Dzul Ink Lounge — Local services in Seattle

I went in to add to an existing tattoo from another artist (for reference to the pictures - I only had the broom when I went in) I got my tattoo at Dzul with Alejandro back in October. I took so long to write a review because I've been trying to forget about the whole experience, but people should be cautious and aware of this business before going in. I went in a month in advance to get a quote and discuss a design. My original idea was quoted much higher than I wanted to pay ($1200+), and I expressed that. In order to schedule an appointment you have to put down a non-refundable deposit, which I decided to do because it's almost impossible to get a spot with an artist these days (first mistake-take the time to find the right artist even if it means you're waiting months to get in). The next day, I emailed them a new/much smaller (about 1/4 of what I originally went in for) design and requested an updated quote. After 2 weeks of no one reaching out and only 2 weeks before my scheduled tattoo appointment, I phoned them myself for the quote. The lady on the phone quoted me at $350 and I thought that's perfect. I did an art review the next week via Skype and the design wasn't even finished for the review so there was little to discuss, another waste of time. I was also very disappointed that not only do they create all of their designs on the computer (no hand drawings), but the person doing your tattoo is not the same person designing the art. Both of these aspects makes your art lack a lot of creativity and intimacy. I prefer to work with the artist on the design and have them put their own touch on it, but instead, they just took my drawing and did an almost exact recreation of it on the computer, and that was the piece (remember - no refunds on the deposit). The day of the appointment, I had a 3 hour time slot (their suggestion, not mine), and since the art wasn't finished on my review date, a couple of adjustments needed to be made to it. Instead of doing this right away so I could get started, they helped everyone else that came in after me. Not only that, but then the artist decided to take an hour break so after 1.5 hours, I finally got started. An hour later, we were done. Going up to pay, and they were charging me now $900, saying the lady who gave me the $350 quote didn't update the system so no one knew about it. The artist and I'm assuming part owner, was in the background listening saying he wouldn't have even touched me for that price. The lady that helped me tried to play the "he's a professional, all of the details and line work he did is what the price covers". I honestly couldn't believe it, but this company completely robbed me. Not only that, but the line work is absolutely shotty (too thick in some areas, too thin others) and already fading and there's very minimal details in it. I would 100% not recommend this company unless you're looking for something very basic and you double, triple check that you are being quoted properly before going in and getting started. Because there are so many people working at the front desk handling the art and quotes that things obviously get lost easily and they take no responsibility for any mistakes and actually care so little for the customers, just what's in...

This place is a RIP-OFF & SCAM, period! The girls working the front will quote you a diff price from what the Artist "thinks" it should cost. Janee quoted me at $1500-$2000 for a wrap-around tattoo of a dragon. Then, after I paid my deposit ($275) and she changed it to $1800 - $2000. I told her that I'd forego the details just to lower the price as I was more concerned with the size. So my Zoom mtg came around and I worked with another girl (Jessica). The girls working the front do all the computerized photo edits of your desired tattoo rather than the artist drawing or sketching (yet, they claim to be of "quality" work and that's why they cost more than other shops). Jessica tells me that she'll have a chat with the artist about my ideas and concerns and she'll call me back days later. Well, not only did they forget to call me back (I had to be the one to call them), it turns out Jessica was off the day she was going to call me and Janee ended up having the 2nd Zoom mtg with me which was a waste of time because Jessica NEVER spoke to the artist (Jacob) at all. Janee was on the phone with me for about 5 mins to basically show me the head piece of the dragon that Jessica re-did via the computer (they basically have no originality and take things form Google and call that your piece). I show up on my appt date and that was the first time the artist really heard about my idea and, to make a long story short, charged me $2,400 (before tax and tip. After tax and tip it came out to about $2,800). He (Jacob) said his price is the ultimate deciding factor (not what the girls quoted me). I went along with it because I tend to be impatient (when I want something I just go with my impulse decision knowing I'd regret it later -- a bad habit of mine). I still tipped Jacob $200 even after a ridiculous amount of about $2900 including tax, tip, parking in DT, Seattle). Also, the girls will tell you it'll take the artist a long time (was given 3pm - 8pm time slot) to make it sound like it's really quality work. They don't tell you the artist will show up 1.5 hrs later and the artist will say his battery died so has to take a break, etc. When all is said and done, it was really about 2.5 hrs of work that I paid $2900 for.

For a "not-so-detailed" piece taken from Google and a chaotic and unorganized team at DZUL, I absolutely say, "Go with them at your own RISK!!!" Beware!!! Rip-off and "SCAM"!!!

I'll let KARMA work...

I liked Dzul Ink Lounge. I'd never been there before, but I heard a good thing about them from someone and thought I'd try it out.

My tattoo artist was Emma, and it was always fun going to each of my 3 or 4 appointments or however long it took to finish up the sleeve idea I wanted. She has a meticulous eye for detail and so much talent. She gives off this really kind and good energy too, which is important to me these days when letting someone come near me with ink.

I didn't have a specific vision in mind, but based off my consultation Emma came up with one before I even walked in for the first session and went over it with me to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted. I only tweaked it a little with the choice of color and some other thing; she was both insightful and accommodating about that.

The lead artist/owner was awesome too, as well as the other tattooist working there. They'd check up on what she was up to from time to time and seemed to like consult each other about it or something. It was clear each of them takes their customers' tattoos very seriously, and I liked that. Even the piercer and front desk staff would occasionally come over to check out the work and chat me up for a minute, which was always cool.

Being there, it became apparent to me why this place is getting more popular. This shop seems to house only pros, and I hope they always continue to attract a lot of customers. I'm not disappointed or regretful of the money I spent. The end result of Emma's work is pretty spectacular, and I'm both grateful and proud to carry this design around with me throughout my life.

It's not the cheapest shop in Washington but quality is never cheap. Dzul seems like some laid-back, more affordable, and non-pretentious version of Nordstroms in the tattoo world of Seattle, not a Walmart.

I highly recommend this parlor if you have some extra cash and want truly good work done by good people. Dzul's price is absolutely worth the finished design and positive experience.

^^^^^ I'd share an image of what I got but I'm not really...