I love this place and Ian Carder is a great artist! Â You can walk in but I recommend making an appointment if you have a large piece of art. Â Very clean shop and pricing is very competitive. Â I will add Eiland Hogan to the review as he did a quick tattoo for me and it was outstanding. Â You cannot go wrong with either of these artists and I don't imagine any of the artists here would not be top notch. Â Looking forward to my next visit!
Review Source:I looove Forever Tattoo. I have been tattooed twice there now by Timpac and have been very happy with both tattoos. I'm really shocked that there are any bad reviews for this place! I've always been helped right away, or as soon as possible if they're busy. My first tattoo from Timpac was a chest piece. I get complimented it on it all the time. My second tattoo was him fixing a tattoo I already had. He ended up redoing almost the entire thing. He went above my expectations and it looks so much better. I will definitely returning to Forever Tattoo and Timpac for more tattoos in the future!
Review Source:I love the environment here, good tunes and great vibes. Â Ian is the coolest cat ever. Â He's done four tattoos for me. Â When I come in with an idea he makes it ten times cooler than I expected. Â When I travel people ask who has done my work. Â I tell em Ian at Forever Tattoo in Sacramento.
Ian is not only a cool cat, he's also in the rap game and can throw down a track!
Everyone in shop is super cool. Â See ya soon Ian!
Gibberoni
Wow. What a horrible experience.
The girl at the reception area was a major b****! (Didn't get her name. cheek piercings) She didn't seem to have time for me when I came in. She was so rude.
An artist came out to talk to me and proceeded to insult tattoos I already have. I was mortified. He was very insulting. Not one person was doing tattoos yet they said they didn't have time. I was a walk in, which says they accept.
The holier than thou attitude is unbecoming. Apparently they don't need money. I wasn't wanting anything huge and had money to spend.
I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone. Â Zero customer service.
I totally love this place!!! IAN CARDER is AWESOME!!! Hella polite, totally, nice and I always walk away with more than what I expected. I am so far 3 tats in with him and I have been totally happy with each one...he even touched up some lettering I had done on another tattoo. This place is so awesome I even brought my best friend back for his first tattoo and it turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! I cant sing the praises of this place or Ian Carder...I cant wait to go back for my next tat!!!
Review Source:One Sunday in January of 2010, a friend texted me about getting a tattoo that evening. Â I said sure because I've been contemplating and researching about getting a tattoo for the past six months and had a few designs in mind. Â We decided to go with this tattoo shop because all the artists appear to have better blending skills than most tattoo shops that I've seen. Â Plus, other friends recommended this place. Â So, we went there without an appointment and met Timpac. Â He was very polite and professional even when I told him that the tattoo I wanted, was exactly what was on the picture I printed out...well, except there was a small change in the tattoo I wanted. Â A friend told me that tattoo artists do not like to copy other artists and would rather design something on their own to make it their own design. Â The result was exceptional! Â I was and still am very pleased with the straight lines, blending, and color choice that Timpac choose. Â Whenever people see my tattoo they always tell me how pretty my butterfly looks. Â Great job Timpac!
Review Source:This is my first time ever getting a tattoo. Â I went to Forever Tattoo because Ian Carder was recommended by someone I knew that got tattoos from him. Â I first went in to consult about the concept I wanted, three flying monkeys. Â I also left some sample images. Â I then setup my appointment for Tuesday night since it may not be as busy. Â When I returned for my appointment., Ian had a mock-up of the tattoo ready. Â It looked really good, but it was a bit more ambitious than what I had in mind and more than what I was prepared to spend. Â Ian was very accommodating to scale down the concept and redesign a new tattoo. Â The redesigned tattoo was still bigger than what I had in mind; but I respected and trusted the artist. Â And I'm glad I did. Â In the end, It was the PERFECT size and the PERFECT design.
Needless to say, the tattoo itself was quite painful, especially since it's my first time.  But Ian helped me get through it.  Even one of the staff members chatted with me and that help me focus off the pain.  Totally love the end result!  I'm especially  impressed with the shading. Â
Moreover, the place itself was very clean. Â Even the bathroom was clean. Â Also the staff was nice and professional. Â No attitude.
