The Tattoo Authority of the Northeast

Tattoos in Connecticut are easy to come by, but in order to get the best tattoo service in the entire northeast, you need to come to Enfield, Connecticut where you will find Torture Ink.

Even though Torture Ink is, hands down, the best tattoo shop in the entire area, we continually make improvements to assure that we keep our reputation as the “Tattoo Authority of the Northeast.” We do this by hiring only the most talented body artists in existence, and using the latest and greatest tattoo techniques, with which most artists aren’t even familiar. We also maintain a very high degree of cleanliness and sanitation. We exercise extreme safety measures to protect each of our customers’ health and well-being.

Another way in which we serve each of our customers is to provide them with pricing that they can afford. Some tattoo shops get greedy and take advantage of the spontaneous wants of their customers, which sometimes overrides their sound financial judgment. At Torture Ink, we do just the opposite. We offer special pricing and incentives to assist those who have wanted a tattoo but have been unable to afford it. We also offer special pricing on our cover up services. Those who have a tattoo that they really want to cover up are provided with affordable pricing so that they can get it done by our extremely talented cover up artists. The reason that we offer this high level of customer service is because we are not driven by greed. We understand that by taking great care of each of our clients, we will see them again and again as they decide to expand their tattoo canvas. We also understand that every tattoo that we place on a body is a walking billboard for Torture Ink. We are proud of the work we do, and we know that our customers are continually being asked where they got their body artwork done. Word of mouth is very valuable to us, and it is by far our best advertising medium.

Torture Ink is involved in community service and activities. We know that by becoming involved in local events, people will remember our name and who we are. We know that by sponsoring events and attending special functions, that people in the community will recognize us as a professional establishment who cares.

Located at 654 Enfield St. in Enfield, CT, Torture Ink is one of the largest tattoo shops in the nation. Unlike the majority of tattoo establishments, we are one of the few in the nation that is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, which really says something.

In addition to tattoos, Torture Ink provides high quality body-piercing services. We use the most medically safe and sanitary methods available, and provide an array of body jewelry to choose from right in the shop. We also offer airbrushing and pin striping services.

 

 

 

Torture Ink, the Tattoo Authority of the Northeast

If you are looking to get a Tattoo Connecticut Style, then there is only one place to go. Actually, if you are looking to get a tattoo “any style,” there is still only one place to go, and that is Torture Ink.

We are located in Enfield, Connecticut, and we serve the local community, but we service many clients from Hartford County, Springfield and Bridgeport areas, as well as Boston, Massachusetts. We are a full service tattoo shop, and we boast the title of The Tattoo Authority of the Northeast.” Not only do we boast about having the cleanest shop, the best artists and the highest quality of products, we actually produce what we say we do.

Tattoos are not like a bad haircut. If you get a bad tattoo, you will have to live with it for the rest of your life, and Torture Ink knows that! Every customer that walks in the door to get his or her first tattoo, or 100th tattoo, will get the quality, cleanliness and professionalism that only Torture Ink can deliver.

All of our tattoo artists are specialists, many having over twenty years of experience. They can help you decide on a design, or they can make the tattoo that you have in your head become a reality. Not only can they place the tattoo on your body, they can recreate it on a decal, or airbrush it onto something that will be seen by many, such as a truck tailgate or a motorcycle helmet.

If you are not sure about how the tattoo will look on you, we can make a temporary tattoo for you with your design, and let you see exactly what it will look like on your body. If you decide that it looks as good as you suspected, we will place the real deal on your skin. If you don’t like how the temporary tattoo looks, then we will start back at square one and help you design something that you will love for the rest of your days.

The reason that Torture Ink has become such a legend in the world of tattooing is not just the trend setting shop, not just the extremely talented artists, and not just the modern techniques that very few other artists even know about. The reason that we are the success that we are is because we know who the most important person in our establishment is. It is YOU, the customer. No matter how advanced or talented we are, we are nothing if we don’t have our customers. It is our customer service that sets us apart from all of the other Connecticut tattoo shops. We treat you as if you are our only client, taking great care to make sure that you are comfortable with the step you are about to take, and helping you decide on the body art that will most benefit you in the long run.

