Element Tattoo Studio

I have been to few places but I will only go to Element from now on. #1 I took my daughter while I was looking to do a cover up. She spoke with Javier and she got a quote with cool font and great customer service. I was looking for a cover up for a tat I disliked. It was in a difficult spot and I can’t have it showing at work. The owner Jedediah and William sketched out a panther and I was skeptical but I set an appointment and William showed me the final sketch and I left color and such up to him because its a cover up and he is the craftsman. 1 hour later and I love my tattoo. Speaking to William he has a great philosophy about tattoos… he likes if they’re cool and he likes mine.
As I sat there the two times I’ve been I’ve seen nothing but great service, happy people and bad ass tattoos. They shop is super clean and friendly.

I have multiple singular tattoos, and after some research and the recommendation of a friend, I decided to have a half sleeve done here. I wanted black and grey, and realistic style… as a result they recommended Brian Pittman.
After my first visit here, I read some of the comments and I’m floored by what is being said. I cannot say enough good things about my experience here, and want to clearly call out that if you’re looking for the cheapest, or a walk-​in with no consultation, go somewhere else. If you’re looking for a quality tattoo and a collaborative experience, this is the best in San Antonio.
I printed off a few pictures of the theme that I wanted, and met with Brian for about an hour to talk about what I wanted, the story behind it, the theme/​details etc. After this, I put a $ 100 deposit down and Brian went to work on the first draft of the drawing.
I came back for a total of 3 sittings and a touch up… every single one was a pleasure. Brian isn’t the fastest tattooer around, but if you look at the detail in this, you’ll see why that isn’t an issue. I have seen this quality of work only a few times in my life, and I’m damn proud to have one myself.
On multiple occasions, other artists would come by to check in on how it was going, chat a bit and visit. It felt like a family environment. I came in the first time with my iPad to take my mind off the work being done, but never used it. Brian and I really just hung out while he was working. Really made the experience great!
The price wasn’t cheap, but it really wasn’t all that expensive either. I without a doubt believe I got a good deal and high value for what I spent.
I want to shout from the rooftops my love for Element Tattoo… and I’ll definitely be back for more!

I love this shop. Everything about this shops screams what a professional, clean, down to earth tattoo shop should be about. My family and I wanted to get tattoos and we looked at several shops until I found Element on Unilocal and SA best Tattoo Shop. Everyone in the shop is down to earth, friendly, and super helpful. I got my very first tattoo with Javier and he awesome. He joked with my family and I while still paying attention to his work. He also did my sisters tattoo and did a great job as well with the dimensions and colors of the tattoos. Pete helped my brother in law and did a great job on his too! Highly recommend Element and I’ll be back for my next one!

I recently had an old ugly tattoo covered by an intricately detailed full sock piece. If you are looking for good work and want something that no one else has, go here. Pete the Bruiser is a true wizard.

I got a tattoo from Neil last year right before my grandma passed away. I was a walk in. He didn’t listen to me multiple times, and gave me a less than quality tattoo. He stated he couldn’t do the script how I wanted it, and it was too small. (I have writing smaller that looks much better) the lines are blown out, the *light* behind a part of the tattoo is barely visible and scarred. Very disappointed, in the quality of work and how I was treated. I should have known better.

He gave me a good deal with what ended up as a good tattoo (phew); however, his bedside manner was obsolete.. after stenciling the outline in, I questioned about it and he got irritated with me and made me feel out of place for questioning him. he said «do you want a tattoo the way it’s supposed to be or what??»… yeah… so a sour taste in my mouth.

Element Tattoo Studio is the best in San Antonio (if not Texas). I have been a regular customer there since 2011 and Sweet Laraine has done all the incredible work. I returned in July for a
major piece and it has only gotten better. The studio is exceptionally clean, well managed and professional. Tattoos are a statement about who you are and the life you live; Element has captured this in me and I am very proud of the work they have done. Never get a tattoo without serious thought and consideration of what will be part of you. Never hesitate to listen to the artist that is working on your canvas and heed their advice; they know better. If your looking for a cheap tattoo, then go do it yourself. If you are seeking an artistic statement with thought, experience and skill then Element is your first and only stop. Thanks Jedidia and the entire staff. See you soon.