Look here. It took me two years just to get my first tattoo because it's not like I can erase it if it sucks. I'm picky, to say the least. Â I went to Forever because my friends' multiple tats are from Timpac. Between her and i, we have some amazing tattoos that we are both proud to wear and tell everyone who asks where we got them done.
With a few requirements, Timpac was able to create something beautiful and execute my loose vision precisely as I imagined. It's all about trust. Thats why you're doing the research after all!
The place is clean and the guys are sanitary to the "t". I like the artwork to focus on while it gets a little rough.
For all those people who say these guys like to chat with their friends too much. Maybe they're taking a break! Personally, I'd prefer the guy who's permanently marking my body to be focused on the project and not so tired or feeling disconnected from the free world that he f's up royally. That's why they're tattoo artists and not therapists people.
And really, to those that are butt hurt because they wouldn't do your work... Move on. Maybe your idea sucked or "gasp" your once beautiful butterfly tatt can't actually be covered up like you'd hoped. I wouldn't gamble my reputation either... Â
Bottom line, love Forever Tattoo and trust Timpac. I'll be back for the next piece I already have brainstorming.
I didn't have an appointment so I waited about an hour. The girl @ the desk was super friendly and totally cute with her dimple piercings. All the artist were chill definitely not in a rush, but I enjoyed the atmosphere. Totally different from my experience @ American Graffiti. I had Ian and I enjoyed him and he wasn't bad to look @ that's always a plus. It was quick and not as painful as anticipated. He chatted with me the whole time that probably helped agree with one girl he's def a flirt but I didn't mind. I love my tattoo. My only gripe would be the price I got a tiny one on my foot and it was $100. I thought my wrist was pricey @ $75 for just initials. They're bout the same size but I def liked my experience here more. Would go back for sure! Oh and cash only. Luckily there's a BofA next door or that would've been awkward lol. One more thing they are only open til 11 Fri & Sat, close @ 10 Tues thru Thurs.
Review Source:IAN IS THE MAN!
I have been looking for a new artist since i moved from San Fransisco. And even though i love my artist in Sf i knew i didn't have the extra time to drive back n forth for a sleeve. So i started my search for a new artist. A friend recommended me to Forever Tattoo so after looking at other shops in area and reading others reviews. I decided to listen to my friend. I narrowed it down to two artist at shop and called to try to make appointment. The Hot Rod Sex Kitten that answered the phone told me it would be best to just drop by. So on a Sunday afternoon with my ideas in hand and even things i didn't want i dropped in. Ian immediately welcomed me into salon and took a break for a brief moment to talk to me about what i wanted. He wouldn't make an appointment but told me if i come back at 11 am on Tuesday i would be the first person he took. He stood by his word. I got there at 11 and someone else wanted him to do their tat also, but he took me like he said. Big score in my book for holding his word. So we went back n forth with what my goal was and started my sleeve that was adding to piece that i had gotten 15 years ago which is pretty big. First session went well and today was my second session another great session. The shop had fired their shop person to greet and answer phones so for most of the day it was just Ian and i tending to the shop. He was very apologetic for having to stop and answer phones and i could tell the whole time i was still his main focus. Being a business owner myself it didn't bother me cause i know shit happens. The design i wanted wasn't his specialty but he jumped right in and turned it the F@*^ out. He is way down to earth and easy to sit with for 4 hours. Ian is now my new artist in Sac! I have one more sitting on my sleeve then we are done with one arm. Then it will be on to other stuff i want done. So if your looking for an amazing Artist with mad skills check Ian out! You will be happy!
I came to Forever Tattoo for my first tattoo with my best friend. We called early in the afternoon and were able to get an appointment with a guest artist 2 hours later. There was a little bit of a wait but overall it was a really good experience and our tattoos came out just like we wanted them too. All the guys there were very nice and for a first timer I felt very comfortable.
