Both my wife and I have been tattooed by " Skippy" Aka Rich and will most definitely be returning. His professional guidance in making our selections to the locations was second to none. It's was a pleasant change from other shops we've been to in the past. Highly recommend you visit with him if your undecided on what you want or where to get it. His many years of experience come shining through in this variable of the tattoo equation.  Super clean lines and his hands are light as a feather. Thanks from the both of us and keep slinging that ink brother. Read Less

I have several tattoos and Rich Nelson was hands down the best tattoo artist I have used.  I was able to collaborate with him to design a beautiful, custom piece of art.  Highly recommend Rich and A Thin Line Batavia for a top-notch, clean, professional experience. Read Less

This shop is so professional for a tattoo parlor. I've been to a few and my very first interaction was with the receptionist (I believe DJ) so friendly and nice. Answered all my questions and concerns. He set me up with the tattoo artist Rich. I was making the appointment for my Moms Birthday. She's always wanted a tattoo so for her 65th I wanted to surprise her with one. Rich was amazing. My mom didn't want anything fancy just something basic and he never made her feel like the tattoo was below his work like some tattoo artist do. He did an amazing job and I will recommend him and maybe use him for myself in the near future. Two thumbs up Read Less

It disappoints me to say that I had a bad experience. My consultation was horrible. The artist questioned every thing I wanted, and I recognize the concern for spacing and blurring, but this surpassed that. As someone who has a hard time advocating for themselves it was really uncomfortable for me in the moment. I went home feeling really bad about my appointment that night. But finally allowed myself to get excited as I had seen the work of this artist and enjoyed it. Going into my appointment with a friend, they were suddenly nice. I wish I never had the bad consultation because the tattoo was extremely pleasant and I got exactly what I wanted. On the good side, they were extremely sterile, and gentle. And the tattoo was perfect. It just confused me, as to why the artist was so rude to a customer with cash ready. I would recommend this place as it was awesome, but I wish my first impression could have been a lot better. Read Less

Awesomely talented team. Nhia is amazing. This shop has a fantastic group of artists to suit all styles. Cash or credit payment, super clean place, and a fun place to spend hours getting great ink done. They've got great work to start from or will design custom with you from your own ideas and inspirations. Read Less

I can't see myself going anywhere else for tattoos anymore. I absolutely love this place! The environment is clean and unique and everyone is so friendly. I got my half sleeve with Joe and let me tell you, this man is so talented! He worked together with me on achieving exactly what I wanted. His line and floral work is gorgeous and I honestly could not be happier.  I will be recommending everyone to him and this shop in general, it deserves more than 5 stars! Read Less

Carl Schwartz had done 2 of my friends tattoos while I watched and I finally decided it was my turn! he always does an awesome job! I wanted just a small design with 3 symbols and then had him rearrange and re-space them and he was very helpful to get exactly what I wanted. My friend went first and he got a world map which turned out awesome as well! if anyone needs a tattoo definitely hit Carl up and you won't regret it! he will work with you to get what you want and will give his professional opinion on what would look best as well. Read Less

I can't say enough about this studio. Everyone I interacted with was super friendly and made me feel at ease while getting my second tattoo. Charlie B was amazing and professional and did a beautiful job on my watercolor violet tattoo. Read Less

The studio is very large which is great. the tattoo rooms have tv which I've never seen before watched my current favorite Netflix show during my long sitting. Emily did my tattoo she is an amazing artist loved how it came out. Also love her personality very funny and very interesting person. love thin line great first experience will definitely go back. Read Less

Awesome shop. Clean and professional. A lot of artists. In the process of doing a cover up that will be turning into a sleeve. Reasonable prices. Everyone seems really cool and supportive of eachother. All sorts of artist all sorts of styles. Artist doing my work is charlie, he's super chill and down to earth, and really enjoys his work and creating new things. Read Less

Had a great first tattoo experience and can't recommend Thin Line more. The receptionist was very sweet, helpful, and pacient. Emily was very considerate of design choices and accommodating making sure the design was just as desired. The tattoo turned out better than we could have asked for. Read Less

I just got a tattoo from here today. It was my first tattoo ever, and they made sure to take care of me by help me through the whole process of designing my tattoo. I worked with Mike Viruet to recreate my grandfathers tattoo, and he did an amazing job especially since I was annoying enough to change some colors last minute. Mike did a fantastic job designing and carrying out the tattoo I couldn't be more pleased with it. I will definitely return here for my next tattoo even though it's an hour away from my house because we all know that a tattoo is permenant and after my experience with them I wouldn't want to risk getting a tattoo from another shop. Thanks guys! Read Less

