About 25 Minutes from Auburn via I-69
Tattoo Shop Near Auburn, Indiana.
N Clinton St
About 25 minutes
About 22 miles
I-69 south to Coldwater Rd / N Clinton St
The Drive
A tattoo shop near Auburn, straight down I-69
If you are searching for a tattoo shop near Auburn, Grade A Tattoos & Body Piercing is one highway away. We do not have a studio in Auburn itself, but our flagship on North Clinton Street in Fort Wayne is roughly 22 miles from town, and most people make the drive in about 25 minutes.
From DeKalb County, take I-69 south and exit toward Coldwater Rd or N Clinton St. The Clinton St studio sits at 3615 N Clinton St, north of downtown near E State Blvd, and parking is free right in front of the building. No garages, no meters, no circling the block.
That easy in-and-out is why so many Auburn tattoos end up being done at Clinton St. It is also the one studio of ours with laser tattoo removal, so this tattoo shop near Auburn covers everything at a single address: new ink, piercing, cover-ups and removal.
Why Make the Trip
Why Auburn clients drive past closer options
There may be a studio closer to your house, so it is fair to ask why people who could pick any tattoo shop near Auburn keep making the trip to us. The short answer is track record. Grade A opened in Fort Wayne in 1999, and readers of the Fort Wayne Newspapers voted us Best Tattoo Shop in Fort Wayne every year from 2014 through 2025.
An award twelve years running only happens when clients come back and send their friends. You can read what they say on our reviews page. Here is what that reputation is built on:
- A Fort Wayne team of 20+ tattoo artists, so there is a good chance someone matches your style.
- Styles from realism and black and grey to traditional, fine line, anime and script.
- Free consultations for new tattoos and for laser removal.
- Single-use needles, hospital-grade autoclave sterilization, and studios that exceed health department requirements.
- Walk-ins welcome seven days a week whenever an artist is free.
Services
Auburn tattoos, piercings and laser removal in one stop
Most visitors from Auburn come in for custom tattoos. Bring your reference images, and your artist will redraw the idea into an original design sized for your placement. Outgrown an older piece? Our team also handles cover-ups and reworks.
Auburn piercing clients are welcome too. Ear, nose, oral, navel and surface piercings take about 30 minutes, and starter jewelry in implant-grade titanium, solid gold or high-quality surgical steel is included in the price.
Want a tattoo gone, or faded enough for a cover-up? Laser removal at Clinton St starts with a free consult and a cost estimate. Most tattoos need 6 to 12 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, while a fade for new work usually takes 3 to 5.
Plan Your Visit
Planning your visit to our tattoo shop near Auburn
A 25-minute drive is short, but a little planning still keeps the day smooth. These are the tips we give most often to people who find us while searching for a tattoo shop near Auburn:
- Book ahead for large work. Sleeves, back pieces and detailed custom designs need a dedicated block of time, so reserve one on our booking page.
- Call before you leave for a walk-in. A quick call to (260) 485-8258 tells you the current wait and can save you a wasted trip.
- Bring a valid government photo ID. Indiana law requires tattoo clients to be at least 18.
- Eat a real meal, drink water, and skip alcohol for 24 hours before your session.
- Clinton St is open 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 PM Sunday.
Nearby
Tattoos near Auburn, Indiana and across DeKalb County
Auburn is not the only DeKalb County town that heads our way. We see clients from Garrett and Waterloo, and plenty of people from Kendallville and Angola make the same run down I-69. If Glenbrook Square is more convenient for you, our Glenbrook studio inside the mall also does tattoos and piercing.
Whichever tattoo shop near Auburn you end up choosing, ask for a consultation first. At Grade A that consult is free, and your artist will talk through size, placement and price before anything goes on the calendar.
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
From Auburn studios.
Grade A doesn’t have a shop in Auburn; our nearest studio is about 25 minutes away with free parking.
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 DeKalb County.
Clients drive in from all over northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, including:
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Is there a Grade A Tattoos studio in Auburn, Indiana?
No. Our closest studio to Auburn is the Clinton St flagship in Fort Wayne, about 22 miles south and roughly 25 minutes by car.
How do I get to Grade A from Auburn?
Take I-69 south and exit toward Coldwater Rd or N Clinton St. The studio is at 3615 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
Where do I park when I drive in from Auburn?
Parking is free right in front of the Clinton St studio.
Does Grade A take walk-ins from Auburn?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome seven days a week, subject to artist availability. Call (260) 485-8258 before you leave to check the wait.
How much does a tattoo cost if I come from Auburn?
We do not quote prices online because cost depends on size, detail, placement and time. Your artist gives you a price at a free consultation.
Do Auburn clients pay a deposit to book?
Certain bookings call for a non-refundable deposit, and that amount comes off your final bill.
How old do you have to be to get tattooed near Auburn, IN?
Indiana law requires you to be 18 or older with a valid government photo ID for a tattoo.
Can a 16-year-old from Auburn get pierced at Grade A?
Yes, 16- and 17-year-olds can be pierced with a parent or legal guardian present who has matching ID. A handful of placements have tighter rules.
Where can Auburn residents get laser tattoo removal?
Laser removal is offered at our Clinton St studio in Fort Wayne, the same location closest to Auburn. Start with a free consultation and cost estimate.
How many laser sessions will my tattoo need?
Most tattoos need 6 to 12 sessions for full removal, or 3 to 5 to fade one for a cover-up. Sessions are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart.
What tattoo styles can I get near Auburn at Grade A?
Our artists cover realism, black and grey, traditional, neo-traditional, blackwork, fine line, color, anime, script and portraits.
Can you cover up an old tattoo I got in Auburn?
Yes. Cover-ups and reworks are part of what we do, and your artist will tell you at the consult whether a fade with laser would help first.
What are the Clinton St studio hours?
Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday noon to 6 PM.
How long does a piercing take?
About 30 minutes, and basic jewelry is included in the piercing price.
Can Auburn clients use their own jewelry for a new piercing?
No. New piercings use our implant-grade titanium, solid gold or surgical steel jewelry, and premium upgrades are available for an extra cost.
Is Grade A a safe tattoo shop for Auburn clients?
We use single-use needles and supplies, hospital-grade autoclave sterilization, and our studios exceed health department requirements.
Can I bring my own tattoo design from Auburn?
Absolutely. Bring your ideas and reference images, and your artist will redraw them so the final design is original to you.
How do I get ready for a tattoo appointment?
Sleep well, eat beforehand, stay hydrated, skip alcohol for 24 hours, wear comfortable clothing and bring your photo ID.
What other towns near Auburn does Grade A serve?
We regularly see clients from Garrett, Waterloo, Kendallville, Angola and the rest of DeKalb County.
Does Grade A sell gift cards for someone in Auburn?
Yes. Grade A offers gift cards, which make an easy present for anyone in Auburn who has been talking about new ink.
Keep exploring
Related pages.
Ready when you are.
Walk in today or book a free consultation. Call Clinton St at (260) 485-8258.