Iron Heart Tattoo

We had booked out two full days at the shop to complete one tattoo and get two more new ones with Paul. We were traveling from the east coast, and our flights were cancelled due to the hurricane hours before our flight. The front desk was so helpful and kind, and worked with us to find a solution that works for them and us. My husband and I cannot express how quickly, empathically, and professionally this was handled. We already rescheduled and booked new flights. The artists here are super talented and we’re so excited to come out. Thank you again, Ironheart and Paul!

I have horrible anxiety and Sean did such a good job with piercing my septum and making it a good experience. He asked questions and made sure I had the anatomy before continuing. I plan to come back for another piercing soon!

10/10 Luna is amazing!! Booking was a breeze, check in as a new client was quick and easy, start to finish the entire staff was professional and friendly. The shop is super clean and in a great location. Love the vibes of this place. Can’t wait to see Luna for my next tattoo.

My go to for piercings and tattoos. Pauls work is fantastic and both my tattoos from him are amazing. Biff does a great job with piercings and always makes them a pain free experience.

Jess did an artichoke for me and it is absolutely beautiful. By far the best tattoo I have. The shop was clean, busy and professional. 10/10 recommend.

This place is great and staff is really helpful! Berkeley was working upfront, she’s a total sweet heart. Even though we were walk ins, she squeezed us in for a septum and belly piercing with Biff. Biff was awesome and I definitely recommend asking for him! 10/10 experience, will be back!

Wonderful experience! I contacted @_jesstattoos on Instagram and followed all the booking instructions on his page. He got back to me right away, and went out of his way to get me booked! I went in yesterday and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The shop is clean, and fun to look at. Everyone I interacted with was friendly and professional. Jess’ work is INCREDIBLE. I sat for 3 hours and while no tattoo is completely comfortable, I was comfortable the entire time. Also if you haven’t seen his work, check him out. It’s worth it. I’m so so so happy with it!

The tattoo shop itself is clean, professional, and friendly. I’ve had 7 sessions there so far.Got my first tattoo done by Joshua Bowers and it was extremely good. Great line work and vibrant colors. Very well done. I decided to keep going back to him and finish a full sleeve because I’m just comfortable with his work. 6 of my 7 sessions have been done with him. He never lets me down on quality. I’m never afraid I’m going to walk out with something subpar. He’s a great guy to talk to as well.UPDATE 2024:Been here many more times. In addition to my sleeve done by Joshua, I have work done by RJ and Jess and have a tattoo scheduled with Paul Nycz coming up. I have been to a few other shops as well but come back to Iron Heart because of its comfortable atmosphere, clean environment, and great artists.

RJ is great. He did 7 in a row of us. Never wavered the entire time. Will definitely go back to him. He has an awesome vibe as well. Thank you!

Great atmosphere, really great staff all around! I had Jess give me a small, color tattoo for my first tattoo and he was awesome! Highly recommend.

My two sisters and I went to RJ at Iron Heart to get a tattoo in honor of our dad who passed last year. We brought in a copy of his signature and RJ took a lot of time and care to be sure we got the tattoo placed exactly where we each wanted it. He was so easy to work with and made the experience really special for us. I am so so happy with my permanent tribute to my dad. Iron Heart is very clean, upbeat and an overall great place to go. Wed all three highly recommend RJ and Iron Heart!!

Little Adventure Time bee friend from RJ! He was so much fun and I had a great time. Super nice shop and very welcoming. Ill definitely be coming back!

Went in for a piercing. Whole process took maybe 5 minutes. It’s the least painful piercing I’ve ever had. Usually my ear feels hot after and it didn’t this time. By the evening I could barely feel I had it done. Would definitely go back for another piercing!

RJ did a fantastic job on my tattoo.....will be going back to him for more ink.

Artists: AwesomeTattoos: AwesomeConvenience: AwesomeAtmosphere: AwesomeEveryone here is amazing. We have seen Sean several times and he does some fantastic work. The atmosphere is awesome. I would recommend checking out their website and pick an artist that matches your desired design type. Look out for their flash sheet sales for walk-ins.I would highly recommend visiting.

Jess was amazing and got me exactly what I wanted!! Everyone was so friendly and I will definitely be booking with Jess again. Best tattoo experience so far

Allison was awesome! My hubby and I got matching tattoos for our anniversary. Allison did an awesome job and it turned out just like we hoped! It was my first tattoo and she was very patient with me. It was a great first experience and I look forward to more!!

RJ captured my concept perfectly. The studio was clean and they had great music during my session. Friendly and patient staff with an impressive portfolio of work. I’ll be going back for more!

