Golden Iron Tattoo Studio was established in 2011 and is located in the heart of Downtown Toronto. It has since grown to three large locations where it is now home to a roaster of artists who offer an array of different styles, but who all share the passion, dedication, and ideals of Golden Iron.
Golden Iron’s diverse and award winning lineup of artists are inspired by both modern and traditional design layouts and tattooing techniques. Like all passionate artists, GI’s talented tattooists spend most of their waking hours developing their next masterpiece, evolving their styles, and constantly pushing themselves to produce the most impressive artwork that Golden Iron is known for. Golden Iron has lived this way since its birth, travelling a highly demanding and unforgiving road. The path has strengthened us, grew us, and have made us into the studio that we are today; it’s not an easy climb, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the beginning, there was only a newcomer to Canada and a small, simple storefront; blending into a line of small shops and restaurants along Toronto’s Spadina Avenue in Chinatown. With an intense hunger for success and driven only by passion, long hours, and a true love for tattooing, Golden Iron was born with no client base and an artist roster of just one. In a city full of strong competition, established studios, and big name artists, Golden Iron firmly planted its roots and started to grow.
Make it; there was no other option for Golden Iron. Survival in the early days was only possible due to pure artistic merit, skill, long and hard hours, and a little bit of luck. The doors of Golden Iron were open early and closed very late, all with the hopes of catching a walk-in. Apprentices as well as some old-fashioned referrals were starting to get the Golden Iron brand out in the city. At times, the only thing keeping the doors open was the hunger for success and industry recognition.
Success didn’t happen overnight. Golden Iron’s success is a direct result from hard work, ingenuity, passion, and most importantly effort from the entire team to not only survive in Toronto as a tattoo studio, but to thrive and supersede everyone’s expectations. As time passed and the client base grew, so did Golden Iron’s roster of artists. Within a few years Golden Iron grew from a small single artist based shop, to having three locations in two countries, as well as having a solid team of over twenty artists with varying styles, techniques and from all walks of life. To continue to grow the shops audience and move towards a more fruitful future, the artists started working towards competing in the Canadian tattoo convention circuit. This ultimately resulted in the artists working full days at the studio to maintain shop expenses, while also working after-hours and off-days to ensure having showpieces ready and perfected to showcase at the conventions.
The team, dedicated to the craft, began to pull 12 to 16 hour shifts in the shop. This quickly became the norm for many on the team, but the team didn’t mind as they kept pushing their limits while sacrificing everything else to continually improve and perfect their art. Working alongside one another, critiquing each others work, and teaching whatever could be taught between the artists, was all in the hopes of attaining some public stature and acclaim. This resulted in having zero social lives outside of the studio; but all that mattered was the road to success they were currently travelling on.
To be given the opportunity to showcase their hard work and to be recognized for the potential Golden Iron clearly exuded was not only an honour; but also an accomplishment earned and appreciated by the entire team. To be able to work filled venues with so many other talented artists was not only humbling but also gave the entire Golden Iron team purpose. A feeling of achievement had been created, an undying love for the art of tattooing and a familial bond that could not be broken. With over 103 awards for pieces of all styles and sizes, Golden Iron artists’ skills and dedication to the art and sacrifice is proof enough that hard work always pays off.
The team’s courage to live this way comes from knowing that they are always growing, not only as artists, but also as a family. The Golden Iron family is one that will never stop working towards being the best group of artists across the country. Golden Iron looks forward to the challenges of the coming years, and is excited for what’s to come!
Golden Iron wouldn’t be where they are without you, the clients, that keep the art, studio and artists going. Golden Iron will forever be in debt to you, the supporters. To many more years to come. All artists at Golden Iron Tattoo Studio hold current and valid blood born pathogen certification and ensure practicing the highest possible standards of BBP/ health and safety. Golden Iron Tattoo Studio is municipally licensed, and regularly inspected by Toronto Public Health. All disposables, inclusive of needles, tube tips and protective barriers are prepackaged, pre-sterilized and are single use only. Golden Iron is guaranteed a safe, relaxed, non-judgmental, safe space for you to get the tattoo you’ve always wanted.
For more details please visit our FAQ section or feel free to email us at info@goldenirontattoostudio.com for bookings and all other inquiries.