I was visiting SF for the weekend and wanted to get some ink. I fell in love with Tonya's instagram @t_bird404 and she was able to fit me in for an appointment. Wow wow wow - from start to finish the whole experience was comfortable, warm, professional - as good as it gets! Tonya turned my rough idea into something beautiful and I really hope to make it back to her some day for more. Everyone should go here! Yay Lampblack!! Read Less

Got a tattoo done by Karl he was awesome.  Great tattoo artist really cared about how I wanted my tattoo.  From out of town and I was a walk in. They got my tattoo done fast. The atmosphere was great too. Will be a returning customer for sure. Read Less

TONYA!! Where do I even begin!! From the beauty of her art to the 5 hours of great conversation, down to the shop's awesome soundtrack- it was the best tattooing experience I've ever had. I had reached out to her a few weeks prior with a veryyyy unrealized concept, and within days she was inspired/inspiring me/ making my tiny, vague idea into a masterpiece. Not only did the piece turn out BEAUTIFUL, she worked on me for 5 hrs, working past closing, on a Sunday, with unwavering pride in her craft. SO HAPPY. It was just such a rewarding and collaborative experience, I could not have entrusted a better person to have my back (lol). Definitely coming back for my next one! Read Less

Two years ago I wanted a little rainbow bird tattoo behind my ear and after visiting multiple shops and being turned down with the artists saying all 6 colors wouldn't fit, this shop did it for me. And it still looks fantastic! Read Less

I went into Lampblack a few weeks ago with my friend to get small tattoos for our birthdays. This was my very first tattoo and I was really hoping to have a female tattooer complete it. My friend felt the same way, always in the hopes of supporting women in the tattoo industry (its rough out here!). After following bay-area artists on instagram, I found Tonya and Lampblack tattoo and was impressed. We both got tattoos from Tonya. We got into the shop around 6:45, and after draws, edits, and tattoos, we were out by 8:20 (even though their shop closes at 8, Tonya accommodated us!) Tonya was really great! Really attentive to our preferences, and made the experience a blast. I was so nervous, but it all faded away once the tattoo rush kicked in. My friend got a 2 inch tattoo of a bee on her arm (about 15 mins of tattooing), and I got a simple symbol behind my ear (about 5 mins of tattooing). We each paid $100 for our tattoos not including tip. I think the shop minimum is 80$ for items under 30mins, but we didn't really mind, we got some cool new art!Plus they had some really cool tunes playing during our visit.Check out Lampblack!!! Read Less

I came in to see Campbell for my second tattoo from him, and he did an outstanding traditional dragonfly on my arm. Campbell is a real good guy and brings a truly professional demeanor and skilled artistic touch to his work. My tattoo healed excellently and I will certainly be back for more. Thanks Campbell! Read Less

Such a great experience here! My fiancé and I walked in and Iggy did such an AMAZING job on both of our tattoos. He is detailed, careful, and incredible talented. We couldn't have asked for a better tattoo artist or shop! Definitely coming back :) Read Less

Not only is the location in the heart and grime of the Mission district but the ambiance inside the shop is always friendly and welcoming. Tonya has been doing all my tattoo work for years and I still can't imagine getting a tattoo from anyone other than her. Read Less

First time here and could not have been happier. Tea does AMAZING work, whole staff is fantastic and if you get a chance to have Iggy walk you through some tattoo history, you won't be disappointed. Already set up next appt. for another. Read Less

I had a great experience here. My friends and I were just walking in the mission and I decided I wanted to get a tattoo done before my 21st so I asked if they had room to squeeze me in so I got my tattoo done from Karl. I designed my own tattoo and Karl just cleaned it up so it would fit on my calf and the roses would show better and last longer. I got my tattoo done back in July and it's healed up really nicely. I've never had a tattoo on my legs before so it took longer than I expected for it to completely peel (about 2.5 weeks) but it healed up. I do have really dry skin and some light scars from when I was a child where the tattoo was done but it still healed up with no raised areas and the color is still as dark as the day I got it. Read Less

I LOVE this place! Tea did two of my tattoos and it went so well! Dude will really have your back! It was my 1st time getting tatted and i went to get it done alone :(, but Tea eased me into it! He even got one of the guys to hold my hand while getting inked! Even the waiting process, the consultation process was smooth! $80 minimum, ended up paying 150 and I included a 25 dollar tip, he totally deserved it! And the entire environment is chill and friendly, and SUPER funny as well! Definitely coming back this place is fergalicious af Read Less

