Khaos Ink Tattoo opened for business June 7 at White Marsh Village shopping center on Route 17. The shop is owned by the husband-wife team of Ariel Sanchez and Kris Masterson. They both are tattoo artists, Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that tattoos are a means of self-expression. He and Masterson both specialize in custom tattoos, but they also offer customers a selection of thousands of ready-made designs, or "flash."

Masterson said she specializes in pinups. Examples of that type of tattoo are prominently displayed along with other decorative artwork on the walls, with prints of some tattoo art offered for sale.

Some customers might come in for a small tattoo, Sanchez said, while others come in to have an entire "sleeve," or full coverage tattoo on an arm or leg. Masterson said many customers get tattoos as memorials to loved ones.

Sanchez said they purchased an expensive autoclave to make sure the needles and other equipment are thoroughly cleaned both for...