Javier custom designed my tattoo for me and I can’t stop staring at it. I’m so head over heels for it. I recently moved from California and got a custom piece that included the logo of my home town. I told him the basics of what I wanted and let him do the rest and OMG, I’m just so speechless.
It was a super intricate piece with so. much. linework. Javier was amazing and made my dream come true. The lines are super clean, the colors are bright and rich, and the design is just stunning. I ran around showing it off at my office today and even my coworkers were struck dumb. I think the most coherent thing any of them said was, ‘that’s so dope.‘
I WILL be returning to this shop and referring everyone I know there, they have created a loyal customer in me and I’m so excited to save up and get my next piece.
Seriously, go here. It’s super clean, super professional, and you’ll be so thrilled to pieces that the only word you’ll be able to utter is ‘dope’.

Very nice over the phone. Excellent service at check-​in. The place is very clean. William did a tattoo for my brother a year ago and it is beautiful. I knew I had to have him do my tattoo as well and it was definitely the right decision. The lines were exact and it looks perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I will be seeing him again for sure. My friend went to Justin the next day and he was amazing as well. He added to an existing tattoo and touched up her old one. I can’t even explain how great of a job he did on it. I don’t have enough good things to say about this group of artists. They made this a great experience. Truly the place to go! We will be back!

I was very excited to get tattooed at this shop yesterday I came in with a big smile, said please and thank you, I could not have received more hostility from the «artist» (ha ya right). Had a sketch of my very simple tat (it was the word warrior with a simple line drawing of an arrow head and end coming out of the beginning and end of the word.) The artist did not like the idea of the tat being on top of my shoulder and said that was a stupid place for a tat. I playfully said well I would take off one of the chevrons to make it easier for ya, but theres a significance in there being three. He said «I could care less either way.» He then preceded to tell me where and how I should do my tattoo. I figured he knew more on the subject than me so I attempted to compromise, but every time I spoke I got rolling eyes and deep sighs. I tried to tell him my vision for the tat and he took my ID and angrily made copies and banged things around like a child rather than listen to me. All I requested was that instead of the dot the artist drew that it could be an actual circle like I drew on my paper. The guy came back thirty minutes later with an incorrect drawing and when I tried to merely ask about the issue he held his drawing an inch from my face and yelled is this what you asked for?! In addition he had incorrectly reversed the front and back ends of the arrow, which again were simple line drawings of a triangle and three chevrons and would take all of one minute to fix. I told him he lost my business and walked out. This was obviously a sad sad man (I believe it was William) who has issues in his personal life, and is taking it out on customers. His behavior was worse than my two year olds. I’m so glad now that I walked out because I wouldn’t want this guy to touch me with a ten foot stick. Who treats someone this badly and disparages their tattoo that means something to them? This person is bad for business, and I would not employ him. Not to mention why is he even in this line of work if he hates it? I would NEVER recommend this shop to anyone EVER. William if you read this I did nothing wrong to you at all. I am a mother, a veteran, and also had the intention of giving you the fattest tip you got all day, and you treated me like garbage. You are not a good human being, and I hope i’m lucky enough to never cross your path again.

All the artists are extremely professional and punctual. Kelly is doing a large back piece on me, and I couldn’t be happier. He is fast and his work is clean and evolved as an artist is after decades of experience. I recommend Kelly and Element to any of my friends looking for a new tattoo. The shop is clean, professional, and the artists are honest with whether your ideas are sound or silly, and will work with you to help make a perhaps silly idea into a timeless piece.

To start with the good: I felt like I was getting tattooed in a clean environment, which should be expected.
Still, I dread going back to have my work finished and I’m at the point where I’d rather find a different place to get my cover up tattoo finished. When I first visited the shop in June, I was made to feel like my ideas were stupid. I happen to be a geeky chick (and a sucker for nostalgia), so I liked the idea of a subtle hidden Mickey worked into the negative space of my tattoo. I was laughed at, made fun of, and against my better judgement continued to deal with this shop. They assured me they could cover an older tattoo that I was no longer happy with, so I told myself to «trust the professionals.»
For strictly the line work of my tattoo (which turned out much different than the piece originally discussed, but still looked ok), I was charged $ 350. The work done by Austin was reasonably clean, but I had to stand around forever while he continued drawing the design on my hip. My design was originally going to feature some seashells, but instead was changed to one conch shell and a crap ton of waves. (Not exactly the soft, feminine, meaningful tattoo I originally had in mind.)
I was told when I begun the process that sessions over $ 200 could be put on credit, but at the end of my session, my artist seemed to decide that I needed to pay in cash that day. I found the misinformation unnerving, especially in light of the fact that I couldn’t get a straight answer on the price of my tattoo in the first place. It felt like they just asked for how much their next rent payment was going to be.
Overall, I was made to feel uncomfortable and left with a mediocre, unfinished, over-​priced tattoo. I doubt I will return.

