START YOUR TATTOO
I'm a solo artist working out of Golden Child Tattoo in Escondido, taking on custom pieces and flash in fine-line, single-needle, and micro-realism. Tell me what you're picturing, upload a few references, and share as much or as little as you want. I'll do the rest.
Takes about a minute. I read and reply to every inquiry myself.
No pressure, no obligation, just a real conversation about your idea.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Stephen is amazing. I’ve had him do all my work and every time it’s better than I could have imagined. His line work is incredible and he has a really cool esthetic. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on the work, but most importantly I’m super happy when I leave. 10/10
“Stephen helped bring my ideas for my first tattoo to life. He was patient with me as we talked through some reference images and ways to tweak the design to make it my own. The tattoo came just as I hoped and I'm very happy with the outcome. Looking forward to working with Stephen again on future tattoos!”
“the tattoo speaks for itself”
“Had such a great experience! Super easy to work with, insanely talented artist, and knew exactly how to put what I wanted into my piece. 10/10 will come back.”
“I was searching for a tattoo artist to do a very small intricate tattoo and I’m glad I found Stephen. The whole process was very easy and he’s fun to talk to while you’re getting your ink! Love my tattoo thanks Stephen.”
“Steven is awesome! I changed my design day of and it was no problem. He did an awesome job, got all the details which was super impressive considering how small I wanted it. Painless and I love my tattoo so much. Would definitely come back.”
“Super smooth from design to tattoo. Steven is an easy going guy makes the time fly and his art work speaks for itself would recommend to anyone.”
“Loved his energy and flexibility with figuring out what/where you want your work. My designs turned out better than what I had brought to him!!”
“absolutely killed it everything I wanted”
COMMON QUESTIONS
I work exclusively in black-and-gray fine-line and micro-realism, sometimes with a touch of red for dynamic contrast. You can choose a pre-drawn flash piece or bring references for something custom. Either way, we'll refine it together on the spot so it flows with your placement and feels like it's always been part of you.
Most clients say pain level is around 3/10, some even doze off. I have a light hand and keep the pace calm and collaborative. Most fine-line pieces take 20–45 minutes so the discomfort is brief.
Yes, free lifetime touch-ups on all work. Fine-line tattoos can soften over time. If your piece ever loses crispness, I'll refresh it. That's part of my commitment to the work.
Most pieces take 20 to 45 minutes of actual needle time. I plan for about an hour for mini work, 90 minutes for small pieces, or two hours for medium pieces. That gives us time to settle the design and placement without rushing.
A $50 deposit is required to hold your appointment. It goes toward the cost of your tattoo. Deposits are non-refundable, but they transfer if you need to reschedule with advance notice.
Pricing depends on size, detail, and placement. Current booking options start at $250 for mini tattoos, $350 for small tattoos, and $400+ for medium tattoos. Larger or more detailed work is quoted individually. Send me your reference and placement and I'll give you a same-day estimate.
I quote custom work by the piece, not the hour, so you'll know the price before we start. Flash pieces keep the listed price. The mini/small/medium sizing above is just how I reserve enough time for the piece. Your final price comes from the actual design, detail, and placement.
Eat a good meal beforehand, stay hydrated, and wear or bring clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your session. Come with clean skin, no lotions or oils on the area.
Fine-line work can soften over time, yes, but the difference comes down to how it's done. Proper depth, steady hand, correct needle gauge, and aftercare discipline are what keep a fine-line piece crisp for 10+ years. That's why touch-ups are included free for life on anything I do: a clean line should stay a clean line.
