Castleton Square, northeast Indy
Indianapolis tattoo shops with Fort Wayne roots.
Our Story
A Fort Wayne favorite among Indianapolis tattoo shops
Of all the Indianapolis tattoo shops you could visit, ours is the newest home of a studio that has been tattooing Indiana since 1999. Grade A Tattoos & Body Piercing opened on North Clinton Street in Fort Wayne in 1999, added a second Fort Wayne studio in 2010 and came to Castleton Square in 2023.
Back home, readers of the Fort Wayne Newspapers voted us Best Tattoo Shop in Fort Wayne every year from 2014 through 2025, twelve years in a row. We built the Indianapolis studio on the same habits that earned that award: clean rooms, honest advice and original artwork. Read more on our awards page.
Choosing between Indianapolis tattoo shops gets easier once you know what a studio stands for. For us, that means a free consult before you commit, artwork drawn for one client only and a front desk that gives straight answers about timing and cost.
Custom Work
Custom tattoos at our Indy tattoo shop
Custom work is the heart of what we do in Indy. Tell us the idea, show us the references you love and point to the spot, and the artist draws a design that belongs only to you. Bring your own sketch if you have one; it gets redrawn so the final tattoo is original.
Our Castleton studio has a small, close-knit team rather than a big crew, so you get to know the people working on you. Styles across Grade A include realism, black and grey, traditional, neo-traditional, blackwork, fine line, color, anime, lettering and portraits. Start with our custom tattoo page to see how a design comes together.
Walk-Ins
Walk-ins welcome at Indianapolis tattoo shops like ours
Not every tattoo needs weeks of planning. Walk-ins are welcome at Castleton whenever someone is free, and smaller designs like symbols, initials or a short script are the easiest to fit in. Larger custom pieces, cover-ups and multi-session work go better with an appointment.
Walk-in friendly Indianapolis tattoo shops make it easy to act on an idea the day you have it, and that is the experience we aim for at Castleton. A quick call before you head over tells you how busy the day looks.
We also pierce at this location, so friends can get tattooed and pierced on the same visit. Piercings take about 30 minutes and include jewelry. Our walk-in tattoo page explains how same-day visits work at every Grade A studio.
Location
Easy to reach from Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville
You will find us at 6020 E 82nd St inside Castleton Square, the largest mall in Indiana, near I-69 and 82nd Street. That puts us on the northeast side of Indy, a short drive from Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Lawrence, Geist and Broad Ripple. Parking in the mall lot is free, and you can grab lunch or finish some shopping before your session.
Studio hours run Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Call (317) 537-2549 or visit the Castleton Square studio page for directions.
Being inside a mall makes us one of the easier Indianapolis tattoo shops to fit into a busy week. Drop in on a lunch break for a consult, or plan a longer session on a weekend afternoon while friends shop nearby. We are also within reach for clients coming from Zionsville, Anderson or Greenfield.
Price & Safety
Pricing, safety and age rules at Indy tattoo shops
People who compare Indianapolis tattoo shops usually ask about cost first. We do not list prices online because every tattoo is different. Your artist looks at size, detail, placement and time during a free consultation and then gives you a quote. Certain appointments ask for a non-refundable deposit, and it comes off your final bill.
Safety should be non-negotiable at any of the Indianapolis tattoo shops on your list, and it is here. Needles and supplies are single-use, equipment is sterilized in a hospital-grade autoclave and the studio exceeds health department requirements. You need to be 18 with a valid government photo ID to get tattooed in Indiana.
One honest note for anyone weighing Indianapolis tattoo shops: laser tattoo removal is not offered at Castleton. Clients who want laser fading or removal visit our Clinton St studio in Fort Wayne, which handles all of our laser removal work.
Before You Visit
Getting ready for your visit to an Indy tattoo shop
A little preparation goes a long way. Sleep well the night before, eat a full meal, drink water and avoid alcohol for 24 hours. Bring your photo ID, wear clothes that leave the area easy to reach and keep your reference images handy. First timers should also read our first tattoo guide, and the aftercare guide explains healing once you head home.
