Leave the wrap alone
Keep the initial covering on as long as you were told at the studio, then take it off gently, warm water, clean hands, no pulling at the skin.
The studio
One chair,
one artist
Balu Ink is a small, purpose-built tattoo studio off the Wiriweg, one artist, one client at a time, no walk-through traffic. You talk to the person who draws and tattoos the piece, from the first sketch to the last grey wash.
The artist
@balu_ink_tattoos
Tattoo artist from Curaçao, the shop's own description. Balu Ink has been inking on the island since 2012 and still works the same way: one artist, one design, drawn for the body it's going on.
Between island sessions the shop tattoos in the Netherlands, so dates move, if you're planning around a holiday, message first and ask what's open.
- Based
- 1 Wiriweg, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Since
- 2012
- Work
- Black & grey · colour realism · script · cover-ups · sleeves
The room
Built for tattooing
It isn't a corner of a salon. The studio is a small building set up for one thing only, air-conditioned, with wifi if you're travelling and need to answer messages mid-session, and the music is yours to pick.
Everything gets cleaned down between clients, every tube and needle is fresh out of the packet, and the work area is set up before you sit down. Clients keep writing the same word for it: clean.
- Room
- A dedicated studio, purpose-built for tattooing
- Comfort
- Air-conditioned · free wifi · your own music
- Hygiene
- Everything cleaned between sessions; single-use needles and tubes
- Pace
- One client at a time, take the time to get it right
- Pricing
- Per piece, quoted before the session
In the chair
Session light
Every session is photographed and posted, fresh work, healed work, and the ones that took several sittings to finish. That's how the shop built a 5.0 on the island: people see exactly what they're booking.
After the session
Aftercare
General guidance for fresh work, you'll get the specifics for your own piece before you leave the studio. If anything looks wrong in the first days, message the shop instead of guessing.
Wash, pat, don't rub
Wash with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap, pat dry with a clean paper towel, then let it breathe.
Thin layer of ointment
A thin film of the recommended aftercare product, two to three times a day. Too much traps dirt, less is more.
No sea, no pool, no sun
Keep it out of the ocean and swimming pools while it's open, and off the beach in full sun. In Curaçao that's the part people get wrong, cover it.
Don't pick or scratch
It will itch and flake as it heals. Picking lifts ink and leaves patchy lines; let it fall off by itself.
Ask about a touch-up
Healed lines that still need a second pass? Message a photo and ask, the shop will tell you honestly what's normal.
What clients say
5.0 ★ · 14 Google reviews
“Scheduled a same day appointment for myself and 4 of my friends. Spectacular communication and amazing service. Very sanitary and attention to detail was spot on. Highly recommend if ever in Curacao and decide last minute to get a tattoo.
“Great experience! My friends and I on a whim got tattoos and he was available same day on a Sunday. He was very communicative throughout the whole process and made sure that we felt welcome. Everything was thoroughly cleaned between sessions and he even assisted with us getting a driver. Tattoo came out awesome as well!
“My friends all went and got matching Santa's on turtles to commemorate her 40th birthday. The line work is steady and crisp! Looks fantastic!
“I traveled to Curaçao this past February and decided last minute to get tattoos. The artist was incredibly accommodating and made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. We ventured outside the tourist area to find him, but it was totally worth it. He did a phenomenal job!
“Everything is neat, tidy, and sterile in Balu's small but very effective studio. There is air conditioning and pleasant background music (which you can choose yourself). Balu takes his time with you, thinks along with you in every way, and is a true artist.
“Wij zijn hier geweest op ons vakantie voor een tattoo en het was super schoon. We voelde ons ook op ons gemak bij hem, ik raad het iedereen aan om hier een tattoo te zetten.
Ready when you are
Come see
the room.
The studio is at 1 Wiriweg, Willemstad, by appointment. Message for availability, same-day is sometimes possible.