Regioselective aryl-formylations of tetrathienylporphyrin and its Ni(II) complex were performed with the Vilsmeier–Haack reaction. We have studied different solvents and temperatures to obtain the mono, di, tri and tetra-formylated porphyrins, all at the α-position of the thienyl groups. No β-formylations were observed and the four different formylated products presented here are suitable intermediates for subsequent extended conjugation reactions.