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2024

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Best Tattoo Shops in Boulder, CO

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Boulder Tattoo Shops on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

33Reviewed

25Curated

14Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Lakewood, CO 80215

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (41)

Why choose this provider?

Fallen Owl Tattoo Studio provides custom tattoos to the Denver area. The studio opened in 2010 with a focus on client comfort and safety and is a BBB accredited business. The professional artists specialize in many styles including fine line black and gray and full color. Fallen Owl has been voted top tattoos by Denver's A-List and has been featured in publications such as Inked Magazine.

  • Watercolor Tattoos
  • Traditional Tattoos

Longmont, CO 80501

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (374)
Google
4.5 (112)
Yelp
4.0 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Skinhouse Tattoo Studio is a custom tattoo studio in Longmont, Colorado. The mqin tattooer, Raul Regalado began Skinhouse in 2015 with a focus on creating a comfortable and creative environment. Raul has over seven years of tattoo experience. Skinhouse Tattoo Studio believes in lasting relationships with it's guests through strong customer service. Skinhouse Tattoo Studio specializes in a range of tattoo styles and offers complimentary consultations. Previous clients appreciate Raul's warm personality and his detailed artistry.

  • Watercolor Tattoos
  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos

56 North Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (192)

Why choose this provider?

Sol Tribe Tattoo & Body Piercing is a Denver-based studio. Sol Tribe provides custom and cosmetic tattooing, body piercing, dermal anchoring, branding, and scarification, and offers a large selection of organic and non-organic body jewelry. The studio is a collective group of professional artists and all piercers are required to be a part of the Association of Professional Piercers. The team at Sol Tribe is focused on providing quality service in a comfortable environment.

  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos

2815 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (202)
Facebook
5.0 (127)
Yelp
4.5 (47)

Why choose this provider?

Marion St. Tattoo is a tattoo shop that serves clients in Boulder. Owner Ryan Williard recognizes the influence on him by Eternal Tattoos owner Terry Welker and Matt Jones of Kleen Sting Tattoo in developing his interest in tattooing. In his studio, he and his team of tattooists are familiar with a variety of tattoo styles that include traditional, black and gray, and realism. Customers commend Marion St. Tattoo for the friendliness and creativity of its artists and staff.

  • Watercolor Tattoos
  • Body Art
  • Portraits

1332 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Travis Koenig Tattoos Artist aims to change the perception of the general public in Boulder with regards to tattooing through his craft. Travis has been working on perfecting the art of tattooing since 1998. He is best known for his large-scale decorative tattoos, incorporating flowers, mythological beasts, and natural elements into his designs. He also works on cover-ups for clients with previous tattoos or scars that need to be hidden. Travis conducts in-person and virtual consultations with customers to help ensure that each tattoo is accurate and well-made.

  • Body Art
  • Piercings

1332 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (229)

Why choose this provider?

Bound By Design is a Denver-based tattoo and piercing studio. The team is composed of 12 professional tattoo artists and two experienced piercers. The artists are well-versed in all tattoo styles and have a strong focus on providing quality artwork. The studio is health board inspected and all needles are single-use. Bound By Design was awarded Best Tattoo and Piercing Studio in Denver by the Best of Westword.

  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

3193 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80301

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Rising Tide Tattoo was started in 2005 to provide custom-designed tattoos in Boulder. Phill Bartell founded the business as a one-person shop to offer quality tattoos and fine art on both canvas and skin. Now, the shop has four regular tattooers that are experienced in various styles, such as Tibetan thangka painting, art nouveau, Japanese tattoo lineage, and traditional Americana. Rising Tide Tattoo even deals with designs like sacred geometry, landscapes, realism, and comics. The shop welcomes both appointments and walk-ins.

  • Body Art

1695 Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80214

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (98)

Why choose this provider?

Mantra Tattoo is a full-service tattoo studio in Boulder. It offers services like professional clean custom tattoos and piercings. In addition, the shop also provides a variety of jewelry and clothing options to choose from. Mantra Tattoo’s team of artists has a combined professional experience of over 70 years in the tattoo industry. They focus on a variety of styles like progressive illustration, neotraditional, Japanese, portraits, vivid color, and modern custom black work-based tattoos.

  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

172 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (204)
Yelp
4.5 (80)

Why choose this provider?

Think Tank Tattoo is a custom tattoo studio and art gallery that has been serving clients in Boulder and other cities in Colorado. This business has been crafting personalized art designs since 2002. It has seasoned and diverse professionals who specialize in various styles such as Japanese, traditional, realism, cosmetic, fine-line, and illustrative, Celtic and Norse style. Think Tank Tattoo accepts walk-in clients. Jason, one of the artists, has been in the industry for more than 20 years.

  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos
  • Geometric Tattoos

1075 East South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO 80027

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (34)
Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Honestbird Tattoo is a private and female-owned tattoo parlor serving the people of Boulder. The studio’s lead artist and owner, Lora Bird, worked in the performing arts industry before making the switch to tattooing. She enjoys turning the aesthetic vision of clients into reality and creating custom pieces in various styles, from fine line tattoos to colorwork. She strives to provide a clean and inclusive space for all customers. Interested individuals may book an appointment through Honestbird Tattoo’s website.

