Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Tattoo Shops in Seattle

Our Recommended Top 17

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

140

Reviewed

90

Curated

17

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
Seattle, WA 98109
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos
  • Portraits

Why choose this provider?

Dark Horse Tattoo is a Seattle tattoo studio. Tattoo artists Sasha King and Josh Carr have over 15 years of combined tattooing experience and are familiar with a wide range of tattooing styles including bright and colorful, black and grey, and realism. The studio also offers piercing services and has a wide range of high quality body jewelry available.

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.
4.4
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (155)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (29)

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
Seattle, WA 98155
  • Body Art
  • Traditional Tattoos

Why choose this provider?

522 Tattoo is a Seattle tattoo studio opened in 2014. The studio has five tattoo artists on staff with over 30 years of combined tattooing experience. The artists are renowned for their artistic skill and ingenuity as well as their excellent customer service and care. The studio accepts both walk-in customers as well as by appointment and places great emphasis on safety and cleanliness for their 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.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (23)

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
141 Park Avenue North, Renton, WA 98057
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Sacred Soul Tattoo is a tattoo shop that serves residents of Seattle. The business provides custom tattoos with a wide range of designs and styles, such as black and grey, color, hyper-realism, watercolor, illustrative, and abstract. The shop is owned by Michelle Haley, joined by her resident tattoo artists, Aaron Norgate and Colin Bryant. Some of their latest works are posted on the company's website. Haley's work was featured in the Renton Reporter in 2017.

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 (38)
Facebook
4.7 / 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
226 Main Avenue South, Renton, WA 98057
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Idolize Tattoo is Renton's oldest tattoo shop and has been serving surrounding areas, including Seattle, for the last 30 years. Led by tattoo artist Henry James, the tattoo shop is composed of tattoo artists with decades of experience and with varying specialties. They create extensive tattoo designs ranging from traditional tattoos, blue-collar tattoos, and portraits to illustrative tattoos with vibrant colors. However, they do not provide lip or face tattoos and 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.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (230)

Website
87 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98104
  • Body Art
  • Piercings

Why choose this provider?

Fenix Tattoo and Piercing is a tattoo shop in Seattle. Since 2000, the business has specialized in traditional, photorealism, and custom tattoo designs. Experienced tattoo artists complete small tattoos, sleeves, and everything in between. They can extend previous tattoos or create new colorful designs. The shop has also jewelry available and can perform a variety of piercings. The tattoo artists prep skin for application and provide aftercare suggestions for the best results.

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 (91)

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
2104 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
  • Body Art
  • Piercings

Why choose this provider?

Dzul Ink Lounge is a Seattle tattoo shop that provides a more upscale, contemporary, and lounge-like ambiance. The studio has four tattoo stations as well as three VIP rooms for tattooing and piercing in a more private setting. Dzul Ink Lounge also includes an art gallery showcasing photographs and paintings. They also specialize on custom one of a kind tattoos from a simple word to a back piece.

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.
3.5
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (80)
Facebook
4.4 / 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
5610 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Lucky Dragon Tattoo is a locally owned tattoo parlor with over 10 years of experience serving the Seattle, Washington, community in all styles of tattooing, including American traditional, portraits, and custom lettering. The shop's philosophy is that all customers, ranging from those seeking their first tattoo to those with many, deserve to be met with respect and an open mind. Lucky Dragon Tattoo is a proud ally of all races, sexual orientations, genders, and countries of origin.

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
4.6 / 5 (67)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (14)

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
5307 Roosevelt Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Pierced Hearts is a tattoo parlor that has been operating in Seattle since 2007. It specializes in custom and traditional tattoo designs. The staff members are experienced in different tattoo styles, which include black and gray, full color, watercolor, tribal, and neo-traditional. They also offer tattoo aftercare suggestions for the initial healing period. In addition, Pierced Hearts provides full-service body piercing and carries a wide array of body jewelry made from different materials, such as gold, silver, and titanium.