Patrick was great! I came in without an appointment, but I did have a picture of what I wanted. I asked him if he could do it and he said he could without any hesitation. (Which is funny because I visited another shop on the same street and the artist wanted to modify it a lot and make it bigger and it would take at least 3 hours blah blah blah) Anyway, I handed over a downpayment and came back a couple hours later when he said he could fit me in and we got right to it. This was my first tattoo so I was pretty nervous, but he did a good job at calming me down even though he probably wanted to tell me shut up when I made outrageously overdrawn groans in pain he was very calm and told me just to breathe and that I could handle it. He took just over an hour and maybe it was just his gentle hand, but honestly it was not as painful as so many have told me tattoos were. Overall I am extremely pleased with my first tattoo and the experience I had with Patrick! Read Less

My artist was Tonya Vyeda and I'm so glad she did my tattoo. She was very thorough when preparing all the tools so the tattooing only took around 20 min to complete. The design looks great, exactly how I wanted it! She also helped me place it and let me check in the mirror and make corrections to get it where I wanted it. Everyone there was really nice and I would come back if I am thinking of getting another tattoo. Read Less

Came here for my first tattoo and it was great. Nice small shop. I did a walk-in and I was seated within a few minutes. It's located basically right in the heart of the mission. I would most deff recommend this place. Read Less

Iggy does great work and is an all around good guy! Even when approached with doing something in a totally different style than his usual stuff, he blows it out of the water. I'm so pleased he's been able to open up his own shop and make it something awesome! Can't wait to head back in soon. Read Less

If no stars were an option, that's what would come from me. Went in for a super simple tattoo around 5mins after 7. They advised they were super swamped and done for the night. Suggested another shop down the way. That's cool, push away money. I'll go where my hard earned cold cash is wanted. Read Less

Walked in with my girl. Just wanted small tattoos with moons as friendship tattoos. I got Iggy and she got Tonya. They were both so sweet and their line work is so on point. We were in and out and with such reasonable prices you just can't go wrong. We will be back! Read Less

To start off with this is my first yelp review EVER and this one is definitely worth my time! Lol. Well, I got my first tattoo the taurus symbol on the side of my breasts and thank god for PATRICK being so supportive and inking my body just the way I wanted it. I recommend going to Patrick I'm sure he is even more amazing at artistic tattoos.The place is super chill and all the guys greeted me respectful and all were very welcoming. Great vibes. Definitely coming again! Thank you guys. Read Less

So my Aunt and I wanted to get tattoos today...we made an appointment somewhere else and halfway through mine this artist states he can't do my aunts because he is pressed for time....this was my aunts first tat and I knew she was pretty bummed out by him telling her that. So We left....I promised her that she would have a tattoo before We left San Francisco. So I got on yelp,and landed here at lampblack. The people here were hella cool, and very welcoming.  Patrick was so nice and helpful and really helped my Aunt with understanding her vision for a very special tat she will get next week. And Tanya!! She is super awesome! Or as she would say...Awesome sauce!!!!  The owner is hell coo too (I forgot His name). Tanya did my aunt's hand tattoo and it's Beautiful. Small But makes a huge statement. She put heart into it. I will be coming back here all the time!!! Thanks guys! Read Less

Had work done a few months ago, my second piece. The staff were great. Very casual and approachable, while being capable and excellent. Good line work and shading, and pretty enthusiastic to explore a concept. Read Less

Jon V is AMAZING!!!This guy is very professional with a very cool and laid back aura. First time I get a tattoo and he nailed it!!! Exactly what I wanted. I recommend this cat to anyone who wants to get one done. No matter how small or big, he is a perfectionist. Read Less

Iggy is the man. He has worked on 3 of mine and I am always confident in his care. The staff at Lampblack are accommodating (winter-pale skin is the best for tattooing; Patrick and Jon set up a heater in case I got chilly) and the detailed custom art is just bonkers. Highly recommended. Read Less

As a first timer for a tattoo, I was super excited and nervous at the same time to finally have a piece done! Originally, I was going to have my design of black five stars that resemble the Cancer constellation under my wrist, but figured that with skin conditions I have that the best placement for it would be my back. I've come here twice before my tattoo was done to see how much it would be. Right off the bat they told me that it was possible the five-pointed stars in my design would turn into dots if too small, as well as it fading over time and not looking good. I appreciated their honest opinion, as i knew nothing about tattoos and I got to look at Iggy's hands and other examples of faded tattoos that lose form over time.They quoted me about $80-$100 which was what I was expecting. So I came back Christmas eve, talked to Iggy about my design and he made recommendations on how to personalize this piece for myself, as well as his opinion on choosing six-pointed stars instead. I considered it after he drew it out for me, and then I decided to go for it. He did remind me that if I wanted my original design, he was willing to do it minus the consequences but I went with my gut to go with what he suggested. As for my tattoo session, Iggy (and Carl ? I think that was his name) made the pain bearable as they would tell stories and talk about random things while I chimed in. About 45-hour in, I was finished! Iggy gave me very simple cleaning instructions and said it should heal very fast. I followed all the advice I could have got from him, and three weeks later I'm in love with my tattoo. I would definitely recommend people to come here especially for a first time. Read Less

