2024
Last updated:
Our Recommended Top 17
We did the research for you!
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Denver Tattoo Shops on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
140Reviewed
90Curated
17Top Picks
Learn about our selection process.
Providers
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Featured Provider
Why choose this provider?
Chris Collinsworth started his apprenticeship at Max Tats in 1999 and has been tattooing ever since. For 15 years, Chris Collinsworth has honed his skill in Japanese, traditional, and neo-traditional tattooing. He spends his free time immersed in the fine arts, painting using watercolor, liquid acrylic, and other mediums. He is currently working at Think Tank South Tattoo in Littleton, Colorado, where he is available by appointment or walk-in.
- Watercolor Tattoos
- Body Art
- Neotraditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (38)
Why choose this provider?
Fallen Owl Tattoo Studio opened in January 2010 and is located in the Denver Metro area. Every year since the studio's opening, Denver's A-List has voted it one of the top tattoo studios. Adam Rose, the studio's owner, dedicates about half of his business to helping children, such as his program that trades ink for toys. The shop is open every day from 12 noon to 9 P.M.
- Watercolor Tattoos
- Traditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (42)
Why choose this provider?
Located in downtown Denver, Fortune Cookie Tattoo offers clients a variety of tattoo styles. Its highly trained artists have over 20 years of combined experience and have been featured in many magazines. Each with their unique style, these artists work with clients to create the tattoo that will fit their needs, personality, and budget in a comfortable, clean, and fun environment. In addition, Fortune Cookie Tattoo caters to walk-ins and appointments.
- Traditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (217)
- 4.8 (123)
Why choose this provider?
Bound By Design is a tattoo and piercing studio located at Capitol Hill, Denver. The establishment has been in operation since 1993 and is fully inspected by the health board. Aside from tattoo and piercing services, it also offers a selection of jewelry. Bound By Design uses autoclaved instruments and body jewelry and it also assists in body modification after-care. The shop was also awarded Best of Westword - Best Tattoo and Piercing Studio in Denver.
- Body Art
- Piercings
Why choose this provider?
Love N Hate Elite Tattoo Studio is a local business that opened in May of 2011, serving clients in the Denver and Lakewood areas. Owner Gabe Lopez has been a tattoo professional for more than a decade and specializes in animal portraits, black and grey, and realism designs. Lopez and his team of artists' goal are to provide custom-fit tattoo designs to meet the client's specific ideas. The team can restore the tattoo design if an unforeseen event happens in the course of the healing process.
- Traditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 5.0 (5)
Why choose this provider?
Travis Koenig is a professional tattoo artist who serves residential and commercial clients in Denver and the surrounding areas. He specializes in large-scale tattoo designs ranging from flowers, foliage, ornaments, and potrait-inspired designs. Travis carefully listens and works with each client in order to understand their tattoo ideas. Travis' knowledge and continuous search for new designs have allowed him to become open and creative when it comes to various tattoo designs submitted to him by his clients.
- Body Art
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (16)
Why choose this provider?
Til Death is a private, appointment-only tattoo studio based in the city of Denver. This business was established to provide both its clients and tattoo artists with a private environment that encourages comfort, creativity, and devotion. Staff members such as its owner Scott Garitson, Gina Ilczyszyn, and David Robertson have decades of combined experience in creating tattoos of different artistic styles for varying body coverages (from traditional American to Japanese-influenced aesthetics). They also possess a store offering pins and t-shirts.
- Traditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 4.8 (197)
- Yelp
- 4.5 (79)
Why choose this provider?
Established in 2002, Think Tank Tattoo is a custom tattoo studio based in Denver. It is composed of a team of stylistically diverse tattooers that aims to continually improve and grow as individuals and artists. Spencer Reisbeck, one of the artists at the tattoo shop, specializes in black and gray, botanic, floral, and traditional American tattoos. Meanwhile, Dominique Bega, another tattooer at the studio, focuses on cosmetic tattooing. Think Tank Tattoo also accepts walk-in customers.
- Body Art
- Traditional Tattoos
- Neotraditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 4.8 (63)
- Yelp
- 2.5 (14)
Why choose this provider?
