BU student Jenn Choi, as well as Soukas.
‘It’s very clean and they do really nice work there,’ said Choi, the bearer of three tattoos. ‘I’ve seen a lot of their work through my friends and trust the owner.’
The Shaman’s Den requires a $20 deposit for all tattoo appointments. If you must reschedule, do so within 48 hours, or you’ll lose the deposit.
Soukas says to ask for Shawn Van Oven, who, in her opinion, is Shaman’s best.
The deciding process
Deciding on the right tattoo requires slightly more thought than what to eat for breakfast. Soukas suggests before getting anything done, draw your intended design on yourself in permanent marker and leave it on for a week to get a feel of the end result. She recommends black or shaded gray tattoos, which complement any skin tone while colored ones can be fleeting; and she says not to rush into a decision.
Choi has chosen meaningful tattoos for herself, getting her first tattoo at 18 and the subsequent two in Binghamton. The first was an exact replica of a friend’s who had passed away and the second is of a symbolic picture of the Hindu Lord of Obstacles.
‘I was going through a really rough part in my life when I got it, but I thought about it for three or four months before getting it done,’ said Choi. ‘I asked myself, ‘Do I really want this on my body for the rest of my life?’
Her most recent is an ancient Kabbalah symbol that is deeply meaningful to her. After not finding anything she liked online, she ended up drawing it herself.
‘The general theme in it is that things aren’t always the way they seem,’ she said.
What to expect
No pain, no gain right? Depending on personal tolerance, it can range from an annoying scratch to a sharp burning sensation. The outline is usually the most painful because the needles are creating the solid black line that defines the tattoo, and are inserted deeply and carefully to ensure complete and effective coverage. The shading is usually not as bad, but also depends on the depth of penetration and the desired effect. You might also be surprised what areas hurt the most.
‘A lot of people have the misconception that it hurts more on hard parts like bones and the spine, but the fatty parts where there’s sensitive skin is much more painful,’ said Choi. ‘The one on my lower back stretches 3 inches on to the sides, and the soft skin over the hip really hurt the most.’