Review Source:brilliant as usual
I just leave it in timpacs hands (I give him the idea and go with his colours design etc.
their new shop manager (super cute girl with the dimple piercings) was very friendly and helpful
i knew I wanted the flowers and banner - and decided to get my sisters names  - but wanted something I could add to later
it came out better than I had imagined - time flew by Timpac is funny (who doesnt love self deprecating humour) - who knew getting a tattoo could be so fun
Im going back for the Seven Swords of Mary (sorrowful heart of Mary)
go here - the work is flawless
Very clean, good atmosphere, and friendly people (for the most part). Â My artist made sure my placement was just right, and helped me kind of man up to the pain while he worked on my arm. Â He also told me that he'd be more than happy to work with me on drawing up some other tattoo concepts if I had some ideas that I wasn't quite sure how to execute them, and I'll probably take him up on that.
As far as I can tell, they do appointments as well as walk-ins, though when I came in at 11 AM (when they opened) I was asked to come back at three and make a $60 deposit to hold my appointment. Â
The tattoo I ended up with looks so much better than I even imagined, and the only reason I'm knocking this place down a star is because hearing a tattoo artist you've never worked with before talk about how hung over they are WHILE tattooing you can be a little unsettling. Â But since my tattoo turned out AMAZING, I have no problem recommending this shop to my friends.
I came here for my second tattoo as my first experience at American Graffiti totally sucked. Â My artist, Tim, was very friendly, gave great advice, and created a design just like I had imagined when I told him what I wanted. Â He charged me a very reasonable price and did a great job in the detailing and color of my tattoo.
Expect to wait a while here, though. Â I came in with two other friends who were getting tattoos and the process altogether took 5 hours, even though what we wanted was pretty straightforward and simple. Â I was expecting to be done in under 2 hours with my friends. Â
The timing here is just because the guys are just super chill, like to make conversation, and don't really consider time to ever be an issue.  Don't come here if you don't want to be slightly amused by their philosophical views, stories about how they partied the night before, and random questions.  But, DO come here if you want  a quality tattoo and creative artists.
I went into this shop with 7 printouts of what I wanted including measurements. Couldn't have made it any easier if I'd done the draw-up myself (which I eventually had to do). After finally coming up with the draw-up 4 days after the artist said it would be ready, it wasn't anything like what I had asked for. While I was waiting for almost an hour (even though I had an appointment) I drew up exactly what I wanted, to scale. At this point, all I wanted him to do was put the thing on me. He looked at my drawing and disregarded it like he had disregarded all of my other drawings and printouts, saying "I won't do that. You can find other artists who will, but I won't do it." So I asked for my deposit back, he starts backpeddling, saying "You don't want it that way, trust me." But I did, he wasn't listening to anything I was telling him, and I'm the one who's going to be walking around with this forever-more. What's stranger is that he starts getting pissed at me, and takes a time out by looking at pictures of similar tattoos on his phone, so after me standing there super-awkwardly in silence for like 5 minutes while he plays on his phone, he shows me one and I say, "Oh! yeah, I like that one!" and he sais, "It looks like she has a skin rash. I won't do that. That's not what you want." Then he further insulted me by telling me I was contradicting myself and by telling me that my drawing won't work on my body. Everyone else in there was extremely nice, super helpful. The front-desk woman was extremely helpful, the guy who recommended that artist to me was there again today and he was super nice, I wish he had taken on the job. I was stoked to get my dream tattoo today, went in there with a pocket full of cash and a fatty tip, but I just wasn't feeling it with this artist.
Review Source:Don't listen to some of the out-dated negative reviews - as of October 2010, the shop folk were friendly and approachable, and the girl at the front desk had very good customer service.
The artist who did my work, Ian Carder, did an amazing job. I went in with a picture that wasn't very tattoo-able for the location I had picked, and he re-worked it into something even better than I could have imagined.
I'll likely be returning for more!