Everyone in Iron Heart is friendly and works well to make the place relaxing and fun to be in. They also renovated and it looks so good! I’ve gone to Biff for years for piercings and never had an issue. I also go to Sean for tattoos, he’s always making sure I get what I’m looking for. ☺️

Got a tattoo from RJ. He did a fantastic job. Super attentive to the details and the little things. Really personable guy and had a fun time with it. Shop has a great atmosphere and staff were all super chill.

I got my first tattoo there with RJ today and had an amazing experience. RJ was super nice and made sure to explain everything beforehand. The other staff and artists were very nice as well, they definitely made my first tattoo experience a very good one!! I totally recommend RJ for handwriting pieces, he did a super impressive job on mine!!

Iron Heart Tattoo was very accommodating to my daughter and my schedules (as I was coming in from out of town.) Berkeley kept in contact with me. Thank you so much! RJ was friendly, welcoming and easy going. Thanks again! We love our new tattoos :)

Sean is such a fantastic artist. Incredibly easy to work with and does clean work. If you are looking for an artist who is down to do fun colorful tattoos look no further! The shop is incredibly clean and organized. Definitely will continue to come here

RJ did a great job on my Celtic harp and I would recommend him for your next tattoo!

Paul did absolutely incredible work on my tattoo. Everyone was super helpful and friendly throughout the process. The price was about what you’d expect, but you absolutely get your moneys worth here. Amazing experience, and I hope to be back again soon

Absolutely amazing!! Sean is such a great artist and an awesome and friendly guy. Amazing experience 10/10 will definitely be coming back.

RJ gave me my first tattoo, a little rabbit with flowers, and it was a great experience! I felt comfortable right from the start.It’s perfect in every way. Will definitely come back and highly recommend!

No reason to go anywhere else. Clean shop, cool people, and Biff is the best for piercings!

Had a great experience with Jess and Iron Heart the other day!

I went in for my birthday to get my septum pierced. Biff made me feel extremely comfortable, pierced me perfectly straight, and the whole process took no time at all. It’s been 7 weeks since my piercing and it’s healed so well! Will come here for any future piercings, highly recommend. Thanks Biff!

My tattoo artist when I visited the shop was RJ, and he was amazing! This was my second professional tattoo and he killed it! I was able to make a same day appointment with him and I was in and out so quickly! He nailed the reference writing I gave him and it’s healing wonderfully! I cannot recommend RJ enough!!

RJ did an amazing job with my tattoo! He listens to what you want and makes the whole experience a pleasant one. Now I have a small part of my mom with me always!

Katie did an amazing job will be visiting this store again

Jess did my mom and I’s tattoos back in 2019 and we have both came back to him since then. I moved away from Iowa but will continue to come back for each new piece if he will have me! I did a lot of researching and it was hard for me to come across another neo traditional artist’s work that I like as much as Jess. His work and personality is 10/10. Him and the shop both create a safe space and a fun environment. I haven’t gotten tattoos from other artists there, but they were all fun and nice people as well when I was there.

Just visited Iron Heart for the first time and had a great experience! RJ was awesome. Shop is clean and everyone is super friendly. Will definitely be back!

Everyone here is so warm and inviting. Super easy to talk to, which is incredibly comforting while you sit with the pain of being tattooed. Everyone was so kind and friendly. The experience was lovely, i’m obsessed with my new tattoo, and cannot wait to come back!

Biff is the only piercer that Ill ever go to. He has done three or four of my piercings now. Hes super knowledgeable, keeps his area clean, friendly and makes you feel comfortable. His pricing is also super fair for the quality that you get. Everyone is friendly and professional. RJ makes it easy to get in and out. Ill remain a returning client.

Iron Heart has incredible talent and extremely personable artists. My appointment flew by so fast because of just how easy everyone was to vibe with! There was also a ton of art on the walls which provided for great distraction from the needle. Almost all the artists chatted with me in some way and made me feel welcome. My artist was a guest artist from Ames who Ive been following for all my tattoos but now I have a studio closer to home I can feel comfortable going to. Thanks!!

Luna did a great job, Very happy customer here.adding another artist RJ Ellsworth did a fantastic job and made me feel like family while giving me my second tattoo from Iron heart. Tons of talent at this shop!

My girlfriend and I got tattoos from Sean here not too long ago and everything about it was amazing. Sean was really nice and a fun person to talk to, and both me and my girlfriend were extremely satisfied with our tattoos. The other artists we interacted with there were all very friendly as well. The shop itself was very clean and organized, and I very much enjoyed the whole aesthetic of the place. Would highly recommend coming here!

I recently had my very first tattoo done with Jess and I couldnt be happier! The prices are more than reasonable for his amazing skills so I will definitely be coming back for more.

