A Guide to Navigating the New York City Tattoo Scene
From the where to the how: a Barnard student’s guide to getting a tattoo.
Photography by Claire Cenovic/The Barnard Bulletin
By Haley Scull
October 5, 2024
It’s rare to go far on Barnard’s campus without catching a glimpse of a tattoo adorning someone’s arm or peeking out from a skirt. Tattoos have become a popular way for students to express themselves, a fun (and permanent) extension of their fashion or identity.
“I see [tattoos] as a form of self-expression and a way of collecting artwork—a sort of personal, permanent gallery on your body,” says Cynthia Chen (BC ‘25). “I think it’s a very queer form of expression.”
This sentiment resonates differently with every person. For some, tattoos carry the weight of memories and nostalgia. But for others, it is simply a fun way to explore their interests.
“I enjoy tattoos because it’s a reminder of the fun things I’m interested in at this point in my life,” says Emily Wang (BC ‘26).
From classic American traditional to delicate handpoked, and from Harlem to Bushwick, there is a wide variety of styles, methods, and artists to pick from when deciding on a tattoo.
Before diving into the more fun aspects like picking an artist, there are a few important terms to know, namely flash vs. custom and machine vs. handpoked. A ‘flash’ refers to a pre-designed tattoo created by the artist, whereas a ‘custom’ is a unique tattoo either designed by the artist specifically for the client or brought in by the client. Always check the artist’s policies, as not all offer both. ‘Machine’ tattoos are often what comes to mind when someone first thinks about tattoos; this process uses a motor-based machine that moves the needle rapidly up and down. Conversely, ‘handpoked’ tattoos are done without a machine and are essentially professional stick-and-pokes. They tend to take a bit longer, but many consider them to be less painful than machine tattoos.
Whether you want flash or custom, handpoked or machine, here is a breakdown of a few local tattoo artists Barnard students love:
Delia (any pronouns) - supercutetattoo
Method: Handpoked and machine
Price: $100-400
Location: East Harlem and Brooklyn
Delia’s style, though often hard to pin down, looks as though it came from a storybook. Their flashbook is filled with whimsical designs, like mermaids, butterflies, and ornate lockets. However, they refuse to get pinned down to just one style and love when clients bring in ideas for custom pieces, even if it goes beyond the scope of their ‘usual’ work.
They hope to keep working part-time out of East Harlem to ensure quick and easy commutes for any Barnard students looking to start or continue their tattoo journey.
Read our spotlight article on Barnard alum, Delia.
Photography and tattoos by Delia (supercutetattoo)
“I have gotten all of my tattoos from Delia, and would not trust anyone more! The most recent tattoo was a 4-hour long stick-and-poke on a bony area—it was on the more painful side, and I’m so glad Delia was the one who did it! They always go above and beyond to make sure that I am comfortable and happy, both with the tattoo itself and the tattooing process. Their art is always so beautiful and inventive. I could not recommend them more!” - Sam Rosen (BC ‘25)
Hannah (she/her) - mousetats
Method: Machine
Price: $100-300+
Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hannah’s flash designs—inspired by children’s books, botanical guides, and trips to the museum—have evolved into a nostalgic and illustrative art style that features intricate floral arrangements and wildlife. She prioritizes breaking the stigma around tattooing as an intimidating or solely masculine space, making her sessions approachable and accessible for those who may not feel comfortable in ‘traditional’ tattoo settings.
Photography and tattoos by Hannah (mousetats)
“Hannah is such a wonderful tattoo artist—she gave me multiple design options before tattoo day, edited the design when I arrived at the studio, and was overall so clean and courteous. I love her style; it’s super whimsy and creative, and she has cats. What more can I say?” - Sophie Conrad (BC ‘25)
Erin Olivia (she/her) - thornytat
Method: machine
Price: $150-400
Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Erin describes her style as a balance between delicacy and harshness. She finds inspiration is everywhere, from cracks in the pavement to classic art motifs. Her designs tend to pair soft and subtle shading with harsh black fills and sharp edges, often pulling from 1920s and 30’s-era art.
Photography and tattoos by Erin Olivia (thornytat)
“I really liked their style and passion for their craft!” - Cynthia Chen (BC ‘25)
Hazel (she/her) - tangerinetat
Method: machine
Price: $150-300
Location: Sugar Hill, Manhattan
Hazel’s fineline art style falls somewhere between fantasy and reality. Her flash designs almost seem to be lifted straight from her sketchbook, always making sure to maintain the natural irregularities of sketchbook designs, so as to not lose “the kind of ephemeral moment of sketching trapped in this permanent medium,” as Hazel puts it.
Photography and tattoos by Hazel (tangerinetat)
“Hazel’s incredibly patient and attentive—she makes sure you’re comfortable in her cute apartment studio. She’s very funny and easy to talk to, which I think makes the tattoo experience extra special. She also has free touch-ups, but I haven’t had any major fading issues. I’m a big fan of her art and tattoo work, so I definitely encourage people to check her out.” - Maya Puri (SEAS ‘23)
Inspired to get your first tattoo now? Take some advice from the artists themselves:
“There’s always gonna be a tattoo artist you connect with—take the time to find someone you really like.” - Delia (supercutetattoo)
“Don’t be afraid to communicate your needs. If you want to switch designs or move it 10 times, even just a millimeter, or tweak a little detail at the last minute, all of those things are totally fine. I always tell my clients, ‘Now is not the time to be accommodating to anyone but yourself!’” - Hazel (tangerinetat)
“Always check if the artist has pictures of healed tattoos on their page. Healed tattoos can look very different [then fresh ones]—if they don’t have any healed pictures, they probably don’t know what they’re doing.” - Delia (supercutetattoo)
“It’s okay to ask for a consultation [with the artist], especially if you’re nervous!” - Hannah (mousetats)
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