We also offer the most sanitary, safe and up-to-date body piercing techniques. We have a huge selection of body jewelry right here in the shop.

Enfield Tattoo Shop Torture Ink to Sponsor MMA Fight

Enfield tattoo shop, Torture Ink, has entered the ring of Mixed Martial Arts. On August 3rd, 2013 they will be sponsoring the 12-fight MMA Premier Fighting Championship 14 to be held in Agawam, Massachusetts at the Chez Joseph Event Venue.

Torture Ink will be sponsoring the co-main event as well as the main event fights. These bouts include Flyweight/Bantamweight Champion Marvin Maldonado verses Justin Kristie, and female MMA 125 lb. Champion Sarah Payant verses Danielle Hobeika. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the first fight scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

As the official tattoo studio for the event, Torture Ink will have one of the corner posts bearing the name of the studio that tattoo recipients are coming to recognize more and more all throughout the northeast region of the United States. As the fighter leaves the corner to enter the ring, the fight announcer will proclaim, “Out of the Torture Ink corner…” once again providing priceless exposure for the tattoo shop. Torture Ink will also be sponsoring the championship belts awarded to the fighters, which will bear the tattoo shop’s images.

“I’ve always had an interest in competitive fighting,” said Torture Ink Founder, John Improta. “I like the fact that someone who has honed their fighting skills can just come out of nowhere and advance up the ranks, regardless of who they are or what their background is. It reminds me of how Torture Ink has risen up from humble beginnings to become the best tattoo shop in the country.” Improta continued, “I figured that the ‘All You Can Sit’ tattoo special would be good to promote at the fight, because anyone who can take the pain like these fighters, can surely sit through a long tattoo session!”

One of the promotions that will be featured for the spectators of this fight night is the $399 “All You Can Sit” tattoo promotion. The special deal will be mentioned three times throughout the twelve-fight event. This unprecedented special deal was created for people who want larger works of body art at an extreme value. The clients taking advantage of this deal will no longer have to guess what their next tattoo will cost, and they will save time, as they needn’t shop around for “best price.” As much bodywork as the client can endure in one tattoo session will be included in the price. This deal is also applicable for those wanting to get a tattoo covered. Torture Ink will be giving away a gift certificate for an “All You Can Sit” session to one lucky winning spectator at the fight event.

Located at 654 Enfield St. in Enfield, CT, Torture Ink is one of the largest tattoo facilities in the country. Unlike the majority of tattoo shops, Torture Ink is one of the few in the nation that is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

All of the skilled artists at Torture Ink are amongst the best in the industry, some of them having over 20 years of experience. They use contemporary tattoo techniques that very few artists are familiar with.

In addition to tattoos, Torture Ink provides high quality body-piercing services. They use the most medically safe and sanitary methods available, and provide an array of body jewelry to choose from right in the shop. Torture Ink also offers airbrushing and pin striping services, allowing customers to customize things such as motorcycle parts, helmets, or practically anything they want customized. Customers can actually get the likeness of their tattoo airbrushed onto the tailgate of a pickup truck or the gas tank of a motorcycle; the possibilities are endless!

To learn more about Torture Ink, and how you can take advantage of all they have to offer, contact them at 877-434-3054 to schedule an appointment.

Choose Your Tattoo Shop Wisely

Enfield Ct tattoo parlor, Torture Ink, is the premier tattoo shop in Connecticut and the surrounding areas. As an authority on the subject, Torture Ink is very aware of the safety of their clients, and they want to make sure that going to anyone other than a top-tier, well-trained professional could be dangerous, and could lead to severe consequences regarding the happiness or health of the tattoo recipient.

Tattoos and body art are rapidly becoming the mark of the 21st century. Over a quarter of those under the age of 30 have at least one tattoo. Whether they are compelled by the desire for personal expression, or just youthful spontaneity, most tattoo recipients get them without considering the health risks associated with going to the wrong establishment. Many feel that just because a place is in the “tattoo business,” they are proficient and sanitary. Unfortunately, this is far from the case.

