“Nico turned a half-formed idea into the most personal piece I own. Two sessions, zero regrets. The line work is unreal.”
Amara O.
Full sleeve · Neo-Traditional Dragon
N.I.
The Ink Ritual Studio
Custom InkBuilt ForYour Body
Designed with intention.
Inked with precision.
✦Custom Blackwork✦Fine Line✦Neo-Traditional✦Realism✦Backpieces✦Script✦Walk-In Fridays✦By Appointment✦Est. 2014
✦Custom Blackwork✦Fine Line✦Neo-Traditional✦Realism✦Backpieces✦Script✦Walk-In Fridays✦By Appointment✦Est. 2014
Custom tattoos by Nico Igunbor. Upload your canvas. Preview the placement. Send the concept to Nico.
10+
Tattoo Styles
FLASH · IN · MOTION · FLASH · IN · MOTION ·FLASH · IN · MOTION · FLASH · IN · MOTION ·FLASH · IN · MOTION · FLASH · IN · MOTION ·
The Wall
Flash in Motion
Drag, flick, or hover — spin the wheel of flash and pull a design toward you.
drag · flick · hover
nico · x500 · y500
Nico
Igunbor
Meet The Artist
The hand behind
the Black Dragon.
Nico Igunbor creates custom tattoos shaped around anatomy, movement, and personal story. Each piece begins with placement, flow, and intention — then becomes a design built to live on the body.
0+
Years Inking
0+
Pieces Finished
0
Signature Styles
0
Countries On Skin
Signature Styles
BlackworkBold saturated black, high-contrast shapes, built to age well.
"A tattoo isn't decoration. It's a decision the skin remembers."
Nico
The Journey
- 2014First Machine
Apprenticeship in a back-alley studio in Lagos.
- 2017Blackwork Era
Found the language: heavy black, negative space, motion.
- 2020The Dragon
First dragon backpiece — the shape that named the studio.
- 2024Black Dragon
Opened the private studio. By appointment. By intention.
the studio, after hours
Live · Lagos
The Tool
Ink Mirror
Upload your arm, hand, leg, chest, back, shoulder, or neck and preview the tattoo before the needle.
Add a photo of your body part
Your photo is used only for preview unless you include it in your booking request.
Pick a Design
Nico's Wall
The Flash Wall
Pinned references, taped stencils, pieces still becoming pieces. Drag them around. Click to open.
Grab · Tilt · Pin
Dragon
Ryūjin
07.02.2026
carry the spine of it
Blackwork
Mandala Cuff
14.11.2025
Fine Line
Quiet Branch
22.09.2025
soft, one session
Script
The Long Way
03.06.2025
Realism
Snake & Rose
18.01.2026
black & grey
Neo-Traditional
Iron Tiger
29.10.2025
Fine Line
Little Moon
11.08.2025
walk-in size
Blackwork
Phoenix Back
02.03.2026
3-session plan
Anime
Silver Daiyōkai
12.05.2026
healed & vivid
Anime
Half-Demon
04.04.2026
Blackwork
Kaonashi
19.02.2026
soft grey wash
Realism
Dark Knight
27.03.2026
Japanese
Imperial Dragon
22.06.2026
6-session build
Fine Line
Koi & Moon
09.05.2026
red + black ink
Neo-Traditional
Red Serpent
15.06.2026
Japanese
Foo Dog Guardian
01.07.2026
Blackwork
Face of the Craft
28.06.2026
in progress
Anime
Crimson Hanyō
08.07.2026
healed & saturated
Realism
Angel of Victory
12.07.2026
Blackwork
Quetzal Guardian
15.07.2026
ceremonial linework
Fine Line
Ember Florals
17.07.2026
red accent illustrative
Anime
Silver Blade
19.07.2026
Illustrative
Sugar & Spice
20.07.2026
cartoon illustrative
Realism
Lady of the Dead
21.07.2026
Aztec heritage piece
Voices from the chair
Ink That
Stays With You
4.98 · 240+ reviews
“Every consult felt like a design studio, not a tattoo shop. He listens, sketches, iterates. Ink Mirror sold my wife on the placement.”
Marcus L.
Back panel · Blackwork
N.I.
“Healed cleaner than any tattoo I have. The lettering is razor sharp two years later. Booking again in December.”
Priya S.
Forearm · Fine Line Script
N.I.
“Six hours felt like two. Studio energy is calm, focused, and clean. This is the bar.”
Devon K.
Chest plate · Realism
N.I.
“I brought a Pinterest board. He returned a story. It sits on my body like it always belonged there.”
Sasha R.
Ribs · Small Format
N.I.
“Nico turned a half-formed idea into the most personal piece I own. Two sessions, zero regrets. The line work is unreal.”
Amara O.
Full sleeve · Neo-Traditional Dragon
N.I.
“Every consult felt like a design studio, not a tattoo shop. He listens, sketches, iterates. Ink Mirror sold my wife on the placement.”
Marcus L.
Back panel · Blackwork
N.I.
“Healed cleaner than any tattoo I have. The lettering is razor sharp two years later. Booking again in December.”
Priya S.
Forearm · Fine Line Script
N.I.
“Six hours felt like two. Studio energy is calm, focused, and clean. This is the bar.”
Devon K.
Chest plate · Realism
N.I.
“I brought a Pinterest board. He returned a story. It sits on my body like it always belonged there.”
Sasha R.
Ribs · Small Format
N.I.
Process
From Idea
To Ink
Four steps, pinned to the studio wall. Simple, human, and shaped around the piece you actually want to live with.
01step
Share Your Idea
Tell Nico what you want, where you want it, and what the piece should mean.
02step
Preview The Placement
Use Ink Mirror to test the design on your own body photo.
03step
Shape The Concept
Save references, notes, placement ideas, and style direction to your Ink Board.
04step
Send It To Nico
Submit your concept so Nico can review it and respond with next steps.
Answers
Frequently
Asked
Questions
A few things you might want to know before booking.
"Black ink is timeless — it doesn't chase trends. It's about intention, permanence, and building work that grows into the body over time."
— Nico Igunbor
Ready to wear it?
Your next tattoo starts with a conversation.
Nico reviews every request personally. Send your concept, reference, or Ink Mirror preview and get a reply with next steps.
Booking
Let's Create
Something Permanent.
Custom tattoos begin with a clear idea, strong placement, and the right artist. Send your concept to Nico and start the conversation.