I had a great experience at Empire Ink today. I made an appointment, was whisked right in. I was listened to and we made some slight changes. I would recommend Ashley and say look at the most recent reviews when you are rating any business. Feel comfortable, at least based on my experience. I did meet Scott the owner and he seems super. read more

See all

The only negative thing about Empire Ink is the owner Scott. The other artists are all lovely people, but Scott made my last experience so uncomfortable me and many others aren't going back. On a flash tattoo sale day in front of a large crowd of people he threatened to shoot a staff member and was cussing them out in front of his kid who was understandably crying. Before this happened my friends and I were all laughing and cracking jokes but no one spoke a word after. No one enjoyed their experience after that and it was far from fun. read more

I was hoping it didn't have to come down to this but here it is Ron from Empire Ink - Custom Tattooing & Art Gallery is not willing to fix his wrong. I have contacted him multiple times asking how he's going to fix it and he repeatedly walked around the question until I asked directly asked then I was ignored. My tattoo looked great leaving the shop. I left the saniderm on for 5 days as recommended and strictly followed the aftercare I literally watched the ink fade day by day but I figured once I took the saniderm off it would "clear up" I was sadly mistaken as this is what I'm left with. After 14 days my tattoo was nearly gone. It looks like it's been there for YEARS and over all looks like shit. If I could give anyone any advise it would be to NOT have Ron do any of your work. I waited until I got it covered up to write any reviews to make sure it wasn't my skin rejecting the ink I also have two other tattoos that NEVEE faded the way this one did read more

Had a great experience here. I was able to walk in and make an appointment with the artist I wanted. We picked a date that worked for us both. I was able to bring my design and my artist Tyler was able to draw it up quickly. Was helpful on what area it would look best and he put his own twist on my idea and made it even better. Took about 3 hrs and we were able to take a break. Very clean and well organized place. Overall a good experience. read more

See all

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 more

See all

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 more

Tyler took my design and created a master piece. I have several tattoos but this is my first design. I did not understand the work that went into making this art. It is amazing. I have told all my friends about Tyler and Empire Ink. Worth the time and investment. read more

They have the most AMAZING artist here! I've decided to cover up the majority of my old tattoos and get them redone. I drive from Cleveland Heights Ohio to Akron Ohio because the quality of the work at Empire Ink is impeccable! India & Ove....Thank You for making masterpieces with me as your canvas read more

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 more

Empire Ink - This is the tattoo I got 6/26 about 30 minutes after I got the tattoo! - Tattoo Near Me - Akron, Ohio

4 years ago I had Scott versago tattoo my elbow, 4 years later I'm still chasing him to fix it. It looks horrible and I am embarrassed to say he did it. He has dodged me, blocked me and ignored every attempt I've made to contact him, I've also found others he has done this to. I'll be getting a cover up of a piece that is simple and it's horrible. DO NOT LET SCOTT TATTOO YOU! read more

Empire Ink - Tattoo Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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 more

My friend and I took our sons there for their first tattoos. I would highly recommend them and we are very very pleased. Everyone was friendly and very helpful and it was very clean. I was very surprised at the cost of his tattoo also. It was well below what we thought it would be. Thank you Greg and Frank for doing an amazing job! We already recommend them to several friends! Well worth the drive! read more

The artist I was speaking about in my previous review is Jason Hager. He still hasn't gotten back to me to fix this tattoo. I finally went to another artist and paid to have it fixed. read more

I would not recommend this tattoo shop to anyone. My spouse went in for a piece and consulted with an artist whom is fairly new there. They also have a bunch of apprentices wandering around this shop. One young male apprentice was making me very uncomfortable. My spouse consulted with this artist and gave him images to design something customized. We then spent the next 6 weeks texting the artist asking for updates on the design. When we arrived the day of the tattoo, all he had was a photoshopped image - nothing drawn out or even customized (he literally copy/pasted pictures together). But my spouse felt if the artist could copy those images it would be a wonderful piece. So we gave him a chance and it was not a wise decision. Let's just say what we got was nothing like the image he literally had to copy from. Lines were inconsistent and either too thin (and did fade) or were very thick and jumpy. The shading was not consistent and was heavy to light in areas. The most disappointing part was by the end the artist wrapped my spouses just finished piece with a paper towel and tape! No after care salve, a freaking paper towel and they charged us $100 an hour?! We were absolutely disgusted by the lack of care and the artists inability to deliver what he had promised, lack of communication on the artists part and the finished work. We had to go elsewhere to have the piece fixed because it was an embarrassment. read more

