Maspeth Tattoo is a Queens-rooted tattoo and piercing studio built around careful design, direct communication and the belief that clients should feel comfortable asking questions.
Owner and tattoo artist Daniel Russo grew up around western Queens, where drawing became a way of paying attention to the city around him. He filled notebooks with storefront lettering, neighborhood buildings, portraits and details from everyday street life. Tattooing eventually gave that habit a direction. After learning the trade and spending years working around New York artists with different strengths, Daniel became as interested in the client experience as he was in the artwork itself.
He started Maspeth Tattoo because he wanted a shop that felt rooted in the neighborhood without being limited by one narrow style. The idea was to create a place where somebody could walk in excited about a tiny fineline piece, a memorial portrait, a full-color project or a difficult cover up and still receive the same level of attention during planning. Maspeth made sense because it was part of Daniel's own Queens history and sat close to the communities where many of his clients already lived and worked.
As the studio developed, Daniel brought in Maya Ortiz and Evan Kim, artists whose strengths complemented his own. Maya's eye for botanical linework and color came from years of drawing plants and textile patterns, while Evan's interest in photography and charcoal portraiture shaped his approach to black and grey work. Together, they built the shop around a shared rule: listen first, design for the body rather than just the page, and be honest when an idea needs to change.
We focus on Fineline Tattoos, Black And Grey Tattoos, Portrait Tattoos, Color Tattoos, Cover Up Tattoos, and Piercing. Each service has its own page so you can see exactly what is involved before you call.
We are based around Maspeth and serve New York, including Ridgewood, Middle Village, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and East Williamsburg.
The client should have room to explain what matters about the tattoo, not just what it is supposed to depict.
Skin is not paper or a screen. We make design choices with placement, scale, spacing and practical tattooing considerations in mind.
When we recommend making something larger, simpler, darker or differently placed, we explain why instead of expecting blind agreement.
People can be excited, nervous, sentimental or uncertain about a tattoo. We aim to create a calm environment where questions are normal.
Meet the people who answer the phone and do the work on our Meet the Team page, or see how to join us on our Careers page.
Ready to discuss your tattoo or piercing idea? Share the basics and we can talk through the next step.
Free — no obligations