If you know who you’d like to get tattooed by, we recommend reaching out to them directly. Read their bio to figure out how they prefer to get in touch. Some prefer email, while others prefer Instagram DM.

No, you don’t! If you know who you’d like to sit down with, or have a specific day in mind, we always recommend setting up an appointment.

However, we try our best to accommodate walk-ins. We’re typically at the shop from 11-6 Tuesday-Sunday. If nobody is available right away, there are plenty of spots in the neighborhood to kill some time.

Check our instagram for updates on walk-in availability.

Feel free to fill out our contact form, and we can put you in touch with the artist who best suits your needs.

“Tattoo flash” refers to the imagery hanging on our walls. At Heart of Gold, we view painting flash as an essential aspect of our job. Providing an ever-changing selection of new designs is what keeps our clients coming back.

We all have a sense of how to build a sleeve, and draw our designs accordingly. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to build your collection. Choosing from our array of puzzle pieces is a sure way to end up with a beautiful mosaic when it’s all said and done.

When you choose from our flash, you’re getting the very best of what we have to contribute to tattooing. Let us do the hard work, so you don’t have to ;)

It’s best to show up to your tattoo appointment well rested, well fed, and well hydrated. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the tattoo area. Bring some snacks and a bottle of water to your appointment. Moisturize the tattoo area leading up to your appointment, but refrain from applying lotion on the day of.

That depends on where you’re coming from!

Taking the train? We are conveniently located about a 5 minute walk from the York-Dauphin stop on the Market-Frankford Line. Take Jasper St to Boston, or Dauphin St to Coral.

Driving in? Free street parking can typically be found on Coral St. or Boston St.

Please refer to our aftercare page.

The comical number of coffee shops is a running joke in the neighborhood.

Forin & Forin Cafe (both a 6 minute walk) are the coffee darlings of the neighborhood. Unique drip, specialty lattes, bespoke clothing and records, etc.

Fiore (5 minute walk) is our favorite place to grab pastry on our way to work. Everything you expect from an Italian bakery (sweets, savories, espresso), including excellent tomato pie.

Dreamworld Bakes (1 minute walk) offers a selection of inventive baked goods, and a solid coffee menu.

It’s not! You may have stories about K&A, the intersection of Kensington and Allegheny, which is about a 30 minute walk from our shop. You are much more likely to designer dogs and families pushing strollers, than you are to encounter any naerdowells.

No, but there are two within one block of the shop. Try Coral Street Deli (Coral and York), or The Monkey Club (Amber and York).

No, we do not, regardless of parental consent.