I came in for my first tattoo and Charlie B was professional, honest, helpful, and did AMAZING work. Most of the work seen in his photos is new school, but I got a black and gray opaque realism animal and it was exactly what I wanted. After seeing my tattoo, my boyfriend got his card and requested an appointment for his next tattoo-leaving his old & trusted artist! Go to A Thin Line and request Charlie! Read Less

Great experience. I have many tattoos but this was my fist time at a thin line. Everyone was super nice. Which isn't always the case at tattoo shops. Very cool atmosphere and clean. Charlie was my artist as well as my wife's. He did a great job talking with us about our designs and was upfront and honest about what wouldn't work and why. Which is great. Some places would just throw what ever on you not caring about how it's gonna look in 20 years!  End results were awesome and what we were looking for. I Would definitely recommend the shop and any of their artists but especially Charlie! Read Less

I have taken 3 people to this facility. I personally have gotten tattoos all over the Chicago land area, this facility by far is the cleanest tattoo shop you will ever find! The staff is amazing!! Very polite, not rude. To Ryan and his staff.. keep up the amazing job!! You guys blow other tattoo shops out of the water Read Less

Got my 3rd tattoo in 5 months from Rich this week. I love his work. He has an amazing eye for detail!  I tell him what I want and he makes it happen. He is a true professional and is a great person. Everyone I have dealt with there is pleasant and professional. Read Less

I can not say enough about this place. I waited 42 years to get my 1st tattoo. it turned out better than I could have ever imagined. Charlie was amazing. it took 3 sessions but now complete. all the artist are awesome and very friendly. I will say when you go in and ask for eagle grabbing a cheesburger,  you become part of the family. love this place. will be only place I will gokeep doing what your guys. Read Less

Great group of talented artists!Ryan did a cover up for me and am thrilled to not have to keep my leg covered any more!He got to know a bit about me and from photos I brought in, he created a unique piece that I am so happy with and will definitely be adding on to at a later time.I was able to set an appointment which was great, because I wanted to be able to select my artist, and not take who was free.  I did have to wait about 6 wks for the appointment tho, which for me was good, since I needed to fine tune what I was wanting done for my cover up.Thanks Ryan!I'll definitely be back to see you! Read Less

This place is amazing! Never have I ever been in such a professional, clean, well run tattoo establishment. When I first walked in, I thought I was in a doctor's office! My artist, Rich, was amazing and very reasonably priced! I will not be going anywhere else for a tattoo ever again. Read Less

I think what upset me the most about this experience was the fact that I was looking forward to it and wanted to like this place so much. I knew many people from the area who have had nothing but nice things to say about this shop, but sadly that was not my experience...I came in a couple of times in the weeks following when I was getting my tattoo(s)-- one word on each wrist. I showed the guy manning the front (each time I went) my tattoo ideas and how *this is exactly what I want*. The guys at the shop said it wouldn't be a problem. I was also quoted a reasonable price.When the time came for me to get my tattoo I had an appointment at 4pm. I was told the week previous that I could come in then and they would take care of me at that time. I walked in the shop at 4pm and no artists were there. So I got to wait around until 5:30pm when one of the artists came in.When he came in, I made sure to introduce myself proper, have a smile on my face, and let him know I had other tattoos so this wasn't my first rodeo. I can't even remember this "artists" name he was so inhospitable. I showed him my drawing and he just kind of scoffed at it."Ok..." I thought. "Maybe I am just being too sensitive." I asked if he could draw it up so I could see what it looked like since he said he was going to free-hand it.He came back 5 minutes later with something COMPLETELY different than what I asked for. I even let him have my phone so he could see the pictures. Literally the only thing about the tattoo that was the same were the words I was getting. (Surprised he didn't change that too).He said "What do you think?" after showing me the designs. I hesitated. "Well if you don't know you obviously don't like it..." He said snarky. "I just don't understand why I can't have what I gave you...". He started lecturing me about how I wanted something "original" and "not this", and how this was his work of art, not just for ME so we should *compromise*. Wanting to respect him, but to my better judgement I let him try again. This time he whipped up something closer to what I originally wanted.He showed me to the basement and he said he would be there soon after he printed the stencil. He set up his room and I sat there with my sister and our friend. When he came back the tattoo was different of course from how I wanted it. Although this time I at least liked it-- it still wasn't what I *wanted*. I asked him if he could make another change again, closer to what I wanted. If he truly didn't want to do what was on the picture, then just flat out tell me and I'll be on my way! That way we won't waste both of our times. But he didn't.He told me he would put the stencil on me and change it as he tattooed. The he added, "But it's not like there's much I can do... It is a basic b*tch tattoo after all." Excuse me...? Not only was this artist not giving what his client had previously agreed to, he was now being insulting to what was about to be put on my body for the rest of my life.He left for his second smoke break before starting and I was going to walk. I was fuming. I felt uncomfortable that he set everything up and drew the stencil, I knew this guy would blow a gasket if I left now. My sister was able to calm me down. She told me how good the tattoo stencils looked on me and how "NON basic they looked".When the artist came back in he did my tattoo in a timely fashion. Around 30 mins. He wrapped them up, and then it was time for me to pay. ONLY, he told me my price was 30% more than what I had agreed to in the beginning, all three times I had visited the shop previously. I told him that. He kind of stood there dumbstruck, and you could tell this guy just wanted to see me get the hell out, so he said "Fine. I'll take the original quote." I paid him, and still gave him a decent tip so he couldn't complain about me as much when I left.Lastly... When I took my bandages off later that night I noticed something. Around the cursive text of my words were small dots and streaks. As if he had accidentally made a letter too big and then had to re-correct himself. I'm not sure how he made the dotting mistakes. I waited a couple weeks, and prayed it was just part of the "healing process".It wasn't.So now I'm stuck with a tattoo I didn't originally want in the first place, but one I settled for-- and not only that but certain parts are scribbled/streaked. Don't think I'm being anal about this because when people have asked to see my tattoos they've asked "what the dots are" and "what those streaks are above the 'L'..." etc. So I know it's not just me being sensitive.So that's why I give A Thin Line 1/5 stars. I really wanted to like this place, 'cause like I said I heard a lot of amazing things... But unfortunately it is just not so. Read Less