I went in to get 2 tattoo's on my wrists. I had the pictures on my phone but couldnt email them because their printer was broken. (stick one seriously? Your a TATTOO SHOP!) My best friend and I walked into the shop and no one said hi to us so I spoke up- and I wanted Chris to do my tattoo's. I am heavily tattooed and I showed him what I wanted. He was a COMPLETE prick! Said that what I wanted was NOT a tattoo. Its not something "he does" I have several friends and family that have been tattooed by him and trusted his work. He was a COMPLETE ass to me! Eland offered to do them for me and I said I had my heart set on Chris. After I had showed Chris what I wanted and he insulted me and I told him this was MY body not mine he said he was suddenly too "busy" Eland said he would do them but I was so BEYOND FURIOUS that I left. I am not some stupid little girl that wanted her first tattoo. I went to Royal Peacock and had Britton and Jesse do the tattoos as soon as I left! DONT GO HERE. Eland you were nice but Chris's bad attitude and insults..He was beyond COCKY-Dude you ARENT KAT VON D!!!!! I will NEVER ever step a foot into this shop again! Royal Peacock was BEYOND awesome. I should have stuck to what I knew was good. If there was a ZERO I would have given Forever a ZERO...Eland you were nice to me but these guys need to take a class in customer service-with so many shops in town you should be kissing your customers BUTTS!
Review Source:I went in to get an estimate for a tat I want. My first impression was that the place wreaked of booze. It smelled worse than Pine Cove on a Sat. night. There was a ton of people standing around the lobby. I wasn't sure where to wait or who to talk to. A guy who looked like he didn't really want to help approached me. He told me he wasn't really sure how much it would cost. He didn't like my ideas and said they wouldn't copy from the pic I brought in. He basically was blowing me off and told me to go look through their books. I had just come from Royal Peacock and had much better service.
Review Source:Just say NO!!
I wanted 2 tattoos so I went there and first of all the wait was 2 hours because a couple of the artists just wanted to hang out and chat with their friends. Â Then finally this guy named Ian Carder told me he was going to do my tats. Then I waited more and Ian comes up to me and says "Actually I'm gonna have Timpac do your tattoo because I'm kinda tired." So I'm just like "OK" and I wait again. Then Ian comes up to me again and says they are both going to do my tattoos at the same time.
Next is the money. This short guy who I think is the owner tells me my 2 small and simple tattoos will be $300, and the more I spend the better they will do. I was sickened that this ___hole was trying to take advantage of me. He also said that what I wanted was too complex and detailed (although the artist I had fix my tattoos that worked out of his home said he could do it no prob, and it was just laziness). Timpac says he's not gonna charge me that much and instead charges me $140 for both.
As far as the tattoos themselves, Timpac did a good job on my very simple tattoo and had a light touch, but it looked like it was unfinished. Ian Carder was more interested in flirting with me than doing a good job on the tattoo.
As I said before, I had both of them fixed by an artist who worked out of his house and was much better and less expensive.
If you decide to go here, you'll be wasting your money and taking a big risk.
I went into this place a few months ago to speak with an artist about some work I wanted done and it was not a pleasant experience. From the time I walked in I stood there for about 15 minutes before someone acknowledged me and the guy behind the counter was a prick. I told him what I was looking for and asked if I needed to make an appointment or if they had time and he told me a few artists where at lunch and they could hook me up when they got back. After about 30 minutes a guy comes up and says what are you looking for, I explained and he told me to give him a few minutes and he would draw it up and after another 30 minutes and him smoking 3 cigarettes he came back to me and told me he had a appointment that showed up. I told him to f$%k off and left. Non professional and bad attitudes all the way around. I don't know how they survive treating customers like that but I tell everyone to choose another shop!!!!
Review Source:This negative review has been a long time coming. If I could give this place negative stars, I definitely would.
I wanted a tattoo on the back of my neck covered up. It's one simple word and although it's black ink, I know there isn't much that will cover it up, it's not completely helpless. So I went in there of a picture that I wanted. Some big guy helped me and told me the picture I wanted wouldn't cover up my tattoo. Fine, I can understand certain places are harder to cover up than other. Then another guy came around and was also looking at the picture I brought. Neither of them was very nice or helpful. They seemed like they wanted to get our conversation over with quickly and just suggest a standard wall tattoo without any real consideration or talking it over with me.
