I got my first tattoo from ChristianNova at Form8. Christian is a talented artist and very professional. His artwork is really beautiful. He designed a slick tattoo for me. If you're looking for amazing geometric blackwork tattoos, Form8 is the place to go and you won't regret it. Read Less

I'm so thankful to have worked with Matt Matik at Form8! The experience from consult to healing was absolutely flawless. Matt took the inspiration I brought in (architectural drawings and photos) and created a beautifully delicate piece that fits the space perfectly. Getting tattooed was easy and therapeutic. The healing process was quick and the line work looks incredible.I would absolutely work with Matt again and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thoughtful tattoo experience. Read Less

I just got my very first tattoo today. I told myself that I would wait until I found something that I truly loved, something meaningful and nothing that I would ever get tired of. Eventually I found it... it just took me 34 years to find it and an awesome studio like Form8 to bring it to fruition. When I developed the first design, I was fairly committed to it despite its technical complexity. Perfect circles, fine dashed lines, and extremely delicate dots are a tattoo artist's nightmare so I knew that selecting a skilled artist would be important. Form8 came highly recommended by friends and on Yelp, so I reached out for their soonest appointment with Christian Nova.On the consultation day, I presented a different concept which we talked through and were set to move forward with a tattoo appointment a few days later. Unfortunately on the actual appointment date, we hit a few snags with placement and execution and Christian had his reservations with moving forward with inking the design and returned my deposit. While I was heartbroken after having waited to get this work done, I genuinely respected his position and appreciated his honesty in being forthcoming about his doubts. It demonstrated a lot of integrity and professionalism on his part and showed me the caliber of the studio I was working with.Matt Matik had overheard our conversation in the studio and jumped in to see the design. He said that it was definitely up his alley and offered to take me in as a client. While his wait list is booked out about 8-10 months in advance, he and the studio manager worked me into the schedule before the end of the year and were so incredibly communicative and generally awesome. My consult and appointment went smoothly and I really valued his overall chill and super collaborative demeanor. I never doubted his investment in delivering on the vision that I saw for my design and experimented in ways to ensure that I loved what I ended up with.Now, I have a tattoo that I absolutely love and will cherish and I have Matt and his team to thank for it. Read Less

It does not get better than Form8. I was fortunate enough to snag a last minute opening with Christian for a full thigh piece, and he could not have done a better job with it. From the design to the attention to detail as he was working on it. A+++ job. If you are thinking about a blackwork piece, just put a deposit down. You won't regret it. Read Less

This is a great tattoo shop that offers really well done tattoos by great artists! I've gotten a previous tattoo by Jordan a year ago who, I believe, works at Old Crow in Oakland now. He did a katana on my forearm adorned with orchids in black ink. Looks really good, nice clean work. Would reccomend.These past couple tattoos were done by Christian. He does a bunch of different blackwork, dotwork, linework, patterns, mandala, and abstract type of tattoos. At least that's what I saw while going through his premade designs. I wanted to get some space filled between my inner and outer forearm as I already have some tattoos. Christian showed me some of his designs and reccomended a few that he thought would fit that space. We ended up going with a mandala and some patterning to fill in the spaces between my already existing tattoos.We were able to get it done in three sessions. 4 hours for the mandala, 5 hours for the first session of patterning and 1 hour for the second session of patterning. Total of 10 hours if tattooing + touch ups after all my tattoos heal. He did great work and all the tattoos look amazing and he did a good job working around my existing tattoos. I even fell asleep and one point and then twitched haha, luckily he didn't make any mistakes because of it. The shop is super clean and looks really professional. They always have a variety of different genres of music, which is nice. All the people who work there are friendly, inviting and will make your experience getting a tattoo super peachy. If you've never gotten one before, I reccomend this place, and if you have, I still reccomend it. The only gripe I have is it is a little pricey, but I mean a tattoo is forever, so get a good one.Would reccomend Christian! If you want to check out his work, his Insta is @christiannova.tattoo Read Less

My sister and I were looking to get matching tattoos, a design that we both came up with that featured delicate line work that we wanted on our wrists. It was her first tattoo so I wanted to be sure we picked a credible and approachable artist to do the work. I had heard of Ben Volt and his amazing blackwork before, and contacted Form8 to see if there was availability for an appointment while my sister was visiting SF.Jordan, the studio's apprentice, agreed to do the tattoos for us and I couldn't have been happier. He was responsive, accommodating, and professional. He made my sister's first tattoo experience smooth and easy. Jordan is a talented artist (and somewhat of a perfectionist which I really admired and appreciated) and we loved how they came out!The studio is clean and modern. Great space to be in. I would recommend Jordan and Form8 to anyone and look forward to going in to get more work done! Read Less

