Towson’s Award-Winning Tattoo Studio Blends Art, Music, and Community

In the heart of Towson, Layer 3 Collective has emerged as more than just a tattoo studio. Over the last decade, it has become a creative hub that fuses art, music, fashion, and community. Founded by longtime Towson locals, the shop reflects the passion and vision of its owners: Chris Dominick, a seasoned tattoo artist with roots in the area; Sean, a Towson raised community-minded entrepreneur; and co-owner, investor, Zach Merrick, bassist for the internationally acclaimed band All Time Low, who also grew up in Towson.

Together they have built a business that pushes the boundaries of what a tattoo studio can be, While contributing to the great cultural experience and landscape that Towson has to offer as a whole.

For Chris Dominick, Layer 3 began with a lifelong love of art. “Art has been the one constant in my life,” he recalls. Though he wasn’t always certain which medium would define his career, tattooing found him through a chance encounter with a traveling tattooer while Chris was bartending in Baltimore. After an intensive apprenticeship and early career in Florida, he returned home with the ambition to establish his own shop.

The name Layer 3 originally started as a concept for a clothing line, but when Chris opened his first studio in Fells Point in 2016, it became the brand’s identity. The Fells Point shop, though small, was the stepping stone that set the foundation for what Layer 3 has become today.

Towson, however, was always the goal. “All of us grew up here,” Chris says. “Fifteen years ago during my apprenticeship, I talked to my mentor about opening a shop in Towson. To be here now, with everything we’ve built, feels like coming full circle.”

From the start, the owners envisioned Layer 3 as more than just a tattoo shop. Zach, with his international touring experience and creative background, brought a fresh perspective to the brand’s culture and reach. Sean, deeply embedded in the Towson community, provided both business acumen and strong philanthropic ties.

That collective vision has helped Layer 3 grow into a multifaceted operation. Beyond tattoos and piercings, the business now operates a clothing and apparel printing company, working with local businesses and organizations to create custom merchandise. The owners also recently opened a new private studio in Hunt Valley, launched in March 2025. The space features appointment-only tattooing, art gallery elements, and an expanded printing operation, a quieter, more intimate counterpart to the bustling Towson shop.

What started as Chris working solo in Fells Point has evolved into a team of seven tattoo artists and two skilled piercers. Each artist brings a distinct style, from bold traditional work to intricate realism, ensuring that clients can find the perfect match for their vision.

Chris himself won the Baltimore Magazine Readers’ poll for Best Tattoo Artist for both 2024 and 2025.

But artistry is only part of the equation. Cleanliness, professionalism, and client comfort are core values at Layer 3. “There’s no room for error in this industry,” Chris explains. “Every artist we bring on has to be excellent at their craft, and they must understand that creating a safe, welcoming experience is just as important as the tattoo itself.”

All staff are trained and certified in bloodborne pathogen procedures, and the studio maintains rigorous health and safety protocols. That commitment has earned Layer 3 not only client loyalty but also industry recognition.

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While Layer 3’s reputation attracts clients from across Maryland and beyond, Towson remains its anchor. The shop’s owners emphasize their deep ties to the area, often collaborating with local organizations and giving back to the community.

Sean leads many of these efforts, donating to charity auctions, sponsoring events, and leveraging his involvement with the Towson Elks Lodge to create new opportunities for partnership. “One hand washes the other,” Chris says. “Our success has always been tied to working alongside our neighbors and supporting the community that supports us.”

Zach’s presence has also broadened Layer 3’s profile, linking Towson’s creative scene with the global music community. His involvement highlights the shop’s unique culture: one that values artistry across mediums and appeals to both locals and visitors.

For the owners, standing out in today’s crowded tattoo market requires more than skilled artistry. It requires redefining the client experience.

“Tattoos can be intimidating for people, especially if it’s their first,” Chris says. “Our goal is to make everyone feel comfortable and respected. When I first entered the industry, a lot of shops felt unwelcoming, almost like clients were a burden. We’ve built the opposite. We want people to feel at home here.”

That philosophy has paid off. Many clients return again and again, building long-term relationships with artists who often have the freedom to design custom pieces based on the client’s ideas and trust.

Nearly 10 years after opening its doors, Layer 3 continues to evolve. With its new Hunt Valley location and future projects in the pipeline, the brand is positioning itself as a leader not only in tattooing but in the broader creative space.

For Chris, Sean, and Zach, the journey is far from over. Their vision for Layer 3 is one of growth, collaboration, and community—a Towson-based business that has earned local acclaim, national recognition, and the trust of thousands of clients.

In their hands, Layer 3 isn’t just ink and skin. It’s art, culture, and connection, etched into the heart of Towson.