Mesa Tattoo On Upshur · NW Portland
Art to make your body feel like home.
I’m Alex Ziegler, “The Zieg.” I tattoo small to medium pieces: color mandalas, dot shading, and strange little tattoos. First-timers are my favorite clients.
- Color Mandala
- Dot Shading
- Whimsical & Absurd
- Neo-Traditional
Text (503) 512-9161, DM @alexthezieg, or email info@bettertattooing.com. Flash pricing and openings go up on Instagram first.
About Alex
Alex “The Zieg” Ziegler
I’m a queer tattoo artist in my first year of tattooing. Before this I spent ten years as a graphic designer and brand marketer, so I treat a tattoo the way I treat any project: we work it out together until it fits you.
A tattoo can be a visual reminder of what you believe and what you want. I’d be honored to help you build an image that matches who you are on the inside.
Or we can make something silly that makes you smile every day. There’s no wrong approach.
Outside the studio you’ll find me dancing, DJing, MCing, and hosting pub trivia around Portland.
- StudioMesa Tattoo On Upshur
- ExperienceFirst year
- Before tattooing10 years in graphic design
- ScaleSmall to medium
- Hourly$150
- Instagram@alexthezieg
The Work
Small to medium pieces, done with care.
I work at small to medium scale. That’s where color mandalas, dot shading, and odd little ideas look their best, and it’s the size I can execute cleanly right now.
Bring me something meaningful, something surreal, or something absurd. If it makes you laugh or brings you joy, that counts as a good reason.
- Color Mandala
- Dot Shading
- Strange Little Tattoos
- Whimsical & Absurd
- Surrealism
- Neo-Traditional
Recent Work
From the chair, May to September.
First Tattoos
Your first tattoo, step by step.
Getting your first tattoo can be nerve-wracking, even when you really want it. I walk you through every step so you know what’s happening and why, from when you first reach out to me to walking out the door.
Bring a friend and get matching ones. That works too.
- Send me the idea
Text or DM what you have in mind, roughly where it goes, and how big.
- Get your price
I quote at booking. That quote is your final price.
- Hold your date
A $50 retainer books it and comes off the final cost.
- Day of Appointment
Text me when you arrive, and I’ll let you in. Let’s get started!
Rates
What it costs.
Tattoo cost shouldn’t be a mystery when you show up. The price I quote at booking is the final cost of your tattoo. Tips are always appreciated.
Custom, hourly
$150
Per hour of tattooing.
Half day
$400
Half of a full-day session.
Full day
$800
8 hours: 6 tattooing, 2 for stencil, food, and breaks.
Flash
Varies
Current pricing and availability on Instagram.
Retainers
Every tattoo needs a retainer: $50 minimum, $100 for a half day, $200 for a full day. The retainer goes toward the final cost of your tattoo.
What a “day” means
A day is 8 hours. Six of those are tattooing. The other two cover stenciling, snacks, meals, stretch breaks, and whatever else you need.
Booking Policies
The fine print, in plain words.
Cancelling
Cancel at least one week before your appointment to get your retainer back.
No-call, no-show
No-call, no-shows can’t rebook. Running 15 minutes late without a message counts as a no-call, no-show.
The “Oh ****” Policy
Stuff happens. You can reschedule once, up to two hours before your appointment. Rescheduling with less than two hours’ notice needs a new retainer to book.
Getting in
Mesa is in Suite 350 on the 3rd floor of 1801 NW Upshur St. We’re not in the building directory. Text me when you’re outside. I’ll buzz you in and meet you at the elevator.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
How do I book?
Text my business line at (503) 512-9161, DM @alexthezieg on Instagram, or email the shop at info@bettertattooing.com with your idea, placement, and size. I’ll quote it and send retainer details.
Will the price change on the day?
No. The price I quote at booking is the final cost of your tattoo.
How much is the retainer?
$50 minimum for any tattoo, $100 for a half day, $200 for a full day. It goes toward your final cost and is refundable if you cancel at least a week out.
It’s my first tattoo. Is that okay?
More than okay. First tattoos are my favorite. I’ll explain each step as we go, and we can stop for breaks any time you need one.
Do you do realism?
Not yet. I’m working on it. For now I stick to mandalas, dot shading, neo-traditional, and the strange little stuff.
Where do I find flash?
Instagram, @alexthezieg. Flash pricing changes by piece, and that’s where current designs and openings go up.
Something came up. Can I reschedule?
Once, up to two hours before your appointment. With less than two hours’ notice, you’ll need a new retainer to rebook.
Contact
Send me a message.
Tell me your idea, where it goes, and roughly how big. I’ll get back to you with a quote and retainer details.