I have been getting piercings for 18 years & for the most recent re-piercings & daith I decided to try a new shop; this shop. I was so very happy with this decision!Best experience since being pierced the first time. Add to that, next day no issues. Great healing & no lasting issues caused by peircers error.Piercer was 10min late but made up to later during checkout. I called during business hours & made an appointment. They were able to work me in on Sunday; the ships day off!Great work ethic! Amazing skill! Would recommend anyone wanting any piercings to make an appointment & go in as it is worth it in the long run; for 1. to give this shop a try, 2. great skill w/tool & jewelry. & 3. good care of individual being pierced!13 out of 10 👍

I had a great experience with Allison ! I absolutely loved her customer service , and the way that she was overall . She literally makes your visions come true , and her attention to detail is amazing. I would recommend her 100% ! The place is also very fashionable and clean , it was one of the nicest places I’ve ever been to . Allison takes her time with each client , and is great at what she does.

RJ is an amazing tattoo artist, makes the first time tatto person feel at home and explains whole progress...Grade A, Top Quality!! Great Experience!!

I’ve gotten all my tattoos from Sean, and several of my friends have gotten tattooed by Joshua and Paul. I’ve also been pierced here. All fantastic and professional workers, and a great environment. I recommend it to all my friends, and will continue to go there myself!

Easy booking, they artist are super polite, my tattoos came out amazing BOTH times, will be continuing here for my tattoo business!

Check em out.4 fantastic artists with styles to suit everyone.Ive got ink from them all

I got my nipple pierced here, bif was super nice and walked me thru everything and it was overall a very pleasent experience; however one of them is slightly crooked and it’s something i’m just going to have to deal with because i will not be redoing these piercings haha. i still love them but it does suck that they are slightly uneven

I dont think I will ever get a tattoo or piercing from any other place. Jess and Sean did an amazing job on my tattoo and the piercer (I feel so bad I dont remember his name) made me and my cousin feel so comfortable.

It was amazing. He did my nose peircing preally fast with the cutest purple opal stud. Was really nice and awesome. Im a 12 year old and he said it was fine for me to get it. I recommend this place. Really cute atmosphere and is super welcoming.

Biff is an absolutely wonderful piercer. He made me feel comfortable and safe getting pierced here. Everything was opened infront of me. Very clean, very friendly.

Paul does nice work but keep it classic. Trouble starts outside this genre. Dont bother providing photos. And make sure you bring a buddy to watch or he will go off script. Luckily for me, I found another local artist who was able to remedy the wretched tattoo. Plenty of quality shops in DSM, Id suggest you keep looking.

I received my first nose piercing b Biff. It was quick and pretty painless, he was fun to chat with. On time and super clean environment.

Got my first tattoo here and it was really good. Super friendly and informative as well as helpful with my design and everything. Would highly recommend!

An insanely talented group of dudes. Ive gotten pieces from Paul and Budha and have plans with Josh and Sean. All four of these dudes are doing amazing work and Im stoked to be getting more. P.S. I love RJ

Have been to many artists around the northern va area over the years and Heath is by far one of the most respectable artists in the industry. He is great at his craft and I will be back soon hopefully if he isnt booked :)

I got my tragus pierced there and I followed all cleaning procedures and was safe with it, but it got so infected that it swelled along my jaw line and was throbbing just sitting there while secreting a green liquid. Hurts so bad. Got a piercing for nothing it seems like.

Always an amazing experience. Biff you do such a fantastic job and always make me feel at ease. Thank you for all these years of great service (14+ and counting)!

Ive gotten three cartilage piercings and a helix done here, best place ever. Biff is hands down the best piercer in the des moines area and I will go there for all of my future piercings and tattoos

I’ve always loved all the artists work but Paul is by far my favorite. If you like traditional style, you need him

Horrible experience, misspelled the word fighting so now it says figthing. Paul was unbelievably rude to me and my mom and aunt, he was rushing us with our decisions, was basically his way or the highway, his work was so sloppy. I hope that A**hole PAUL can and will read this. You call yourself a tattoo artist, ya right. Pathetic! Yall dont even deserve one star!

Have used in the past. and my kids have to. I know there understaffed but communication is poor. Sad rwally like this place. Good thing there are other places.

I got a tattoo here with Sean and it is the wonkiest thing you’ve ever seen. I hate it. There is blowout and the line work is very poor. Scheduled a cover up today and hopefully I have better luck with them.

There is not one bad thing I can say about the shop!Everyone that works there is ridiculously talented.I have been going to Sean for years now and highly reccomend him!

Great place! Affordable and got me in quick for my conch piercing. Biff was awesome! I will definitely be back!

