Laurels

Best Tattoo
Artists in
Detroit

2020

We scored 202 Tattoo Artists in Detroit, MI and Picked the Top 15

Here are the Picks:

Why These Tattoo Artists?

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

Our Selection Criteria:

1. Availability

Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored.
2. Qualifications

Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards.
3. Reputation

A history of delighted customers and outstanding service.
4. Experience

Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education.
5. Professionalism

Providing service with honesty, reliability, and respect.

Last Updated: October 29, 2020

Aaron Broke

Aaron Broke is a tattoo artist who works out of the Vicious Ink Tattoos & Piercings shop in Sterling Heights. Mr. Broke took up tattooing in 2008 and specializes in traditional art mixed with neotraditional or color bomb work. He only provides tattoo quotes in person after taking into account a range of factors, including style, body location, and ink colors. Mr. Broke requires clients to post a cash deposit before scheduling any tattoo appointment.

Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Website Facebook

(586) 553-9100 Website

Ageless Image Tattoo

Ageless Image Tattoo provides professional body art services in Hazel Park. The company’s artists design tattoos using a range of styles, including custom, fine line, color, black and white, tribal, and blacklight ink. Ageless Image Tattoo is open six days a week, with Sundays reserved for clients by appointment only. The company also does body piercing and jewelry, including exotic body modifications.

Hazel Park, MI 48030

Website Facebook

(248) 542-3828 Website

B’z Ink Tattoo

B’z Ink Tattoo has offered award-winning tattoo services from its Troy location for nearly 10 years. The company was voted Best Tattoo Shop in the 2014 and 2015 Detroit A-List Awards on CityVoter.com. All B’z Ink Tattoo artists and piercers are blood-borne pathogen certified and licensed by the Oakland County Health Department and use disposable, pre-sterilized equipment for tattoos and piercings. The studio is licensed by the health department and inspected quarterly to ensure clients’ safety and health.

Troy, MI 48085

Website Facebook

(248) 818-9752 Website

Caryl Cunningham

Caryl Cunningham is a tattoo artist who works out of Eternal Tattoos in Taylor. Ms. Cunningham works at the studio Tuesday–Saturday. She works on custom designs and enjoys the collaborative process with her clients. Ms. Cunningham provides free consultations and requires a $50 deposit for single appointments and $100 for portraits, pinups, or session work.

Taylor, MI 48180

Website Facebook

(313) 388-8791 Website

Detroit Inkspot Tattoo & Piercing

Detroit Inkspot Tattoo & Piercing is a Detroit studio that provides body art and illustrative services along with having an onsite art gallery. Prices for tattoos start at just $40, while piercings start at $15. The company’s four artists work in a variety of mediums and styles, including tribal, black and white, airbrushing, and custom portraits.

Detroit, MI 48219

Website Facebook

(313) 202-9737 Website

Eternal Tattoos

Eternal Tattoos is a tattoo and body piercing studio that opened in 1980 and has since expanded to five locations in the Detroit area--Livonia, Taylor, Clawson, Howell, and Eastpointe. One client raved, “I got my first tattoo done about 10 years ago at Eternal and had a great experience. I’ve been back since then for more work and always find the place clean and professional.” Eternal Tattoos also sells its own line of tattoo inks and has offered laser removal of tattoos for more than 10 years. It consults with clients on full removals or cover-ups of unwanted tattoos.

Eastpointe, MI 48021

Website Facebook

(586) 779-4770 Website

Ironclad Tattoo Company

Ironclad Tattoo Company is a tattoo parlor and body piercing studio in Troy. The company is open seven days a week. The studio has six permanent tattoo artists on staff, rotates in guest artists on a regular basis, and also has two full-time piercers on staff. Ironclad Tattoo Company was voted Best of Detroit in body piercing by the Metro Times in 2016. Check out the acid-etched Ironclad Tattoo Company flasks that are available at the shop and can be shipped anywhere.