Exceptional work by a talented, customer-oriented artist. Not many people do geometric blackwork, much less geometric blackwork with straight lines (which, as I learned the hard way, most artists hate doing because they can't).My first tattoo from Ben Volt never fails to elicit compliments, and I'm doing a second with him - a full sleeve this time. I've always felt welcome and looked after in his shop, something you don't get everywhere. That, together with Ben's great eye and steady hand makes the process a positive one - at least as positive as you can get while having a needle dragged across your skin for a few hours. If you're looking for unique, high quality work in a chill atmosphere, definitely check out this place. Read Less

I cannot say enough good things about the family of Form8. My sister and I were looking to get our first tattoos for maybe the last 2-3 years and searched high and low for an artist that mastered clean fine lines and was most importantly, artistically original. We found exactly that in Matt via Instagram. When we reached out his assistant Marion who was swift and polite via email responded and got the ball rolling on next steps, at the time he was booking out months in advance. When I went to drop off the deposit I realized quickly that this isn't your run of the mill dark shop that can sometimes be intimidating, this was bright, clean, sleek, modern and teeming with talent. (Not to mention excellent playlists on blast.) Jordan, a really talented artist in his own right, helped take my deposit and get me in the system. We went in a month later and met with Matt who was just hands down the most personable guy you could ask for. We had a loose idea of what we wanted but left a lot of development up to him. He had ideas right out of the gate that were amazing and seemed to know exactly what we were looking for. A month later, day of, we found three beautiful designs that were better than we could have dreamed up. What I love about this place and Matt especially was that they were super experienced, talented but most of all not judgmental about our design. If you look at the work they do here it is intensely ornate and detailed and they treated us and our design no different despite it being smaller in scale in comparison to what they all normally do.Matt is one of the best artists you can ask for. He hears what you're saying, is sweet, super personable, easy to talk to, understanding and has a mind swirling with ideas. He's great at putting your mind at ease while being a perfectionist and is very knowledgeable in his craft. It was important for my sister and I to have an experience together getting these tattoos and the artist to us made all the difference in that experience. If I ever decide to get more tattoos Matt and the guys at Form8 are my first choice and I'd recommend them to anyone first timer to full blown body canvas.  Consider Form8 to be at the top of your list when considering your next tattoo, no it is not the same price of that crappy one you got in Mexico on spring break for $30 but you will love it a hell of a lot more and it will be one of the best experiences you will ever have. Read Less

Fantastic studio, great artists, and everyone is super down to earth. Got my first tattoo by Matt at a different studio about 3 years ago and followed his work since. Was stoked to see he opened his own shop with Ben. Ended up getting my second tattoo there a couple of weeks ago when they had a guest artist who's work was also phenomenal. The price isn't cheap, but it's incredible work and it's gonna be there forever, so I felt it was worth it. Also be prepared to book out a few months in advance. Happy tattooing! Read Less

Very inviting group of artists! Had the pleasure of working with Jordan and I have nothing bad to say! Great artist with fine attention to detail and a very enjoyable person to be around. He had to deal with the same tattoo on 3 separate people (about 4 hours each) but each was as good as the last. Definitely will recommend to others! Fair price. Great shop, check them out! Read Less

It is very challenging to find a good artist that can do the job on flesh. I was tired of just the tattoo artists out there, always having such a different results from my original tattoo idea. These days a tattoo represents who you are or symbolizes something you identify with and for this I was extremely nervous but even with the skepticism I decided to give a shot to Form8. I contacted Ben given that his work pictures are  superb, but also knowing his main focus are larger pieces at a higher cost per hour. Being that my tattoos were in the smaller scale I decided to go with Ben's referral. Jordan,  he is a young guy and yes he smells pretty good. I mean imagine girls having a guy literally in top of you smelling nice is always a plus.Now, Jordan is young but he has great talent. My husband and I had matching tattoos and Jordan was very good and professional. We both are very happy with the result and for sure I will be coming back for my our next tattoos. If you live in the neighborhood you get a break In the price, I guess is all about the "near" community, They always have people come in and out so you better off making your appointment so you don't have to wait. The place is awesome, clean, unique, modern and so the equipment. When you know your artist is working on Adobe illustrator to make your stencil  you know there is something to be said about the vision of their work. Ben, Matt and Jord are very talented and they are perfectionists. I can't wait to get one tattoo done by Ben and another one by Matt.  Their base prices are not under $200 per hour but don't think this is expensive because these are not tattoo artists, these are simply fantastic artists that happen to do amazing tattoos. Read Less