Anyone getting a tattoo can do so with a very satisfactory outcome. It does, however, require that you exercise some common sense and make the right choices. Tattooing is an invasive, skin-puncturing procedure, so the recipient becomes subject to the cleanliness and sanitation of the artist and the establishment administering the body art.  A tattoo is a permanent piece of art that is administered by pricking the skin. Typically, a hand held tattoo machine is used. It acts much like a sewing machine, with one or more needles inserting tiny ink droplets under the skin’s top layer. There is a small amount of bleeding, and some pain, from slight to significant, depending on the size and location of the art being produced.

Upper echelon tattoo establishments, such as Torture Ink, go to great lengths to assure that each of their clients are well treated with the most sanitary methods in existence, assuring that no infection occurs due to a lack of care and cleanliness on their part. These are some of the precautions that are taken at Torture Ink:

  • The shop is kept clean and hygienic.
  • All needles, instruments and jewelry for tattoos and body piercing are sterile at the time of use.
  • The operators are free of any exposed cuts or wounds, and are dressed in clean clothing.
  • Health information on getting a tattoo is provided before the body art is administered.

At Torture Ink you will find a shop that takes every precaution to assure a clean, healthy environment in which you can feel confident as your body art becomes a reality. Any tattoo establishment should adhere to a few safety rules in order to be as sanitary and infection-free as Torture Ink. A tattoo artist should always:

  • Wash his or her hands at the beginning, the ending, and throughout the procedure each time a break is taken, or a phone is answered, etc.
  • Clean and disinfect the skin of the customer where the tattoo or piercing is to take place.
  • Wear disposable surgical gloves on both hands throughout the procedure
  • Assure that all of the instruments are sterilized
  • Never smoke, drink or eat during a procedure
  • Provide a complete set of instructions on how to properly care for your new tattoo or piercing.

The tattoo shop you go to can only adhere to their safety standards. At the end of the day, it is the tattoo recipient’s responsibility to follow the directions for post procedure care to avoid infection.

Piercing Connecticut One Body at a Time

If you’re in Connecticut, piercing of the body is readily available to you. There are several choices you can make regarding where you want to go to get it done, but we would highly recommend you go somewhere who will look out for your best interest. Of course, we are bias and should just tell you to come to Torture Ink. That is because we are the best. We use the most medically safe and sanitary methods available, and provide an array of body jewelry to choose from right in the shop. We will place your piercing anywhere you want, and we will do it safely and with expertise.

It is important to realize that when your body is pierced, it is inflicted with an injury; albeit an infliction with advertency. Because a piercing is intrusive to the body, it requires that care and precautions are taken to prevent any infection from setting in. Dermatologists at the Northwestern University conducted a study of the overall safety and medical consequences of getting body piercings. They focused their attention to the most common areas people get pierced; namely the ears, nose, tongue, nipple, naval, and genitalia. They found it to be relatively safe. The main issue of concern is infection, which can usually be avoided if the piercing is done properly, and the customer follows the after-care instructions. The dermatological study provided nine tips to consider before you get a body piercing. If all of these things check out, then it’s time to get pierced. If not, contact Torture Ink and let us help you with any questions or issues that may keep you from moving forward:

  • Do you have a pre-existing infection of any kind?
  • Do you have a history of asthma, hives or severe allergic response?
  • Will you have to remove the body piercing for work or contact sports?
  • Do you have a predisposition to hypertrophic or keloid scarring?
  • Do you have the right anatomy for the piercing you want?
  • Has your piercer been adequately trained?
  • Does the piercer review the medical history of the customer to screen for conditions that may predispose to infection?
  • Does the piercer use appropriate, site specific materials (such as nickel-free jewelry) to minimize the risks of allergy, infection, migration and rejection?
  •  Will you receive clear oral and written aftercare instructions?

The study conducted can be found in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

If you go over this list and still feel confident about getting your body pierced, then it’s time to come see us. Our piercers are all well-trained and very proficient at what they do. We use very high quality body jewelry to reduce the risk of rejection or infection. We have a large array of this body jewelry to choose from and our work is done in a clean, sterile environment right here at Torture Ink. If you go over this list and find things that are of concern to you, give us a call and let us walk you through any questions or concerns you may have. Remember, body piercing can be beautiful, but it is not permanent, so if you change your mind, you can do so without severe consequences.

