About Fine Line
Tattoo & piercing / since 2017Fine Line Tattoo & Piercing Studio in Durban North is the brainchild of businessmen and body modification enthusiasts Etienne Louw and Wade Latham, together with founding member Dylan van den Berg.
We recognised the importance of the highest quality of artistry, hygiene requirements and customer experience. We combined these to create an unparalleled studio to usher Durban’s body modification culture into the new millennium. Our vision is to practice and promote the highest standard of customer service and satisfaction and, together with a moral and ethical code, to maintain the integrity of our art and that of our clients.
Fine Line Tattoo and Piercing is set up with the highest standard of equipment, hygiene and sterilisation systems and procedures. We proudly display our up-to-date Department of Health Certificate each year. Ours is a studio where you will experience a welcoming and relaxing time in a friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s a place where you can express yourself and experience your body modification needs without fear or judgement. All of this is done in a vibey studio with the capable guidance of professionals who excel in their craft.
We offer advanced tattoo techniques including cosmetic permanent makeup and specialised tattoos to cover scars, birthmarks and stretch marks. On the body modification side, we are one of a handful of studios in the country who specialise in dermals, advanced piercings and body modification.
We offer free consultations with our artists to ensure you are completely happy with your final design before helping you realise your body modification dream.
One of a kind. Drawn for you. Tattoos & piercing in Durban North [/]
Custom
by design
Fine Line is built around custom work: careful collaboration, and designs drawn for one person only. Hours of craft. Years of meaning. Made in a moment, kept for life.
[/ Book a consultation ]Mon to Sat / By appointment
Selected works
Original pieces / no repeats
A curated selection of custom tattoos made in close collaboration with our clients. Every piece is drawn from scratch, with careful attention to form, placement and personal meaning.
[/ View all works ]Curated archive / 01
About the studio
Built on craft
Fine Line Tattoo & Piercing is an independent studio in Durban North. Experienced artists with their own specialties: fine line, black and grey, realism, ornamental, Japanese inspired and custom work. Every piece is designed for the person wearing it, with attention to precision, anatomy and comfort.
Safety is part of the craft
Every workstation is prepared before each session. All equipment and jewellery is individually packaged and sterilised, and opened in front of you. Piercings use sterilised surgical needles and implant grade surgical steel or titanium jewellery. From setup to aftercare, every step is handled with the same attention to safety, hygiene and comfort.
Protocol / 02
The studio
8 Mackeurtan Ave / Durban NorthWork process
Idea
Tell us what you are thinking: the idea, roughly what size in cm, where on the body, and a reference picture if you have one.
Consultation
Free, 15 to 30 minutes with an artist. In studio, or by phone or online if you live too far away.
Design
Your artist draws the piece from scratch. A reference is inspiration, never someone else's tattoo copied.
Tattoo
Eat beforehand, rest, hydrate, wear something that gives easy access, and bring your ID. No alcohol.
Healing
Your artist gives you aftercare on the day. Keep it clean, out of the sun and out of pools while it settles.
Service index
| Service | Format | Time / details |
|---|---|---|
| Tattoos | ||
| Consultation | In studio / online | 15–30 min / idea, size, placement / free |
| Custom tattoo | Original design | From R575 incl VAT / plus R75 consumables fee per appointment |
| Fine line | Precision work | Delicate lines, script and small details |
| Black & grey | Custom design | Realism, florals, portraits, illustrative |
| Colour | Custom design | Neo-traditional, watercolour, bold colour |
| Japanese inspired | Custom design | Traditional, strong linework |
| Cover-up | Custom redesign | Photo of the old piece / artist assesses first |
| Piercing & body modification | ||
| Piercing | Sterile needle | From R180 incl VAT / plus R35 studio & consumables fee |
| Body modification | Consultation first | Advanced and specialised projects, with Etienne |
| Stretching | In studio | R200 / excluding jewellery |
| Infection control | Done elsewhere | R200 |
| Aftercare | Post session | Included / guidance from your artist |
Project notes / 03
Prices
Price list / 04Tattoos
Prices include VAT
How tattoo pricing workstap to read
We base our quotes on the image, size, detail and placement of the tattoo. Please can you forward an image of what you like, how big (in centimeters) you want it and where on the body do you want it.
If you are doing script, we also would need to know what font you would like to use as the font does play a role in the quote. (You can visit www.dafont.com to see which font you would like.)
Once we have this information we can assist you with a quote. Alternatively, you can book a free consultation with an artist to discuss your design ideas and give you a quote for the design.
Piercings
All piercings are inclusive of VAT
Intimate piercings
Prices include standard implant grade surgical steel or titanium jewellery. Other jewellery costs extra. A studio & consumables fee of R35 is added to all piercing appointments. Bookings are required. Under 18s may be pierced with a parent or guardian, present in the studio subject to age limits, and everyone brings ID.
The artists
Every artist in our studio brings their own style, technique and point of view. From fine line and black and grey to realism, Japanese and colour, each piece is drawn from scratch for the person wearing it. Find the artist whose work matches your idea, or ask us to suggest one.
Book a free consultation →Marked
for life
Every tattoo tells a story: personal, permanent and impossible to repeat. This portfolio brings together recent work by our artists, from fine line and black and grey to realism and colour. Each piece was made for the person who wears it.
Products & merch
Fine Line merch and jewellery are in the studio. Ask us on WhatsApp what is in stock right now, or pick it up at your next appointment.
Good to know
Questions / 05
Let's talk. Ready?
Tell us about your idea. We'll take it from there
Book a session
Every tattoo starts with an idea. Send it to us here and we'll help turn it into a piece made for you. After hours, Muse, our assistant, answers and the team picks it up when they're in.
Durban North, KwaZulu-Natal / Session request / 06