Purple Thistle Tattoo

About Us

Welcome to Purple Thistle Tattoo, your go-to tattoo and piercing destination in Oelwein, IA, since 2022. As a locally-owned and operated shop, we specialize in black and gray, realism, traditional color, and cover-ups. In addition to custom tattoos, we offer body piercings, tattoo design, aftercare products, and body jewelry. We are excited to partner with the communities of Waterloo, Independence, and West Union to deliver a top-tier tattooing and piercing experience. We invite you to contact us today to book your appointment!

Recently, we’ve added The Blackbird Coffee House in the back of our shop, offering a cozy spot for coffee, snacks, and conversation. Now, clients can relax and enjoy a fresh beverage before or after their tattoo or piercing experience.

COMING SOON: Get What You Get Tattoos!

Our Story

Purple Thistle Tattoo was created to fill a local need in the community—a professional, welcoming tattoo and piercing studio where quality artistry, cleanliness, and exceptional customer service come first. Since opening our doors in 2022, we have proudly served Oelwein, IA as a locally owned and operated shop dedicated to helping clients express themselves through meaningful, well-crafted body art. From first-time clients to seasoned collectors, we strive to create an experience that feels comfortable, personal, and memorable from consultation to aftercare.

At Purple Thistle Tattoo, we believe great tattoos begin with trust and collaboration. Our artists take the time to listen, educate, and guide each client through the creative process, ensuring every design reflects their vision while maintaining the highest artistic standards. We specialize in a wide range of tattoo styles, including black and gray work, realism, traditional color, portraits, and detailed cover-ups. Whether you’re looking for a single custom piece, a full tattoo sleeve, custom lettering, or finishing and touch-up work, our team is committed to delivering results you’ll be proud to wear for a lifetime.

In addition to custom tattooing, Purple Thistle Tattoo offers professional body piercing services in a clean, modern facility that meets strict hygiene and safety standards. Our piercing options include nose, cartilage, bridge, eyebrow, lip, dermal, nipple, and naval piercings, as well as select body modification services. We use high-quality equipment and jewelry to ensure comfort, precision, and proper healing for every client. To support long-term results, we also carry a selection of aftercare products, numbing ointments, nose rings, and body jewelry to help protect your investment and keep your work looking its best.

As a community-focused business, Purple Thistle Tattoo is proud to serve not only Oelwein but also surrounding areas including Waterloo, Independence, and West Union. We are passionate about building lasting relationships with our clients and being a positive, creative presence in the region. Our shop is designed to be a welcoming space where questions are encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every client feels respected and valued.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to introduce “Get What You Get” tattoos—an upcoming offering designed to add a fun, spontaneous option for clients who enjoy a little surprise with their ink. This is just one of the many ways we continue to grow and evolve while staying true to our mission of quality and community.

New at Purple Thistle Tattoo, we’ve added The Blackbird Coffee House in the back of our shop. This cozy coffee house offers coffee, snacks, and a relaxing space where clients can unwind before or after their tattoo or piercing. It’s the perfect complement to your visit, making each appointment a full experience of art, community, and comfort.

Whether you’re planning your next tattoo, exploring piercings, or simply looking for a studio you can trust, Purple Thistle Tattoo is here for you. Contact us today to book your appointment and experience the difference of a locally owned shop dedicated to great art, great service, and a clean, professional environment.

Areas Served

Our Professional Associations

Chamber of Commerce

Our Certifications

Bloodborne Pathogens Certified
CPR Certified

Languages Spoken

English
Spanish

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Black and Gray
Portraits
Realism
Traditional Color
Cover-Ups

Our Services include:

Tattoos
Custom Tattoos
Tattoo Sleeves
Tattoo Design
Tattoo Finishing
Tattoo Touch-Ups
Custom Tattoo Lettering
Body Modification
Nose Piercings
Cartilage Piercings
Bridge Piercings
Eyebrows Piercings
Lip Piercings
Dermal Piercings
Nipple Piercings
Naval Piercings

Our Products include:

Aftercare Products
Numbing Ointments
Nose Rings
Body Jewelry

Testimonials

On 8/28/2025 Teri had this to say:
Markus did a fantastic job incorporating two completely different tattoos together and making them look like they were supposed to be together. I highly recommend anyone in the studio as they are all talented at their craft Testimonial written by Teri on this site.