Tattooing is Not a New Art Form

If you are going to Hartford, tattoo heaven is just 30 minutes away in Enfield! It is called Torture Ink, and it is worth the short drive if you are planning to get body art done. If you are getting a tattoo, you will be joining the ranks of millions who have done the same, dating back millenniums.

The art of tattooing has been around for thousands of years, adorning the human body with designs, either intricate or simple. The reasons for these adornments vary, yet are always personal. Some of them are designed to declare love, or as status symbols. Some denote religious beliefs, and some were even applied as a punishment.

The earliest evidence we have of tattooing was found on the upper lip of a 7,000 year-old mummy from the Chinchorro culture of northern Chile and southern Peru. The tattoo is of a thin, pencil mustache, indicating that it was strictly for cosmetic purposes.

Another very early example of human tattooing was found on a mummy discovered in the area of the Italian-Austrian border in the Otztal Alps in 1991. The male mummy has been given the appropriate nickname of “Otzi the Iceman.” The body was frozen in ice from the chest down, and it took a special team to extract it from the 5,200 year-old icy grave. On the body was found a series of tattoos. Because of the placement of the tattoos on the ankle joints, lower spine and right knee, some experts believe that the markings were therapeutic, and applied to relieve pain.

There are several pieces of evidence that Egyptian women bore tattoos on their bodies and limbs. Several female figurines from 4000-3500 B.C. have been discovered, and occasionally they were found in tomb scenes. There have also been tattoo tools discovered in the town of Gurob in northern Egypt that date back to 1300 B.C. And more enlightening are the mummies that have been discovered in Egypt, dating back as far as 2000 B.C.

A brief study into the history of tattoos makes it clear that the practice has been around for a very long time. Today, the art continues. The equipment is higher tech, and the artists are very skilled, but the principle is basically the same as it was millenniums ago. If there is artwork you want displayed on your body, either for all to see or just a select few, it can be done.

The skilled artists at Torture Ink are amongst the best in the body art industry, some of them having over 20 years of experience. They use contemporary tattoo techniques that very few artists even know about.

In addition to tattoos, Torture Ink provides high quality body piercing services. They use the most medically safe and sanitary methods available, and provide an array of body jewelry to choose from right in the shop. Torture Ink also offers airbrushing and pin striping services.

To make an appointment for your body art, give Torture Ink a call and schedule your session today.

A Look at the History and Culture of Tattooing

Ct Tattoo Shop, Torture Ink, has set the bar for other tattoo shops in the region. They have taken the extra steps to assure that they are the premier tattoo establishments in the Northeast. Thousands of very happy customers have walked out of the shop with new body art decorating their exteriors.

Tattoos in Connecticut are a common thing, of course, but they are elsewhere too. Tattoos are applied the world over, and they mean different things to different cultures. For instance, in New Guinea, a swirl of tattoos on a Tofi woman’s face would indicate her family genealogy. Dark scrawls across a Cambodian monk’s chest will tell you his religious beliefs. Any big city gang member will most likely have various tattoos that indicate his or her street affiliation, and perhaps even what crimes he or she has committed, including murder. From Maori chiefs in New Zealand to Japanese mafia lords, tattoos are an expression of identities and lifestyles. Tattoos can communicate to onlookers who the bearer of the markings is, and what position they hold, or what they have done.

In September of 2013 there is a documentary to be aired on the Smithsonian Channel by photographer Chris Rainier. He has spent the last twenty years documenting the culture of the tattoo. He has covered jungles, cities, and deserts. He has visited and documented the hill tribes of the territory of New Guinea, as well as the streets occupied by L.A. street gangs.

What Rainier has concluded is that tattoos are not only embedded in the skin, but also engrained in the minds of humans as a way of expressing identity. He visited the island of Mentawai in Indonesia, and found that the ancient ritual of tattooing is quickly disappearing. Rainier hurries to document this culture before its traditional ways of tattooing become obsolete.