Also, by no means a newbie. I have plenty of tattoos and instead of them being friendly and trying to help me figure out something all they wanted to do was put a fricking butterfly or rose on my neck to cover it up. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! Don't talk to me like I'm some young girl walking off the street who's never had a tattoo and you're going to try to sell me on a stupid butterfly or rose just because I'm a girl???? (For the record I have no problem with butterflies or roses but guy tattoo artists should not think these are typical girl tattoos).
Anyway, what makes this place suck worse was that I went to Monster Ink tattoo (which I highly recommend) and Tuan, the owner, was able to cover up my neck tattoo just fine. It needs a touch-up because you can still see the word a bit but he talked to me about colors and what would work and what wouldn't and had genuine input.
DO NOT GO TO FOREVER TATTOO FOR A GOOD TATTOO!
If I could give them a negative rating I would. I went in today to ask some questions. The owner was soooo rude! They just lost a potential customer and I will not support any other establishments they may own. Â I do not tolerate rudeness when it comes to my pocket book. And by the way, tattoo shops are on EVERY block of this city. They should be welcoming any new business.
Review Source:A friend of mine introduced me to this place after I saw one of her tattoos. Â Love this place! Â
As a business owner myself I watch for certain things...the most important being....practically right when I walked in the door I was greeted by someone who worked there. Â This was a first. Â (I have not been readily greeted in other tattoo shops I have been in) Â The staff was very friendly and the place was CLEAN, Â something I have not always seen in other tattoo shops. Â They aren't into pushing flash and are more than willing (and able) to customize something for you at a moments notice, including freehand work.
Ian Carder has done two of my tattoos now and both times I have been very happy with his work. Â He gives a really good consultation, and treats you like an old friend. Â And while I may know what I want Ian knows how to bring it to life. Â He has a great style and even greater energy about him and he kept me smiling through the "burn" lol. Â As soon as I'm out of the healing process I'll submit a pic.
I will definitely come back to Ian and the staff @ Forever Tattoo.
The only place I'll go to. Â Eiland did my tattoo. Â I had a rough idea of what I wanted and he made it come to life. Â He sketched a design and I just loved it. Â Being this was my first experience, I wasn't sure what to expect, but as soon as I walked in the door, I was greeted and everyone was awesome! Â The artists joked around, told stories, etc. Â It was such a relaxed environment. Â I was asked a few questions about what I've eaten, if I've had alcohol, etc. Â They will not work on you if you've had alcohol (it thins out your blood, so if you bleed, it won't clot as fast). Â So, safety first. Â They're making sure everyone they work on is of sound body at least.
As I prepared to get inked, I observed others getting their tattoos done, the equipment, safety precautions, etc. Â I was extremely pleased! Â Everything was sterile! Â They took every precaution to prevent contamination. Â Once you were in the work area, safety first. Â No games. Â All business. Â A reputable shop will ALWAYS put safety first.
I couldn't believe how sharp my piece was. Â Perfect lines, no bleeding, even distribution. Â No scarring occurred. Â That's the best part! Â The tattoo is at a location where the skin stretches. Â Absolutely perfect. Â I couldn't have asked for better. Â No way!
I've seen some crappy tattoos on people. Â I've come up to some asking where they got their tattoos. Â Never Forever. Â I recommend Forever to friends.
Tattoo is an art. Â It's also permanent. Â Why take a chance? Â If you want to get a tat done right, go to Forever Tattoo.
Very professional artists, they really know what theyre talking about. its all about the quality of the tattoo. people should expect their own hand drawn art to be fixed up a little by the tattooer, its in your best interest. they really care about how your tattoo turns out, it is permanent afterall... so dont cheap out!
ps. i try to avoid dealing with one of the front guys, he confused the hell out of me the first time i went in.. try to speak to one of their artists instead.
Honestly I agree with Lucky R. The place was on the sleazy side. Â This was my first time getting a tattoo so of course i was going to be nervous! The people there were of no help. They rude and very pushy. I would say i wanted this and they would suggest something else. Altogether i felt very uncomfortable. I work in an office enviornment and I didnt want my tattoo to be showing in an area that i couldnt cover up for work. When i told the guy he point blank told me that i just shouldnt get it then... well i dont see what the problem is with having a tattoo in an area that can be concealed? Is it not my skin? am i not paying them to do this? If I could re do my tattoo I would definitely not go back to this place. Not only were the people rude, my tattoo is crooked and there is one part of the wing that he messed up.
