Black Tower Tattoo Studio

The studio sits on W. Pico Blvd in Mid-City, a block east of Crenshaw. It opened after the owner's client base grew and the team needed a larger facility. The studio says it was voted one of the top 10 tattoo studios in Los Angeles and describes itself as a newer, up-to-date space. The owner's profile describes the style of the studio as museum-like or medieval.

Visits begin with a consultation. Outside consultations, including ones over social media, are free. Inside consultations are by appointment only, with a $25 to $100 non-refundable deposit that is applied to the tattoo balance. Before sending a booking request, clients complete a short questionnaire about their project. Whether a design can be previewed depends on the artist: some share designs electronically, some only in person, and some not electronically.

The studio says it uses only new, factory-sealed needles and cartridges, along with vegan ink, and describes its space as tidy and calm with a contemporary feel. It states that it is certified and approved by the Los Angeles Health Department. Smaller tattoos start at $150. Larger tattoos are charged hourly from $150 to $450, depending on design, placement and time to finish. Approximate costs are available on request, and some pieces can be quoted at a fixed price. An extra fee applies to PayPal and major credit card payments. Piercings for the nose, eyebrows and ears start at $40 and take about an hour, using titanium and gold jewelry. Walk-ins are welcome for piercings, though calling or texting ahead is recommended. The piercer is not available on Thursdays.

After a session, new tattoos are covered with Saniderm film, which is worn for about seven days. Clients are advised to avoid long showers, baths and soaking for two weeks, and to stay out of the sun and tanning beds until the tattoo has fully healed. A healing kit with soap, ointment and aftercare instructions is available on request. Touch-ups are free within four to eight weeks of the appointment, and after eight weeks a $150 minimum fee applies.

For changes to a booking, reschedules need 48 hours notice; the first reschedule is free and the second costs $50. A no-show counts as a cancellation. There is a 15-minute grace period for lateness, and later arrivals may be rescheduled with a fee and a new $50 non-refundable deposit. Cancelling forfeits the deposit, which is non-refundable for any reason. Any additional deposit toward a tattoo project is also non-refundable, and deposits not followed up within 30 days are not honored after that period.

Describes its tattooing as traditional needlework with a modern edge, backed by strict hygiene, clean setup and modern safety standards, with respect and attention given to every client.

A tidy, calm space with a contemporary look.