i have been a client of inkslingers for a while now, Ian Parkin & Hayley Parkin who own the studio constantly turn out good solid tattoos. They're a lovely married couple, They give honest and sound advice on your ideas, I can see how this can upset people sometimes, for example if someone bring in artwork they have drawn themselves, like I did; but Ian and Hayley have your best interests at heart. They have no problem in taking your artwork and re drawing it for no extra cost, or offering up a different design but with the same idea behind it. They want your tattoo to look as good as new in ten or even twenty years time. As Ian once put it his tattoos are his "walking business cards" Inkslingers didn't get its outstanding reputation by doing any and every tattoo that's requested. They make you feel at ease during your tattoo experience, especially important if its your first. I have been tattooed by various artists at the studio, Ian and Hayley are by far the best. I feel the other reviews on here are a bit OTT but I can relate in some ways to where they've stemmed from. The desk girl who originally booked me in was miserable and rude, she never smiled and I found her to be quite intimidating. Paul Fulton, who is another artist there, is of a similar disposition. He does nice tattoos but he makes you feel uncomfortable and doesn't talk to you very much, when he does he is abrupt and unfriendly. He also only does one style of tattooing and doesn't take on board your ideas, he does his own thing. He is also off sick a fair bit and his clients have to be rescheduled a lot. In relation to staff leaving, I know a few artists have been fired from the studio because they weren't to a high enough standard; which is obviously fair enough. They are also really reasonably priced. A lot of mediocre studios in the surrounding streets charge extortionate rates. All in all inkslingers is a brilliant studio and I wouldn't go anywhere else now, I trust them 100% Read Less

The only really positive thing I have to say is that once you're actually under the needle, the guys are really good fun. Getting an appointment and a design was the biggest hassle ever - the front desk staff are awkward, unfriendly and unhelpful. I took in a load of art for them to draw me a design and it took over a month to get the design out of them, having to go in to the studio and phone them a ridiculous number of times to get some new excuse for why they didn't have it. The tattoo I eventually got was cheap for what it is, but I should have paid more and had it done well. The colouring and shading is absolutely rubbish and the lines are wobbly and awkward. I'm going to have to have a lot more work done on this tattoo but I will never go near Ink Slingers again! I'm not surprised that so many of the artists who were there have left now! Read Less

I love Inkslingers. I came from Los Angeles to Newcastle on my 30th, and I wanted to get new ink while I was there. I talked to Ian via email before I arrived, and once I was in town we had a meeting to go over the basic design. After I felt like we were all on the same page, I left and waited for my appointment date (they squeezed me in, even though they were completely booked and about to get married and go on a honeymoon!) When I came back to get my crows, everything was perfect. Ian worked very fast and very efficiently, and filled in the simple stencils freehand. I've got 18 other tattoos, and he is the first tattoo "Artist" I've ever had work on me. His pricing was extremely reasonable (he could have charged me double and I would have agreed to it), his office was very professional, and they all took their jobs as seriously as I would expect them to. Since I've left his chair, I've gotten compliments from every person that has seen his work, and people are always so disappointed to hear they'll have to fly to England to see him! They treated me like family when I was there, and you bet I'll be getting another one from him the next time I fly over the pond. Read Less