  • Body Art

698 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (115)
Facebook
4.7 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Tribe Tattoo is a Denver tattoo and piercing studio with over 15 years of business. Artist and owner John Slaughter is joined by a team of professional artists that specialize in a variety of tattoo styles. The artists have experience in custom tattoos, original script, and cover-ups, and are focused on the needs of the client. Previous clients are appreciative of the studio's professionalism and artistry. The studio includes an art gallery that features original paintings.

  • Body Art

1921 Youngfield Street, Golden, CO 80401

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Parlour Tricks Tattoo Shop serves clients in Boulder and nearby areas. The shop provides custom tattoos with a wide range of styles and designs, such as colored, black and grey, realism, tribal, and neo-traditional. Additionally, piercings, suspensions, and body modification services are also available. Its team of professional tattoo artists includes Erik Volsung, Tracy Campbell, Charley Williamson, Jes Saunders, Greg McCormick, and Nuge. They are committed to delivering a comfortable tattooing experience for clients.

  • Body Art
  • Piercings

1309 College Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (284)

Why choose this provider?

Tribal Rites Tattoo and Piercing has been in business since 1994. The three locations in Longmont, Westminster, and Boulder offer custom tattoos, body piercings, and body jewelry. The talented artists specialize in all tattoo styles and work with clients on design. Tribal Rites' team is customer service-oriented and previous clients applause the professional service received. Tribal Rites was awarded "Best of CU & Boulder" on multiple occasions.

  • Body Art
  • Piercings

565 East South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO 80027

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (320)
Facebook
4.8 (296)
Yelp
4.5 (31)

Why choose this provider?

Inksmith Tattoo and Piercing is a team of artists serving individuals in Boulder and nearby areas. Its team is dedicated to helping clients express themselves through body art. It designs and customizes tattoos according to the client's vision and style. It also has professional piercers handling lobe piercings and septum rings. Its staff provides aftercare services to help clients with proper healing. Owner and tattoo artist Kevin Powers has been professionally doing tattoos for more than 20 years.

  • Body Art

Compare our Top Tattoo Shops

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Fallen Owl Tattoo
Lakewood, CO 80215
Skinhouse Tattoo Studio
Longmont, CO 80501
Sol Tribe
56 North Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Marion St. Tattoo
2815 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206
Travis Koenig Tattoos Artist
1332 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
Bound By Design
1332 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
Rising Tide Tattoo
3193 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80301
Mantra Tattoo
1695 Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80214
Think Tank Tattoo
172 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
Honestbird Tattoo
1075 East South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO 80027
Tribe Tattoo
698 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204
​Parlour Tricks Tattoo Shop
1921 Youngfield Street, Golden, CO 80401
Tribal Rites Boulder
1309 College Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302
Inksmith Tattoo and Piercing
565 East South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO 80027

FAQs

  • Introduction

    A tattoo is body art that leaves permanent designs or pictures on the skin. They're applied via needle by depositing ink onto the second layer of skin. While the first tattoos were applied manually with a single needle that was first saturated in ink, today's tattoos are done by a machine. These machines feature multiple needles that pierce the skin simultaneously, speeding up the process and creating tattoos that are more visually appealing.

    Tattoos are usually done in licensed tattoo shops. These shops adhere to health and cleaning standards and are typically regulated by state and municipal governments. While tattoos are generally safe, there are associated risks, including skin infections. Any person getting a tattoo is legally required to be at least 18 years of age. It's also inadvisable for anyone who isn't in good health to get a tattoo, as the body requires time and energy to heal and prevent infection.

  • What should you know before getting your first tattoo?

    Before getting tattooed, it's important to think about design and placement. A tattoo is a permanent fixture on the body, and it's important not to rush into things. You should also consider the artist's background and take time to look into their portfolio to ensure their style best suits the tattoo you want.

  • What are some examples of tattoo styles?

    There are many types of tattoo styles, and it's important for a person to familiarize themselves with them before they select a design. Styles include:

    • Americana: Bold lines, vivid colors
    • Japanese: Large images that cover the back, arms, and legs
    • Black and Grey: Colorless grayscale designs
    • Stick-n-Poke: Thick, bold, black lines and small designs
    • Blackwork: Bold black lines and larger geometric shapes

  • Is tipping expected & how much to tip on your tattoo?

    While most tattoo artists don't expect tips, it's often appreciated. If you're happy with the work your tattoo artist has done, consider tipping between 15% and 25%. If the tattoo requires multiple sessions, a flat amount per session is appropriate.

  • What are some basic tattoo aftercare tips?

    It's important to follow all aftercare directions provided by the tattoo artist. Usually, artists will advise clients to ensure that tattoos are kept clean and dry. After showering, the tattoo should be gently patted dry and treated with Vaseline or another tattoo aftercare product.

  • What are the best practices for healing a tattoo?

    After removing the dressing, it's important to keep the tattoo clean, dry, and uncovered. Applying Vaseline or another recommended ointment can help to speed up the healing process. As they heal, tattoos can sometimes itch, but it's vital that you don't scratch or pick at it.

  • What are the most and least painful places to get a tattoo?

    Parts of the body that have the most nerve endings are generally the most painful to have tattooed. That includes the head, ears, and face. Places that don't have a lot of fat, such as the fingers, shoulder blades, and feet, are typically more painful. The least painful parts of the body to get tattooed include the outer arm, buttocks, and thighs.