We have put together two studios that are second to none. At both locations you will find an assortment of award winning artists from around the country doing what they do best.

We have tried to capture a more up-scale feel like a salon so that you as a customer will feel comfortable and secure knowing that our knowledgeable staff will provide you with the finest tattooing and piercings available.

We went to great lengths to install sinks at every station, full spectrum lighting and the most up to date safe and sterile practices.

Our award winning studios have been voted "Best in Santa Cruz" in the Metro and Good Times for over 12 years in a row.

HISTORY:

James McDermott started Staircase Tattoo and Body Piercing in 1992 in downtown Santa Cruz, CA.

The name Staircase came about , first because we were located upstairs and second, we found out during construction that previously a local landmark called Staircase Massage (use your imagination here) used to be in our location. How could we not call it Staircase!!

After five years in that location the city purchased the building and turned it into a downtown parking garage. Good for them, bad for us! We relocated to our current location at 628 Ocean St. in 1996 and haven't looked back!

James McDermott has been tattooing since 1985. He started in Modesto Ca. before coming to Santa Cruz in 1990. James has tattooed all over the United States and in Asia. He has owned and operated many studios in many places. In 2001 he left to travel the world leaving Staircase in the very good hands of his best friend Barry Blanchard, owner of Anatometal body jewelry.

After four and a half years in Hawaii, on the Island of Kauai, and all places exotic including Japan, China, Singapore and Indonesia James moved to Las Vegas to reunite and tattoo with his daughter Jessica. There they opened Tattoo DeVille. After 2 years they decided it was time to return to the greatest place on earth!

James is now back in Santa Cruz, back at Staircase and has brought his daughter and protege Jessica McDermott with him to beautify Santa Cruz once again!

We now have a second location that is for tattooing only.
It is located at 52 Front st. in Santa Cruz . 
Right down by the Boardwalk!!

Our goal is to give our clients the best Tattooing and Piercing experience anywhere on the planet! Our family of artists is second to none! I can say that because I have been around the world and experienced so much in my almost 22 years of tattooing that there is no place that compares to Staircase or Santa Cruz!

Thanks to all of our clients, customers and friends and family for making all of this possible!

James