About Salem Tattoo USA
From the Tattoo Shop to Tattoo Maps USA
I started tattooing around 1985. Back then, Salem didn’t have a tattoo scene to speak of, so if you wanted a tattoo, you went to Portland. We were here as things began to take hold, and Dave Lum came along a little while after us.
I’m a Navy veteran, and we even tattooed in the paint locker aboard ship, though we weren’t supposed to. The Navy took me around the world. Back home, Bernie Mueller took me under his wing. He was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most individual tattoos. Rest in peace, Bernie.
Tattooing has been a big part of my life, but a task-specific tremor in my hands means I can’t tattoo the public anymore. I don’t have a shop now, either. I still wanted to stay connected to tattooing, though, and put what I’ve learned to work in a different way.
That’s what I’m doing with SalemTattoo.com and Tattoo Maps USA: building a nationwide directory to help people find good tattoo shops and help those shops get found. We’re adding the directory state by state. Listings are free, and they’ll stay free.
The site has room for more than the directory. The online store has shirts and gear, along with free tattoo flash I’ve designed. Mike’s Place is a free community for people who want to share stories, show their ink, and stick around. And just to be clear, this isn’t a tattoo shop, nobody tattoos here. ‘Shop’ means the online store.
If you’d like to help keep this growing, you can pick up a $50 or $100 donation shirt in the store, both with free shipping. Tattoo shops can become a Featured Shop for $120 a year, with advertising space at the top of the site, their own page, a banner in rotation, and top placement in their town.
Your support keeps this website going, and keeps the directory free for shops and the people looking for them.
Nationwide Salem Shops Directory
There are Salems all over this map – Oregon, Mass, Illinois, and more miles of blacktop in between. The directory lists independent tattoo shops in towns named Salem across the country so travelers and locals are not guessing which door still smells like stencil and green soap.
Pick a state. Open the map. Find a shop. Listings on this site point at the current directory – not old dead paths.
The Store
Three brands under one roof:
- Salem Tattoo
- Mark of the Gypsy
- Jest Jokin
This is the shirt shop. Pick a brand, grab a size, and buy.
Free Flash
Flash sheets live here for people who want designs they can work with – classic attitude, no boardroom language. Browse what is up, download what fits, and keep the needle moving.
Biker and Tattoo News
Short reads from the road and the shop floor – blog and news posts that stay plain and direct. No soft fluff. Pull up a stool and scroll.
Members Room
The public site is the front door. The Members Room is the back room – exclusive drops, community pages, and extras that do not belong on the open homepage.
No tier needed – it’s free while we build the community. Want to back the site? Optional monthly, yearly, and lifetime supporter tiers are there if you feel like it.
Contact
Email only.
Email: salemtattoousa@gmail.com
Shop listings or general site mail – that address works.
