Over 15 years of creating custom tattoos that tell your story. From a small garage studio to an award-winning shop.
Iron & Ink started in 2008 when Marcus Cole converted his garage into a small tattoo studio. With nothing but a tattoo machine, a dream, and an obsessive attention to detail, he began building what would become one of Portland's most respected tattoo shops.
What started as a one-man operation has grown into a team of three award-winning artists, each bringing their unique style and expertise. But some things haven't changed: our commitment to custom work, sterile practices, and treating every client like family.
Today, we've inked thousands of clients from around the world. From first tattoos to full sleeves, memorial pieces to cover-ups, every piece of work that leaves our shop represents our dedication to the craft.
Every tattoo is a piece of art. We never rush, never cut corners, and never compromise on quality. Your skin deserves our best work.
Licensed, health department approved, and obsessively clean. Single-use needles, hospital-grade sterilization, and the highest safety standards.
The best tattoos come from collaboration. We listen, sketch, revise, and only ink when you're 100% happy with the design.
No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch. We quote honestly upfront and stick to it. Quality tattoos at fair prices.
Each artist at Iron & Ink brings years of experience and a unique perspective to their craft.
Marcus has been tattooing for over 20 years. He apprenticed under legendary artist "Big Mike" Thompson in San Francisco before moving to Portland to open Iron & Ink. His bold traditional work and intricate Japanese pieces have won multiple awards at conventions across the country.
Awards: Best Traditional (Portland Tattoo Expo 2019), Best Japanese (Seattle Ink Fest 2021)
Sarah joined Iron & Ink in 2015 after studying fine art at RISD. Her background in classical drawing translates into incredibly detailed fine-line work and photorealistic portraits. She's been featured in Inked Magazine and Tattoo Life.
Awards: Best Portrait (Northwest Tattoo Fest 2020), Best Fine Line (Bay Area Tattoo Convention 2022)
Jake brings a modern edge to the shop with his precise geometric work and bold blackwork designs. Self-taught through years of practice, he developed his signature style combining sacred geometry with ornamental patterns. He joined the team in 2019.
Awards: Best Geometric (Portland Tattoo Expo 2021)
A clean, comfortable space designed for creating art. Located in the heart of downtown Portland.
Three fully-equipped private tattooing stations. Each artist has their dedicated workspace for focused, uninterrupted work.
A dedicated space for consultations and design discussions. We take time to understand your vision before any ink touches skin.
Relax in our lounge with complimentary beverages while you wait. Browse our art books and flash collections for inspiration.
Fully licensed and regularly inspected. Hospital-grade autoclaving, single-use needles, and strict cross-contamination protocols.
Marcus Cole opens Iron & Ink in a converted garage studio in Northeast Portland.
Growing demand leads to a move to our current downtown Portland location with three stations.
Fine line specialist Sarah Chen joins Iron & Ink, expanding our style offerings.
Blackwork artist Jake Rodriguez joins, completing our current team of three.
Thousands of happy clients, dozens of awards, and counting. Here's to the next 15 years.
Book a consultation with one of our artists. Let's talk about your ideas and create something permanent.
Book a Consultation