Rainier has also become fascinated with the current tattoo craze in the United States. It is apparent just about anywhere one travels in our nation. While it used to be confined to certain subcultures, tattooing has now gone mainstream. According to a 2006 Pew survey, 40 percent of Americans between the ages of 26 and 40 have been tattooed.
Our modern West’s first documented encounter with tattooing happened in 1769 when a naturalist aboard the British ship, Endeavour, witnesses the Polynesian practice of “tattowing” first hand. This naturalist, Joseph Banks, watched a 12-year-old girl become extensively adorned. “It was done with a large instrument about 2 inches long containing about 30 teeth,” said Banks. “Every stroke…drew blood.” The girl sobbed and fought, but two women held her down, occasionally beating her. It went on for nearly an hour.

Sailors began returning from tours of the South Pacific sporting tattoos of their own, and soon the Europeans looked upon these tattoos as something only obtained by unruly sailors, although they were highly admired in certain circles: in the early 1900s, the future Marchioness of Londonderry tattooed a snake, a star and a coat of arms on her leg, and King George V boasted a Japanese-style dragon.

Today people are getting tattooed for a variety of reasons, and the practice is getting more and more popular with time. No longer are tattooed citizens considered to be outcasts, or rebels. Now many tattoos are simply applied for the beautification of the body.

Ct tattoo shop Torture Ink is proud to be amongst the most revered tattoo establishments in the nation, setting the bar with outstanding artists and equally outstanding customer service. Give us a call and make your appointment today.

Proper Piercing Procedures for Safety

Connecticut body piercing establishments are numerous, but like most anything else in life, no two are exactly the same. Torture Ink sets itself apart as the premier body-piercing establishment in the northeast. Their techniques and attention to detail, as well as their selection of fine body jewelry made of the finest materials, sets them apart as a leader in the tattoo and body piercing industry.

Whether it’s in the ears, the nose, or through other points in the skin, piercing the body has made its way into our culture as an acceptable means of self-expression. It is important to remember, however, that because the protective skin is punctured during the process, there are a few risks to be aware of and watch out for. Some of these risks include disease spread through the blood and allergic reactions to the piercing jewelry. That is why reputable piercers, like Torture Ink, go to great lengths to adhere to very strict safety procedures in order to protect their customers, as well as themselves. However, as of yet there are no standard piercing regulations.

If you do not go to a reputable, well-established piercing establishment, you will have nobody looking out for your safety. You should be looking out for your own safety anyway, but it helps to have a good shop on your side. It is important to talk about safety procedures with the shop before you get any work done there. Ask them specific questions about their process. Make sure that the shop is clean and sanitary, and that the body artist doing the piercing uses proper sanitation practices such as washing hands thoroughly, using new disposable surgical grade gloves and sterilized instruments and jewelry.

Customers should be aware that different piercings take different amounts of time to heal. This means that with some piercings there is a longer window of time for infection to set in. It is extremely important to follow the after-care instructions provided to you by the shop until the piercing is completely healed. Along those same lines, it is important to use the proper dressings; stay away from cleaning solutions that are not appropriate for piercings, such as hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. These chemicals are harsh and could damage healing tissue.

There are home piercing kits available on the Internet. These make it easy for minors to get around the age restrictions that most reputable shops adhere to. These kits also place users at risk of infections and blood diseases. Procedures like this must be left to the professionals to avoid serious complications. According to the Association of Professional Piercers, one should stay clear of piercing guns; the type used at malls. There are parts of these guns that cannot be sterilized, which allows for a greater risk of infection.

Just as important as taking sanitation precautions, is using high-quality hypoallergenic jewelry such as that used by Torture Ink. We place a great emphasis on the cleanliness and safety procedures to assure that our clients will be best served in a sanitary fashion. We also provide body-piercing services utilizing the most sanitary, medically safe and least rejected piercing procedures (and jewelry) possible.  We have a huge array of body jewelry available on site, and will pierce any part of the body that the client desires. It is done right here in our clean, sterile and sanitary tattoo shop.

Beware of Questionable Tattoo Shops in Springfield and Surrounding Areas

The tattoo shops in Springfield and the surrounding areas have been proving to be lacking in the area of proficiency in cover up tattoos. Torture Ink in Enfield wants all of their current and potential customers to be aware of the number of tattoo artists who decline performing cover up body art simply because they are not qualified to perform it.

