Zach Yates - Tattoo Artist- Black and Grey, Illustrative, Traditional, Neo Traditional.
Zach Yates began tattooing in 2011, apprenticing under the late Chris Schumann at Knob Town Ink in Kansas City. Those early years were built on fundamentals—respect for the craft, disciplined color theory, strong composition, and the belief that a tattoo should be made to last a lifetime. That foundation still guides every piece of work he creates.
After earning his license in April 2013, Zach continued sharpening his skills at Ink Parlor in Kansas City, working alongside Rachael Cross, Amy Bug, Logan Shackelford, and Tim Johnson. The fast-paced, walk-in environment pushed him to work efficiently, think on his feet, and deliver solid tattoos under pressure—lessons that shaped both his work ethic and confidence as an artist.
In January 2015, Zach helped open Triple Black Tattoo in Blue Springs. Over the next three and a half years, his style took form—melding neo-traditional tattooing with black and grey realism, sacred geometry, and stippled textures. More than a shop, Triple Black (Marc and Hazz) became family, and the support, trust, and knowledge shared there remain a defining part of his journey.
Golden Stag Tattoo represents the next evolution of that path. It is the distillation of everything learned along the way—discipline, intention, and respect for tradition—combined with a drive to push forward and create meaningful, bold, and timeless work. Every tattoo done under the Golden Stag name is rooted in experience, built with purpose, and made to stand the test of time.