Monkey Fist Tattoo strives to turn each client's ideas into wearable art. It is a locally-owned studio that has been offering custom designs since 2010. The tattoo studio is situated in North Denver’s Tennyson art district. It specializes in different styles such as new school, traditional or old school, black and gray, script, and Asian. Additionally, it also handles old tattoo correction. Some of its past clients include Denver Broncos players David Bruton and Demarius Thomas.
- Body Art
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (185)
- 4.6 (102)
Why choose this provider?
Sol Tribe Tattoo and Body Piercing is a Denver studio that offers custom tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, professional body piercing, dermal anchoring, branding, and scarification. The shop is dedicated health and safety, and they require their piercers to maintain a membership with the Association of Professional Piercers. The shop offers discounts during the holiday season and sells gift certificates. They also sell apparel and organic and non-organic body jewelry.
- Body Art
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (43)
- 4.5 (2)
Why choose this provider?
Alternative Arts Tattoo is a full-service tattoo shop that services Denver residents. Its team of professional tattoo artists offers a variety of styles, such as traditional, neo-traditional, pet portraits, and anime. The shop also provides piercing services. It has been in operation for 18 years and is owned by Greg Fritts, also known as Fritz. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry and is dedicated to providing high-quality artwork with the aim of breaking down stereotypes.
- Traditional Tattoos
- Body Art
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (113)
Why choose this provider?
Tribe Tattoo is a tattoo shop, art gallery, and piercing studio located in Denver. In April 2001, John Slaughter launched Tribe Tattoo with a mission to deliver custom tattooing services. One of the studio's tattoo artists, Vinny, has been in the tattoo industry for the last 13 years. He is passionate about black and grey realism, neotraditional, and lettering tattoo styles. Another artist, Meg, combines hergraphic design and oil painting background inher tattoos, specializing in all things pretty and creepy.
- Body Art
Why choose this provider?
Serving the residents of Denver, Rebel Muse Tattoo is a tattoo studio that creates custom body art. It offers a variety of tattoo styles, such as Japanese, traditional American, and realism, through its five in-house artists. In addition, the studio deals with permanent makeup tattoos for eyebrows, eyeliners, and lips. Rebel Muse Tattoo also features guests and traveling tattoo artists every month and has other branches in Lewisville and North Dallas.
- Body Art
- Traditional Tattoos
Why choose this provider?
Dedication Tattoo is a tattoo shop in Denver that offers a variety of tattoo services. The shop accepts walk-in clients and appointments. Its tattoo artists are professionals who have vast knowledge about tattoos and pride themselves on their ability to communicate with clients. They specialize in various art styles, such as bold traditional, Japanese, black and grey, and delicate script tattoos. Its artists' tattoos have proven to age well. Services can be priced by piece or on an hourly basis, depending on the project.
- Watercolor Tattoos
- Traditional Tattoos
- Geometric Tattoos
Why choose this provider?
Mantra Tattoo and Piercing is a full-service tattoo shop in the Denver Metro area that is open seven days a week. In addition to their line-up of talented artists, the shop brings in guest artists, who they announce on their website ahead of time. The shop offers a variety of piercing services that include septum piercings and Daith ear piercings. They also sell apparel, such as hoodies and hats.
- Piercings
- Traditional Tattoos
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (53)
Why choose this provider?
Marion Street Tattoo is a custom tattoo shop based in Denver. The studio was established in the spring of 2012 by tattoo artist Ryan Willard. The professional tattooists at Marion Street Tattoo are adept at creating tattoos in a wide range of styles to meet the aesthetic vision of clients. These include traditional Americana, black and gray realism, new school, and fine lines. The studio also has a retail space where a variety of merchandise is available.
- Traditional Tattoos
- Body Art
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (47)
Why choose this provider?
E.O.D. Tattoo is a tattoo studio that operates from Denver, serving both walk-in and appointment clients. It has seven award-winning artists that cover different styles such as animal portraits, photo-based drawings, black-and-white symbols, floral designs, and Japanese characters. The studio meets with each customer to plan out the length and number of sessions needed for the arms, back, body, or other parts. E.O.D. Tattoo ensures a clean environment with monthly spore tests and can show clients licenses and clean bills of health for their peace of mind.