On 7/28/2025 Alan Munger had this to say:
Markus was kind and accommodating, as were the other artist in the studio. I was absolutely taken care of and over the moon with the results. Can’t recommend enough! Testimonial written by Alan Munger on this site.

On 5/18/2025 Rayne Marie had this to say:
I've never had any bad experiences with Purple Thistle. I have 2 tattoos and my nose pierced from them, and I love them all! They were very gentle and informative with my piercing, and even offered for me to come back in for them to help me change it when it was ready. As for my tattoos, they look so good! The lines are nice and crisp, and I get compliments all the time about how beautiful they are! I will never go anywhere else but Purple Thistle for any of my tattoos/piercings needs!

On 2/22/2025 Katherine Azbill had this to say:
I came here to get my ear lobes repierced when they closed up for a few years. I also brought my 2 girls (6yrs and 5 yrs) to get their ear lobes done as well (their first pericings!), and the ladies have done a wonderful job! Mine were super fast, and there's a large selection for the girls to choose from, including unicorns, flowers, or stars! The studs are flat backs so they're very comfortable. The more decorative ones like the unicorns have ball backs and took a little longer than mine to install, but only took about 15 minutes per person, including cleaning time between people! Everyone was really supportive about the girls, saying they were so brave to get them pierced. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and the shop was beautifully decorated. Adding the prices on for people as well :)

On 1/19/2025 Mel D had this to say:
Awesome place, amazing tats and energetic vibes!

Contact Us

Purple Thistle Tattoo
9 S. Frederick Ave Oelwein, IA 50662
Phone: (319) 238-8212
Email: purplethistletattoo@gmail.com

Located across from Veridian Credit Union

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

American Express, Android Pay, Apple Pay, Personal Checks, Debit Cards, Discover, MasterCard, PayPal, Visa

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Coffee Shop Hours: 7AM-3PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Coffee Shop Hours: 7AM-3PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Coffee Shop Hours: 7AM-3PM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Coffee Shop Hours: 7AM-3PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Coffee Shop Hours: 7AM-3PM
Sunday: By Appointment Only

News

Our gift card sale is still going on for the end of the month! All gift cards are 20% off! And our raffle tickets are 20 each OR 6 for 100! The raffle ends when we sell 120 or January 15th!

1️⃣ GRAND PRIZE! Is a $1000 tattoo
2️⃣ Second place is $500
3️⃣ Third place is $250

Come and get your gift cards and raffles for your stocking stuffers!!
…*prizes are not cash and all raffle tickets are non refundable

Bella embarked on her journey as an apprentice under Markus over a year ago, where she honed her skills and developed a specialization in neo-traditional tattoos. Her passion lies particularly in crafting animal and memorial style tattoos. Bella views tattoos as profound expressions that forge connections, define identities, and showcase one's creative essence through chosen art forms.
She finds immense value in the tattoo community, believing that one can glean insights into a person's story through their tattoos. Bella approaches each client's interaction with sensitivity, adeptly matching their energy. When clients are uncertain or anxious, she instills confidence and ensures a positive experience, while their excitement fuels her own enthusiasm, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Bella draws inspiration from diverse sources, particularly leveraging Pinterest to meld multiple artworks into uniquely personal designs. She finds role models in esteemed tattoo artists such as Brock and Dustin from Driftless Soul Tattoo in Decorah, IA, as well as her mentor Markus of Purple Thistle Tattoo & Piercings, and Brock, under whose tutelage she trained.

Expires 1/1/2026

Info

Food Menu
Drink Menu
Shop Merch

FAQ

Why do I have to pay a deposit, and will it go towards the tattoo total?

The deposit secures your appointment date and time and ensures that the artist has your design ready. Yes, the deposit is applied towards the total cost at the end of your appointment.

What is your shop minimum for tattoos?

Our shop minimum for tattoos is $100.

What are the art specializations of your artists?

Sydney specializes in black and gray designs, Bella focuses on animals and floral tattoos, and Markus is skilled in color tattoos and cover-ups.

Do you accept walk-ins and offer same-day appointments?

We accept walk-ins and same-day appointments when availability allows, though we are often booked out in advance.

Can I walk in for a piercing, or do I need an appointment?

Currently, we require an appointment for all piercing services.

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