Brett Ries is the best artist I know. He makes you feel comfortable while doing tattoo. The other staff do not judge any tattoo you get. Its a very very very clean place. Everyone is friendly and very thoro about their work Read Less

I contacted Scott to get a large thigh piece. Drove the 2 hours there, he designed it with me sitting there, fantastic piece. He asked how much I'm willing to pre-pay and he'll double it. Paid $400 and he said he would email me the following week to set an appointment. Following week, nothing. I email him to see what's going on, no reply. Eventually I get a reply and we set an appointment. Something medical came up for me and I wasn't able to get the tattoo done and wasn't sure when I could in the future so I asked for a refund of the money I prepaid. He said he had to think about it since it "already had taxes paid on it" and would get back to me. No reply for weeks. I keep emailing him and no reply. Eventually I ask if I can get a different piece done so the money doesn't go to waste -- he says he's uncomfortable working with me and to pick a different artist. I picked the shop for him specifically. I would steer clear of this scamming place. Read Less

What an awesome group of artists! While my sisters & I got simple matching tattoos; the guys (sorry I don't quite remember both names) treated us like we were getting full sleeves. And it could not have been cleaner. Each station as well as all the equipment was thoroughly sanitized after each client. Highly recommended! Read Less

DO NOT GO TO THIS SHOP. I purchased a $500 giftcard that was supposed to be doubled for $1000 of work with the so wonderful SCOTT VERSAGO. He canceled my first appointment and reschedule 2 months later. FInally had my 1st session and he was unable to finish it because he started late, not my problem you take forever to make a template and then take several smoke breaks. Then the day before my 2nd appointment he cancels because he "may have broke his ankle" um ok you tattoo sitting down. Told me he would contact me the following Tuesday and he never did. So I contacted him that Wednesday and no response. Turns out he does this all the time with these "special deals" and giftcards. I spoke with an artist at a different shop and he knew exactly the artist was before I even said his name. He asked was it Scott? and when I told him yes he said that is why he and 6 other artists left empire and opened their own shop because once Scott gets your money upfront you can kiss it goodbye. Yes he does good work but he doesn't finish it. My tattoo is half done. He STOLE from me. Please do not go to this shop. After talking to friends on facebook I know of atleast 10 others he has done this too. He is a piece of shit and a sorry excuse for a tattoo artist. Read Less

Scott Versago (owner) tattooed Lucille Ball portrait on me in 2014. The tattoo was finishing in one sitting and I was thrilled with the outcome. However when it healed a few parts needed touched up. He's impossible to get ahold of (several messages and calls) and he finally was able to see me for a touch up. He probably spent a lousy 20 minutes on my touch up and I left feeling like I was ripped off. Still unhappy with the touch up another artist (Jason Hager- awesome dude, perfectionist and just all around genuine) offered to fix/touch up the portrait. (He even ran it by Scott to make sure it'd be okay. Which he was. Odd---- because most artist would want to fix their own work and wouldn't want someone else correcting or adding to their original pieces. However Scott had no problem with another artist fixing it and seemed pretty happy that he didn't have to commit anymore time to it)I would no recommend getting tattooed by Scott Versago. Since 2014 many of his artist have left Empire Ink and he's notorious for sealing the deal, and not following through after the initial appointment after payment is made. He gets his money and his fresh after photo, and doesn't care about any follow up or client concerns. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE BY THE OWNER! Read Less

