Visual Tattoo

Best place in Arcata to get a safe, well priced, and professional tattoos. I will definitely get another in the near future!

I called to ask their policy about tattooing pregnant women. He said he didn’t care, he was fine with it. Everything on the Internet says its high risk and the other shops told me it’s actually illegal. I then explained that my pregnant 18 year old daughter just showed me the oversized tattoo she had just got from them.
I panicked a little and started reading about how to take care of it properly to avoid infection. Everything I have read stresses the importance of keeping it covered the first few hours. She was sent out of this business without it being covered because the guy said it didn’t need it.
This appears to me to be a tattoo artist who is uneducated and irresponsible.
I would recommend going somewhere else just to be on the safe side.

I am a happy camper after spending a couple of hours at Visual Tattoo, getting my first tattoo imbedded onto the back of my calf. Dean Schubert is the man to make your body-​ink dreams come true.
I didn’t know where to go in the Humboldt Bay area for a tattoo, but had a list of possible practitioners based on web searches and a local newspaper’s recommendations. I called several, but Dean called me back first, so i made an appointment to meet him and talk over the design. My first hit upon entering Visual Tattoo was that it was awesomely clean, and the expansive view out over Arcata created a sense of being both high and clear. Dean had the big, genuine, clear-​eyed smile of someone who loves his work and is eager to share his gift. The place and the tattoo artist both seemed to click with me immediately.
We scheduled the work for a couple of weeks later, after i emailed him a copy of my own design. (He is an artist who can draw most anything you like, but i wanted to use my own artwork.) When i arrived for the session, everything fell into place. I enjoyed chatting with both Dean and the other artist there, Sean (which helped keep the tattooing pain manageable); the music was great; the final result very pleasing.
I paid up and walked away with pride and gratitude – having in my possession also a card of easy after-​care instructions.
I highly recommend Visual Tattoo!
P. S. I am 53 years old and first decided to get a tat to cover a clump of little varicose veins in my leg. Works like a charm! Could be a trend… augmenting or covering the imperfections of aging with permanent artwork!

I asked around for about a year when I saw tattoos that I liked and every one of them referred me to Dean. I was getting my first tattoo and I wanted it to have great detail and be unique. I gave Dean a design idea and it took a long time to get an appointment, but when he showed me his final design I was so impressed. I love my tattoo and I get compliments on it everywhere I go, almost daily. I’m SO happy. He is amazing!!!

last year i was in humboldt visiting my boyfriend’s family, and was in the mood for some fresh ink. it was very spur of the moment and was looking for a place that i felt comfortable in, especially since i had no idea what was good there and what was sketchy. we went in and i met with the man (cant remember his name however) and explained that i wanted just a small piece, two letters behind my ears, and that i was leaving monday moring to go back home. he kindly drew me beautiful cursive letters and told me that since i was in a hurry that i could come back tomorrow and get it done even though the shop was closed on sundays!
the experience was great and he made me feel totally comfortable, extremely friendly and layed back while completing the work. even though the tattoos were small, he took his time to complete them perfectly.

Had several pieces done at Visual Tattoo, including the piece on the profile. Known Dean for years, been happy with the work he has done every time as are several of my friends. It’s a little more expensive than some of the places in the area, but you get what you pay for. Isn’t it worth it for something that will be on your body for the rest of your life? Highly recommenced, everyone is great there, but if you want the best ask for Dean.

Last fall I was ready for some new ink, after much deliberation I decided to have it done in Humboldt, Dean was booked solid for 3 months, but he referred me to his apprentice, Sean Grimes. I was very particular about the tattoo I wanted, a white gardenia on the inside the crook of my right arm, I told him what details I wanted and collaborated with him, it took a little over an hour and the white was impeccable, clean thin lines and detailed shading, I don’t know if it was Sean’s demeanor or the placement but my last piece was less bearable. I’m definitely going back this fall to to extend the piece up my arm.

About three years ago I was on a solo trip to visit friends in Arcata. I stopped on Avenue of the Giants to walk the dog and heard a very distinct voice say «fifteen inches, left side of your spine, get it while you’re here» and there was an outline idea.
I thought — cool — a redwood — that makes sense.
I asked the friends about tattooing and they said Visual Tattoo. It was a Friday night maybe and I called on Saturday, went in to talk about it and then Dean made an appointment on Sunday to do the outline of what was going to be a fully colored redwood tree.
He was gracious, efficient, clean and I’m fairly certain he went out of his way a bit to do the work for me on a sunday.
I only regretted not wearing a dress to drive back to SF in as the waistband on my pants was a little sore on the fresh back ink.
I still might have it filled in but decided that I like the outline as is.
I definitely recommend him as he was super enthusiastic about the rest of the piece — I feel bad it never happened, but I’m super happy with the work I have.