Great shop and friendly atmosphere, been there a few time's and really like the work they do , myself and fiance are gonna keep going back to Greg for future ink ,I'd definitely recommend Designs by Dana in Covington Read Less

I just got tattooed by Greg today and he did an amazing job! Place is super clean, super professional, and the art work speaks for itself. I would recommend this place, especially Greg, to anybody looking to get tattooed! Read Less

Went for anniversary rings with my wife 3 years ago. They are very clean and professional. They made a design based off of my spouses idea and it ended up looking great, even now years later. You should go here. Read Less

I had an old & hideous tattoo, Nate covered it with a gorgeous back piece, taking my idea & making it even better. I went back for a 2nd tattoo with Nate & am about to schedule my 3rd. Love Dana's, love Nate Read Less

My whole life I've always been told if you get a tattoo have it done at Designs by Dana. That was good advice. The staff was friendly and professional. They did a free touch up on my other tattoo even though it wasn't one of theirs, and they didn't gouge me like the last place I went to. Love these guys. Read Less

I LOVE this place. This is my second time having Jason tattoo me and he's awesome! Had some great color work done today and it turned out great. It was also a real pleasure meeting the one and only Dana. If you're looking to get a tattoo in the Tri State Area look no further. This is the real deal and they do beautiful work. Thanks so much Jason for bringing my tattoo to life. Happy Holidays. David Read Less

First off let me start by saying I don't do very many reviews like this. I have one tattoo and it is one that is dear to my heart so this is a pretty biased review but none the less an honest one. Danas is the best Tattoo parlor around and speak for myself and girlfriend. (Don't tell her). My artist Greg was the man, super chill and of course super talented. For a portrait larger then my hand. It took him about two hours and for a tattoo that I thought was going to be 400 plus dollars it didn't even hit the 300 mark. (I tipped him very well) so again let's review. Great service, great price, great place! Read Less

I came here to get a my first tattoo from a recommendation by a friend. I got that tattoo on my side(ribs) and it's of my zodiac sign(). The tattoo is actually very similar to the emoji . It's a really simple tattoo just straight lines and part of a circle. But the two lines aren't parallel and at the top were the two lines meet the circle are uneven... Read Less

Oh, Dana. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...Designs by Dana was the pinnacle of a day-trip to Cincinnati with my mom. I followed David Armacost to Dana's from his previous shop, and my mother had liked his work so much she decided she'd make an appointment with me and have David do a cover-up for her; y'know, make a fun day out of it, bonding and making sweet, painful memories together.Walking into Dana's, I was immediately reminded of the Tattoo Factory in Chicago, where I spent a ton of time during college. Original flash by the likes of Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry line the walls, and it soon became obvious that this is much more than a tattoo shop; Dana's is a watering hole of sorts and is basically a madhouse on a Saturday afternoon. I talked with Dana forever about my neighborhood in Indy (where he just happened to grow up), the aforementioned Tattoo Factory (of which we both knew the owner), early serial killers (totally normal tattoo shop fodder), and he regaled me with stories of his gold teeth and running with the Indianapolis Outlaws. Suffice it to say, if I were a local, I'd be spending a lot of my free time here. Now I've worked with David before, so it goes without saying that I'm a fan of his work and completely comfortable with having him apply permanent artwork to my various appendages. He creates weird and unique art and works quickly, meaning that you get an awesome tattoo for a great price ($125/hr). My mom was really happy with the cover-up that David did, and because of the conversation and laughs, five hours passed like 30 minutes. There's definitely good reason Designs by Dana has lasted so long and is so well-known. I look forward to visiting this family of artists again very soon. Read Less

The tattoo I got was not at all up to the standards I'd expected from reviews I'd seen for the shop. I cared for the tattoo well, yet within a couple weeks the black outline had entirely faded in multiple spots, way more than what should be needed by a first touch up. The shading is weird, and I don't know if it was supposed to be the "style" or they were trying to be cheap with ink, but the tattoo is irregularly colored and in a lot of parts the color doesn't even fill the outline, leaving blank skin. The artist didn't seem to give much professional thought to the placement, and she didn't seem to take anything from the reference picture I gave. I'm not saying there aren't possibly some good artists here, but based on my tattoo I'm shocked this place has a good reputation. Read Less

It's our go to spot for awesome work. Jason always takes care of us. Great custom designs and detailed work. Comfy, clean, laid back, and completely professional. 25 years of our business comes with complete faith and respect. Read Less

I just got my first tattoo here a week ago!  Paul did an amazing job.  It was a simple handwriting tattoo, but he made me feel comfortable.  He was able to rearrange the words how I wanted to.  The shop was professional looking, but fun.  Dana was there as well.  He was really funny and nice!  Overall, I had a great experience, and my tattoo seems to be healing properly.  Pricing was also very reasonable.  (Of course, my tattoo only took about 10 minutes to do)  No infections, no problems!  Love it! Read Less

I have been going to Designs by Dana for 12 years. I got my first tattoo at this spot. I love it and will recommend it to anyone. I am ALWAYS satisfied with the work I get done. The shop is filled with nothing but great artists. I always feel welcomed when I come in. Best tattoo shop in Cincinnati. Read Less

After my HORRIBLE experience at Andy's Flying Tiger tattoo place, I came here.  Everyone was so nice, and even though they were booked up, they called me the next day with a cancellation and got me right in!  I am actually going back today to get another one, and will work with them on a cover up as well.  I could not be happier and would recommend this place to anyone.  Dana the owner is really cool and funny and everyone was so nice.  Nothing like the snobby jerks at Andys. Read Less