- Neotraditional Tattoos
- Traditional Tattoos
Compare our Top Tattoo Shops
Name | Expertise Rating | Address | Promotions | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Collinsworth | View More | |||
Fallen Owl Tattoo | View More | |||
Fortune Cookie Tattoo | 329 14th Street, Denver, CO80202 | View More | ||
Bound By Design | 1332 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO80218 | View More | ||
Love N Hate Elite Tattoo Studio | 1480 Ammons Street, Lakewood, CO80214 | View More | ||
Travis Koenig Tattoo Artist | 1332 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO80218 | View More | ||
Til Death Tattoo | 3047 Larimer Street, Denver, CO80205 | View More | ||
Think Tank Tattoo | 172 South Broadway, Denver, CO80209 | View More | ||
Monkey Fist Tattoo | 4345 West 41st Avenue, Denver, CO80212 | View More | ||
Sol Tribe Tattoo & Piercing | 56 North Broadway, Denver, CO80203 | View More | ||
Alternative Arts Tattoo | 8966 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton, CO80123 | View More | ||
Tribe Tattoo | 698 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO80204 | View More | ||
Rebel Muse Tattoo - Denver | 3538 West 44th Avenue, Denver, CO80211 | View More | ||
Dedication Tattoo | 1905 South Broadway, Denver, CO80210 | View More | ||
Mantra Tattoo | 1695 Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO80214 | View More | ||
Marion Street Tattoo | 2815 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO80206 | View More | ||
EOD Tattoo | 2024 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO80206 | View More |
FAQs
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.
Is tattoo ink vegan or organic? Are there vegan/organic options available?
There are plenty of tattoo ink brands available on the market, some of which can include pigment that comes from insects, animal bones, animal fat, and gelatin from horse hooves. It should be assumed that most tattoo ink is neither vegan nor organic; however, organic and vegan inks exist. It's best to discuss these preferences with the tattoo artist before booking an appointment to ensure they're available.
How much do tattoo artists make?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average tattoo artist in the U.S. earns $99,956 annually, which equates to about $48 hourly. As with most careers, pay increases with experience. Salaries in this profession range from $12,000/year to $309,000/year.
How does one become a tattoo artist?
While there isn't a clear path for one to become a tattoo artist, the best way to work towards this goal is by taking art and graphic design classes and building a broad portfolio of designs. Once you have a professional portfolio, you can apply for mentorships with reputable, established tattoo artists who are seeking apprentices. Mentors can teach tattooing techniques and help you gain valuable experience.
How do you get a tattoo artist license?
In some states, tattoo artists are required to get licensing from their state health department. Application processes vary, so it's important to check with your local licensing department prior to offering services. Additionally, some states may require you to complete a course in blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases prior to obtaining a state tattoo license.
What safety certifications do tattoo artists need to acquire to become licensed?
Besides having a state tattoo license, most tattoo artists are required to have certification in blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. It's important for tattoo artists to be prepared for emergencies by obtaining CPR and first aid training.
Are there minimum training requirements to become a tattoo artist?
Every tattoo studio has its own requirements when it comes to training. In most cases, new artists are required to have a well-presented portfolio and spend several months working under the guidance of an experienced mentor. These teachers show how to use the tools of the trade, oversee designs, and instruct interactions with clients.
What tools do tattoo artists need?
Most tattoo shops require artists to have their own supplies. That includes their own tattoo machines and necessary parts, such as needles, tubes, tips, and grips. Tattoo artists also need a large supply of ink and tattoo stencils.
Do tattoo artists make more money working in a tattoo shop or opening their own?
Just as with any industry, there is a large risk associated with going into business for oneself. Any tattoo artist considering opening their own shop should ensure they have business management and marketing skills to enable their shop to succeed. While becoming a tattoo shop owner can be lucrative, artists who don't have the business skills to succeed may earn a higher salary working in an established shop.
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