Versago does have a very nice portfolio, but good luck actually getting any work done with him. After following his work for many years, I went in for an initial appointment at Empire Ink to discuss having a large piece of work with the owner, Scott. We agreed to begin work on the project, and when we discussed payment he told me that he had a deal running that if I bought a gift certificate he would doulbe the face value. He gave me a price and encouraged me to pay in full $1,000 for $2,000 worth of work. Well, here we are more than a year and a half later, and it isn't complete. Scott is nearly impossible to get a hold of, let alone actually get an appointment with - and I don't mean in the variety where "he's a popular artist and is booked up frequently" because that is totally reasonable. In order to get an appointment with Scott, I would have to call multiple times, leave multiple messages with the receptionist, leave messages on his Facebook until he would finally respond and even then it was literally a 50/50 if he was going to cancel the appointment or not. He cancelled three appointments on me total, one 2 hours prior to my appointment. Look through his reviews and you'll see this is a common issue occurring across multiple clients for years. After 8 months (!!!) of calling, leaving messages, and messaging Scott for my next appointment, I finally secured one. Hallelujah! I drove the 1.5 hours it takes for me to get to Mr. Versago's shop. When I arrive he asks if he can see my tattoo and then proceeds to ask me what the "money situation" was. I let him know I paid in full and then he asks me what kind of deal he gave me. He then asks if it'd be okay if one of his other employees completed the work. I told him I'd look at a portfolio but right away I felt super uncomfortable about this. He introduced me to the other artist, and after briefly discussing the tattoo Scott went back to his office. Even if I had been blown away by the other artist (I was not), I personally would NEVER let an artist I'm 100% unfamiliar with with put work on my body. After all, it's permanent! And it has already been almost half completed by another artist! I have never heard of a tattoo artist telling a client that they are no longer completing their work and someone else complete it. Many tattoo artists would actually be offended if a client had someone else complete a piece that they started. The whole thing felt so completely unprofessional, and Scott made it pretty clear he was no longer interested in working on the piece so he brushed me off on someone else. After speaking with him about the whole ordeal, he claimed he didn't want to work on the tattoo because he was "sick." If that were the case, he could have called me and rescheduled like he had multiple times in the past instead of making me drive 3 hours for nothing, he could have called and explained his plans for me to work with someone else, he could have even expressed he wasn't feeling well when I got to the shop and offered me the OPTION of rescheduling or working with another artist. I've been nothing but understanding every time he's rescheduled and pushed back my appointments in the past. But no. Instead he pushed me off on someone else without so much as an explanation. After explaining my views on the situation, I was then said he would reschedule my appointment with him as the artist. I told Scott at this point I don't even feel comfortable with him completing the piece, because he made it very blatantly obvious that he doesn't want to and I surely don't want that reflected in something that will permanently be on my body. I told him that if he wanted another artist to complete the work that's fine, but it will be an artist of my choosing at a different shop. I was told he doesn't offer refunds on deposits. Yeah, no kidding, deposits are in place to make sure people don't waste artists' time. I didn't pay a deposit, I paid in full for work with Scott, NOT with another artist, that was NOT FULFILLED. If I wanted another artist to do my work, I would have went to another artist. It's not at all unreasonable to ask for a partial refund of a service that was not performed to completion. Look over his reviews and you'll find he has done this to COUNTLESS people, getting them in on gift cards and promotions and then never following through with the work. According to another Yelp review, Scott himself said that "he makes people prepay for the "deals" he does and he decides if he wants to do the work or not and keeps the money because it's "non-refundable". Read Less

Got home from a 12 hour work day and girl friend wanted spontaneously to go get a tattoo... They close at 9 which is when we showed up (like ass holes... Don't be an ass hole like us please.) and they were more than happy to accommodate us. They did a very good job... Super clean lines. No rush even though they were closing (don't take that as a que to be an asshole and show up last minute.) Super good work and attitude! Read Less

Great place if you're looking for a clean shop that does excellent work! I just got my second tattoo here and love it. They are helpful and willing to answer all your questions. Definitely recommend! What made me go here is that they reuse nothing. Everything is disposed of that could possibly be the source of and disease spreading. Read Less

Scott saved my life with his amazing art work. I had horrible scars from a long time ago and had someone try to cover up the scars many years ago with a tattoo. Things didn't go as planned & I refused to wear a t-shirt for many years because ppl would say horrible things about my scars not knowing what I've been through in my 37 yrs. Both arms have scars with tattoos trying to cover them up. Scott just did my left arm and will be doing my right arm soon. I can't put into word...s without crying just how happy I am. Scott helped save my life and gave me my life back. He still has another arm to do and I will have my entire life back wearing t shirts and loving life, not being ashamed of anything about me. Scott I thank you so so much. Thank you doesn't describe how happy I am. You and Amanda are amazing and wonderful ppl. Thank you and I thank God for giving you such amazing talent to help so many ppl. Jen Shortridge�� See More Read Less

