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[SH INK]: Boobies Tattoo & Art

Just the deets on Boobies Tattoo & Art -- the new Japanese tattoo studio in Jiashan Market. Custom tattoos in Shanghai...
Last updated: 2015-11-09
A common inquiry we get to the office is “Hey, SmartShanghai, damn, you’re so hot -- you know if there are any good tattoo studios in town?” Short answer: yeah, man. There’s like three or four. In [SH INK] we’ll profile them for you with nice pictures and prices and everything.

If you’ve had a good experience getting some work done in Shanghai and you would like to share your artist / studio with the world, get in touch with us here.



The Basics:


Weird name. Real good tattoo studio. An import from Japan, Boobies Tattoo & Art is a respected chain in that country -- four studios in Japan -- and now this one in Shanghai. The short sell: Japanese standards for artistry, services, and hygiene.

If you’ve ever been to a Japanese cocktail bar or selvage jeans store, you’ll know the weightiness of the term “Japanese standards” -- they can get pretty intense about stuff. And this translates into some very awesome tattoos if you can afford it.

The Space:


Boobies is on the second floor of recent renovation in Jiashan Market. Lay-out is a small, simple, loft-style space, with artists' work areas comprising the majority of the shop, along with a lounge and reception.

Here’s what it looks like:






The Procedure:


Boobies specializes in custom designs, covering the gamut of tattoo styles from (obviously) traditional Japanese motifs -- dragons, maidens, masks -- to new school and abstract designs. Basically, their thing is their artists work with clients to create original artworks -- singular, one-of-a-kind pieces that haven’t been copied from anywhere else, which is actually something of a unique point with them in Shanghai. Lots of copy-pasting going around apparently.

This is how it works: you pop in for a free consultation with a general idea of the image itself, the size of the piece, and the intended location. Can be specific or totally general -- “Abraham Lincoln with a flaming hammer, riding a unicorn, all over my back and ass.”

At this point, you’re with the manger, Toru, and with him you go through their artists’ portfolios to see if a specific artists’ work appeals to you. Do you like their color combinations? Their lines and details? Their signature images?

Once you’re matched up with someone, you sit with the artist and he’s going to be creating something specifically for you. You relay what’s important to you for the finished piece, giving him some guidelines and suggestions -- “Lincoln’s hammer should be getting struck by fuckin' lightning.”

If you’re happy with what’s happening, the artist will move forward with creating you a design, and you’ll be talking price, making a deposit, and looking at clearing your schedule for weeks and weeks of agonizing pain.








The Prices:


Prices are as transparent as they can be. These are them.

Coin size: 500rmb

Cigarette box size: 1,200rmb – 2,000rmb

CD case size: 2,000rmb – 3,200rmb

The variance here is that the location of the piece on your body factors into the price. For example, your ass is a very elastic surface and requires more ink than your arm. They have to stretch your ass out to make it look nice. (Haha.)

Anything above CD case size is an hourly rate of 1,000rmb per hour.

If you’re new to this, a “half-sleeve” tattoo (half your arm covered), for example, depending on your size, and the size and intensity of the design, generally takes two sittings -- 12-15 hours total. So... do the math.

The Artists:


Boobies has five artists working out of the shop, covering between them new and old school design, traditional, tribal, and Japanese designs, and whatever else. You can check out their website right here for some examples of their portfolios, and you can discuss with the manager, Toru, which might be suited to the work you want to do.

Generally speaking, each artist is professionally trained, and involved in larger tattoo culture vis a vis international awards shows and appearances at international conventions, and the like.


This is Ming. Ming studied at Tin-Tin Tatouage, a renowned tattoo studio in France. He specializes in old school and traditional style tattooing.

The Ethos:


From manager, Toru:

"There are many tattoo studios in Shanghai, but I believe we stand out because we pride ourselves in making original artwork according to each client. We hold pride in our work and place the utmost importance on integrity. We work with the client to give them what they are happy with, but we also want to encourage them to do original, one-of-a-kind designs that only Boobies can provide, rather than copying existing ones.

That's what makes the Boobies Tattoo experience unique. Little by little, hopefully, we can help promote originality in tattoo culture as well as street and art culture.

We also set our Japanese safety and hygiene standards very high, so that our clients can feel at ease."

And the name?

"Back in my boss's hometown in Nagoya, "Booboo" was a local slang meaning something along the lines of being annoying and/or complaining, aka bitching. That became "Boobies"…


adfklajsghafdh, that hurts.

The Bottom Line:


Upfront pricing. Japanese artistry and standards. Original, one-of-a-kind artwork. Free coffee. Nice guys.

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Boobies Tattoo & Art address and contact information, right here.

TELL EVERYONE