- 2/26/2016
- Jason Daquelente
- Staff Writer
- J.E.Daquelente@iup.edu
Located just off IUP’s campus, the artists at SkinWork, a new tattoo shop that opened on Jan. 1, believe it is time to “make a footprint,” according to its own Mandy Cantor.
SkinWork, located at 936 Oakland Ave. near Victoria’s Frozen Yogurt, has a zero-tolerance policy to maintain a well-respected reputation.
Some of the artists have roots in Indiana, having done their apprenticeships or worked in local shops such as Inked Out, Sacred Ink, Big Mojo and Ikonic Ink.
With Big Mojo being the longest-standing tattoo shop in town, it may stand as SkinWork’s “biggest competitor,” according to Shawn Holbrook, SkinWork’s part-owner and manager.
Holbrook has been working with the students and residents of Indiana for six years and has made multiple connections within the community.
Confident in his business stratey, he “sees no challenge.”
Holbrook, who has been a professional tattoo artist for eight years, has a lot of experience in the Indiana tattoo industry, working previously at Inked Out and Sacred Ink.
At SkinWork, Holbrook is tattooing anywhere from three to six people per day.
Tattoos can be pricey, but the artists at SkinWork realize the average college student isn’t making much money to spend on body art.
The shop minimum is set at $50 and typical gratuity is 15 to 20 percent.
SkinWork also has Thursday specials – buy one tattoo, get one for $50.
They also offer a deal where if a single person refers five people to the shop, that person can get a $50 tattoo or piercing for free.
Also, visiting the shop’s Facebook page, SkinWork Tattoos & Piercings, grants access to a coupon for $5 off a piercing or $10 off a tattoo.
With holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and more in the upcoming months, there will be deals that apply to small tattoos in respect to the holidays, as well as piercing deals.
Aside from coupons, SkinWork also offers 25 percent off tattoos for anyone who is a veteran, police officer, fireman or active-duty military personnel.
Though Pennsylvania does not require tattoo artists to have any specific clearances, SkinWork’s artists have an assortment of certifications, including those for bloodborne pathogens, first aid, infection control and CPR.
The shop is in the process of building its unique look – murals are still being painted – but it’s still actively taking in customers.
SkinWork wants to retain a good name for artists in Indiana and set high standards on cleanliness – anything to make the experience of getting a tattoo as comfortable as “hanging out in your house,” according to Cantor.
SkinWork will also play whatever type of music the customer requests in order to make his or her experience as comfortable as possible .
Soon, the shop will also offer a wide variety of jewelry from which to choose for piercings, along with vinyl design work.
A selection of vaporizer juices are also available.
SkinWork is open from noon to 10 p.m. every day of the week, but is also “on-call 24/7,” according to Holbrook, and is willing to work with customers’ schedules to fit them in for appointments.
New tattoo shop, SkinWork, boasts $50 shop minimum, flexible "on-call" schedule*
