Looking for exceptional tattoo artists in Melbourne? Whether it’s your first tattoo or your tenth, Designer Ink is the place to make your ideas come to life.
Welcome to Designer Ink, Melbourne’s premier studio for realism tattoos. We’ve built a reputation on precision, creativity and a commitment to transforming ideas into breathtaking body art. Whether you want black and grey realism tattoo, vibrant colour realism, or a micro realism tattoo as delicate as a fine-art drawing, our team brings over a decade of expertise to every piece.
Our studio feel is relaxed yet professional. From your first consultation to final aftercare, you can trust that your experience is as exceptional as the tattoo itself. We take the time to understand your vision, placement, scale, shade, and work with you to bring it to life.
Why Choose Designer Ink?
Experienced, Friendly Artists We only work with talented tattoo artists who care about their craft and your comfort.
South-East Melbourne Location Located in South-East Melbourne , we’re easy to find and surrounded by great food, coffee, and public transport options.
Specialising in Fine Line Tattoos If you’re after soft, minimal, detailed work, you’re in the right place. Our fine line tattoo artists in Melbourne are among the best.
Female Artists Available We believe in choice and comfort. That’s why we have both male and female tattoo artists in Melbourne
Custom Work, Every Time We don’t copy. Every tattoo is drawn and placed to suit your body, your idea, and your style.
First-Timers Welcome New to tattoos? Don’t worry. We’ll walk you through the whole process and make sure you feel confident and comfortable.
Our Services
At Designer Ink, we offer a wide variety of tattoo services, catering to all tastes and styles
Custom Tattoos:
Every tattoo we create is designed with you in mind. We’ll work with you to understand your ideas, then bring them to life with a custom design that’s unique to you.
Blackwork Tattoos:
Blackwork tattoos are bold, striking, and timeless. We specialise in creating blackwork tattoos that range from minimalist designs to intricate, full-sleeve pieces.
Watercolour Tattoos:
For a more artistic and free-flowing look, we offer watercolour tattoos. These tattoos mimic the look of a watercolour painting, blending soft and vibrant colours.
Geometric Tattoos:
f you’re drawn to symmetry and precision, geometric tattoos are a great option. We specialise in creating clean, sharp lines and balanced patterns.
Fine Line Tattoos:
If you’re after something delicate and minimalistic, fine line tattoos may be the perfect fit. Using thin, detailed lines, we create intricate designs that have a subtle, elegant feel.
Portrait Tattoos:
Our artists are skilled in creating stunning portrait tattoos that capture the likeness of loved ones, pets, or iconic figures.
Cover-ups & Reworks:
If you’re looking to transform an old, faded tattoo, we offer cover-ups and reworks.
Our Southeast Melbourne tattoo studio has become a popular destination for those seeking high-quality tattoos that are both meaningful and aesthetically stunning. Some of our most popular services include:
Custom Portrait TattoosÂ
Fine Line & Geometric DesignsÂ
Blackwork Sleeve TattoosÂ
Watercolour Animal TattoosÂ
Tattoo Cover-ups & ReworksÂ
No matter the design, our artists are ready to turn your idea into a piece of art that you’ll wear with pride.
Neo-Traditional is a tattoo style that builds on classic tattooing (strong outlines, iconic motifs) but adds modern artistry — richer colors, layered shading, depth, and more detailed illustrative work. It merges tradition with contemporary art techniques.
What tattoo styles does Designer Ink offer?
The studio offers a broad range of styles — custom tattoos, blackwork, watercolor, geometric, fine-line, portrait tattoos, and cover-ups and re-works for existing tattoos.
Is Designer Ink suitable for first-time tattoo clients?
Yes — they state clearly that first-timers are welcome, and the team takes time to understand your vision, explain processes, and guide you through design and aftercare.
Do they offer custom-designed tattoos or only pre-made designs?
They emphasize custom work every time — every tattoo is hand-drawn to suit your body, your ideas, and your style. They do not rely on generic flash art.
Can I request a female tattoo artist if I prefer?
Yes — the studio mentions having both male and female artists to accommodate comfort and client preference.
Do they offer cover-ups or re-works for old or unwanted tattoos?
Yes — cover-ups and re-works are listed among their services offered.
How do I book — walk-in or by appointment?
Yes. Designer Ink welcomes first-timers; their artists take time to discuss your vision, show you options (style, colour, size), and estimate session time — making the experience comfortable and guided.
Hear What Our Clients Say
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Kat Apple
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Laura is absolutely amazing, she is so gentle, it honestly didn't hurt. Her talent is out of this world, I wouldn't go anywhere else and wouldn't trust anyone else. Can't wait till its all heeled. Thank you Laura 🙌 😊
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Percy De Vries
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Got my very first tattoo done today by Laura and it was a really really good experience! I felt super comfortable and welcomed, and everybody in there was incredibly lovely and kind. The tattoo itself turned out so amazing and I couldn't be happier with it, thank-you for such a positive experience!
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Shenae White
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Amazing experience, very accommodating, Ragu was a very gentle, caring man who does brilliant, articulate work! Designed some new tattoos and reworked some old, Soo happy! Highly highly recommend!!
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Heather Giebler
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Elijah is an excellent piercer who is very professional, gentle and helpful. My septum piercing fell out and he kindly put a new one in for me at a very affordable price. Can highly recommend. 😊
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Selene Sparey
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I recently visited Designer and got Angel fangs (upper lip piercings) from Elijah and I cannot recommend any more that you get your work done by them Elijah was super attentive and careful and explained the process in great detail and was as honest as they could be about the process and pain and the likes and spent more time actually checking my lips and double checking how the piercings would sit and match with anatomy and made sure not to hit blue veins and was all up very careful and made me feel much more at ease about the whole process and not to mention the dedication to care that he has post piercing not just pre piercing he walked me through the process step by step and sent me a list of care steps and how to's so i could take care of it properly and was very quick to respond to any of my issues and concerns post piercing days later if youre going to get piercings done i cannot recommend this store and Elijah any more thank you for giving me such an amazing piercing experience
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rowan kolodziej
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Got my first professional tattoo done with Elijah, brilliant service, brilliant art, amazing environment.
He's been doing my piercings for 3 years now, always treats me well and takes care of me, will always come back here for that good man.
10/10
He even honoured the flash sale price for this tattoo despite flash sale day being over, he just wanted to do the design! And boy i'm glad, because i love it!
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Kai Walsh
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Got my eyebrows, vertical labret and nose bridge as well as a forearm tattoo done by Elijah here. Super friendly staff and awesome results every time.
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Lucy Taylor
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Laura, the tattoo artist, is a true gem in the world of body art. Her work is nothing short of exceptional, reflecting a unique style that feels like adorned stickers on skin. I have many tattoos but none that have been more adored by friends and strangers who have stopped me in the street in admiration. If you’re seeking a tattoo that stands out for its beauty and finesse, Laura is the artist to visit! She’s a tattoo unicorn! 🦄
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Ready to Get Started?
Your skin, your story. Whether you’ve been planning this for years or just got inspired, we’d love to chat. Walk-ins are welcome for smaller tattoos, but for custom pieces and longer sessions, we recommend booking ahead. –
Come visit us at Designer Ink — the tattoo studio Melbourne trusts for creativity, care, and craftsmanship.