I ❤ Iron Heart! I took my daughter there to get her cartilage pierced. They were so kind amd considerate! Thank you! Ill be back!

Paul has produced great work with my requests but I’m also very proud to have one of his originals as well!

I love this shop, staff is friendly and helpful and have great service! I am always happy to bring friends and family to get a awesome tattoo or piercing!

Stopped in randomly from out of town, because wife needed some jewelry put back in. These guys were great. Very friendly and accommodating.

Dont get any piercings here. I got 2 dermal in the back on my neck. 1 year later I pulled one out myself. And 4 years later I had to have surgery to get the other one out since this dude who pierced me out 2 BASES IN ONE HOLE. Dont to here. Do yourself a favor and just dont

So good great prices and everyone is soooo nice no piercing that i’ve gotten there has gotten infected or anything 10/10 recommend!

Biff never fails on a piercing. Shop is extremely clean and detailed. I recommend highly.

The piercer is great! Took his time to make sure everything was right highly recommend will be back for future piercings!! 😊

So comfortable so friendly they make you feel right at home!

Amazing artists, great atmosphere, an absolute gem of a tattoo shop! 10/10 would recommend

The tattoo turned out alright but the artist was stubborn and in a bad mood. I had sent him a photo of a drawing of pretty much exactly what we wanted and it took him three tries to draw anything close to it.

Talented and artistic. Great atmosphere and impressive work!!! Dre is especially amazing 😁

Iron heart has a group of very talented artists along with a welcoming environment. Looking forward to many more tattoos from these guys.

I just need to comment on this guys ex-g.f. telling b.s.they misspelled the word fighting ... Hmmm, do you remember when you got to look at the stencil before he started working? That part where you had the chance to catch the misspelling too... Yeah that one, being its permanent, I would take the time to make sure its how I want it.So Im left with thinking, you must be his disgruntled EX. ... No way this really happened, without you being just as dumb and at-fault as he was.

Love this shop they are always very nice and helpful! Its the only shop Ill goto for piercings!

Nice and clean place. Good place to get piercings at.

All of the artists here are super talented. Favorite shop in Des Moines

I’ve had about five piercings done at Iron heart. They’re always extremely professional.

Booked me in within a week (due to a cancellation and my supplying my own artwork) very pleased with the quality of the work

Al8son is fabulous for tattoos and Biff is great for piercing. Highly recommend!

ALWAYS a great experience at Iron Heart! Clean, professional, and kind!

Fantastic group of tattoo artists. They are always busy, so plan in advance and book early.

Biff is hand down the best piercer and he gave you good advice on how to take care of it and it was pain less

Paul is the man. Need to come back and check out the other artist. 10/10 tattoo shop.

Got an amazing piece done by Joshua Bowers.

The piercer always does an incredible job! Never getting pierced anywhere else!

Everyone is friendly and my tattoos by Budha are hands-down best in Des Moines

The best tattooing steeped in rich tradition and colorful banners. Don’t miss out

I got two ear piercings there and they were really nice and helpful!

Amazing every time! Clean, professional, and high caliber work. Only place Ill go.

Excellent shop with amazing artists that are all very unique and personable.

Just walk in and aggressively shout (Hi Sean!), it doesnt matter if you know who he is; it will really mess with him to have a bunch of people randomly yell greetings at him.

Good service. Great community. Clean shop. Excited to get more work done here.

Definitely come here if youre looking for a tattoo or piercing in Des Moines

Awesome artists and great personalities! The quality is top notch.

Best place in town to get some ink. Sean is the best.

The team at Iron Heart are AWESOME. They all do great work

Always a pleasure going and seeing long time friends (Biff)..

Sean was great to work with!! We will be back for sure 😊💜

I love it there they are very respectful and listen to what you really want

It was great. They were professional and courteous

Good artist, safe, clean environment. Highly recommend

Love this place the people there are absolutely amazing and friendly couldnt ask for better service

Every single tattoo artist in the shop is somebody is recommend.

Very comfortable and clean environment will be back again soon.

Love this shop. Extremely talented and professional artists.

Loved the customer service!!!! These guys are excellent!!!

Amazing work, professional job, clean shop, friendly artists!

My daughter says its great!

Great artists. Paul is awesome

The BEST! Sean is amazing! :)

Nice clean shop and great artists.

Great group of artists.

Very friendly layed back atmosphere.

Allison did amazing work!

An incredible collection of truly talented artists.

Very cool place , very friendly and respectful

Thanks for the nice nose piercing!

Great atmosphere and amazing artists

Love my piercings!!!

Budda is a great artist

I absolutely love this place!!

Great service that is greatly appreciated!!!!!

Great shop and artists

The tattoo guys here are AMAZING