Day after Christmas I visited SF for the very first time and a friend suggested browsing on Mission St between 16th and 24th. I arrived in an Uber at 16th & Mission St and Lampblack immediately caught my eye. I hadn't planned on getting a tattoo that day, but I've had several designs in my mind for some time and decided a tattoo would be a nice souvenir. I went for one of the smaller and simpler ideas - my sister's middle name, "JOY" in a serif style. My friend and I had a delicious burrito lunch at Taqueria Cancun down the street and then walked back over to Lampblack. The vibe inside the shop is very nice in my opinion. The place was very clean, and the other artists were hard at work drawing with an old dinosaur movie playing in the background. Later on, I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack while getting tatted.So I got a quote, which was very reasonable, and worked with Tonya to perfect the design. I wasn't completely sure about the placement for the tattoo, but Tonya had a GREAT suggestion that I definitely wouldn't have thought of myself. She got to work, and in no time the tattoo was complete. Tonya even offered some wonderful tips for places to explore in SF. I would definitely return to Tonya/Lampblack for a more intricate design when I'm back in the Bay Area Read Less

I was searching high & low for a shop that could take walk-ins and competitive pricing.  I walked into another shop (prior to visiting Tonya & Alex at Lampblack) and they quoted me MORE THAN TWICE what I was expecting to spend.  OUT I WENT.  ONTO THE NEXT.I found Lampblack via yelp and saw this was a new shop.  Not going to bullshit, a little weary just because of the newness.  I walked in and was welcomed by Alex & Tonya.  IMMEDIATELY, it felt like home and not some pretentious shop wanting to charge an arm, leg and first born.  I talked to Tonya about what I was looking for and she was really patient with me while we fine tuned the work we were going to participate in, together.  IT WAS PERFECT.  The tattoo means a lot to me as it is a marker for the chapter I'm taking on at this moment...riding my bike 545 miles from SF to LA as part of AIDS Lifecycle.  Again, IT WAS PERFECT.Thanks for the amazing work and awesome time, Tonya & Alex! This piece means A LOT and I really appreciate you putting the love and detail into it. Already recommended!  THANKS AGAIN! Read Less

I was going in for a second tatt so I had no reason to be nervous but I was. Newish shop, first time I'd been there and I was going in without any sort of entourage--also didn't help that the artists I had was a freaking fox.Regardless, the gents working there had me feeling super comfortable in no time. Iggy worked with me to find the right size and placement for what I was getting done (even though he didn't have to bother--thank you, sir!). Soon we got started on my arm all while listening to these funny dudes jam to 80's tunes (including some Eddie Murphy+Rick James). Great location (across from a pawn shop if you need one of those). Chill people. Great price. Def. a place to check out! Read Less

Worked with me to get exactly what I wanted. I had found an owl in the middle of the street a few years ago and wanted a feather to represent the little cutie pie. I am very happy with the outcome. Being from the East Coast I am glad to also bring a little of the West Coast back with me. Read Less

Iggy Vans is an amazing artist. He's been tattooing me since he was working at Idle Hand in the Lower Haight. I'm so glad he's got his own shop now. Now, I just go down to Lampblack to get hit with some ink. In fact, I'm going this Friday. Iggy drew me a custom piece. I'll post a photo when it's finished! Read Less

GREAT LOCATION. Easy Muni #49 or BART, cheap eats in the neighborhood and lots of produce. And BOTH a Dollar Store and a .99 Store!Very cool Tattoo site. Nice layout, friendly and open.Good first impression: this outfit was very clean and sterile; all of the artists were working on somebody and the atmosphere was professional. I had made an appointment for an artist, Mr. Iggy Vans, to color in a tattoo that I've just been wearing with a black outline for the last year.His suggestions were all right on. I am so stoked! Had a great time, good vibes, good tunes, and Iggy is not only a great San Francisco historian, he's a raconteur. If you're going to wear something for life, it has to be perfect. Had such a great experience, such great art, I'm looking for an excuse to get another tattoo. GO HERE FIRST! Read Less

Iggy Vans, the proprietor of this fine establishment, did both of my tattoos. He is a talented artist, a skilled raconteur, and super understanding about first-timers who faint. Run, don't walk, to get yer new ink! Read Less