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Best Tattoo Shops in Richmond

2023

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Website
3313 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Neotraditional Tattoos
  • Geometric Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Loose Screw Tattoo is a custom tattoo studio that offers its services in Richmond. It was founded in 2011 by Jesse Smith, an internationally recognized tattoo artist who is committed to providing clients high-quality tattoos in a safe, clean, and comfortable environment. It is one of the most acclaimed tattoo studios in the area, offering a wide portfolio of styles including black and gray, portraits, lettering, color realism, and new school. The studio houses award-winning artists with over 70 years of collective experience. Loose Screw Tattoo has been featured in over 100 national and international magazines.

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 (35)
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (3)

Website
111 West Williamsburg Road, Sandston, VA 23150
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Graffiti’s Ink Gallery offers custom body art services to individuals in Richmond who wish to embrace self-expression. Its resident tattoo artist, Cameron Mills, counts seven years of industry experience. He enjoys working with all styles of tattooing and is most comfortable with colorful traditional or neo-traditional tattoos and black and gray floral work. When he’s not tattooing, Cameron keeps himself busy by painting or working on an upcoming design. Customers are encouraged to set an appointment before their visit.

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
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (379)
Google
4.5 / 5 (158)

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
302 Goshen Street, Richmond, VA 23220
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Hold It Down Tattoo is a Richmond-based tattoo studio open from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Its team comprises Nelson Rodriguez, Daryl Rodriguez, Amelia Martin, and Josh Stephens, and each of their tattoo portfolios depicts various images and art forms such as animals, flowers, religious images, cryptids, portraits, and personal symbols. Tattoo placements can vary in different body parts such as arms and back. Aesthetic styles may range from intricate to simple and may be either black-and-white or colored.

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
Google
4.7 / 5 (52)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (8)

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
6106 Jahnke Road, Richmond, VA 23225
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Portraits

Why choose this provider?

Richmond-based shop True Tattoo has been in the business since 2007. Owner Scott Calcaterra's career in tattooing started immediately after he turned 18 in 1990. His creative team of professional and talented tattoo artists enjoys working on different styles, including old school traditional, Japanese traditional, cover-ups, realism in both color and black & grey, nu skool, and custom letterings. True Tattoo recognizes that the tattooing procedure creates an open wound, that's why it puts a premium on cleanliness to ensure the well-being and safety of customers.

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
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (98)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (17)

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
1800 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
  • Piercings
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Lucky 13 Tattoo & Piercing has been tattooing the community of Richmond for more than a decade. The studio is home to experienced and licensed tattooers who can take on a wide range of styles, such as black and gray realism, Japanese, American traditional, and new-school. Interested individuals are encouraged to book an appointment, although walk-ins are also welcome. Lucky 13 Tattoo & Piercing has a licensed body piercer on duty daily. Clients may purchase aftercare products from the studio’s retail space.

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.
4.0
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (147)

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
3035 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Heroes and Ghosts Tattoo is a full-service tattoo shop servicing residents of Richmond. It offers a wide range of styles such as American traditional, illustrative traditional, color, and black and grey. Some of the artists are also rooted in heavy uses of black and dynamic line weights and doing psychedelic, dark, or abstract concepts. Vincent Riquier, Colby Julian, and Josh Richey are some members of the studio's team of professional tattoo artists. They have a combined experience of more than 30 years.

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
4.5 / 5 (140)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (55)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

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
1128 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230
  • Jewelry
  • Piercings

Why choose this provider?

River City Tattoo offers tattoo and piercing services to clients in Richmond. The tattoo studio was established in 2002 by Jessica Simmons. It also handles cosmetic tattooing and microblading, laser removal, and aftercare. The studio is a member of the Virginia Coalition of Professional Tattooists and Body Piercers and is certified by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists. A partner and supporter of Culture Works, River City Tattoo also has locations in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights.

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
Facebook
4.5 / 5 (1218)
Google
4.7 / 5 (899)
Yelp
4.2 / 5 (116)

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
3455 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
  • Body Art
  • Permanent Makeup

Why choose this provider?

Brows is a tattoo studio that serves clients in Richmond and the surrounding communities. The studio has been providing cosmetic tattoo procedures to various genders and ethnicities in the area since 2017. Its services include microblading, combo brows, color boost, touch-up, eyeliner, and freckles. It also offers brow henna and lamination, lashes lift and tint, and lip blush. Moreover, the studio conducts temporary tattoo procedures for pregnant women and requires parents' permission for clients under 18.

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.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (92)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (60)

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
8071 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Willie Kirby is a tattoo artist offering body art services to individuals in Richmond and the surrounding areas looking to embrace self-expression through custom-made tattoos. He specializes in black and gray realism and lettering tattoos of all types and fonts. Besides art and tattooing, Willie takes interest in skateboarding and surfing. He wishes to leave a mark on society and his art on clients’ walls and uses this commitment to further his tattooing practice.

Website
220 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Vitriol: Fine Art & Tattoo provides body art services to the residents of Richmond. It was founded by artist Faithanne “Faith” Broache, who has been drawing and illustrating since she could hold a pencil. Honing her craft, she delved into the world of tattooing and received her tattooing license in 2014. She also extends her expertise to the clients of another Richmond tattoo shop, Unkindness Art. Faith maintains an online shop where her original fine art pieces are available.

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
415 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

Connelly’s Tattooing is a family-owned and -operated business that's been servicing Richmond clients since the 1920s. It is composed of a third-generation family of traditional tattooers who can execute various tattoo styles, including black and grey, silhouette, and floral. Clients have the option to bring their own designs or let the artists create something unique for them. The studio also offers ready-made designs that are displayed in books and on the walls. Additionally, it has male and female tattooists and features private booths.

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 (8)

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
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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.