13 October 2026 · STIN Tattoo Studio

Custom Tattoos in Central Prague: From Your Idea to the Finished Design

Číst česky →

Most people do not walk in with a finished drawing. They come with a photograph they like, a memory, a shape they keep coming back to, or just a feeling about the kind of tattoo they want. That is enough to start.

At STIN we work in the middle of Prague, in Malá Strana, and every tattoo we do is drawn for the person who will wear it. This is what the process looks like, from your first message to the moment the needles start.

What makes a tattoo "custom"?

A custom tattoo is designed for one person: for your idea, your body, the place on the skin and the size you chose. It is not picked from a wall of ready-made designs, and it is not an image from the internet copied line by line.

References are still welcome. A photo you like is a good way to show what attracts you - a mood, a level of detail, a way of drawing. We use it as a starting point, then build your own composition from it.

The reason is practical as much as artistic. A drawing made for a flat screen rarely sits well on a shoulder, a forearm or a ribcage. Skin curves, moves and ages, and the design has to work with that.

Do I need a finished idea before I come?

No. People usually arrive in one of three states, and all of them are fine:

• A clear picture. You know the motif, the size and the placement.
• A direction. You want something botanical, ornamental or geometric, but the motif is still open.
• A reference. You have saved a few images and you like something in them, even if you cannot say what.

What helps us most, whichever state you are in: a short description of the idea, one or two references, the approximate size, the placement you have in mind, and - if you are visiting Prague - the dates you are here.

How does the design process work?

Three steps, the same ones we follow for every piece in the portfolio:

What if I want to change something?

Say so. The best moment is while the stencil is on the skin: it can be moved, turned, made larger or smaller before anything is permanent. Ask to see it from a different angle, or to shift it two centimetres - that is a normal part of the appointment, not an inconvenience.

An experienced artist may also suggest a change: slightly larger, one detail simplified, the motif moved a few centimetres. That is not about overruling your idea. It is about making sure the idea still works as a tattoo years from now.

What should I bring?

• Your references, on your phone is fine.
• A note of the placement and roughly the size you want.
• Clothes that give easy access to the area - tight jeans are awkward for a thigh piece.
• Your questions. Scale, line weight, healing, price - ask before we start.

If you are in Prague for a few days only, bring your travel dates too. Our guide for visitors covers timing, flying and swimming after a session.

Which styles work well for custom designs?

All of them, but they ask for different things from the drawing. Anna works across fine line, floral, ornamental, graphic, engraving, traditional and micro-realism.

Fine line and floral work suits delicate, personal motifs. Ornamental designs follow the symmetry of the body. Graphic and engraving rely on composition and contrast. Micro-realism puts a photographic level of detail into a small space. If you are not sure which fits your idea, describe the idea and we will suggest the approach.

We also host guest artists for a few days at a time. A guest works in their own style, so if their work is what drew you in, book while they are here.

How long does it take?

It depends on the size and how much drawing the idea needs. A small fine line motif can be done in one shorter session. A larger ornamental or realistic piece needs more preparation and sometimes more than one sitting.

Write to us with your idea and, if your dates are fixed, say so in the message. We will come back with a proposed date and tell you what is realistic in the time you have.

What does a custom design cost?

It depends on size, detail and placement, so there is no single price. Send your idea, the approximate size and the placement, and we will give you an estimate before you book. The design work is part of the tattoo, not a separate product you pay for twice.

Where to find us

STIN Tattoo Studio is at Míšeňská 73/5, Malá Strana, Prague 1, a few minutes on foot from Charles Bridge. We are open every day from 12:00 to 20:00, we work in English and Czech, and walk-ins are welcome whenever there is a free slot.

You are welcome to come in, have a coffee and talk the idea through before you decide anything.

Frequently asked questions

Can you work from my own drawing?

Yes. Bring it, and Anna will adapt it so it works on skin - proportions, line weight and placement - while keeping what makes it yours.

Can you copy a tattoo I found online?

We use images as references, not as templates. Someone else's tattoo was drawn for their body; yours should be drawn for yours.

Can I see the design before the appointment?

Ask for it in your message. Tell us you would like to see the sketch in advance and we will arrange it when the design is ready.

How many sessions will my tattoo take?

Small and fine line pieces are usually finished in one session. Larger or more detailed work may need more; we will tell you what to expect before you book.

Can I come to the studio just to talk?

Yes. Drop by during opening hours, or message us first if you want to be sure someone has time for you that day.

Do you tattoo in English?

Yes. Consultations and sessions run in English and Czech.