20+ Artists Across Two Fort Wayne Studios
Fort Wayne Tattoo Artists
Our Team
Meet the Fort Wayne tattoo artists at Grade A
Choosing between Fort Wayne tattoo artists is more personal than choosing a studio. The artist decides how your linework sits, how shading blends, and how the piece will age. That is why we keep a large team: more than 20 tattoo artists split between our Clinton St and Glenbrook Square studios.
Our Fort Wayne tattoo artists each have a profile with their own work, so you can look before you call. A few names you will see there include Jose Jimenez and Issac Roque at Clinton St and Corey Stripe and Miguel Rojas at Glenbrook, alongside many more. Start on the artists page and open any profile to see their recent pieces.
Styles
Styles our Fort Wayne tattoo artists cover
Between them, our Fort Wayne tattoo artists handle just about any request that comes through the door. Some lean toward bold color, others toward soft grey wash, and many are comfortable in several styles:
- Realism and portraits with lifelike depth and texture
- Black and grey shading and smooth gradients
- Traditional and neo-traditional, with bold outlines and saturated color
- Blackwork and fine line, from heavy fills to delicate single-needle detail
- Color work, anime and illustrative designs
- Script and lettering, plus cover-ups and reworks of older tattoos
Portfolios
How to pick a Fort Wayne tattoo artist by portfolio
The best predictor of your tattoo is work an artist has already done in the same style. Look for several pieces close to what you want, not just one. If you want fine line florals, find someone whose page is full of crisp, even lines. If you want a realistic portrait, look at faces and eyes up close. A skilled Fort Wayne tattoo artist will also tell you honestly when a design needs more size or a different spot to read well.
Our tattoo gallery lets you scroll finished work from across the team, so you can compare artists side by side. Save a few favorites and bring them with you; they help the front desk point you to the right person.
Booking
Booking a specific artist or walking in
If you already know which of our Fort Wayne tattoo artists you want, book with that artist directly. Larger and more detailed pieces almost always go this route, because the artist can plan the session length and draw your design ahead of time.
If your idea is small and you are flexible about who tattoos it, walking in can work well. The front desk pairs you with whoever is free and suits the style. Details are on our walk-in tattoos page. Walk-ins are a good way to meet Fort Wayne tattoo artists in person before you plan a bigger piece with one of them.
Some artists book further ahead than others. If your favorite is busy, ask to be scheduled for their next opening, or ask the front desk who else on the team works in that style. With 20+ Fort Wayne tattoo artists between two studios, there is usually more than one strong fit for any idea.
Consultations
What a Fort Wayne tattoo artist needs from you
Every custom piece starts with a free consult. That conversation is how your artist turns a loose idea into a drawing that fits your body. The more your artist knows going in, the closer the first sketch will be to what you pictured. Come ready with:
- Reference images that show the style, subject and mood you like
- The spot on your body you have in mind and a rough size
- Whether you want color or black and grey
- Any older tattoo nearby that the new one needs to work around
Original Art
Original designs from our Fort Wayne tattoo artists
Our Fort Wayne tattoo artists draw custom work every day. Bring your own idea and your artist will redraw it so the finished tattoo belongs to you. We will not copy another artist’s custom tattoo, but we will happily use it as inspiration for something new. Original work is a standard Grade A has kept since opening in Fort Wayne in 1999. Pricing comes at the consult once the artist knows the size, detail and placement. New to the process? Our first tattoo guide walks you through the day itself, or you can book a consultation now.
Why Grade A
Why choose Grade A Tattoos?
The tattoo shop Fort Wayne has voted the best for twelve straight years.
Voted Best Tattoo Shop
Fort Wayne Reader’s Choice winner every year since 2014. Twelve years running, and still raising the bar.
Tattooing since 1999
More than 25 years of tattoos and piercings in Indiana, now with three studios serving Fort Wayne and beyond.
Hospital-grade safety
Single-use needles and supplies, autoclave sterilization and implant-grade jewelry at every station.
Every style covered
Realism, black & grey, traditional, blackwork, fine line, color, lettering and cover-ups by artists with their own portfolios.
Walk-ins 7 days a week
Open every day including Sunday afternoons. Piercings take about 30 minutes, no appointment needed.