Troy, MI 48083

Website Facebook

(248) 528-0810 Website

Jay Wheeler

Jay Wheeler is a tattoo artist who works out of North Main Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery, the Plymouth company that he co-owns and operates. Mr. Wheeler began working in the Detroit area in 1992 before traveling worldwide to learn alongside some of the best tattoo artists in the industry. His tattooing and artwork have been featured in several tattoo magazines. He specializes in realism and does not work on cover-up tattoos or finish pre-existing tattoos started by another artist. Mr. Wheeler charges $200 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

Plymouth, MI 48170

Website Facebook

(734) 927-7155 Website

Lady Luck Tattoo

Lady Luck Tattoo is a Waterford business that has been named among Michigan’s top shops three years in a row by WDIV-TV in Detroit. Clients can bring their unique designs to either artist in the tattoo parlor, which opened 16 years ago. Contact Lady Luck Studio seven days a week to set up an appointment or to receive pricing information.

Waterford, MI 48327

Website Facebook

(248) 673-0670 Website

Larry Farley Tattoo / Collective Studios Ink

Larry Farley Tattoo is a Detroit area custom tattoo artist who works out of and owns Collective Studios Ink located in Downtown Rochester. Artist Larry Farley uses a realistic style with a surrealistic twist on his artwork and tattoos, and he also creates freehand tattoos in either color or black and gray. Mr. Farley also works on custom fine art prints and murals using airbrushing or acrylic and oil paint in his spare time.

105 E. 2nd St.
Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Website Facebook Instagram

(248) 963-2903 Website

Neurotic Ink

Neurotic Ink is a Westland tattoo parlor that takes pride in attention to detail on all services. Neurotic Ink does not accept credit cards or barter services, and all transactions are cash only. Deposits are required for any appointment, and the $125 per hour charge is non-negotiable. Neurotic Ink also will host tattoo parties for six or more, and the company provides piercing services using only implant-grade internally threaded jewelry.

Westland, MI 48185

Website Facebook

(734) 727-4845 Website

New Skool Tattoos

New Skool Tattoos in Brownstown opened 17 years ago and provides tattoos to customers from around the world. The company never reuses needles, and its body jewelry is made of nickel-negative, implant-grade steel that is allergen-free. New Skool Tattoos has received “4 The Best” status as one of the Detroit area’s top tattoo parlors by WDIV-TV. One of its artists won six awards at the 2014 Motor City Tattoo Expo, including four in Best Traditional categories and one for Most Patriotic.

Brownstown Township, MI 48183

Website Facebook

(734) 782-3550 Website

Vicious Ink Tattoos & Piercings

Vicious Ink Tattoos & Piercings provides tattoo services and body piercings from studios in Sterling Heights and Rochester Hills. Both locations are open seven days a week. The company twice was named to the WDIV-TV “4 The Best” list of top tattoo parlors in the Detroit area. It sells top-of-the-line aftercare products for both tattoos and piercings, and the artist will provide detailed aftercare instructions. Vicious Ink Tattoos & Piercings also sells a full line of clothing, jewelry, and art. Join the company’s Loyal Family Point Program to receive discounts on tattoos and piercings.

Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Website Facebook

(586) 553-9100 Website

Wonderland Tattoo

Wonderland Tattoo in St. Clair Shores has offered custom body artwork in the Detroit area for 27 years. All Wonderland Tattoo artists receive training in bloodborne pathogens, infection control, first aid, and CPR. Artists also receive yearly medical checkups, and the studio undergoes monthly third-party spore testing. All equipment is single-use only to ensure the health and safety of its clients. All appointments require a cash deposit that will be applied to the final price of the tattoo. The studio also performs piercings for just $20 that include a stainless hoop.

Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080

Website Facebook

(586) 774-8288 Website

XS is a tattoo parlor providing services six days a week from either its Rochester studio or its new location in the Chinatown section of Detroit. The company offers state-of-the-art custom artwork and body piercing in a sanitary and comfortable space. XS carries a range of body piercing jewelry, including steel and titanium captives, barbells, spirals, and one-of-a-kind hand-carved items. The company also partners with Erase the Ink for laser tattoo removal.

Rochester, MI 48307

Website Facebook

(248) 656-5740 Website

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