Long after memories begin to fade, tattoos remain.
That's what makes the work of Denville resident Trent Charilas so meaningful. Inside his Randolph studio, Expressive Ink, he transforms skin into a lasting canvas for the moments, people, and experiences his clients never want to forget.
The stigma surrounding tattoos has largely disappeared.
Once viewed as rebellious or unconventional, tattoos have become a common form of self-expression embraced by people from all walks of life.
"Television shows like Miami Ink really brought respect to the industry as an art form," Charilas explained. "In the past, there was a stigma attached to tattoos. People would negatively view them and sometimes associate tattoos with gangs, bikers, or people in prison."
While he isn't a fan of tattoo reality shows, Charilas credits them with broadening public appreciation for tattooing and introducing the artistry behind the craft to a wider audience.
"It's a win all around," he said.
Over the course of his career, Charilas estimates he has created hundreds of thousands of designs for clients spanning multiple generations. Among the most memorable was an 85-year-old woman who came in for a nose piercing and left with a rosebud tattoo on her ankle.
"This older woman came in with her niece, and I just assumed they were there for her," he recalled. "Then the niece turned to me and said, 'I'm here for my aunt.'"
Before the appointment was over, Charilas joked that she'd be the talk of her retirement community.
"She turned to me and said, 'In my day, you'd be called a flirt if you had a tattoo,'" he said with a chuckle.
Her reaction perfectly captures how dramatically attitudes toward tattoos have changed. Today, many clients choose tattoos to honor loved ones, commemorate important moments, or tell their own stories.
Over the years, Charilas has seen just about every tattoo request imaginable.
"If people come in with an idea or reference photo, I'll read up on it to get into their head a little more," he said. "Other people will say, 'I trust you—just do your thing.'"
No matter the design, originality is nonnegotiable.
"We don't replicate the work of others," Charilas said. "If someone comes in with a picture from online or another shop, we'll recreate the concept in our own unique way."
Milestone birthdays are among his most common requests, particularly from women celebrating turning 50 and beyond. Others seek tattoos honoring their heritage through flags, cultural symbols, and spiritual imagery.
“I’ve done so many flags,” he said. “American, Italian, Greek. Right now I’m working on a Macedonian-themed warrior."
Nostalgia is another driving force behind many requests. Cartoon-inspired tattoos featuring The Simpsons, Disney characters, and Looney Tunes remain perennial favorites.
Tributes to beloved pets are another popular choice, from pawprints and nose prints to names honoring faithful companions.
Some ideas are far more unconventional.
One client asked Charilas to tattoo Dave Matthews' autograph after getting the musician to sign his arm.
"A guy got him to sign his arm and called me at 2 a.m.," he recalled. "It was totally on a whim."
For Charilas, those one-of-a-kind projects are part of the appeal. The more challenging the design, the more rewarding the finished piece.
"The designs that stress me out the most are also the most rewarding," he said.
“Maybe it’s something super important to someone like a portrait of a family member. It’s always that one percent that keeps me up at night...but the finished product is validating.”
Not every tattoo request gets a green light. Charilas will refuse any gang-related or hate-related tattoo and has also talked clients out of certain designs—particularly young couples eager to tattoo each other's names.
"It's just bad luck," he said. "It's the kiss of death."
Couples who have been married for decades, however, are another story.
Over the years, Charilas has built his business one tattoo at a time, fueled by satisfied clients and countless word-of-mouth recommendations.
"For every new client I get, I fully expect to gain three more clients," he said.
Whether he's preserving a musician's autograph, creating a deeply personal tribute, or helping someone commemorate an important moment, Charilas understands that the best tattoos are never just about the artwork.
They're about the stories people choose to carry for a lifetime.
Expressive Ink is located at 517 NJ-10 in Randolph.
Expressive Ink
Located in Randolph, Expressive Ink specializes in custom tattoos and professional body piercings in a welcoming, artist-focused environment. Owner Trent Charilas and the studio's talented artists work closely with every client to create one-of-a-kind designs inspired by their ideas, memories, and personal stories. Whether it's a first tattoo, a meaningful tribute, or a custom sleeve, every piece is thoughtfully designed to reflect the individual. The studio is committed to providing a clean, professional experience from consultation through aftercare. To schedule an appointment or learn more, visit expressive.ink.