I have not gotten any ink here yet myself, but that will be remedied in the next several months. Came here with man-friend last nite to get his shoulder worked on and Micheal did such a phenomenal job, both with touching up his old tat and creating a new one to integrate old tat. I am relieved to know that there is more than one reputable place here in Cincinnati (One Shot Tattoo is also fabulous) where I now feel safe getting more work done, especially after such a terrible experience at Skincraft. Definitely book in advance, because their schedules fill up quickly! We both enjoyed our time and were able to comfortably pass the time chatting while he got inked, and Michael was great about checking-in to make sure he was doing ok / didn't need breaks/ etc. Read Less

I am not a tatted up lady. I was incredibly nervous stepping foot into this place. Greg made it easy to relax because he was confident and laid back.My 2 best girl friends and I have been talking about getting matching tattoos for 10 years, but it never happened. Recent events brought us to Dana's on NYE  - 3 walk in's... we thought... if it's meant to be then they'll be able to get us in.... I was secretly hoping they wouldn't be able to fit us in... and considering the popularity of this place I thought that would be the case. They were able to get us in so now I permanently have a beautiful tattoo on my left upper back - 3 bird silhouettes. The process was easy, it was VERY clean (which made the nurse inside me happy), the staff was professional and kind, and the prices were very reasonable. Greg mentioned everyone at Dana's goes through an apprenticeship which shows they really care about having quality artists. I heard nothing, but wonderful reviews about this place from friends and now I can recommend it too! Read Less

Dana's is the best shop in Cincinnati period  dasha did mine she was very nice and did one awesome job  going back soon for my next dasha also tattooed my son and he's going back Dana's is the place why mess with any other shop Read Less

I went to Designs by Dana for my fourth tattoo. I went to a different (but also well-rated) studio for each of the previous three, so I had some nice places to compare to when I went in. My fourth (from Amber at their Northside location) is definitely the best quality of the lot. My design turned out exactly the way I had hoped, and all of my lines and shading are stunningly crisp and precise. Not only that, the experience couldn't have been better. Amber joked and chatted with my partner and I through the whole thing, and seemed to take a genuine interest in getting to know us a little while we were there. You'd think this would be a given at any shop, but unfortunately I can tell you from past experience that it's not. And, in my opinion at least, it makes the whole process hurt considerably less...don't discount it!I walked out completely satisfied with my tattoo, the price, and the hospitality- and I think you will too. Give them a shot. Read Less

I would recommend Designs by Dana to anyone that wants to be inked. I have two tats from other locations and have been thinking of a third one for over 6 years. Yes, you should think hard about those tats, people! They are going to be there for a good long while and you definitely want to make sure that the tat you are getting will be inked by a professional; one that really cares about you, what you want and how you'd like it done.Designs by Dana has been consistently voted the BEST by CityBeat and others, and with good reason. Not only do they have the combined experience that blows away any competition, they are staffed by wonderful artists. When I first stopped in to discuss ideas and price ranges I met with Dana. He was quick to point out that I should be talking with Dasha, that she would be the best fit for the type of artwork that I desired. I met with Dasha and we quickly were "on the same page" with my ideas and her ability to produce them. We looked at a very large number of pictures, designs and other tats. And, she was patient with me as I said things like, "oh no, too frilly"; "nope, too pink"; and even when I found two designs that were close to what I envisioned, but only conceptually. She advised that I give her some time to draw up some sketches and stop back in to approve them or discuss them further. Unfortunately, it was almost 6 months later that I was able to stop back in. Alas, as I cleared the doorway, Dasha says, "Hey, butterfly girl!". Yes, in those 6 months she had not forgotten me. And, she was able to go directly to the drawing. Needless to say, it was perfect! Dasha was able to create exactly what I had been picturing in my mind.The design is completely original and free-hand. I have been for one sitting in which the outline was complete and will be going back for 2 additional sittings to complete the shading and coloring. One might think my review a bit premature, since the tat is not fully complete; however, trust me... you just KNOW when you are at the right place and working with the right artist. I wish that I had been this enthused with the two previous tattoo "artists" that did my other two pieces!If you are going to make the investment in a tattoo, you should swing by either location of Designs by Dana and give them a chance. It will be a decision that you not only won't regret, but will be extremely happy that you did so! Read Less

If you're gonna etch something into your skin, shouldn't it be done by an established shop?Why go anywhere else when Dana and killer team can make you look the way you want to look. Go to the shop and look at the photos of the work yourself and you decide. It's a small investment effort for a bit of art you will look at until you die. Don't go to some bullsh*t tattoo shop and have no name joe stick a unidentifiable picture on your arm that looks like a bad Dali. If that's your prerogative then you could just come to my house with a dollar and I'll get out the ballpoint.I went there for the first time in 2001 to get my first tattoo and I have not needed a touch up. I've been back since (Dec 2010) and I love the talent of the artists available. A young lady does my work and I have nothing but compliments for her and all the other artists. Read Less

I got my first tattoo from Designs By Dana 2 years ago. I was referred to them by everyone. When I was searching for the right place to go, everyone I asked would just say "Dana's". I've been going there ever since (tattoos are addicting). They are so friendly and make you feel at home.I've been in other shops since then and have found that a lot of places are cold and unfriendly. I went with a friend to two other local shops recently and the artists acted like her idea was stupid and wouldn't offer their suggestions or help. One of the shops had a front girl that was just completely rude. In the end I took her to Dana's. The price was comparable to the other two shops and the artist worked with us to make her idea work. I love Designs By Dana and would never go anywhere else. Not to mention they have great artists who do great work! Read Less