Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Tattoo Shops in Buffalo

Our Recommended Top 9

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

64

Reviewed

42

Curated

9

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
62 North Main Street, Holland, NY 14080
  • Body Art
  • Piercings

Why choose this provider?

Roadhouse Tattoos is a tattoo and piercing shop serving clients in Buffalo. It is led by Joe Marzolf, who has been in the tattoo industry for 35 years. Marzolf specializes in black and grey and vivid color pieces, ranging from classic designs to dotted tattoo work. The business's piercing services are performed by Amanda Marzolf, who is trained in first aid and knowledgeable in bloodborne pathogen safety. Roadhouse Tattoos handles a variety of ear and body piercings, including navel, septum, and industrial piercings.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3223 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Renaissance Custom Tattoo is a Buffalo tattoo studio that was established in 1998 and continues to serve the metro's university district until the present. Specializing in fully customized designs and flash art styles, the studio further encourages its clientele to provide their own tattoo concepts and the artists will strive to make these designs a reality. Offering a sterile and comfortable vibe to all customers, Renaissance Custom Tattoo also provides piercing services. The shop accepts walk-in clients but prefers appointments through its website.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
177 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201
  • Neotraditional Tattoos
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

CowPok Piercing & Tattoo Gallery provides its clients high-quality work and customer service. Located in Buffalo, it has been providing tattoos, piercings, stylings, and minor lobe piercings for 28 years. To show care to its patrons it also provides aftercare to avoid infection, depending on what the client had undergone. Also, the company branched out to wedding styling, sizing, and installation. The company enforces age rules for its clients. CowPok Piercing & Tattoo Gallery's services all need appointments.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (69)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
334 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, NY 14213
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2019, The Crucible Art Collective offers a variety of tattoo styles for clients in Buffalo. Owner Taylor Heald has been in the tattoo industry since 2010, having shown his art in over 20 US states along with 14 different countries. Taylor's team caters to a variety of styles, including realism and floral, and are available in color or black and grey. The Crucible Art Collective also has a fine arts gallery that offers various artwork created by the team.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (230)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4820 Broadway, Depew, NY 14043
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

RedHouse Tattoo is a custom tattoo shop that services residents of Buffalo. It offers a variety of styles such as American traditional tattooing, comic-themed designs, caricatures, and realistic pieces. The business also provides piercing services. It carries a wide selection of jewelry from the brands Sleeping Goddess, Body Vision, and Anatometal. It was founded in 2004 by Jess and Darryl Rocha who remain committed to bringing a clean, safe, and friendly tattoo shop to the community.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
312 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
  • Piercings

Why choose this provider?

Carl's Tattooing Service is a professional tattoo shop near Buffalo. The company offers design choices to its clients and the option for custom-designed artwork if preferred. Its tattoo artists can work with various tattoo styles, including hot ride, photorealism, old school, portraits, Japanese, and Celtic. They take time to draw and discuss chosen art designs to ensure customers are satisfied. Carl's Tattooing Service also observes standards on hygiene and safety - employing single-use needles and regularly spore-testing autoclaves.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (6)

Website
429 Grant Street, Buffalo, NY 14213
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Ink Assassins Tattoos and Piercing is a tattoo studio that services clients in Buffalo. Its team is comprised of experienced artists that provide custom tattoo designs. They are committed to bringing their clients' vision into reality so that they can display them proudly for years to come. In addition, Ink Assassins Tattoos and Piercing also offer body piercing services. Owners Gary and Dan are focused on customer safety. They aim to give close attention to each client in every service they perform.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.4 / 5 (68)
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (59)

Website
5470 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Artemis Tattoo is a Lancaster-headquartered studio that serves Buffalo and all of Western New York with professional tattoo services. Its founders, Esther Eicheldinger and Eyrica Ward, bring over 25 years of combined industry experience. They founded the tattoo studio in 2015 and have dedicated themselves to creating impressive tattoo art while still putting a premium on each client's safety. Artemis Tattoo is comprised of four female artists, each displaying versatility in her styles and accommodating custom designs by clients.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1126 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216
  • Watercolor Tattoos
  • Piercings
  • Neotraditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Paul Massaro is a Buffalo-based tattoo artist known for his emphasis on fine detail in custom tattoos. Paul opened his first studio in 1984 and has experience providing tattoo services in the U.S., Europe, and South America. He has also participated in American and European conventions and built a reputation for his horror-inspired tattoo art and unique machines. In addition to tattoo work, Paul also does body piercings and creates paintings infused with horror and fantasy elements.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (18)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

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