I went and got my nose peirced and (other than me being an idiot and forgetting my ID and I had to go home and get it and come back) my experience was great!! I think her name is Caity, she gave me a pamphlet with her name but I can’t read it very well, but she did a fantastic job!! I was a bit shaky at the thought of a needle going through my nose but she talked me through the process and distracted me with side conversation to help me calm down and I really appreciated that. The shop was extremely clean and was a great environment to be in because everyone was so welcoming and kind. This shop made my first body piercing experience an amazing one!! Will for sure always come back to this shop:)! Read Less

My first time visiting here today - got one new tattoo and a touch-up on a tattoo I had previously.My tattoo artist was Jake, who said he has been here about five years. Very personable, very quick and did a good job. Of course, the final question: do you want another one today?No, at my age I seem to have to think about it a lot - even though my tattoos are relatively small compared to most people. So, if/when I do another, this will be where I plan to return. I like my new tattoo!I even left with a recommendation for where to have lunch before I left town - that turned out good, too!Now my main criticism. I am no prude, but when I entered the store, a couple employees were having a conversation and throwing around the F bomb, a lot - even as I stood at the counter. Probably not cool these days - no matter what the age your customers might be. Thank you. Read Less

I went to Heroic about a year ago, perhaps two, and I will admit that since getting more tattoos, it is the worse experience I've had. I'd never go back. this isn't even counting the blowouts I've had, and the fact the minimum is twice what I could get at home. The woman who tattooed me didn't say anything beyond the bare minimum, to the point I wasn't even told her name! They didn't have an 18+ only sign and we're extremely rude to my niece and nephew who were slightly young, but staying in the waiting area, though they were playing a little. Generally, that would be fine, as it was extremely quiet; about noon. There was one other person as a customer, and that was it. Overall, they were extremely rude, and all of it was overrated. Read Less

I just recently went into Heroic to get my lip pierced and unfortunately had to take it out. My lip was pierced on a complete angle and the plate inside my mouth was basically up on my lip. Don’t get me wrong, my experience at the salon was a good one but it just sucks I couldn’t keep the piercing in due to it being done wrong. Read Less

I got my doubles and a mid-cartilage pierced here and plan on going in soon for a forward helix. The people are always friendly and I love the location of the studio. They also are willing to change out piercings without a charge which is really spectacular. I have built a relationship with this company and will recommend them over anyone else in Ames. Read Less

If you're looking to get a tattoo, then look no further. I'm absolutely blown away by the folks at Heroic Ink. Everyone I've had contact with has been polite, friendly, and the perfect mix of fun and professional. Had a cover up done by James. Incredibly talented artist, his work is top notch. This is by far the happiest I've been with the outcome of any of my tattoos. With a friendly atmosphere in an extremely clean shop I can't see why anyone would go anywhere else. All of my future work will be at Heroic. Read Less

I have been getting my work done at Heroic Ink for several years. I always look forward to going. James has done excellent work for me. He and the rest of the staff are personable and friendly. I am 70 years old, but I never feel an age gap. Great atmosphere and I highly recommend! Read Less

I've gotten my last 2 tattoo's at Heroic and my Wife has gotten all 3 of her's there! James has done them all and I can't say enough how amazed I am with his detail in the different designs. He also knows how to finesse the needle so that it puts in the ink but doesn't cause much pain. If you have ever considered getting a tattoo, or just want another one, you can't go wrong with Heroic Ink! Read Less

Very clean and modern. Friendly staff. A ton of jewelry to choose from for new piercings. Very professional. I will definitely go here from now on. I live one hour from this shop and it was worth the drive. Read Less

Got my first tattoo and last few piercings at Heroic! Won't go anywhere else now! All artists are amazing! Emily did a freaking sweet watercolor tattoo on my hand! Highly reccomend this place to everyone!😊 ❤️ Read Less

I recently got my nose pierced and Karina was absolutely wonderful about it. I'm a huge baby when it comes to pain, but Karina was super sweet about it. I haven't had any issues with it, and plan to go back for more. :) Read Less

Highly recommend Heroic Ink. Class act. These folks arent just Tattoo tracers, they are Artists in every sense of the word. Emily freehand drew my tattoo, making it all that much more special. Turned out BADASS. You can count on me darkening your doorstep again. Oh yeah,if thats not enough, Reed, at the desk,not only engaged in friendly conversation, but fed our parking meter, so we wouldnt have to interrupt our tattoo session. Please give them a try, You Wont Regret It Read Less

I came in today and had James as my artist. He was incredible, hilarious, and made my friend and I feel very comfortable as we got our tattoos. It was a wonderful experience and I'm very happy we came here to get our tattoos. I got two quote tattoos, one on my foot and one on my forearm, and James did it so quickly and expertly! He was awesome! Read Less

