iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%75+51.9Reliability 31%60+18.5Momentum penalty48−5.2Experts Score= 65Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.65SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#16 of 19 tattoo parlorsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 17%
4.8★★★★★48 Google reviews · 24 photos
96%five-star reviews
4.43★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
10%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
92%reviews answered by the owner
$374typical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate Soul Sketch Ink 4.8 out of 5 based on 48 reviews, with the owner responding to 92 percent of them. Customers frequently cite the shop's cleanliness, comfortable atmosphere, and fair pricing as key positives. Recurring themes include artists' punctuality, professional communication, and ability to translate client ideas into detailed custom designs or cover-ups. No significant patterns of criticism appear in the provided excerpts, which consist entirely of five-star feedback.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 48 reviews (96% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 48 Google reviews (36 with written comments, 12 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 92% of reviews.
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and reliability; weakest: momentum.
Soul Sketch InkTattoo Parlors median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Soul Sketch Ink: 75/100 on this factor. Category median: 90.B
75
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Soul Sketch Ink: 60/100 on this factor. Category median: 90.B
60
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 89.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Soul Sketch Ink: 48/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.C
48
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 40.–
–
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
48 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars4696%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star24%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 36 written reviews
100%praise
Praise50100%
Complaints00%
Price
What customers reported paying
$374+136% vs typical tattoo parlors
Middle half of what 11 customers paid ($219–$705) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude1326%
Would recommend1224%
Quality & results918%
Communication510%
Speed & response48%
Honesty & trust48%
Price & value36%
What customers talk about
We read 36 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“He’s patient, precise, and clearly takes pride in his craft.”
“10/10 I recommend him to all of my friends and family!”
“Joe has done amazing work and is so easy to talk to!”
“Joe is a really great guy very friendly and easy to work with.”
“The shop has a $150 minimum so if you have a very small tattoo you want, try and think of another, because Joe is not just an artist and thorough but fast too!”
“No fluff, no upsell — just honest input, thoughtful questions, and a clear focus on getting the design right.”
“Pricing was more than fair for the quality of work, especially considering the custom elements and time he put into it.”
People customers mention
Joe11 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Soul Sketch Ink for 6 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
SStaceyLocal Guide · 47 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Joe LaFlash does the most amazing tattoos. I will never go to anyone else. My family and friends are also going to him if not already, soon. Can't wait for my next tattoo!
Paid $500+Tattoo designMemorial tattoos
DDemetriusLocal Guide · 17 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
I enjoyed getting my tattoo done here. My artist, Alexandria, was very professional. She kept checking to see if I was ok or if I needed a break. The shop was clean and had a nice style. The tattoo I got done will be finished after a second session but I'm already planning my next tattoo.
Paid $500+Tattoo design
MMrsLocal Guide · 16 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
Once you get a tattoo from Joe you'll go nowhere else. Joe is kind, professional, funny and humble. He is a true artist and has THE GENTLEST hand in tattoos. I trust Joe with putting something permanent on my body and I have never regretted it. The shop has a $150 minimum so if you have a very small tattoo you want,…
Paid $150–200TattoosTattoo designAbstract tattoos
DDanaLocal Guide · 88 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
Great experience. Shop has a very serene vibe. Aside from being an excellent artist Joe is quite personable & a good conversationalist which helps when sitting for art work. I gave him a general idea of what I wanted & gave him free reign in coming up with a design. Very pleased with the entire process from start to finish.
Joe LaFlash does the most amazing tattoos. I will never go to anyone else. My family and friends are also going to him if not already, soon. Can't wait for my next tattoo!
Price: $500+
Services: Tattoo design, Memorial tattoos
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! I appreciate you and all your support!
M
Mike O'Connor5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Mike has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I went to Joe for a custom piece on the inner bicep — a bear framed in a Celtic knot with natural elements woven in — and the entire experience exceeded expectations.
From the start, Joe was a straight shooter. No fluff, no upsell — just honest input, thoughtful questions, and a clear focus on getting the design right. He took the concept I had in my head and elevated it in a way that felt both intentional and personal. Parts of the piece were freehanded to better fit the flow of my arm, and you can tell the difference. It looks like it belongs there.
The work itself is incredibly clean. Lines are sharp, shading is smooth, and the level of detail holds up from every angle. There’s a balance to it — bold where it needs to be, subtle where it matters — that you only get from someone who really knows what they’re doing.
What stood out most is the care Joe brings to the process. He’s patient, precise, and clearly takes pride in his craft. You never feel rushed. You feel like you’re in the hands of someone who’s done this at a high level for a long time — because he has.
Pricing was more than fair for the quality of work, especially considering the custom elements and time he put into it.
Bottom line: Joe is a man of integrity and an absolute master of his craft. If you’re looking for a tattoo that’s not just good, but right, he’s your guy.
I’ll be back.
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you so much for this amazing review! I appreciate you and hope to see you in again someday!
D
Demetrius HoustonLocal Guide · 17 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Demetrius has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I enjoyed getting my tattoo done here. My artist, Alexandria, was very professional. She kept checking to see if I was ok or if I needed a break. The shop was clean and had a nice style. The tattoo I got done will be finished after a second session but I'm already planning my next tattoo.
Price: $500+
Services: Tattoo design
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to write a review! We appreciate you and hope to see you again!
L
Luke Wilson7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Luke has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My wife found Joe while she was searching for a new artist, she talked about him to me, she went in got her first tattoo from him, I watched with awe as he did his work! I then decided, he was going to be my new artist as well! So down to earth, such an amazing atmosphere at the shop! 10 out of 10 recommend!!
V
Virgil LaFlashLocal Guide · 6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Virgil has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Best place hands down!! Very clean and comfortable!! Fair pricing! Joe has done amazing work and is so easy to talk to! Only place I’ll recommend!
Services: Tattoo design, Memorial tattoos
Response from the owner · 10 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave review! I appreciate you and thank you for trusting me with your artwork! Looking forward to doing more in the future!
A
Anthony Urban5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Anthony has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Absolutely love this place! The professionalism, the hospitality, the atmosphere, the TALENT. So far I have gotten 8 tattoos from Joe in about a year and a half and I will definitely be getting more. I'd give this place 6 out of 5 stars if I could.
Response from the owner · 10 months ago
I appreciate you taking the time out to leave a review! I appreciate you and thank you for trusting me with your artwork! Looking forward to doing more in the future for you!