Great place a friend suggested to me. Got a tattoo with my daughter who was visiting from UK. She knew what I wanted but my mind was not made up since it was my first one. Saw Charlie and he sketched a beautiful lotus and wholla I am extremely happy with it and the experience! The lotus was put on my back near shoulder.  Then a week later went in with 3 other friends to get another one.saw Mike V...5 hrs later we were done. He was very clean and thorough with his set ups. Both tatoo artists were very good with their work!! I would recommend this place to anyone. Felt my tattoos were pricey but that expected with colorful tattoos. I'd say I didn't get much info on the aftercare of my tats since it was my first time, from them. But Charlie recommended vitamin E oil, and my son told me about using Aquaphor. Thank you "A Thin Line" for a great experience! Read Less

We came here for tattoos and scheduled an appointment with Joe. The girls at the desk were super friendly and helpful. I feel like some tattoo shops can be intimidating and that's not the feeling at A Thin Line. The waiting area is inviting and clean and the shop is really cool inside! There's a basement area and various rooms where the artists do their work. Very clean and very professional. The artists definitely make conversation amongst one another and with guests and it creates a fun environment to get tattoos. I highly recommend it and will come back here for any touch-ups or new tattoos! Joe was great, too! He was recommended through a coworker of my boyfriend and we both were really happy with his work! Read Less

Thin Line was awesome.  I was sort of a walk in and had an almost immediate consultation and made an appointment for the next day.  It was a wise decision.  I got there and Ryan free flow marker hand sketched my design and was quick and on the money.  After my thumbs up,  he began and 2 hours later, my dream catcher with 3 feathers,  several  beads,  shadowing, and some great orange and yellow and red colors was done.  I am thrilled and next time i am in Chicago will go there again.   Within an hour of leaving,  people in stores were giving me compliments!!! Yay! Read Less

This place is excellent! I just got my very first tattoo here today. The staff is very helpful and friendly when deciding what kind of tattoo you want and they set you up with an artist. I walked in and told them what I wanted then they asked when I wanted to get it done and I told them I'm hoping today and they had plenty of openings so I was able to go back within an hour. Charlie was my artist and he did such a great job. He is very professional and friendly. I was very nervous about how much it would hurt and he assured me that it's not that bad and he was right! I got a quote on the back of my shoulder and it was finished in about 15 minutes and it looks awesome!The prices are very fair as well. Mine cost me $60 which is probably less than most places. I will definitely come back here again for my next tattoos. I highly recommend them, they truly care about their clients and they are very passionate about the work they do. Keep up the great work! Read Less