This is the cleanest and most professional Tattoo place I've ever been in!! No tacky pictures of tattoo ideas plastered all over the walls. The talent of the artists is displayed throughout the shop and is very impressive. Jason Johnson did my tattoo, and it turned out so well that I'll travel the 1000 miles just to have him do my work from now on. Thanks again, Jason! See you in July for more!! Read Less

Thank you Ron for my amazing starwars tattoo. I absolutely love and it looks so badass! This is a great shop with amazing artists. I highly recommend anyone to go here that's looking for amazing quality tattoos done by exceptional tattoo artists Read Less

Working at Empire Ink is such an amazing experience! Being around such a great group of artists has allowed me to grow at a rate that has even surprised me. Many of the greatest days of my life have been spent inside this building. I feel so honored to be a part of the Empire Ink family. I couldn't say enough good things about the company and it's staff. Read Less

Excellent experience. Fair pricing and everyone there was professional and friendly. The place is decorated with the artists' work and they are all talented and dedicated to their work. I had my two recent tattoos done by Ron and had great conversation the whole time. Read Less

Amazing shop the best artist's in Akron for sure.When you walk in this shop don't expect flash racks and junk jewelry counters this is a place of art and true artist's. A #1 service and awesome people all the way around. So glad I found this place! Read Less

Took my girlfriend to get a piece done by Menduza, had a great experience. He took care of us and did a great job. They have a very professional and clean environment and some of the best artists in our area. The owner Scott is a really cool guy. It was a great atmosphere and great experience and neither I nor my girlfriend will go anywhere else for out future work. The guys and girls here are great people. It's definitely worth the visit. Read Less

My sister and I got great tattoo from Sebastian last week, he was patient with our decisions and changes. Was a clean studio and they let us watch 'Ridiculousness' for distraction. Tatiana was very helpful in booking our appointment and talking me through her experiences. Read Less

Just went here yesterday with my roommate to get our first tattoos, they were so nice to us and were very calm as we were freaking out Scotty even held my roommates hand while she got her tattoo and ask for Jason, he was very nice and very patient with me .. definitely would go back if I decide on another tattoo!! Read Less

I got a tattoo there last night. I asked for typewriter font and got a very unique and intricate don't as well as a nicely detailed daisy. I was very pleased with my experience. I even got the chance to watch the way things are cleaned when tattoos are done and was very impressed with how clean things were. I would recommend this place to anybody! Read Less

I've always had a good experience here, & this is my 3rd here. The owner, Scott (I think) is about as easy going and logical as you could ever ask for. Dale did these 2 tattoos (pic included). I have a few more to get done and Empire will get first shot at them. There are enough artiSts with a variety of expertise and skills do whatever you would ask for. They have names they COULD give you if they could not. But from the images and satisfied customers I've seen that would be a very small scenario. Empire Ink is very talented and everything you could ask for from a tattoo business. Great personalities and people.  I highly recommend you drop in for a conversations at least if you are considering a tattoo. (And please don't just go with the hot tattoo of the year, be creative and unique! ;) Read Less

A group of 4 of my friends went here to get tattoos together in spring 2013 and the experience was great.  None of us had tattoos before so we were all quite nervous and uncomfortable going into this shop because it is a bit intimidating with all of the unique artwork on the walls.  But it was all part of the experience we figured.      My friend and I both had Scotty Oswald do our tattoos and he was very nice.  I think he may have been amused by us because it was clear we had never been in a tattoo shop but he made us feel comfortable.  Both of us got simple tattoos and are perfectly happy with how they turned out.  It was definitely nice having friends to talk to for the duration of actually getting the tattoo.      The shop was indeed remarkably clean.  They sanitized the chairs in between clients even though we knew each other.  All of the equipment was new and clean also.  I definitely felt safe from any spread of disease.      Going to Empire Ink was fun and exciting.  The employees were open as long as you asked them for whatever you wanted.  I will not be going back because I am happy with my one tattoo but I would recommend this shop to anyone looking for a reliable place. Read Less