Whether a night of drinking on Fourth Avenue has you feeling extra ambitious or you’ve got just an obsession with needles, a handful of Tucson tattoo and piercing shops are doing work at slashed prices this weekend. While some discounts are for a good cause and others for “just ‘cause,” you won’t have too far to go to get some cheap ink this weekend.

Sacred Art Tattoo

Sacred Art Tattoo is holding an event through October to support Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The funds raised will be directly donated to Southern Arizona Network for Down Syndrome, an organization that researches the disease and gives therapy to the children affected by it, said Ilea Berrios, who has a son with translocation Down syndrome.

After her son, Jaxson, was born in June, Ilea Berrios — whose mother owns the studio — wanted to do something to help other kids and families. Donations given to the organization do just that, she said.

“It’s going to a good cause,” Berrios said. “The shop doesn’t make anything off of it.”

Berrios said that the tattoo can be the size and complexity of one that would cost $80, but it will only cost $40. The price includes a $20 donation to Down syndrome research, along with a $20 tip for the artist to reimburse them for supplies.

The shop has about 10 tattoo artists who specialize in different styles — including black and gray, color, portraits, traditional and script — and all artists are participating in the event.

Sacred Art Tattoo is located at 315 N. Fourth Ave. and is open for walk-ins for patrons who wish to contribute to the donation event, Sundays through Thursdays from noon to midnight.

UnHoly Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Unholy Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio is holding specials on breast cancer and memorial tattoos, as well as discounts on pink and breast cancer-related body jewelry.

Mariah Armenta, a piercer at Unholy Ink, said the shop stays involved with multiple awareness events and raises donations for different organizations.

“We had an artist who had a kid with autism, and we wanted to give back,” she said. “We want to help, and what is happening this month is Breast Cancer Awareness.”

All proceeds are given directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which funds therapy, health services and research for breast cancer.

The tattoo studio is located at 58
07 E. 22nd St. and is Tucson’s only 24-hour tattoo shop.
Armenta said the shop’s five artists specialize in a variety of styles, so the client will be able to choose which artist’s technique suits the type of tattoo they have in mind.

David Byerly, one of the artists at Unholy Ink, says that one hour of work typically runs for $100 — but this month, the shop is giving decent discounts on all breast cancer-affiliated and memorial artwork tattoos.

“It’s at the artist’s discretion,” he said. “It just depends on the detail, the placement on the body, the overall time taken. Generally, a small 2-inch-by-3-inch pink cancer ribbon [costs] $40.”

The discounted jewelry sale includes necklaces and body jewelry. As long as it’s pink, Armenta said, it’s discounted.

“Breast cancer can happen to anybody, whether it’s you, your friend or your family,” she said. “It’s just good to be aware, whether you buy a piece of jewelry, get a tattoo or just want to talk about it.”

Crow Tattoo and Velvet Rope Studio

If you’ve wanted to get something pierced but have been a little low on money lately, Crow Tattoo does any basic piercing for $15. The list includes eyebrow, lip, tongue, nose, belly button and outer ear cartilage piercings.

Blanka Ramirez, who has been working as an apprentice piercer at Crow Tattoo for about a year and a half, said that the price recently dropped from $20 to $15. The jewelry is included with the $15, so no extra purchase is necessary.

“If it’s something they’ve been wanting to do for a long time, then why not do it now? It’s only 15 bucks,” she said with a laugh.

Crow Tattoo and Velvet Rope Studio is located at 1340 E. Broadway Blvd. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. — but Ramirez said that the schedule is flexible, and if an appointment is made for 9 p.m., the piercer will stay later if they know you’re coming.

If you want to celebrate the holiday season, the shop is also offering Halloween Flash Fridays discounts, with one tattoo for $40 or two for $50, if a friend decides to tag along. Ideas and the number to text are posted on the shop’s Facebook page.

Follow McKinzie Frisbie @DailyWildcat