There are various reasons why someone may be looking to get a tattoo covered. Life’s circumstances change, as do relationship statuses or political views. Sometimes the customer gets a tattoo on a whim or a dare, and ends up completely regretting the poor decision.

John Improta, Founder of Torture Ink, advises that one of the best ways to gauge the skill and qualification of a tattoo artist is to ask him or her if they do tattoo cover ups. If they are not skilled in that area, or if they feel that there is not enough profit to do the work, they may quote a price that is way too expensive in order to discourage you from getting it. Also, they may tell you that your tattoo cannot be covered, which is not true. This is indicative of the fact that the artist is not experienced or skilled in cover up body art. Improta advises anyone who is told that his or her tattoo cannot be covered, to turn around and walk out of the shop and into Torture Ink. At Torture, there is no tattoo that cannot be covered. While there may be steps to prepare for the coverage, Torture Ink can do it, and will create something beautiful and appealing to take its place. Our skilled artists will help you design a work of art that will surely put a smile on your face.

If you do have any tattoos that you have wanted to get covered, now is a great time to do it, especially if it is a particularly big one. Torture Ink is currently offering the $399 All You Can Sit deal, where as long as you can sit and have work done, we will do it, and all for the price of $399. This is an unprecedented deal that can save the recipient of the cover up tattoo, or regular tattoo, hundreds of dollars.

Our body artists at Torture Ink are amongst the best and most qualified in the industry. Some of them have over 20 years experience as tattoo artists. The techniques that they use are state-of-the-art, still unheard of to many artists in the field.

At Torture Ink, we strive not only to get new business, but to take care of all of our customers’ needs, including keeping them up to date with any information that we feel will be helpful to them.

Hartford Tattoo Shops are Close to Torture Ink

Hartford tattoo shops, as well as those in the Boston area, Springfield and Bridgeport are all shops that share a geographical region with Torture Ink, located in Enfield, Connecticut. Torture Ink continues to set the bar for itself, as well as the surrounding tattoo communities, by continually looking out for its customers and sharing updated information on tattoos, piercings and their reputation in the community.

Body art and body piercings are becoming more and more accepted as a form of legitimate expression and creativity. In the bigger cities such as New York or Los Angeles, they have grown to be a large part of the cultural landscape. Going back three decades, one in a hundred people sported tattoos in this country. Today, it has increased ten fold to one in ten people having tattoos.

Even though our tattoos and body piercings have become rather mainstream in our culture, and even though society is becoming more accepting to the liberal creativity, there are still some workplaces that are not so welcoming to the ever-increasing art form. Some employers may tell you that in order to work for them, you cannot display any body piercings or tattoos while working. This is actually their right, as they are breaking no laws. The law only protects people who are discriminated against based on race, color, religion, age, nationality, origin and gender. However, your company cannot use tattoos or piercings as a reason to fire you, just to not hire you.

As discovered in a recent Vault.com survey, employees and employers were polled about piercings and tattoos in the workplace. Sixty percent of the employers said that they would be less likely to hire an employee with visible tattoos or piercings, as they feared that it would reflect badly on the company. Some managers would rather let a good candidate for a job go by, than accept their body art.

As far as a reason why people would think less of a person with tattoos or piercings is perhaps because they associate these things with bikers, sailors, criminals and gang members, which is outdated thinking and completely stereotypical. While you may see it as self-expression or free speech, your boss may think it’s a sign of rebellion.

There are many employers that share this limited mentality of how their employees should present themselves. Surprisingly, one of the companies that do not allow tats or piercings to show is Starbucks. In order to work there, all tats must be covered and piercings removed.

The good news is that times are changing. There are employers that are embracing tattoo and piercing body art. Ford Motor Company allows everyone from the executive management on down to have whatever body art they want, with no restrictions, save they ask the factory workers to remove any piercings that may put them in mechanical danger. When Borders Books was thriving, they also allowed their employees to express themselves in the form of tats and piercings, as does Wahoo’s, a California based fish taco chain. Dutch Brothers Coffee is another business that allows free expression. These are just a few businesses of thousands that are seeing past the conservative stereotype of tattoos and piercings.

It is a good idea, however, if you are interviewing for a job, to take into consideration the fact that there may be restrictive policies regarding your body art, so think about covering them up until you know for sure.