Mean Ink Tattoo – it just might be for you

Welcome back to another Spotlight Series with Sarah!
Five months ago, I started this series to get to know the city more personally, while my readers can get to know me better in the process.
For my readers with tattoos, you know having a trusted tattoo artist is just as important (if not more) as having a trusted barber or hairdresser. Because a bad haircut can grow back. But a bad tattoo? You’re stuck with it for life (unless you decide to get it covered up or removed, of course).
When I first started getting tattoos, I switched from artist to artist, until I found my trusted tattoo artist, Jesse Ireland.
Ireland did three tattoos for me before he moved to Prestige Body Art in Howell.
I had been planning to eventually make the drive to his new location for some new ink (it’s been over two years since my last tattoo), when I learned the heartbreaking news that he unexpectedly passed away in April.
Ireland was a fantastic artist that worked well with his clients and made sure they got exactly what they wanted.
He worked with me to bring an idea to life that I had been imagining since high school. He also tattooed one of my best friends, Emmah McKague, to commemorate her first born child.
My heart broke for his surviving family and friends, but my heart also broke for myself and I dreaded having to look for a new artist.
Since I started this series, I’ve tried to find places to go within the city of Wayne instead of looking elsewhere. I figured, why not try that with a tattoo artist too.
So, I went to Mean Ink Tattoo on Thursday, August 1st, to get a new tattoo to write about for this series.
I only planned on getting a very small wrist tattoo, so I had called ahead to ask what the shop minimum was. Since the minimum is $100, I decided I’d add a spine tattoo I’ve been wanting for a while too to get more bang for my buck.

Irish Cass giving Sarah a tattoo.

Irish Cass was the available artist when I arrived.
He asked me what I wanted, where I wanted it, and got creating the designs while I filled out the paperwork. Once I finished signing and initialing everything, I walked over to Cass’ station to see what he had created for me.
I wanted a small Jesus fish for my wrist and the phrase “clothed with strength and dignity” (one of my favorite Bible verses from Proverbs) in cursive writing down my spine.
I didn’t love the font he had picked for my spine tattoo, so I showed him a screenshot of the font I wanted, and we took some time to try to find the best match for it (since I didn’t know the name of the font).
We found something similar (not an exact match) to what I wanted, so he printed it out and got the stencil ready. He made a light mark on my back where I said I wanted the tattoo to start and then carefully placed the stencil on my skin to make sure it was straight down my spine.
I asked him to take a photo of my back so I could get a better look at the stencil and confirm I was happy with everything. While I was staring at the photo, I realized I actually did not like the font we picked, and the tattoo was going to be a lot larger than I had originally anticipated it would be.
Since we couldn’t find the exact match to the font I wanted, I decided to just stick with the Jesus fish tattoo that day instead.
Cass was understanding and very patient with me and removed the stencil from my back. He placed the stencil on my wrist, I confirmed everything looked good, and he began tattooing me.
Cass has been tattooing for over 20 years and has been at Mean Ink Tattoo for almost two years.
Since the tattoo was so small, it didn’t take him long at all to finish it. He wiped it off and then placed a Saniderm (clear bandage) over it.
This was my first tattoo that has been wrapped (all my other tattoos had to be cleaned with soap and water), so he explained to me that I keep the bandage on for three days, then remove it in the shower, and my tattoo will be good to go.
Now perhaps you’re a reader that doesn’t have any tattoos but you like/have piercings. First off, thanks for reading this far. And secondly, I have a review for you too.
To give my readers the full experience, I got a new ear piercing during my trip to Mean Ink Tattoo as well.
I had nine piercings before this, but only two had been done at a shop with a needle. All the others were done at Claire’s before I learned of the importance of proper piercing.
There are quite a few ear piercings that I’ve thought about getting like the conch, rook, and tragus. However, I decided to get a second cartilage piercing (I already have one on my right ear).
Cass marked a few spots on my ear so I could pick what placement I liked best and once I confirmed, we were good to go. It had been many years since my last piercing (my last one being my daith for migraines) and I mentioned I was feeling a little nervous.
Aside from tattooing, Cass has also been piercing for over 20 years too. He talked me through the whole process and kept me calm.
It was quick, but my ear felt hot after the needle went through my cartilage. He held a paper towel against my ear to stop the bleeding and then put my earring in.
All in all, I was happy with what I got done.
Mean Ink Tattoo has been open at its current location in Wayne since August 2018, and originally opened at its previous location in Wayne in February 2017.
They’ve owned their current building for two years now.
Mean Ink Tattoo is a tattoo and piercing shop that specializes in cover-ups, color, black and gray, and lettering.
Appointments and walk-ins are welcome. They also do paintings, including custom side-building or room paintings.
“We pretty much do it all. We’ve got every corner covered,” said Dan Wagner, Mean Ink Tattoo owner.
Wagner has been tattooing for 14 years. He started by doing stick and poke style, until he got a tattooing kit. Wagner did tattooing out of an apartment until 2008, and then moved into a studio where he learned shop etiquette.
“It’s not a job if you do what you love,” said Wagner.
Mean Ink Tattoo has five tattoo artists: Wagner (Instagram: @a2imigeneral), Cass (@irishcass.tattoos), Bryan (Dre) Drevinci (@drevonvinci), Brandon Taylor (@battytats), and Bella Atwood (@astro.tatts).
Both Cass and Taylor are piercers as well.
“I’ve got a good group of people here,” said Wagner. “Brandon is like my right-hand man.”
All artists set their own individual prices, aside from the shop minimum.
“I don’t want people to come into the shop just looking for me. I want the artists to make money. I want them to do their work in a safe, comfortable environment,” said Wagner.
Wagner is wanting to push the artists into making limited-edition apparel for customers to purchase.
An old lawsuit is being finalized regarding Mean Ink Tattoo’s previous location, Wagner’s business partner is planning on leaving soon, and new things are coming for the future of Mean Ink Tattoo.
Mean Ink Tattoo is located at 3030 S Wayne Rd. and is open 12 – 8 p.m. Monday – Tuesday, 12 – 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, and 12 – 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about Mean Ink Tattoo, call (734)895-9696 or email MeanInkTattoo@gmail.com. You can find them on Facebook by searching “Mean Ink Tattoo”
Wagner is thinking about bringing Painting with a Twist to Mean Ink Tattoo, so keep an eye on Mean Ink Tattoo’s Facebook page for updates.
Be sure to check out the individual artist’s Instagram and Facebook pages for their work. “If you’re into art, come get something that lasts a lifetime,” said Wagner.
So if you’re looking to get a new piercing or tattoo, be sure to check out Mean Ink Tattoo, and be on the lookout for the next Spotlight Series with Sarah!