Free consultations
Talk through your idea, placement and price with an artist before you commit. No pressure.
Visit us
Fort Wayne studios.
Walk in or book ahead at our 2 Fort Wayne studios. Free parking at every location.
Grade A Tattoos — Clinton St
3615 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Located on N Clinton St, north of downtown Fort Wayne near the intersection with E State Blvd.
Mon–Thu 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri–Sat 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Grade A Tattoos — Glenbrook Square
4201 Coldwater Rd, Suite B-03, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Inside Glenbrook Square Mall, near the intersection of Coldwater Rd and Coliseum Blvd on Fort Wayne's north side.
Mon–Thu 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri–Sat 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The team
Meet the artists.
Every artist has their own style and portfolio. Pick the one whose work you love, or walk in and we’ll match you.
Recent work
From our gallery.
Real tattoos by the Grade A team.
Areas we serve
Serving greater Fort Wayne.
Clients drive in from all over northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, including:
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Who are the best Fort Wayne tattoo artists?
The best artist for you is the one whose portfolio matches the style you want. Grade A has 20+ tattoo artists across two Fort Wayne studios, and you can browse every portfolio on our artists page.
How do I find a Fort Wayne tattoo artist for my style?
Browse our gallery and save pieces close to your idea, then compare artist profiles for that style. You can also ask the front desk to match you with someone who works in that style.
How many tattoo artists work at Grade A in Fort Wayne?
More than 20 tattoo artists work between our Clinton St and Glenbrook Square studios.
Can I request a specific tattoo artist?
Yes. Book online or call the studio where that artist works and ask for them by name.
Which Fort Wayne tattoo artists do realism?
Several of our artists tattoo realism and portraits. Look through the realism photos in our gallery, then compare those artists’ profiles.
Are there fine line tattoo artists in Fort Wayne?
Yes, fine line is one of the styles our Fort Wayne team covers. Check portfolios for clean, consistent thin lines before you pick an artist.
Do Fort Wayne tattoo artists do anime tattoos?
Ours do. Anime and illustrative color work are among the styles on our team.
Can a Fort Wayne tattoo artist design my tattoo from scratch?
Yes. Share your idea and reference images at the free consult, and your artist will draw an original design for you.
Will my tattoo artist copy a picture I found online?
If it is another artist’s custom tattoo, no. Your artist will use it as inspiration and redraw the idea so your tattoo is original.
What should I bring to a consultation with a tattoo artist?
Bring reference images, the placement and rough size you want, and whether you prefer color or black and grey. Mention any nearby tattoos the design needs to work with.
Is the tattoo consultation free?
Yes, consultations are free. Your artist gives you pricing there, once they know the size, detail and placement.
How far ahead do Fort Wayne tattoo artists book?
It varies by artist and by the size of the piece. Call the studio and we will tell you when your artist’s next opening is.
What if the artist I want is booked up?
You can take their next available opening, or the front desk can suggest another artist on our team who works in the same style.
Can I walk in without choosing an artist?
Yes. Walk-ins are paired with an available artist, which works best for smaller tattoos.
Do Fort Wayne tattoo artists charge by the hour or by the piece?
We do not quote prices online, because cost depends on size, detail, placement and time. Your artist explains pricing for your specific tattoo at the consult.
Do your tattoo artists do cover-ups?
Yes, our artists do cover-ups and reworks. For very dark tattoos, a few laser sessions at our Clinton St studio can lighten the old ink first.
Which Fort Wayne studio is my tattoo artist at?
Our Fort Wayne artists work at either Clinton St or Glenbrook Square. Rosters change, so check the artists page or call to confirm.
Can I see a Fort Wayne tattoo artist’s healed work?
Ask at your consult. Our gallery and Instagram @gradeatattoos show finished pieces from across the team.
Do tattoo artists need a deposit to hold my appointment?
Some appointments require a non-refundable deposit, which is applied to the final cost of your tattoo.
How do I prepare for my session with a tattoo artist?
Sleep well, eat beforehand, stay hydrated, and skip alcohol for 24 hours. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a valid photo ID.
Keep exploring
Related pages.
Ready when you are.
Walk in today or book a free consultation. Call Clinton St at (260) 485-8258.