Oakland Tattoo Shop · Future Ink Tattoo & Supply

Future Ink is Oakland's specialized tattoo shop at 5251 Broadway, on the Temescal/Rockridge border. We're the Bay Area's signature studio for heavy blackwork, Japanese geometry, and blackout tattoos — with eight resident artists working across blackwork, dotwork, ornamental, fine line, illustrative, Japanese, and color styles. We've earned 5★ across 115 Google reviews. Open seven days a week, 11 AM – 7 PM. Book a consultation by emailing info@futureink.co, calling (510) 200-8065, or filling out our contact form.
 

Where is Future Ink located in Oakland?

Future Ink is at 5251 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618 — on the Temescal/Rockridge border, between Piedmont Avenue and College Avenue. The studio is a short drive from downtown Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, and Emeryville, and a quick BART ride from San Francisco (Rockridge BART is 5 minutes away). Street and lot parking are available on Broadway and nearby side streets.
 

What styles does Future Ink specialize in?

Future Ink is Oakland's signature studio for three lanes:

• Heavy blackwork tattoos — bold, dense black ink for dramatic, high-contrast designs. The studio's most-requested style.

• Japanese geometry tattoos — traditional Japanese iconography layered with sacred geometry, a hybrid style developed in-house through Kevin Ligabue's portfolio.

• Blackout tattoos — full-arm, full-sleeve, and large-scale blackout work, including cover-ups of older pieces.

 

Our resident artists also work in blackwork, sacred geometry, Japanese / Neo Japanese, ornamental, dotwork, fine line, illustrative, floral, full color, realism, anime / manga, cyberpunk, esoteric, suminagashi, and large-scale body suits. See the full styles directory for portfolios.
 

Who are the resident tattoo artists at Future Ink Oakland?

Future Ink has eight resident tattoo artists, each with a distinct specialty:

• Kevin Ligabue (founder) — Japanese geometry, heavy blackwork, blackout, suminagashi

• Eduar Talavera — blackwork, dotwork, sacred geometry

• Martín González (BOGA) — heavy blackwork, Japanese, geometric

• Annie Serrano (takotaco) — illustrative, anime, manga, gaming (apprentice)

• Hira Lupe — dark botanical, blackwork, ornamental, illustrative

• Essie Bloom — modern Japanese, ornamental, full color

• Alisha — voile X-ray, dainty, smokey, fine line

• Addison Kupina — illustrative blackwork, sixteenth-century etching style
   

How much does a tattoo cost in Oakland at Future Ink?

Pricing depends on size, complexity, placement, and the specific artist. As of 2026:

• Small pieces (1–2 hours): typically start in the lower hundreds of dollars

• Medium pieces (3–5 hours): mid-hundreds to low four-figures per session

• Large-scale work (sleeves, back pieces, blackouts): priced per session of 3–6 hours

• Touch-ups within 6 months of original work: typically free or discounted

A non-refundable deposit (via Zelle) secures the appointment and is credited toward the final cost. For an accurate quote, submit a consultation request via the contact form with reference images and a description of your idea. See our full 2026 Bay Area tattoo cost guide for more detail.
 

What neighborhoods does Future Ink serve in Oakland and the Bay Area?

• Oakland — Temescal, Rockridge, Piedmont Avenue, Grand Lake, Adams Point, downtown

• Berkeley — South Berkeley, Elmwood, downtown Berkeley (Rockridge BART is one stop away)

• San Francisco — easy access via BART to Rockridge in about 20 minutes

• Piedmont, Emeryville, Albany — short drive from each

• The greater East Bay and wider Bay Area — clients regularly travel from Walnut Creek, Alameda, San Leandro, and Marin County
   

How do I book a tattoo at Future Ink Oakland?

Three ways to book a consultation:

1. Email info@futureink.co with reference images and a description of your idea

2. Call (510) 200-8065 during studio hours (11 AM – 7 PM, seven days a week)

3. Submit the contact form

Most artists also accept consultation requests through their individual Instagram profiles — links on each artist page. We accept cash and Zelle only.
 

Does Future Ink accept walk-in tattoos in Oakland?

Future Ink is primarily an appointment-based studio. Walk-ins are accepted when artists have openings — call (510) 200-8065 or stop by the shop at 5251 Broadway to ask about same-day availability. Booking in advance is strongly recommended for any piece over a few inches.
 

Why choose Future Ink over other Oakland tattoo shops?

Future Ink is a specialized signature studio — we aren't trying to do every style equally. The studio is built around three specialties (heavy blackwork, Japanese geometry, blackout) that are difficult to find done well in the Bay Area. If you want one of those styles, this is the studio. If you want a different style, our roster covers most other lanes through specialist resident artists rather than generalists.

Things our clients tell us they value: thorough consultations and design mapping before tattooing, sessions that don't rush, a clean shop environment, and resident artists who own their lanes rather than dabbling in many styles. We've earned 5★ across 115 Google reviews.
 

What does Future Ink also sell besides tattoos?

Future Ink runs a parallel tattoo supply business out of the same Oakland address. We design and sell custom needles and specialized inks formulated for heavy blackwork and blackout work. Pro artists can shop through our Amazon storefront. Follow @futureink.co_supply on Instagram for new releases.
 

Frequently asked questions about Future Ink Oakland

What are Future Ink's hours? Monday through Sunday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Appointments are recommended.

What payment methods does Future Ink accept? Cash and Zelle. We do not accept credit cards, debit cards, or other digital payment platforms.

Does Future Ink offer parking? Street parking is available on Broadway and nearby side streets. The Rockridge BART station is a 5-minute drive (or 15-minute walk).

Is Future Ink a clean and licensed studio? Yes. Future Ink follows all California Department of Public Health requirements for body-art facilities. Each artist works in their own station with single-use needles, fresh ink caps per session, and full sterilization protocols.

Can Future Ink tattoo minors? Future Ink follows California law: clients must be 18 or older. We do not tattoo minors under any circumstance.

Ready to book? Email info@futureink.co, call (510) 200-8065, or use our contact form. Or visit us in person at 5251 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618 — seven days a week, 11 AM – 7 PM.