Fine Line Tattoo's

Fine Line has some amazing artist and does great work! I have worked exclusively with Casey Cokrlic who has done 4 large pieces on me including Japanese work, a gargoyle, and 2 floral pieces. He is very easy to get along with and really works hard to make sure you get exactly what you want. I won't use anybody else! I went to him after extensive research because he has studied and tattooed in Japan and I wanted a traditional cherry blossom piece. My friends have used some of the other artist who produced great work but didn't have the easy going personality Casey does. Casey is normally backed up anywhere from a week to a month for appointments but he typically keeps weekends open for walk-ins which is amazing. They aren't inexpensive but it's absolutely true that "A cheap tattoo is not always good and a good tattoo is not always cheap"

After reading some reviews from a tattoo parlor in San Francisco, I felt a little jipped from Fine Line. Yes, I know; quality tattoos come at a price but I've seen some awesome work done for the price I paid at Fine Line. I did my research, saw that they had a few shops and even one in Japan so I decided to come here.

I went in on a Wednesday afternoon to get a tattoo of a few outlined paper planes with three different colors. It's about 7 inches in height, very simple and plain. I told my tattoo artist what I wanted and said that I was open up for suggestions but he didn't really communicate very well. I asked about placement, size, and color. He made a couple of comments, I asked what we could do to make it look better and he didn't really say anything. That should've been my first red flag. But, I really felt like I needed this tattoo so I went ahead and gave him the okay.

He went back into his room to get his tools ready and the receptionist came out and said it'll be $250. I was a little taken back because my first tattoo done at another tattoo parlor was a lot more detailed and it was $190(and I loved it). But since it had three different colors and it was only my 2nd tattoo experience, I thought "oh what the hell" and didn't hesitate to pay.

My tattoo artist had over 14 or 15 years of experience, came from a tattooing family background, and even has his daughter working under him. As a person, he's nice, friendly, and warming but I got a vibe from him that he wasn't really feeling this tattoo. It was sort of a "gotta pay the bills" type thing where he was just doing it just to do it.

My end result feeling was a little empty and indifferent. I told him that it looked great and was on my way out. After a few days of analyzing the tattoo, I felt like it was missing another plane. So I drew out another paper plane and went back. This one was about 3 inches, just outline, and in black. Told my same tattoo artist what I wanted and the receptionist came out and said it'll be $100. Still, a little taken back but "oh what the hell".

The tattoo came out good, but I have a feeling that I'm going to go to another place to complete it because it's still missing that special something.

Lesson Learned: Research as many tattoo places/artist as you can, take your time, don't be afraid to walk out after talking to an artist, ask how much a tattoo will be, and be comfortable with the environment your in.