Great place. Very talented artists. Clean studio. I have recommended this shop to friends that also loved the work and had great complements on their tattoos.

This place is sorry all around. It has the worst employees a tattoo shop could have… they all have attitudes & make like u owe them the world. Jedi supposedly the «owner» as I was informed is very unprofessional & very rude when he speaks to u. They could careless what happens to u after u pay for ur tattoo. I was scared on my foot & the tattoo was done by Tyson & nothing was ever done for me. If u run into any issues here, be prepared for them to act stupid & not do anything for u! I am now having to drive to Austin & pay even more money to get my tattoo covered up (which is total bs after everything I’ve been through). Stay far away from this place unless u want a scared/​ugly tattoo & want bad attitudes. They suck & I’m gonna be reporting them to BBB also! Stop commenting on my shit u lying sack of shit tattoo shop. That’s all yall do is lie! Ur worried now huh? U never called me back! Dumb ass liar. I went & got my tattoo fixed in Austin & he did amazing job. Yalls tattoo shop is shit just like ur artists! Don’t try to make up lies to keep business coming. U can’t lie w/​pictures to prove y’all suck at tattooing. I waited long enough for a touch up jerk! I waited 1 month for the 1^st touch up & another month for the second touch up. How can u sit there behind ur phone or computer lying to ppl on Unilocal?Everything u said was a damn LIE! Ur stupid artist NEVER told me the area wasn’t a good area! I asked him & all he said was not on the knuckles. It’s a shame y’all would go on social media just to lie! Even the artist I got work done said YALL WENT TO DEEP! Keep ur lies in ur damn mouth & I hope ur business goes down! It shows y’all only care about money & not about the customers. Ur artist couldn’t even do a simple tattoo of Hawaiian islands! I wasn’t asking for a portrait! Stop making like it was a big ass tattoo job. Y’all are overly priced for shitty work! & we can’t forget how u make like u can talk to whoever u want the way u want. Get a damn grip! Even ur work sucks! Ppl haven’t gotten to see a good tattoo artists work. Y’all aren’t near that! I can vouch for that. So don’t comment on my reviews on Unilocal.Thank u!

When I walked in the door, I was not turned off by the décor; however, the people looked at me as if I was the weird one. I simply got 3 script letters tattooed (took a total of 5 minutes) and was WAY OVERCHARGED at $ 70. I have gotten a bigger tattoo on my back that took over an hour at another location in Austin and it was only $ 90. Do not go here unless you want to get EXTREMELY ripped off. Should have done some better research.

Wonderful place!!! Very clean, professional, and the artists are nice. Been there several times and LOVE the work. I have had a lot of complements on the tattoos I had done here. I would recommend this place to anyone!!! Brian Pittman is doing a full back piece on me (roses, skulls and lilies) and the level of detail is amazing!!! The tattoo looks very realistic. Carl Hanes did a sunflower on my ankle and it so bright and the line work is great. I would recommend any artist here… They are all so talented!!!

Jedi, owner of Element Tattoo has been tattooing me for over 15 years and only gets better! Courteous, professional and clean. Best work in town. You won’t be disappointed! Go, now! Get some ink!

I got one tiny tattoo here and took my friend to get a couple larger pieces. They were able to fit us in as walk ins with a nice guy who did clean work in a tiny room with 3 artists in it. My buddy came in to get another piece but the guy refused to do it. But don’t worry, he had two other artists offer to do it for him and he had his pick. The piece came out amazing. If I had lived in SA longer I would have tried to get a piece from sweet Loraine since she has such a unique style. The lady at the front may come off as rude but I think she’s just salty and she gets the job done.

I was recommended to this place by a few friends. So I decided to check them out. I love where they’re located and the atmosphere I was in. After I said what I wanted I was directed to Brian Pittman who did a portrait of my dachshund. After 3 years, I still get numerous compliments on my tattoo even from people who are not really fans of them. Their compliment usually includes sarcasm but I’ll take it. Lol. I definitely plan to come back for more here!

It was amazing any body that goes there your getting your money’s worth chill place nothing but great vids and the art work is the best ever I would recommend anybody thats want to get there tattoo to go there