I've been going to Heroic Ink since it opened and I recommend it to all my friends. The artists are talented, the shop is clean without feeling like a hospital room, and the staff is personable (seriously, that is my no. 1 complaint about most shops, is they're staffed by smug douchebags). Easily the best shop in the area. Read Less

I have had most of my tattoos and piercings done here. I drive from Marshalltown just to get my work done. My last visit went very well. I was greeted when I walked in the door. I signed my paperwork and paid. I just had to wait for them to sterilize the room. The front desk employee talked with me and made my wait entertaining. I went to get my cartilage pierced. They took me back to a very clean room. She did my piercing. It went very quickly and it was painless. She even offered to change my jewelry from a previous piercing. Everyone was friendly and professional. I recommend Heroic Ink to everyone! Keep up the good work! Lots of love! <3 Read Less

My friend and I called Saturday morning after Thanksgiving to make appointments for our tattoos. We submitted the art as instructed by the front desk person. He said he would give it to his artist and have him work the drawing. My friend wanted some simple hand lines and we were told no problem on the phone. I told him I wanted specifically with a feminine touch. I was told also, no problem. When we arrived we filled out appropriate paperwork and proceeded to meet with the artist James. He told my friend strait up he doesn't do finger or hand art for reasons of fading and some other lame excuse he offered. Extremely disappointed my friend finally accepted his refusal to do the work. When I proceeded to speak to James about mine I was shown a trace drawing of the picture I sent in. I said I was hoping you would add a feminine touch to the picture I sent. He looked at me and gestured to his penis saying I have a penis. To me this meant he can't add a feminine touch because he is a man or the length of his artistic ability is equivalent to the length of his penis. Either way I was offended and disgusted at the conduct of the entire office. Why make an appointment with an artists that does not want to do the work? I would never recommend this place to anyone. Worst experience!! Read Less

I've gotten 4 lobe piercings, 3 cartilage piercings, a nose piercing, and an industrial piercing all at Heroic Ink. I've been pierced by Josh and Emily and I recommend them both. A very friendly staff. They answer any questions you may have regarding your piercing. Also a very clean environment. If you're looking for a place to get pierced, I definitely recommend Heroic Ink! Read Less

Got my first tattoo here from Tracey about a year and a half ago. A very positive, comfortable experience. Tracey was clearly a skilled artist and worked well with the design I brought in - it was mostly and idea but I wanted to rely on her expertise with skin.  If I get tattoo'd again, and I'm sure I will, it'll be at Heroic. Read Less

I have had 2 tattoos done at Heroic Ink and I am super happy with the artist, his work, and they have aged very well. I was looking for an artist in Ames and happened to wander in after I went to the Farmer's Market on Main Street. I had printed out the piece I designed to show someone earlier, so it was a bit crumpled, but I had it with me. I don't think there are a lot of tattoo shops I would feel comfortable going in to and talking to an artist, holding a basil plant and a giant bunch of carrots. Lol. You know what I mean. It's just that way. You immediately feel at ease there, it's bright, the employees are very pleasant and helpful and they don't make you feel like you don't belong there or look at you like you are disturbing them when you walk in. There is a shop on Welch that I walked into carrot-less and stood there for over 15 minutes at the counter, and I kid you not, the THREE employees didn't even acknowledge my presence. Heroic Ink is SO much different in that regard and it's one of the reasons I love it there. It's really clean, everything's sterilized correctly, they have a GREAT selection of jewelry. All the artists do great work. I really loved both of my experiences there. Of the 4 shops in Ames I visited, this was the most impressive one BY FAR and the only one I chose to have work done at. I can't say enough good things about Heroic Ink. The fact that I felt so comfortable there was just so refreshing. Read Less

Best in Ames!I've visited three piercing/tattoo shops in Ames and this is the cleanest and has the best customer service. It doesn't matter if you're buying $5 jewelry or getting a $500 tattoo, everyone that walks into Heroic Ink is treated like royalty. They are very hygienic, kind, and have a plethora of jewelry. The store also has a wonderful decor and very hip vibe. A great place to get a little girl's ears pierced or get a full sleeve tattoo. They came highly recommended and didn't disappoint.Super sterile yet the decor is a fun, artsy, counterbalance. I love coming here. They also know how to handle ethnic skin which some places even in the city don't know what they're doing. I won't let any other piercers come near me while I'm am Iowan. I got my nostril pierced today by John and hardly felt a thing. Read Less

I have gotten work done at Heroic Ink twice so far and I am already planning on returning once again. The entire process was easy both times. They have done a great job about responding to emails quickly, picking up the phone, and reminding me of appointments.I have worked with two different artists (James and Emily) and both of them 1. Did a good job and 2. Made me feel really comfortable. While it is true that you could get a tattoo for slightly cheaper elsewhere in Ames, you could also get much worse work done on said tattoo in Ames. Read Less