Fine Line Tattoos
Delicate single-needle work — botanicals, script, small symbolic pieces, and minimalist designs that rely on precision rather than weight. Popular for inner forearm, ribcage, and behind-the-ear placement.
Morgan Hill, California — Custom Ink
Alex StramelCustom Tattoo Artist · Morgan Hill, CA
Hi, I'm Alex, a tattoo artist passionate about turning ideas into meaningful, custom artwork. I love creating pieces that reflect each client's personality and story while making the tattoo experience comfortable and personal.
@strameltattoos @strameltattoos✦ Book a Session
Ready to Build
Your Vision?
Send me a message or book a time.
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Step 1 — Choose Your Session
Small Tattoo
About 1 Hour
Clean fine-line work, quick flash designs, or small custom pieces you want to bring to life. From simple outlines to pieces with some light, smooth shading — usually around 2 to 5 inches. Super easy sessions, usually knocked out in an hour or less.
$120
Lettering & Script
1–3 Hours
Custom drawn from scratch every single time — unless you pull up with an exact font you want me to use. From quick little fine-line words to heavy Old English pieces that take some serious time, I got you covered. Price and time just depend on how big you go, the detail, and where it's going.
$125 – $565 · depends on size & detail
Popular
Medium Tattoo
3–4 Hours
A 3 to 4 hour sit for medium designs, palm size or similar. Perfect for pieces with solid shading and clean detail. Don't show up on an empty stomach — and bring your ID.
$275
Half Day Session
5–6 Hours
Solid 5 to 6 hours locked in for pieces that need real time so they come out looking crazy clean. Perfect for detailed realism, heavy shading, or a solid single piece on your forearm, bicep, or calf that you wanna knock out in one sit. We'll dial in the sizing, lay the stencil, and get straight to work without rushing anything.
$475
Best Value
Full Day Session
8–10 Hours
Full-day session meant for bigger pieces like sleeves or half-sleeves. We'll take care of sizing, stencil placement, and get as much ink done as possible. Make sure to get good sleep, eat a full meal before coming in, and bring some snacks and drinks.
$685
Step 2 — Pick Your Preferred Date
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
✦ Alex books seven days a week, noon until midnight. Select your preferred date and he'll confirm availability.
Step 3 — Preferred Start Time
Start Time
12:00 PM
Noon – 6:00 PM session
Noon
Midnight
✦ This is your preferred start time. Alex will confirm the exact time when he accepts the booking.
Step 4 — Your Details
Request Sent!
Alex will review your request and text you to confirm. Keep an eye on your phone.
Text Alex Now✦ Service Area
Tattooing the South Bay
& Central Coast
Alex tattoos out of a shop in Morgan Hill, California, roughly twenty minutes south of San Jose on the 101. Clients travel in from across the South Bay, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County and the Salinas Valley — most of the region sits inside a comfortable hour's drive.
Where to find Alex
Art of the Heart Tattoo & Piercings
237 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Alex is a resident artist at Art of the Heart and books his own chair, including outside the shop's posted walk-in hours. For piercings or another artist, contact the shop directly at (408) 759-8282.
DirectionsCities Alex regularly works with
- Morgan Hill
- San Martin
- Gilroy
- San Jose
- Los Gatos
- Campbell
- Saratoga
- Cupertino
- Santa Clara
- Sunnyvale
- Mountain View
- Milpitas
- Hollister
- Watsonville
- Santa Cruz
- Scotts Valley
- Capitola
- Aptos
- Salinas
- Aromas
- Fremont
- Palo Alto
- Newark
- Union City
Styles & specialties
See recent examples of each in the work portfolio.
Black & Grey Realism
Portraits, animals, and photo-referenced work built entirely from smooth greyscale shading. This is the style that benefits most from a half or full day session, where the whole piece can be finished in one sitting.
Script & Lettering
Names, dates, quotes, and memorial pieces. Alex draws lettering by hand rather than pulling a font, so the weight and flow match the placement on your body.
Custom Design & Cover-Ups
Every tattoo starts from a conversation, not a flash sheet. Cover-ups are quoted case by case — send a photo of the existing work with your booking request.
Common questions
How do I book an appointment?
Pick a session length above, choose your preferred date and start time, and describe your idea. Alex reviews every request personally and texts back to confirm — usually within a few hours.
When is Alex available?
Alex books seven days a week, noon until midnight. The late hours exist so clients who work days don't have to burn PTO to get tattooed.
How long will my tattoo take?
Small tattoos take about an hour. Lettering runs one to three hours depending on size and detail, and medium pieces take three to four. Half days are five to six hours, and full days run eight to ten — those are for sleeves, half-sleeves, and anything large enough to be worth finishing in one sitting.
How much does a tattoo cost?
Small tattoos start at $120. Lettering ranges from $125 to $565 depending on size and detail. Medium pieces are $275, a half day session is $475, and a full day is $685. Pricing covers the session — custom design work is included.
Do you tattoo in the evenings?
Yes — Alex books until midnight, seven days a week. Most shops in the South Bay close between 7pm and 10pm, so if you work days, evening and late-night appointments are one of the easier things to arrange here.
Do you take walk-ins?
Yes — Alex is at the shop regularly and takes walk-ins when he has the chair open. Booking ahead is always safer though, since it guarantees your spot and gives him time to draw your design before you come in. Use the form above or text him directly.
Do you do cover-ups?
Yes, case by case. Send a clear photo of the existing tattoo with your request and Alex will tell you honestly what's realistic — some pieces need laser lightening first.
How should I prepare for a long session?
Eat a real meal beforehand, hydrate the day before, wear clothing that gives easy access to the placement area, and bring headphones. For full days, bring snacks — you'll want them.