Business Details
29 Years
experience
Trusted Tattoo and Piercing Studio in Pittsburgh Since 1997
South Side Tattoo & Body Piercing has been a trusted name in Pittsburgh's body art community since opening its doors on February 3, 1997. As the first female-owned tattoo studio in Pennsylvania, we've built a reputation for excellence through our team of highly skilled artists and piercers who combine decades of experience with diverse artistic expertise. Our clean, professional environment features five accomplished tattoo artists specializing in styles ranging from traditional black-and-grey to vibrant color work, alongside certified piercers offering over 20 types of body modifications.We maintain strict hygiene standards while providing personalized service for both custom tattoos and piercings. Our artists' extensive portfolios demonstrate mastery in fine line work, watercolor techniques, and complex compositions. With flexible scheduling options and a commitment to client comfort, we serve both walk-in customers and those booking appointments in advance. Our team includes third-generation tattoo professionals and award-winning artists recognized for their contributions to Pittsburgh's body art scene.
Services
Custom Tattoos
Body Piercings
Permanent Makeup
Fine Line Art
Color Tattoos
Black and Grey Work
Watercolor Tattoos
Piercing Aftercare
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We have 27 years of continuous service in Pittsburgh's body art community
- Our team includes Pennsylvania's first female tattoo artist and shop owner
- All artists trained under industry veterans with generational expertise
- Offering over 20 types of body piercings with strict hygiene protocols
- Specialized in custom tattoos across multiple styles including watercolor and Japanese
Services
Custom Tattoos
Our custom tattoo service offers personalized designs created through collaborative consultations with experienced artists. We specialize in multiple styles including traditional American, Japanese, and contemporary watercolor techniques. Each artist brings unique expertise developed through decades of practice and formal apprenticeships.
Body Piercings
We provide professional piercing services for both standard and specialized body modifications. Our certified piercers offer over 20 different piercing types with strict adherence to hygiene protocols and aftercare guidance. Services include ear, facial, oral, and intimate piercings using surgical-grade materials.
Permanent Makeup
This service offers semi-permanent makeup solutions that maintain appearance throughout daily activities. We specialize in eyebrow enhancements, lip tinting, and eyeliner applications using advanced techniques that create natural-looking results with minimal maintenance requirements.
Fine Line Art
Our fine line tattoo service focuses on intricate designs requiring precision and technical skill. Artists utilize specialized equipment to create delicate patterns, geometric shapes, and detailed illustrations that maintain clarity over time with proper care.
Color Tattoos
We offer full-color tattoo applications using premium inks that maintain vibrancy for years. Our artists employ advanced shading and blending techniques to create dynamic compositions that showcase their expertise in color theory and application methods.
People
Veronica Garrick
Owner & Master Tattoo Artist
Veronica established South Side Tattoo & Body Piercing in 1997 after apprenticing under her brother Craig Helmich. As Pennsylvania's first female tattoo artist and shop owner, she brings 28 years of experience in diverse styles from black-and-grey to complex color compositions.
Brandon Garrick
Senior Tattoo Artist
With 25 years of experience since starting his apprenticeship at 16, Brandon specializes in Japanese style, black-and-grey, and color tattoos. He learned directly from his mother Veronica and maintains a large following for his detailed work.
Garrick Brandon
Tattoo Artist
A returning artist with expertise in fine line and watercolor techniques, Garrick has been tattooing since 2004. He offers appointments Tuesday through Sunday with a focus on creating unique, personalized designs for each client.
Mike Hluhan
Tattoo Artist
Since joining in 2012, Mike has mastered all tattoo styles while also running Cut Throat Paint. He learned under Veronica and offers custom designs Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Dan Morgan
Master Piercer
Dan has been piercing since 2004 after apprenticing under Jewels. He specializes in challenging piercings and maintains Pittsburgh's high standards for safety and comfort in all body modification procedures.
Questions
What tattoo styles do you specialize in?
We offer traditional American, Japanese, watercolor, fine line, and color tattoos with artists specializing in different techniques developed through decades of experience.
Are your piercers certified and experienced?
Yes, our certified piercers have over 20 years combined experience offering over 20 piercing types with strict hygiene protocols and comprehensive aftercare guidance.
Do you offer permanent makeup services?
Yes, we provide semi-permanent makeup options including eyebrow enhancements, lip tinting, and eyeliner applications using advanced techniques for natural-looking results.
What are your studio hours?
We're open Monday-Friday 12pm-9pm, Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm at our Pittsburgh location.
How do I book an appointment?
You can schedule appointments by calling us directly at 412-381-5401 during our operating hours or through individual artist Instagram profiles linked on our website.