When you are ready to see how we compare with other Indianapolis tattoo shops, book a free consultation or simply stop by Castleton.
Why Grade A
Why choose Grade A Tattoos?
Fort Wayne’s most awarded tattoo shop, now in Indianapolis at Castleton Square.
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 Indianapolis.
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
Indianapolis studio.
Walk in or book ahead at our Indianapolis studio. Free parking at every location.
Grade A Tattoos — Castleton Square
6020 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Inside Castleton Square Mall on E 82nd St near the I-69/I-465 interchange on the northeast side of Indianapolis.
Mon–Thu 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri–Sat 11:00 AM – 8:00 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 Indianapolis.
Clients drive in from all over central Indiana, including:
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Where is Grade A’s tattoo shop in Indianapolis?
Inside Castleton Square mall at 6020 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250, on the northeast side near I-69 and 82nd Street.
Which Indianapolis tattoo shops take walk-ins?
Our Castleton Square studio does, whenever someone is available. Small, simple designs are the best fit for a same-day walk-in.
What are Grade A’s hours in Indy?
Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from noon to 6 PM.
Is there an Indy tattoo shop open on Sunday?
Yes. Our Castleton Square studio is open Sundays from noon to 6 PM.
What is the phone number for the Indianapolis studio?
Call (317) 537-2549 to reach the Castleton Square studio directly.
How much does a tattoo cost at Indianapolis tattoo shops like Grade A?
There is no flat price list. Your artist quotes your tattoo at a free consultation based on its size, detail, placement and time.
Is Grade A in Indianapolis related to the Fort Wayne tattoo shop?
Yes. It is the same business that opened in Fort Wayne in 1999 and was voted Best Tattoo Shop in Fort Wayne from 2014 to 2025. Castleton Square opened in 2023.
Is there a tattoo shop near Fishers or Carmel?
Our Castleton Square studio sits in northeast Indianapolis near I-69 and 82nd Street, a short drive from both Fishers and Carmel.
Do you have a tattoo shop close to Noblesville or Lawrence?
Yes. Castleton is convenient for Noblesville, Lawrence, Westfield and Geist, and parking at the mall is free.
Is parking free at the Castleton Square tattoo studio?
Yes. You can park for free in the Castleton Square mall lot.
Do Indy tattoo shops need to check ID?
Indiana law requires every tattoo client to be 18 or older with a valid government photo ID, and we check it for every tattoo at Castleton.
Can I get a custom tattoo designed in Indianapolis?
Yes. Custom work is what we do best. Share your idea and references at a free consult and the artist will draw an original design for you.
What tattoo styles are available at Castleton Square?
Grade A artists work in realism, black and grey, traditional, neo-traditional, blackwork, fine line, color, anime, lettering and portraits. Ask the Castleton team which styles fit your idea best.
Do I need to pay a deposit at your Indianapolis tattoo shop?
Some appointments require one. Deposits are non-refundable and are applied to the final cost of your tattoo.
Can I get a cover-up tattoo in Indy?
Yes. Book a free consultation so the artist can see the old tattoo and plan a design that covers it well.
Is laser tattoo removal available in Indianapolis?
Not at Castleton. Laser removal is offered only at our Clinton St studio in Fort Wayne, where the consultation is free and includes a cost estimate.
Does the Indianapolis tattoo shop also do piercings?
Yes. Castleton offers body piercing too. Piercings take about 30 minutes, and implant-grade jewelry is included in the price.
How clean is the Castleton Square studio?
Every needle and supply is single-use, equipment goes through a hospital-grade autoclave and the studio exceeds health department requirements.
Does Grade A sell tattoo gift cards?
Yes. Grade A gift cards make an easy present for someone in Indy who is planning new ink or a piercing. See the gift card page for details.
How do I book with an Indy tattoo shop at Castleton?
Book online, call (317) 537-2549 or stop by the studio inside Castleton Square during business hours.
Keep exploring
Related pages.
Ready when you are.
Walk in today or book a free consultation. Call Castleton Square at (317) 537-2549.