Best Tattoo Shops in Detroit

2021

Blackwater Studios

• Body Art

Blackwater Studios is a privately owned tattoo facility in Dearborn Heights that serves clients in Detroit. Working in the industry for more than a decade, its artists have extensive experience in performing tattoo procedures. The studio's certified specialist, Tara, offers eyebrow microblading and permanent and semi-permanent makeup sessions. Booking appointments is available through phone calls or texts, for customers to schedule or plan ahead their sessions. One of the clients said that his artist, Mark, has a great eye for detail.

Caryl Cunningham

• Jewelry
• Body Art

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.

Detroit Ink Spot

• Traditional Tattoos

Detroit Inkspot is a Detroit-based studio that provides tattoo and piercing services with an onsite art gallery. The studio has four artists who work in a variety of mediums and styles including tribal, black and white, scripts, airbrushing, and custom portraits. Cover-ups and repairs also accepted. The shop offers piercings in various areas such as ears, nose, lips, and gums. Previous clients have commended the studio for being innovative and providing a comfortable and clean environment.

Eternal Ink

• Traditional Tattoos
• Piercings

Eternal Tattoos Livonia offers a wide range of body art services to the residents of Detroit. It is the home to eight tattoo artists who specialize in a variety of tattoo styles, such as traditional Americana, black and gray imagery, line work, and geometric. The shop also has a cosmetic tattooist who takes care of permanent makeup procedures. In addition to tattoos, Eternal Tattoos Livonia also provides body piercing services.

Iconic Tattoo.Piercing

• Neotraditional Tattoos
• Traditional Tattoos
• Piercings

Iconic Tattoo.Piercing is a Detroit studio that has been offering custom tattoo and body piercing services since 2015. The company maintains a sanitized studio environment and professional client care, which helped it become the first Association of Professional Piercers member in the metro. Its artists handle different tattoo styles, including black and gray realism. A tattoo artist since 1994, Matt Hesler purchased a dilapidated building in 2014 and conducted a major renovation that led to the opening of the Iconic studio.

Ironclad Tattoo Co.

• Traditional Tattoos

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.

Jay Wheeler

• Portraits
• Watercolor Tattoos
• Traditional Tattoos

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.

Neurotic Ink

• Traditional Tattoos

Neurotic Ink puts focus on craftsmanship, attention to detail, diversity, and professionalism in providing its tattoo services to Detroit area communities. The Westland-based tattoo parlor seeks to ensure that time is allocated for client consultations and primarily handles custom and "flash" designs. Neurotic Ink's former customers have said that the parlor offers a clean, relaxed environment as well as a friendly and sociable atmosphere. They have also recommended the parlor for original and first-time tattoos.

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.

Vicious Ink Tattoos & Piercings

• Traditional Tattoos
• Jewelry
• 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.

Wonderland Tattoo Studio

• Traditional Tattoos

Wonderland Tattoo Studio has been offering custom body artwork in the Detroit area for more than 30 years. The shop’s resident artists can take on a wide range of styles, including black and grey realism, colorwork, and portraiture. To ensure the health and safety of clients, Wonderland Tattoo Studio’s professional staff receives training in blood-borne pathogens, infection control, first-aid, and CPR. They also receive annual medical check-ups and the studio is placed under third-party spore testing regularly.