I've had the absolute pleasure of being able to work with Ben for the past 4 years, following him through 3 different shops and now to Form8. Everyone in the shop is a genuinely nice person and I actually look forward to coming in and catching up with them on their lives. It's been really cool watching Jordan come into his own as an artist and tattooer. Every time I'm in there the pieces he's working on are more and more impressive. He's such a sweetheart, it's awesome seeing his success.Ben is one of the most impressive artists I know. Whenever we have a session it's a blast. We collaborate on the design as Ben hand draws everything on my arm, erasing and redoing as we make choices. He's got such a great sense for how the design will be affected by the natural curves of the body and he changes it as he checks all the viewing angles to make sure it not only *is* straight, but *looks* straight as viewed in the real world. The result is insanely straight lines and really cool designs. A++ would get tattooed by him again Read Less

Matt's work is killer! This was my first tattoo, so I was somewhat nervous, but excited at the same time. Matt was totally patient in the process, and made me feel comfortable with each step.His sketches were right on point with what I wanted, and he was also receptive to a few small changes.All in all, the piece was better than I had even pictured in my head. Matt's vision is great. Can't wait to get more done! Read Less

Where do I begin! This review has been overdue for a couple months but I feel like I must write about my personal experience. I have always wanted a tattoo but got intimidated more by the process of getting one. I had absolutely no clue where to start and was always scared of even walking into tattoo shops. After thinking about getting one for a very long time, I decided I was going to follow through and get a tattoo. I researched far and wide for tattoo artists because I am probably one of the most picky people, especially when it is going to be on my body forever. I looked at dozens of different artists by blowing up their photos and closely examining their linework. I knew what I wanted and it involved arrows and straight lines and came across Matt. After looking at his work on Instagram and other reviews, I decided that he was going to be the one to tattoo me. After gaining some confidence, I finally decided to pay a visit to Form8 just to see what kind of vibes I would get. I was scared walking in because of the reputation that tattoo shops often get portrayed in media and movies. When I walked in, I immediately noticed the decor was very sharp and the studio was clean and tidy. I was immediately greeted by Jordan and Matt with welcoming attitudes and I knew that this shop would be the one I wanted to get my tattoo done at. He was very informative and patient with all the many questions I had and did not make me feel rushed at all. I think I had to make an appointment a couple weeks in advance, but he was kind enough to squeeze me into his schedule. We met up about 3-4 times and did the sizing and different types of stencils to see how it would look on my arm. I was very surprised at how patient and easy-going Matt was when it came to my tattoo. I was nitpicking the sizing and placement by literally millimeters and he didn't mind printing out new stencils or editing the design. My tattoo took about 35 minutes and he also provided after care instructions. Overall, I still need to go in for the touch-up, but I highly recommend Form8 for any linework or blackwork. Not only is their work top notch, their customer service is awesome. You really get what you pay for and it is worth every penny especially since it is going to be on your body forever. For anyone needing fine lines, it doesn't get better than this! Read Less

MATT IS THE GRANDMASTER OF FINE LINES. Got a small piece done here last night. There is a $250 deposit with Matt; but it's best if you contact him first before going in to discuss the piece you want to get done (he only takes on projects he wants so you gotta run the design by him). After that it's a cash deposit and Marion will contact you to set up a consultation/appointment/etc. I scheduled the appointment in July, and the earliest I could go in was August, but I kept having to reschedule around things that I had going on so I wasn't able to get in until November. They were very accommodating with the scheduling!The shop is small but very modern and sleek. It's friendly and not intimidating, qualities I definitely value in a tattoo shop. I'm a small asian girl that doesn't necessarily look like a tattooed person. Scary intimidating tattoo shops scare me. LOL. The staff is very friendly and talkative. I felt very at ease getting tattooed by Matt. I knew exactly what I wanted and it was easy to communicate that with Matt. He worked pretty quickly and MAN THAT PRECISION THO. I don't know how he does it, but he can literally make the finest, sharpest, most crisp lines on the human body. Which is exactly what I was looking for. He had a fairly light hand, so it wasn't painful at all (I got some lines done on my forearm). I appreciate that he tells you to come back in a month or so for a complimentary touch up, as a lot of the tattoo shops I've gone to don't tell you that. Cuz after the tattoo heals and spreads a bit, you'll be able to see where spots needs a bit of touching up. You can really tell that he cares about the work that he does. He also has really cute dogs. LOLS. Definitely would recommend Matt if you're looking for some insanely clean lines. Read Less

Jordan was a total sweetheart and gave me THE best carrot! He has a very light yet sturdy hand and a very good energy. I've seen tattoo artists who are complete assholes and for the most part you don't expect much of a customer service when it comes to busy shops but this guys are so sweet and genuine and humble- can't wait to come back! Ben and Matt really came strong with their space, you can tell it is their precious baby and they poured their hearts into it. So good. Also, If i was 20 and single I ll be only getting tats from Jordan, he is a total babe))! Read Less

