New tattoo studio aims to help Laredo artists grow together

A new tattoo studio is hoping to become more than a place to get ink. It aims to be a space where artists grow together.

Located at 2601 E. Saunders St., Suite 10, 421 Ink Studio officially opened its doors last week after about a year of planning by owners Alexandra Zetina and Manolo "Tolok" Torres.

"It's not one of the same tattoo studios you see here in Laredo. It's huge - we are 12 artists at the moment, so we have a variety of different styles," Zetina said.

Inside the open-concept studio, 12 artists - nine men and three women - specialize in everything from black and gray, fine-line and lettering to sleeves, back pieces and delicate minimalist tattoos.

For Zetina, however, the studio isn't just about offering customers more styles to choose from. It's about creating opportunities for artists who are still building their careers.

She said she intentionally brought together a dozen artists so they could learn from one another, develop their own clientele and work in a collaborative environment.

"The artists come to learn from us since we have more experience," she said. "What we wanted to do is for everyone (and their space) to be open so they could come and see and learn from us. At the end of the day, we want everyone to succeed."

Zetina, who has tattooed professionally for eight years, said Torres has nearly a decade of experience. Together, they hope to pass that knowledge on to the next generation of tattoo artists.

"We love to help. We mainly opened the shop, not because of the money, but because I know that a lot of artists do have a lot of potential," she said, adding that the studio aims to give visibility to both up-and-coming and established tattoo artists looking to grow their clientele. "We just like to help people, help them grow."

Each artist sets their own pricing and specializes in different styles.

Zetina said she originally planned to unlock the doors at 4:21 p.m., but the line outside prompted the team to open earlier.

"It'll be about a two hour wait," an employee told one customer.

The studio's grand opening drew more than 40 people before its scheduled opening time. As part of the grand opening, the first 40 customers who followed the studio on social media and shared their experience received a free tattoo.

Inside, customers browsed flash sheets featuring zodiac signs, lettering, symbols and other small designs while waiting for their turn.

Zetina said she never expected such a large turnout. Radio station Z93 also stopped by to livestream the grand opening.

As the studio begins its first chapter, she hopes the attention extends beyond the business itself and toward the artists working inside.

"I hope - I hope, I hope, I pray, that people get to meet the artists we have here, so they can get more (clients), because that's how they survive," she said.

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