Black & grey realism
Portraits, religious and memorial pieces, and large-scale custom compositions from Josue.
Custom tattoo work in Sherman Oaks
Custom Tattoos in Sherman Oaks, CA
American Ink builds custom tattoos around the person wearing them - consultation first, original design second, and a clean, sterile session every time.
Tattoos at American Ink
Every tattoo starts as a conversation, not a stencil.
American Ink has tattooed Sherman Oaks from the same Ventura Boulevard studio for more than 20 years. The work is custom first: each design is developed around the client's idea, references, placement, and skin rather than pulled from a one-size-fits-all catalog.
Two artists carry the shop's tattoo work. Josue specializes in black and grey realism - religious pieces, memorial portraits, and large-scale custom work from half-sleeves to full back pieces. Knives specializes in patchwork designs with lots of fine lines, backed by a fine-arts background and a collaborative approach to design.
Whether you arrive with a finished reference or a half-formed idea, the process is the same: talk it through, get an honest read on size, placement, and cost, and leave with a real next step. Tattoos start at a $150 shop minimum, and custom work is quoted at the consultation.
Fine line & patchwork
Detailed fine-line work and patchwork-style collections of smaller pieces from Knives.
Color & traditional
Vibrant color work and traditional American tattoos have been part of the shop's range for years.
Cover-ups & reworks
Old, faded, or unwanted tattoos get an honest assessment and a practical redesign plan.
Black & Grey
Black and grey realism.
Bold black and grey realism - skulls, animals, and dark custom work from Josue and the American Ink artists.
Religious & Portraits
Religious and portrait tattoos.
Saints, the Virgin Mary, and Christ alongside realism portraits of people and pets - in black and grey and color.
Fine Line & Ornamental
Fine line, dotwork, and ornamental.
Delicate fine line, dotwork, and baroque ornamental tattoos.
Color & Traditional
Color and traditional tattoos.
American traditional and bold color pieces, plus illustrative color work.
Scalp & Head
Scalp and head tattoos.
Some of the studio's most advanced black and grey work - full scalp and head pieces that wrap the curve of the skull, from religious portraits to dark illustrative scenes.
The Artists
Who does what at American Ink.
Josue is the studio's black and grey realism specialist. His portfolio runs from religious statuary and memorial portraits to dark illustrative pieces and Chicano-style lettering, with larger compositions - half-sleeves, chest panels, and back pieces - planned and mapped to the body before the needle starts.
Knives is a tattoo artist and piercer whose style centers on patchwork designs with lots of fine lines - collections of smaller, detailed pieces that build into a cohesive look over time. A fine-arts background means original artwork and thoughtful design development, and she collaborates closely with clients so each tattoo is a unique piece rather than a copy-paste design. Both artists take booking requests directly through their profile pages.
Styles
A style range built over two decades.
The shop's tattoo work spans vibrant color tattoos, intricate black and grey designs, traditional American tattoos, fine line, and detailed realism. Each piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a real understanding of the client's vision, whether it's a custom design, a meaningful cover-up, or a striking portrait.
Style is a conversation, not a checkbox. Some ideas read best as bold traditional work that will hold for decades; others call for soft black and grey shading or delicate fine-line detail. Part of the consultation is matching your idea, placement, and skin to the style and artist that will serve it best - and being honest when a reference will not translate well at the size or spot you have in mind.
Pricing Context
The $150 minimum, and how quotes work.
Tattoos at American Ink start at a $150 shop minimum. Beyond that, pricing depends on size, placement, level of detail, color, and how long the session runs, which is why custom work is quoted at a consultation rather than from a flat menu.
You will know the cost before anything is booked. Bring the idea, references, and rough placement, and the studio will give you a straight answer - the pricing page covers minimums, quotes, and deposits in more detail.
The Process
From first idea to healed tattoo.
Every custom tattoo at the Sherman Oaks studio moves through the same four stages. Each one exists to protect the final result - the piece you wear for the rest of your life.
Consultation
Bring the idea, references, placement, rough size, timing, and budget context. The studio matches the project to the right artist and gives you an honest read on scale and cost.
Design
The artist develops your references into an original design drawn for your placement and body - not a stock image resized to fit. Larger pieces are planned and mapped before any ink.
Session
Every appointment starts with a fresh, sterile setup. Needles are single-use, opened from sealed packaging at the start of your procedure and disposed of as soon as it ends.
Aftercare
You leave with clear aftercare instructions covering cleaning, healing timelines, and when to check back with the shop - so the piece heals as well as it was applied.
Page FAQ
Tattoos Questions
Short answers for search snippets and real visitors.
How much does a tattoo cost at American Ink in Sherman Oaks?
Tattoos at American Ink start at a $150 shop minimum. Beyond that, pricing depends on size, placement, level of detail, color, and how long the session runs, so custom work is quoted at a consultation rather than from a flat menu. Bring your idea, references, and rough placement and the studio will give you a straight answer on cost before anything is booked. Call (818) 907-6114 or see the pricing page for how quotes and deposits work.
How long does a tattoo session take?
It depends on the size, placement, and detail of the design. A small, simple piece can often be finished in a single short sitting, while larger custom work - half-sleeves, chest panels, back pieces - is usually planned across multiple sessions with the design mapped out in advance. Your artist will give you a realistic time estimate at the consultation, along with how the work will be broken up if it cannot be completed in one visit.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in for a tattoo?
American Ink accepts walk-ins seven days a week, and smaller tattoos are a natural fit for same-day work when an artist is available. Walk-in availability is not guaranteed, though - larger custom pieces and cover-ups should start with a consultation so the design can be drawn properly. If you want a specific artist, calling (818) 907-6114 or booking through their profile page is the safer route. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 AM-10 PM and Sunday 10 AM-7 PM.
Can I bring my own tattoo design or references?
Yes. Custom work is the core of what American Ink does, and most projects start with something the client brings in - a rough sketch, saved images, style references, or a written idea. The artists develop that material into a design that fits your placement and skin rather than copying it line for line, and they will tell you honestly if a reference will not translate well at the size or spot you have in mind.
What about touch-ups on a tattoo?
Touch-up needs vary with the tattoo, the placement, and how the skin heals, so they are handled case by case. If a healed piece has spots that settled unevenly, or an older tattoo has faded and could use a refresh, contact the studio with a photo of the work and the artists will tell you what a touch-up would involve. Call (818) 907-6114 or send a consultation request to get an answer for your specific piece.
Book / Visit
Bring the idea. The design comes next.
Call (818) 907-6114 or send a consultation request with the idea, placement, rough size, references, and timing - the studio will match the project to the right artist.
(818) 907-6114 14159 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 Monday-Saturday: 10 AM-10 PM Sunday: 10 AM-7 PM