I was a walk-in on a Sunday afternoon and everyone there was absolutely amazing! Rich sat down with me and personally helped me to finalize what I wanted and helped me get everything exactly as I wanted it. I could not have asked for a better first experience!!! He was very conscious of how I was doing throughout and his work is excellent! Pricing is great compared to some places I looked at downtown Chicago. Overall I was probably in and out of there in a little over an hour!!! Currently on day 2 post! Many people have commented that it is very well done and after following care directions it feels virtually healed!!! Definitely will be coming back here again =) Read Less

Great experience!! My tattoo artist was Mike. So personable and friendly. Everyone there is so down to earth. I went there for my first tattoo (tiny cross on forearm) tonight and was SO nervous. They were super thorough with explaining aftercare and answered my millions of rookie questions. The shop is beautiful and everything was sanitary. Best place to go by far, and I will go back! Read Less

I was a walk-in on a Sunday afternoon and everyone there was absolutely amazing! Rich sat down with me and personally helped me to finalize what I wanted and helped me get everything exactly as I wanted it.I could not have asked for a better first experience!!! He was very conscious of how I was doing throughout and his work is excellent! Pricing is great compared to some places I looked at downtown Chicago. Overall I was probably in and out of there in a little over an hour!!! Definitely will be coming back here again =) Read Less

Went in for mother/daughter tattoos while my daughter visited from out of town. Came in with general idea from online and Rich helped refine it and make it the necessary sizes for where we were having them placed on our bodies. Daughter was perfectly happy with the experience. I wasn't real comfortable. I felt like he was annoyed with me and the feedback and requests I had.  At one point, I considered just backing out and not getting the tattoo. He seemed impatient, this was only my 2nd tattoo and I'm a middle aged housewife who wasn't sure what I wanted and he didn't seem thrilled with the idea of collaborating with me and making sure I was happy or comfortable. I felt judged and silent eye rolls. Once we figured out what he was doing and we were in the room getting the tattoos he was perfectly pleasant and the experience was fine. Because my daughter is from out of town and we're  not together very often, we decided to schedule another session for tattoos with us + my husband. It was Friday night around 9-10pm when I inquired about availability for Sunday. They told me that Rich was completely open on Sunday. I made a deposit and then emailed our tattoo idea so he'd know what we were considering. We wanted matching tattoos to commemorate my husband's retirement. We had just barely decided on the tattoos, so after trying to fine tune our design my husband decided he hadn't had enough time to be sure and wasn't comfortable moving ahead so quickly. We decided late Sat night/Sun am to cancel our appointments. I called as soon as the shop opened at noon and let them know we wouldn't be coming in. The guy on the phone wasn't friendly or personable and seemed annoyed. He asked if I wanted to reschedule or what?  I explained daughter was returning home and wouldn't be available and husband and I would come in soon, just not sure when. We'd be in touch soon. He just replied ok and quickly hung up without saying goodbye or inviting me to call back to reschedule. I understand I canceled with no notice. BUT, I made the appointment at 10pm on Friday evening and was told the schedule was "completely open" on Sunday. I don't really think I impacted their schedule in a terrible way. Overall, as a tattoo newbie, I just want a friendlier more customer service oriented experience. They didn't seem interested in making me feel comfortable or welcome. I need a shop that will make me feel my business is appreciated, even if I'm requesting a generic,unimaginative tattoo I found online. Haha Read Less

I will definitely be back!Everyone makes you feel very welcomed and the place is very clean.I would highly recommend the artist Ryan Nutini. This is my second tattoo by him and I couldn't be happier! He takes your ideas and makes this amazing tattoo you couldn't even imagine! He is incredible with detail. My dog passed away and he was able to tattoo her clay paw print into the pollen of a sunflower.Ryan makes you feel comfortable and remains extremely hygienic throughout the tattooing process! Read Less

So I went in to ask some questions about tattoos before I made the dive-as I don't have any and while I have friends who are inked up from head to toe I wanted to ask the place where I had once wanted to get my first tattoo...Upon walking in the shop looks clean and they had artists books of their work very nice...then I went up to the girl who was working behind the front desk and she seemed annoyed that I wanted to have her find me someone to talk to...she almost had an attitude that she was too good to help me...she brought me up someone who also had that same attitude as I asked my questions...I don't need anyone to throw me a ticker tape parade as I ask my question but how about being somewhat interested and not treating me like an idiot. I did look through some books and did see an artist I liked and the front desk girl left after her shift and there was another man who took her place who was way nicer and more genuine...I did get to speak to an artist that had a better attitude and he answered my questions and had more of a personality and didn't make me feel like a complete idiot. Will I get my tattoo here...possibly-but I will need to think it over as I don't want to go somewhere-where I'm going to get something permanent where I feel I'm being treated like garbage. Read Less