Form8 and Matt were an absolute pleasure to work with. From the beginning, he was extremely clear about the process and was so flexible with times to meet for a consultation. He was kind enough to do it via Skype since I was out of the country! He really listened to the reasons behind the tattoo and then incorporated what we had talked about into various designs, always happy to take feedback and continue working on the design until it was perfect. I'm so happy with my experience, and most importantly, my tattoo! Read Less

This is my seventh tattoo. But thanks to Form8, I can never get tattooed anywhere else -- they've ruined me.There's no such thing as a rush job at Form8. Matt was booking six months out from my initial hello, and from his process and work, it's clear to see why.And besides, a tattoo is forever. If you can't wait six months, do your homework, and show up to design reviews for a tattoo -- then you probably shouldn't be getting one.There are three appointments total:1) Design consultation -- ahead of this appointment, Marion (Matt's assistant) will ask you to provide details and image references ahead of time. These become your discussion points with Matt, and he'll bring great ideas to the table -- especially if you have physical limitations like existing tattoos and scrawny girl arms. 2) Design review -- I've never had this extra step before, but it's 100% necessary and only takes about 15, 20 minutes. (Again, because tattoos, forever, etc.)3) Tattoo day. We spent a whole hour refining the last details and placing the tattoo. Whether it's the thickness of a line, making sure the design sits and fits the particular part of your body, asking for feedback and being receptive to it -- it's clear that these guys are meticulous, respectful, and thoughtful every step of the way.John is a gem and everyone made me (and another customer) feel at ease and comfortable -- cracking jokes, blasting an eclectic but great music selection, taking breaks (and even offering to get lunch), and respecting my pain sensitivity, which changes dramatically depending on where the needle is. There are no egos here. Just hard-working, respectful, talented, and genuinely nice people.Their space is spotless, light-filled, and just straight up beautiful. Natural light and staring up at the trees on Shotwell does wonders for the mind when you're sitting in a chair (albeit a SUPER comfy one) for six hours getting pricked repeatedly with needle.And of course, all of that is in on top to the fact that Matt and Ben's work is amazing. Matt's dot work is just stellar -- even though it's in that awkward itchy healing stage, I still can't help but stare at my tattoo and quietly mutter a "f yeah".Sure, it's not going to be cheap. And to be honest, if you're serious about good work, it never should be. I work in an industry where attention to detail, feedback, collaboration, and being a nice person is critical for making good creative work -- and that's very much alive in Matt, Ben, and Jordan at Form8. (Is it bad that I'm already thinking about my next one?) Read Less

If you want some of the most amazing blackwork or dotwork you'll ever have see and like getting tattooed by the nicest guys in San Francisco you will want to stop by FORM8 and meet Ben, Matt and Jordan. I had a forearm piece done by Jordan and it is now my favorite I've gotten so far (this was number six). His attention to detail, passion for his job, and jovial personality made the process and final piece uh-mazing. Shop owner, Ben Volt, has every reason to be a jerk because he is beyond talented but is the nicest guy. Thinking of visiting FORM8? Quit thinking and do it. Read Less

This crew is some of the most fun people I've been around. Seriously, Matt and Ben and Jordan are a blast to be around and the new Form8 space is fantastic. Matt Matik has become a friend (after 20+ hours) and he is a hard working, caring, industrious, handy, detailed, smart, goofy, funny as sh!t kind of guy!  All the time that he spent with me to design and develop the art that he poked into my arm led to an experience were I couldn't wait to come back for more. Matt built out Form8, was his own contractor and put his blood, sweat and tears into the shop, and wow...it turned out so great. He's a craftsman in more ways than one. Ben Volt and Matt Matik are two unique artists and this is THE unique tattoo shop in SF. None like it and no better humans to spend your time with if you are looking for some new custom blackwork. These guys are the cream of the crop and now they have a shop to match.  Drop in and see for yourself. Thanks Matt!  (and Ben and Jordan) Read Less

Matt is awesome! It was my first tattoo, I wasn't sure what I wanted but I knew I wanted a geometric tattoo with fine lines, dot work and a beach theme. After 2-3 iterations we came with the perfect design! Matt is very helpful and he wanted me to love the tattoo.The studio is very clean, modern and everyone is really nice and helpful!Recommend it 100% Read Less

Matt is an incredible artist. His attention to detail is reflected in the final product. When I walked in to explain the idea for my tattoo which was basically a depiction of "asymmetry is beautiful", he was very attentive and fully understood the concept I was going for. I gave Matt full freedom in terms of altering the initial design and he came up with an excellent rendition. I didn't even have to think twice before approving it.His dot work is top notch, dare I say the best in San Francisco. I have checked out plenty of artists who do dot work, but I don't think anyone comes close to Matt. He is relentlessly looking for permission. Ben and Matt are the best "black n grey" artists in the city and their implementation of abstract ideas is second to none. The wait to get an appointment may be long, but believe me, it's totally worth it. Read Less