Spa City Ink — Attraction in Hot Springs

I will start by saying this is the most recommended shop in Hot Springs. I was very excited to get work done here. I am from a larger city with well-known artists and expected the type of care I have received for my 12 other tattoos. I was surprised by a shop with such a good track record to, from the start, have poor customer service. The man at the front desk (maybe owner, maybe just abrasive) came off as an authority figure that wasn't very good at listening, but very good at telling me how things work. He struck me throughout our interactions of someone who wants others to be submissive to him and didn't desire any questions or input. Very confidently abrasive. This "vibe" can be heard firsthand in their voicemail message and was continuous from the beginning to the end of our interactions. I will get back to why I put "vibe" in quotations I a bit... After paying my very reasonable upfront booking fee of $80 a week and a half before my appointment, I heard nothing back from them until I called them 2 days before my appointment to be tattooed. This concerned me because I was going to have a cover-up done, and I wanted to see the art going on my body. He also didn't want to answer any questions about pricing. I spoke with the gentleman at the front desk, and he explained that artists don't do the art until the day before or the day of the appointment due to people being flakey... that concerned me due to me paying a booking fee to show that I was indeed serious about my appointment. Pretty standard stuff. I pay the fee, they draw the art, check in beforehand to see if I like it or want changes made.... then they do the work.

The front desk secretary informed me that for 16 years (I remember because he said it so many times), this is how things worked at the shop. Clients pay, artists come up with the art the day of the appointment or during the appointment (not standard anywhere I've been), then the client and the artist agree to do the work. It may have been my concern of measurements not being taken, or standard tracing of the size/shape of where the art was going not being done may have offended him. He informed me that from the pictures taken, the artist can do everything on a tablet the day of. I also had a desire to get art sent to me before my scheduled session, so I had to schedule another appointment to speak with my artist, which is very standard. We rescheduled the tattoo appointment for a week later with an appointment 2 days in advance to check out the art and discuss any ideas or desired changes. He called me to reschedule due to a double booking. No problem. My concern was for the artist and her client before me. He didn't listen, was abrasive again. Today is the day I was sent the art via text and was excited to come in to discuss it with the artist. I was hoping to get a few changes to the art as well as add more to make the work fit with pre-existing art I have. My idea was most likely upgrading the work to a half sleeve in color instead of something minimal. As I walked in for my scheduled time to do so, I was asked if I had my debit card. I asked if my payment went through or if there was something I needed to pay for. The reason he actually wanted the card was to refund me, deny me service at the shop, and cancel my appointment due to "bad vibes." I already didn't like how I was treated by him, so I said that I think that decision should be between me and the artist. He said he spoke with her already, and they both decided that due to "vibes," they were going to cancel. We professionally made the exchange of the refund happen. I won't be back. I do not recommend this shop due to their very abrasive secretary that seems very entitled. Small town, medium fish energy thinking they are hot shii. Poor communication. If you want to experience the "vibe," I got. All you need to do is call their number and reach the voice-mail. He is a problem. Thanks for your time and patience reading this. I know it was a lot, but I thought it would be...

I’ve lived in Hot Springs for 10 years. I seen a girl working at a local restaurant with an absolutely beautiful sleeve. I asked who (place/artist) she used. She told me about Spa City Ink and one of their artists, Timmy. I went in with an idea and spoke with him. I gave him complete creativity. He asked me a few questions and told me he’d draw something up and get back with me. A few weeks later, because just walking in isn’t always easy. Timmy called. We set up an appointment and got started. When I got there. There was no stencil. He asked if he could freehand the peace and I agreed. He used pens for tattoo artists and started to draw. It was cool to watch as the work was created. That session with a break for dinner with the guy’s, lasted 11 hours. Over the years I’ve developed friendships with all the guys. From the owner Ryan (his wife is the real boss) to the team of artist’s Timmy, Edward, and Kevin. This is the only place I’ll use locally. (Id like to get some work done by a guy in Vegas) the place is always clean and has a great vibe going. If you’re interested in having a peace done. You owe it to yourself to go by and speak to Ryan. He will team you up with the best artists for the style you’re looking for. (If you don’t have...

I have had my tattoo for less than a year and I am already getting it removed. This was only my second tattoo ever, so it was really upsetting when it came out like this. I am okay with the angel wings, but the letters are awful, especially the “B”. The letter is so much darker and larger than the others. If you look at the “A” you can see the circular part is okay, but the line is extremely dark. I have been to other artists to see if there was anything I could do, but every person told me the only way to make it even would be to bold the other letters as well, which is the last thing I wanted to do. I also don’t understand why the “B” is so much closer to the wings than the “X” is. The B has almost blended into the angel wings it is that close. For months I have worn bracelets to cover my tattoo out of pure embarrassment and being insecure of it. The whole point of a tattoo is to love it and show it off and I have never been able to do that. This tattoo was for my childhood dog that passed away so for me to have to get it removed breaks my heart. Overall, I am extremely disappointed in the way this came out especially after having so many people telling me to go here. A $150 ish tattoo will now cost me around $1K just to get it...