Review Source:Really stuck-up shop, specializes in trying to get you to simply pick flash off the wall and charge you top dollar for it. They don't want to do custom pieces, and forget about bringing in your drawing of...hell, I don't know...let's say a flower. You'll leave with the suggesting a bird. Cause that's...so similar? Really, they want to tattoo what THEY want, and don't really care what YOU want.
Also, no appointments. Walk-in only.
I did return to Forever Tattoo and it was a wonderful experience. Â Complete with a fireworks show out front. Â Before I left the shop Eiland drew my next tattoo (yes, another cover job) Â on my ankle based on just a brief description I gave him. Â I absolutely fell in love with the design...I continue to be impressed by his talent and the talent displayed by those around him. Â If you need any work done, this is the place to go...
Review Source:My husband and I wanted to get Koi tattoos after we got married. On a whim my cousins, husband and I went to Forever tattoo on a Saturday Night. It was soo busy that everyone got inked but me that night! I was so sad i cried.
Johnny Boy did my husband's and my Koi fish, he took the time to sketch out our Koi fishes that was a lot more authentic japanesey than the print out we had brought to the shop. He even made my koi more femme since i'm a chick. :) Too bad Johnny Boy had moved away, but he reassured us that all of the artists are good.
the shop is super clean the people are really nice. I just wished they took credit cards and didn't have a "walk-ins only" policy.
when i first walked into Forever, it was love @ first sight.  the killers were blasting as i walked through the door, and i was attended to immediately.  as i spoke with someone about my idea for a lengthy text tattoo, he let me know that it wasn't going to happen, due to the size i wanted to keep it.  as we were talking, he really made an effort to figure me out, and  i really appreciate the time he took to feel out my intentions for getting the tatt.
i brokenheartedly ditched the text tattoo idea, and decided on another long thought out one: Â an owl feather quill in an inkwell.. on my back, to minimize pain. [i'm an uber puss.] Â here, i was shot down again.. because the placement of the tatt would just look wrong, which i agree with.. so it ended up going on my left rib [p.s. OUCH!]
since i didn't have enough time the first day i came in, i walked in at 11am [opening time], and no one was available! Â i was told to come in at 3pm, despite my rushing my chaffeur cousin out of class.. which is why i'm giving Forever 4 stars instead of the 5.
i warned everyone i'd be kicking & screaming.. and thankfully Timpac was patient enough to ink me.. despite my making it into Top 5 Most Squirmy clients ever.
[Most probably] to Forever Tattoo's dismay.. i'll definitely be back.
i'll post up a pic of Timpac's awesome work when I'm done being an itchy bitch and healing. Â ***pic posted!!!***
Eiland does great work. Â Fast, friendly, an eye for what I was looking for and a truly great hand with the ink. Â He inked my forearm in a half sleeve over three sessions at a reasonable price and with great attention to detail. Â I am extremely happy with my piece and recommend Forever Tattoo to anyone who is willing to make the trip (I'm in the East Bay).
The largest detractor that I can see is the new "walk-in" only policy.  I don't  know if that has changed, but since I was last there in July '07 they were not taking appointments anymore, just first come-first served walk-ins.  Makes it a pain in the ass when you drive 2 1/2 hours for a specific artist to continue a piece that is in progress.
i've gotten two tattoos here in the inside of my wrists...both were walk-in tattoos. one by corey (years ago) and one by chris. Â both turned out great...and everytime a i've needed a touch up a few months later they've always been able to do it...even if the person who did it isnt in the shop. they've always been super nice and professional. Â it's not a doctor's office or a hairsalon...it's a tattoo shop...these guys are artists first...keep that in mind ANY time you go get tatooed.
Review Source:I've only been tattooed by Brent. Â I think he's awesome. Â He did my feet over 2 years ago and some of my chest and the colors are still bright. Â I've had bad experiences with other tattoo artists canceling but he's pretty reliable and nice. Â It's decently priced for the work you are getting.
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