Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Tattoo Shops in Columbus, OH

Our Recommended Top 11

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 Columbus Tattoo Shops on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

166Reviewed

104Curated

11Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Columbus, OH 43220

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.0 (32)

Why choose this provider?

Envy Skin Gallery is a Columbus studio that serves clients seven days a week. Owner Billy Hill and the other artists provide friendly service and high standards in sanitation, safety, sterilization, and education. Clients praise the friendly and professional atmosphere in the studio.

  • Watercolor Tattoos
  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos

80 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (5)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Cap City Tattoo Co. focuses on showcasing high standards in addition to a warm, clean, and inviting environment. Besides custom tattoo services, the Columbus-based tattoo shop also does cover-ups and aims to incorporate design knowledge when touching up previous tattoo work. Consultations are also available to help customers determine their best cover-up options. Cap City Tattoo Co. is headed by Alli Macgregor, who is an expert in cover-ups and largely caters to portraiture. new-school and blackwork specialist of tattoo art.

  • Traditional Tattoos

8761 Smoky Row Road, Powell, OH 43065

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2010, Riot Ink is a tattoo and piercing shop located in Columbus. Nathan Varney, the shop owner, leads his team of six experienced artists: Austin Yancey, Chris DeWitt, Derrick O'Neal, Gunnar, Scott McClanahan, and Quil Seawright, all of which have different styles to provide versatile and special customizable tattoos to clients. The studio also offers company merchandise, such as art prints and stickers, beanies, long and short sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, and racerback tanks.

  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Body Art

1255 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (68)
Yelp
3.5 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Stained Skin is a tatto studio open to clients in Columbus and the surrounding areas. The studio has worked with nationally touring music groups, including Papa Roach, guest artist Timothy Hoyer, and comedian and actor Faison Love. Owner Anthony Dubois has more than 20 years of experience in tattooing and specializes in Japanese, American, traditional, and black and grey. Stained Skin hosts rotating art shows every month showcasing different artworks and original art installations that are open to the public.

  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos

1453 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Memento Tattoo offers body art services to the people of Columbus. In business since 2010, it is home to artists who can work on a wide range of tattoo styles, including neo-traditional, traditional Americana, Japanese traditional, and bold line color. The shop maintains a relaxed environment to keep clients and guests comfortable. Customers can bring their own designs or have an artist create a custom piece. All sessions at Memento Tattoo are by appointment only.

  • Body Art

80 North Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (62)
Yelp
4.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Lock, Stock and Barrel Tattoos is a Gahanna studio that serves the Columbus area, utilizing its tattooists' artistry to cater to the unique and specific needs of each client. It applies a mix of traditional and modern techniques, with an aesthetic portfolio that covers color, black and gray, neo-traditional, American traditional, and horror styles. The artists maintain a positive atmosphere for clients and for the crew, who constantly improve on their skills to consistently create high-quality artwork.

  • Body Art

22 East 4th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (128)
Google
4.9 (84)

Why choose this provider?

Enso Tattoo is a Columbus-based shop that works on all types of tattooing styles. One of its tattoo artists, Kevin Stress, specializes in traditional Japanese-inspired art. His interest in tattooing started in the mid-1990s, and he decided to do it full-time in the early 2000s. He also appreciates Buddhist, Balinese, and Tibetan art. Another tattoo artist, Curt Everitt, has 10 years of retail design experience. He shifted his interest to tattoos in 2014. Aside from new tattoos, the artists can perform cover-ups and touch-ups.

  • Body Art
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

2094 Henderson Road, Columbus, OH 43220

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
3.5 (10)
Facebook
4.8 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Identity Tattoo Parlor offers full custom tattoo services in Columbus. It is home to trained artists who specialize in a wide array of tattoo styles, such as illustrative, black and gray realism, neo-traditional, new school, and traditional. The shop maintains a retail space where pieces of art can be purchased. The artists also accept commissions for custom art. To make guests and clients comfortable, Identity Tattoo Parlor makes it a point to keep its environment welcoming.

  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

265 Lincoln Circle, Columbus, OH 43230

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
3.5 (13)
Facebook
4.8 (1)

Why choose this provider?

American Crow Tattoo is a private studio servicing Columbus clients by appointment. It presents a wide range of tattoo styles including portrait work, black and gray, watercolor, geometric and abstract, and neo-traditional. Clients can book consultations online with an artist they are interested in collaborating with for their tattoo appointment. Each artist at the studio organizes his own bookings and clients can contact them directly. American Crow Tattoo owner David Boggins is a visionary and artist who has been in the industry for eight years.

  • Traditional Tattoos

874 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (37)

Why choose this provider?

High Street Tattoo is a body art studio in Columbus that has been serving the area for over a decade. Its resident tattoo artists underwent an extensive educational process and are hand-selected by owner Joey Knuckles, who is a tattoo artist himself. The shop’s tattooers can take on a wide range of styles, including lettering, Neo-traditional, traditional Americana, and black and gray imagery. To ensure the health and safety of clients, High Street Tattoo follows the highest standards of sterilization.

  • Body Art

2520 Summit Street, Columbus, OH 43202

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (311)
Yelp
4.5 (98)

Why choose this provider?

Evolved Body Art is a tattoo shop in Columbus that performs custom tattoos. Established in 2000, the tattoo shop has attracted an eclectic group of artists in Columbus united by their love of the profession of body modification. It offers a wide range of tattoo styles, including graphic/illustrative, watercolor, black and grey realism, geometric, Celtic, Neotraditional, and Trash Polka. Evolved Body Art is committed to providing outstanding customer service, maintaining a clean, safe, and sober professional work environment, and being conscientious about energy use.

  • Watercolor Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos
  • Geometric Tattoos

Compare our Top Tattoo Shops

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Envy Skin Gallery
Columbus, OH 43220
Cap City Tattoo Co.
80 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215
Riot Ink
8761 Smoky Row Road, Powell, OH 43065
Stained Skin
1255 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201
Memento Tattoo
1453 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212
Lock, Stock and Barrel Tattoos
80 North Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230
Enso
22 East 4th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
Identity Tattoo Parlor
2094 Henderson Road, Columbus, OH 43220
American Crow Tattoo
265 Lincoln Circle, Columbus, OH 43230
High Street Tattoo
874 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Evolved Body Art - Summit St.
2520 Summit Street, Columbus, OH 43202

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.