Tattoos in the valley of the sun

Copper State Tattoo opened its doors in Phoenix, Arizona in 2014 and has been tattooing the valley for over ten years. Our artists are experienced and professional, capable of drawing and designing quality tattoos in a variety of styles, especially Japanese and American traditional.

Our first priority is making a great tattoo that lasts. We love to work with your ideas and use our experience, skills, and know-how to give you a tattoo that you love and that will keep looking amazing for the rest of your life.

Meet the artists

  • Hourly prices vary by artist. Talk to your artist during your consultation about their hourly rate and your budget.

    Our shop minimum is $100. This is for very small tattoos, taking less than 30 minutes to complete.

    If you are getting a larger tattoo, requiring multiple sessions, you will be required to leave a deposit (varying by artist), which will be applied to the last session of your tattoo. Additional deposits may be required depending on the artist and client relationship.

  • No. We do not tattoo minors, no matter what. Parental permission does not matter.

  • Many of our artists book well in advance. By having you request an appointment, we can ensure that the artist is the right artist for your tattoo and that their schedule aligns with yours.

  • Calling ahead of time is always best to see if we have anyone available. We love walk-ins, but can't guarantee availability of artists all day everyday.

  • No. We do not have piercers on staff. We offer tattoos only.

  • Children, intoxicated people, alcohol or drugs, and audible mobile devices are NOT WELCOME in the shop. Please respect our space by turning your phones to silent and refrain from using apps that require sound, such as Youtube, Facebook, etc, without earphones. 

  • It takes a long time.

    Sleeves can take up to 30 combined hours, and back pieces can take somewhere between 60-80.

    If you're interested in getting a large tattoo, we can schedule the full series of sessions anticipated to finish the project. This helps us ensure that these large tattoos are as accessible and efficient to get as possible.

    Some artists may have periods throughout the year where their books are closed. This makes sure that large projects are on the schedule and able to be finished in a reasonable amount of time.

  • Dress in comfortable loose-fitting clothing, appropriate to the location of your tattoo. Feel free to bring items such as sweatshirts or small blankets to make yourself comfortable.

    Please remember to eat a good meal and hydrate before coming in for your appointment.

    We will have water and sparkling water available, but feel free to bring other beverages, as long as they are non-alcoholic. You're welcome to bring a small snack or energy bar to keep your system and blood sugar happy while you're getting tattooed.

    Make sure you bring your driver's license, passport, or state issued ID.

  • Our studio is small and cozy. In order to keep the vibes relaxed, we would prefer you come alone. If you have to bring a friend, we ask that you bring no more than one. Because the space is intimate, we cannot guarantee there will be room for them to sit in the tattoo area.

  • In addition to the universal precautions we've always employed (always sterile needles, clean, disinfected work stations, and safe tattooing practices), we are also mindful of the public health risks of contagious illnesses. We follow CDC guidances and recommendations to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers and our staff.

    While we do not require the wearing of masks inside the shop, our staff will happily wear them upon request. Don't be afraid to ask.

    Please contact your artist if you are feeling sick prior to your appointment. We will absolutely reschedule you—we don't want to get sick as much as you don't want to get sick.

  • Your artist will go over aftercare instructions with you at the end of your session. Please see our general aftercare instructions page for more information.

  • All of the tattooing products used in Copper State Tattoo are vegan and cruelty-free. This also includes the work station furniture, arm rests, and pillows.

    We have a variety of glove materials types to avoid potential allergic reactions, such as a latex allergy. Please inform your artist if you have a known allergy.

    Our staff strive to use the best quality pigments, needles and other tattoo supplies to make you a great tattoo that will stand the test of time.

  • Copper State Tattoo requires a 48 hour notice to reschedule appointments. Failure to give 48 hour notice will forfeit any and all deposits. You may be asked by your artist to pay an additional deposit to re-book.

    Contact your artist via email or call the shop at (602) 727-5221 as soon as you can to reschedule your appointment.

FAQs

Alex “Empty” Goldstein

Alex is a tattooer and the owner of Copper State Tattoo. He’s been tattooing since 2002 and is invested in creating a space where people are comfortable and happy getting their tattoo.

Alex is a unique tattooer, focusing on bold, traditional Japanese designs. He practices tebori irezumi, the Japanese hand-poke method, to create all of his designs.

Outside the shop, Alex is a musician and is currently making music under the name The Small Axe. He’s a dad to three incredible and brilliant girls and his wife is a writer and teacher at Arizona State University.

This is Kayla

Kayla is the shop coordinator. She manages daily operations for the shop, including scheduling and social media. She’s the best.

This is Desmond

Desmond is the shop dog—a fierce and ferocious predator that requires belly rubs for pass of entry. He lives with Alex and his family and comes to work every day to provide comfort and bark at the UPS guy.

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