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

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
1419 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Supergenius Tattoo is a tattoo studio serving clients in the Seattle area. The studio owned by Damon Conklin features different artists with a wide range of tattooing styles. Robbie Luders, one of the shop's artists, has been in the tattoo business for the past 12 years and focuses his work on photorealism and portraiture in black and grey or color. Nate Leslie, another artist at the studio, specializes in bold neo-traditional and traditional designs. Supergenius Tattoo accepts walk-in 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.
4.0
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (104)

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
511 2nd Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2019, The Nova Expansion Tattoo provides custom tattoo services in the greater Seattle area. Its tattoo artists are proficient in hand poking and machine tattooing techniques. Clients can acquire multiple tattoo designs, from geometric and neo-traditional to American classical with a focus on nature-based, animal, and floral tattoos. The professional tattoo artists' work styles also encompass realism, trash polka, new school, and watercolor designs.

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
4.8 / 5 (60)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

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
7408 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Two Birds Tattoo is a tattoo shop featuring an all-female team of tattoo artists in Seattle. The shop has been in the business since 2010, and it ​offers traditional artistic tattooing with an emphasis on custom designs. Clients can also browse the shop's store for aftercare products, accessories, apparel, and artworks. Additionally, the shop has a gallery space dedicated to local artists and artisans, and it participates in art walks that support the local 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.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (121)

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
1525 Summit Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

True Love Art Gallery & Tattoo is a Seattle tattoo shop that has a large number of tattoo artists on staff who are familiar with numerous tattooing styles including Japanese traditional, black and grey, realism, color work, and geometric designs. The studio also includes an art gallery for exhibiting and selling art as well as a retail store for selling clothing, toys, books, and prints.

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.
4.7
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (68)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (61)

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
125 North 85th Street, Seattle, WA 98103
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Fist Full Of Metal Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Seattle. It provides professional, clean, and custom tattoos done by experienced artists. The tattoo shop adheres to all standard sanitation procedures and uses vegan-friendly tattoo pigments. Tattoo artist Chris Adams specializes in American and Japanese style tattoos in black and grey or color. Anna Wall, the other artist at the tattoo studio, focuses on American traditional and neotraditional styles and also works in color or black and grey, as well as bright and bold colors.

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 (22)

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
208 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Jackson Street Tattoo Company is a tattoo shop accommodating clients in Seattle and nearby areas. The shop provides custom tattoos with a wide range of tattoo designs and styles, such as portraiture, tribal, and religious iconography. Its tattoo artists—Alivia, Emily, Jose, and Mike, and five other apprentices—have been working in the industry for 30 years. Clients can check some of their latest and previous custom tattoo works on the company's 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.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (87)

Website
1205 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Dark Age Tattoo is a tattoo studio that serves clients in Seattle. It employs local and international tattoo artists who cover a wide range of tattoo styles, including black and gray realism, color realism, American traditional, and Japanese traditional. They also create original art outside the medium of tattooing and offer prints of their artwork. The studio also accommodates walk-in customers on a first-come, first-served basis. Tattoo artists Derek Noble and Jesse Roberts established Dark Age tattoo in 2014.

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
Google
4.9 / 5 (96)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (53)

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
10309 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98133
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Cicada Tattoo is a shop that serves clients in Seattle and its neighboring communities with artistic tattoos. The studio has five artists on staff who are experienced with a vast range of tattooing art styles. They can recreate ready-made artwork, as well as create a new one if the client requests it. The shop accepts clients by appointment, and it also entertains walk-in customers if an artist is available. Cicada Tattoo has been in the tattooing business since 2008.

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 (61)

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
3516 Fremont Place North, Seattle, WA 98103
  • Body Art

Why choose this provider?

Hidden Hand Tattoo is a Seattle tattoo studio opened in 2007 by Jeff and April Cornell. This studio has a number of artists with nearly a century of combined experience and who specialize and excel in various styles of tattooing including vivid color pieces, traditional, black and grey, tribal, Japanese, portraits, and fine line. Hidden Hand Tattoo strives to provide friendly and first class service to its customers in a warm and inviting studio environment.

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 (91)
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (88)

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.