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 more

Alright, If after you read my review about this place and if you choose to do any business with them, I will not feel bad for you. It's taking me almost a year to actually write this; I was trying to justify if it was actually worth it, or whatever. but I figured if I can save anyone else from the mistake of going here and getting poorly done art, I might as well. I am humiliated every day with the tattoo's i have on my body from the place. I was on tour last summer; and we finally had a day off. (well not really, but we took one.) And we decided to see if any tattoo parlour was willing to take walk-ins. This place seemed promising on line and through these very exact Yelp reviews below me. However, I was strongly mislead. I was down to get two tattoos - So not only do I have one bad one, i have TWO from the same dude. I wish I could remember his name - because now the whole shop will get a bad rep, but really its only the one 'gentlemen'. After he finished a rose on my thigh - which by the way, I asked for leaves and shading - never got that, We turned over to my side where I got a quote. He did the typical thing where the artist asks if the placement/stencil is correct, etc. Which is was. To my horror, after actually getting the physical ink injected into my body, he fucked up on a fucking one-liner quote. Lets be real here. He connected some super awkward loops in the middle to other words, and you can CLEARLY tell he forgot a letter in the last word, must've went 'oh shit' and squeezed it over top. Its bad Folks. Its so bad. Luckily I can get it covered up. However my rose was not so lucky. The font we picked, was not the best I suppose. The words are all super super squished - its the first thing anyone notices. I have gotten this particular one touched up back in good ol' Canada, where I am from, But some things will never be fixed - like the words. The tattoo artist that did the touch up added the shading and leaves, and now its actually not too shabby. However him, and two other tattoo artists that I have showed my side quote, are all shocked. My friends are Shocked. I'm shocked. It's really really hard to believe when it actually happens on your body. I know I'll never judge anyone based on a bad tattoo again due to this. I'm more than willing to post photos for anyone wanting to see if I'm being real or not. To make it worse, the next day when the tour I was apart of continued, the guy that worked reception found me there, grinned super creepily and walked away. Later I had a facebook request from him, and a mutual friend said he went through the PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL paper work I had to fill out, and he took down my personal cell phone number and added me on facebook. I think we can all put two and two together and see how wrong this is. Anyway, I would really recommend taking this review to heart. Its your body everyone -and you have to live with it like I do. I wish i could give the actual artist name but I don't remember, He sat close to the front? Just be really really careful. Avoid Quotes, flowers...anything...everything... I hate to write something like this, but its only fair for everyone wanting to be inked. read more

I went to them for a Friday the 13th special and they said they'd call me when it was my turn. Waited 7 hours. No call. Last year's I waited 4 hours and only got in because I pitched a fit. Very disorganized and very very slow work. read more

I got severely burned in my experience with Empire Ink. A few months ago they had this "100 portraits-100 dollars" promotion. My wife bought me one and about a month later I bought an additional 2 for myself. The first tattoo appointment turned out well without a hitch. The next two are a different story. The 2nd tattoo appt. was scheduled in September, then got moved to Early November, then late November at 9 at night, then the day after that. The first reviewer mentioned that Scott said that when she asked if there were any more of the "100 dollar portrait" promotions left, he said" there are a couple left". That's funny because when I bought my two he said the same thing and when someone asked him on his Facebook page if there were any left he said the same thing. I can only assume that he needed money desperately and created this promotion and now is having seller's remorse. He is a talented artist, but he is not one of the "best tattoo artists I the world" as he would like to believe. Since my experience I have had several acquaintances who have roots in the local tattoo community tell me some stories that paint Mr. Versago in a negative light in regards to how he deals with customers and financial responsibilities. At first I deemed it as the typical competitor's sour grapes but I'm beginning to think there is a reason why. read more

Meticulous, clean, and professional! Spoke with Tyler on the phone several times and passed photo texts back and forth to get my tattoo exactly right. It turned out way better than I imagined! He explained everything in detail and even made suggestions along the way. His artistic vision for the final product exceeded my own. The shop was clean, large, and the artwork on the walls exceptional. read more

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 more

Scott is the best tattoo artist in town. He can create tattoos in any style and is extremely professional. Downside: they don't offer piercing, so you'll have to go somewhere else if that's what you're looking for. read more

Customer service to really bad. Never by a "gift certificate " from them because once you buy one they wont honor it. Then talking to the office manager and them never going through with your appointment they get mad at you and tell you they don't want your business and will not refund your money. So when you try to sell it they tell people they don't sell gift certificates. They have some artist that are good but good luck getting them to do the work. Would never recommend anybody to go there. I even got a hold of the owner for him to call me and of course nothing. STAY AWAY they will rob you and now I noticed they are doing cash only that is because you can dispute a credit card transaction you are screwed once they get your cash. read more

I had an appointment with Scott Versargo for a knee high tattoo. He was doing a deal of 100 portraits for $100. I was able to get the second last one. I was told to prepay $121 (that's with tax) in July 2012 and was scheduled for September since he is a very popular artist. September came along and I was rescheduled. But it didn't happen just one or two times. From the beginning of September till December 21st, he's rescheduled me SEVEN times. I haven't seen the drawing he was to have ready on December 19th and I've been nothing but very patient and okay with the reschedules. December 19th after I got off work, I went straight to the shop, very excited to finally start my piece. Only thing was when I got there, he told me he had reschedule again for that friday because he was working on someone else's tattoo. I was okay with that since it was just a day away, not a month like the other times. Except I had gotten a call from the assistant saying the computers were down and Scott didn't know he had an appointment that day, which, I told Scott I did. That's when I decided, enough is enough. Called the assistant and told him I'm annoyed and want my money back, said he doesn't handle that and Scott will call me. He never did. I prepaid, waited half a year to be constantly rescheduled for nothing. I was talking to my cousin about the situation and she wanted to hear from him what he had to say about it. She called to discuss this with him and this is what HE told HER. 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". Also said he's waiting on equipment coming in so he hasn't done any work in a week which is a lie because as I mentioned, he rescheduled me because he was working on a piece. In the end, nothing has been done about getting my money back, he was very rude about it and I still have not gotten a phone call from him. Absolutely terrible customer service and I paid for nothing. read more