Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuel Lopez-iturralde
Hi Manuel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Aurora, CO, and I’m proud to be Mexican-American. My journey really started when I was halfway through my bachelor’s degree. In 2019, an old high-school friend asked me if I had ever tattooed or if I was interested in it. At first, I thought she was just looking for free tattoos, but her question sparked a lot of curiosity in me. That’s when I decided to save up $150 to buy a beginner tattoo kit and start practicing.
I spent a week or two practicing on synthetic skin to get the hang of the machine and the vibrations. Soon after, my family found out I was tattooing, and my uncle was the first to ask for a tattoo. I had his design ready and was really excited, but on the day of the appointment, he ended up canceling. I was pretty bummed, but I told myself, “If I don’t trust myself, then who will?” So, I decided to tattoo myself instead. That experience gave me a huge boost of confidence.
From there, I started tattooing friends and family, and in just a few months, I had a steady stream of appointments booked for up to four months in advance. This momentum pushed me to take the leap and quit my job to pursue tattooing full-time. I haven’t looked back since.
Last September, I had the incredible opportunity to open my own tattoo studio, True Heart Social Tattoo Studio. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m grateful for all the people who trust me to put my vision on their skin. Alongside the tattoo studio, my dad and I also started a screen printing and shirt design business called Print Bullet Company. This is where my background in graphic design really comes into play, as I’m responsible for creating logos, designing workwear, and bringing our clients’ ideas to life.
It’s been a long road from where I started to where I am now, and I’m excited to keep growing in both my tattooing and design businesses.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been getting my name out there and building a strong clientele. I believe that the customer experience I provide has played a huge role in helping me get to where I am today. The road to success is rarely without obstacles, but you learn to navigate those bumps along the way. And when everything is running smoothly, it’s important to take a moment to appreciate the journey and enjoy the drive.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in large black and grey tattoos, with a strong focus on religious themes such as depictions of Jesus, Mary, St. Jude, Archangels, and more. Recently, I’ve been exploring the use of color, working to seamlessly blend it with my black and grey style.
What I’m most proud of is the fact that I started from absolutely nothing and have managed to carve out a name for myself and my art. It’s been a long, challenging journey, but I wouldn’t change a thing because it’s shaped who I am today. What sets me apart from others is the experience I provide to my clients. I’m committed to educating them, making sure they’re informed, and ensuring they have the best possible experience. My goal is always for my clients to feel comfortable and confident, knowing that I’m putting 110% into each tattoo I create.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I actually started tattooing right after the Covid-19 crisis started to settle down, and it taught me a few important lessons. The biggest one was just how crucial it is to always be clean, organized, and super sterile. The pandemic really made me realize how important it is to keep everything safe—not just for my clients, but for myself too. It was a reminder that cleanliness should always be a top priority. Beyond that, I also learned to be more adaptable and ready for the unexpected. Covid-19 forced me to rethink how I approach my work and made me more proactive in handling everything, from health protocols to running my business.
Pricing:
- A small tattoo (sizes from 1×1-4×4) usually are between $50-$300.
- A medium tattoo (sizes from 5×5-10×10) are anywhere from $300-$800
- A large tattoo (sizes from quarter sleeve to full sleeve) usually range from $800-$2000
- When you get into XL sizes (which can include full back, chest, stomach, whole sleeve(s), full leg(s) can cost anywhere from $1500-$5000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://web.getporter.io/shop/true-heart-social?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaxrZ4WBgF00r0VQHoBk2sJD6D8jyXnMND9xTKVEbxKJGO308ZwQ5Zeg5g_aem_yOiGsAu2yUnVnEiYnSRwyg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkbymanny/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-lopez-b10b36353/?trk=public-profile-join-page
Image Credits
Photographer: Samuel Romero
