Tattoo Shops in Boston, Massachusetts

Best Tattoo Shops in Boston, Massachusetts

We contacted 26 Tattoo Shops in Boston, Massachusetts and hand-picked the best for you to choose from

Best Tattoo Shops in Boston, Massachusetts

The Email

The following email is sent to all tattoo shops in Boston, Massachusetts. The responses to this email will be shown in the “Email Response” section of each shop.

Read the Email

Hi!

I am interested in getting a single-line tattoo on my leg. Something like the cat here: https://www.xotly.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Single-Line-Tattoo.jpg

So my question is:
Do you guys specialize in these kind of tattoos?

And how much does it cost to get a tattoo like that?
Size – 3×3 inches

Is it possible to get colors in the tattoo, like in the example?

Happy to hear back from you guys,
Drew

I also have some other questions, so feel free to answer those:
1. What ingredients in the ink you’d use for the colors in the tattoo?
2. Does color ink causes an itchy rash? I have kinda sensitive skin.
3. Can you perform a patch test?
4. Are you a licensed tattoo artist?
5. In case you did some single-line tattoos, can you share some examples?

Thanks!


Boston Barber & Tattoo Co.

Boston Barber & Tattoo Co.

Score: A+

Boston Barber & Tattoo Co. is proud to offer a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Boston with custom tattoo art, an espresso bar, and more! The shop is located on a historic corner of downtown with customized artwork from around the world and their original pieces created by talented artists.

Website  Address  (617) 925-9681

Facebook


Chameleon Tattoo & Body Piercing

Chameleon Tattoo & Body Piercing

Score: A+

Chameleon Tattoo and Body Piercing is a parlor that provides tattoo services in the Boston area. The shop has been around for more than two decades, with their experienced artists having worked on projects ranging from traditional Japanese art to modern-day realistic black-and-grey pieces – they’ve even done custom lettering work!

Website  Address  (617) 397-5423

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Deirdre Doyle

Score: A+

Deirdre Doyle is a tattoo artist who has been in the business for over ten years, serving clients from Boston to seals her as one of those professionals you can trust. Her floral work will give your design that special touch it needs, while full/-color animals are equally impressive. Black-and-gray surreal designs bring a supernatural element into any project.

Website  Address  (617) 356-0176

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Dia Moeller

Dia Moeller

Score: A

Dia Moeller is a Boston-based tattoo artist specializing in macabre and dark subject matter combined with organic, ornate elements. Clients speak highly of her artistic skill; they also enjoy cover-up work and the professional but friendly manner that she has while doing it all – even to those having custom designs put on their skin!

Website  Address  (781) 393-8282


Fat Ram's Pumpkin Tattoo

Fat Ram’s Pumpkin Tattoo

Score: A+

Fat Ram’s is a tattoo studio that has been in operation since 2000. The company specializes in American Traditional Japanese Fine Line designs and Portrait work with other styles available for both men or women at their Boston location on Mass Ave near the Innovation Districts. They maintain high standards by using single-use needles and sterilizing all equipment between clients.

Website  Address  (617) 958-8985

Instagram

Email Response

Hi Drew,

Thanks for your interest!

We have two artists who do watercolor tattoos (which is the style of coloring in the reference you sent), but be aware that watercolor tattoos can look very different healed than they do fresh, so make sure you research healed watercolor tats. Yellows, pinks, and oranges tend to blend into your skin tone as the tattoo ages, while blues, purples, and greens stay strong.

Re: your other questions:

Cost – At the size you mentioned, an estimate would be around $200. The artist can give you an exact quote on the day of the tattoo appointment.

Ink Ingredients – In the US, tattoo ink is not regulated by the FDA, so each company has their own proprietary formula that they aren’t required to disclose. Some companies list ingredients, some don’t. Our artists use Eternal Ink, Solid Ink, Fusion Ink, and Kura Sumi ink, if you want to research those.

Color Ink and Rashes – It’s possible that you may have a reaction to certain pigments. Anecdotally, I have been tattooed by several brands of inks over the past 20 years, and I’ve only had a reaction to one specific red ink. The reaction was that it took slightly longer to heal than the other colors in that tattoo, but that was also 15-20 years ago before inks were as uniform as they are now. If an ink causes a reaction, artists will usually take that particular ink out of their collection and replace it with a similar color from a different company. If this is a huge concern for you, stick to black ink. The pigment in black ink is usually just carbon.

Patch Test – We can perform a patch test. It would cost the shop minimum, which is $100. And it would, of course, be permanent.

Licensing – Yes, the shop is licensed, as well as all the artists in the shop. We are actually the first licensed shop in Massachusetts. Our artists have experience ranging from 5 to 25 years. All artists are certified in first aid, blood borne pathogens, and AED.

Single Line Examples – Single line drawing tattoos are pretty straightforward. Our artists do a lot of them, though I don’t see any posted on anyone’s online portfolio. (Lettering is similar – everyone has done a ton of script tattoos, so they don’t usually use them as examples to showcase their skills.)

Thanks!
Cynthia


Good Faith Tattoo

Good Faith Tattoo

Score: A+

Good Faith Tattoo has been serving Bostonians since 2007. The shop is home to a diverse group of talented artists specializing in various tattoo styles and designs, such as large-scale artwork with colorful images or intricate details like flowers on human skin. Chris Barnett (a resident artist) performs work usually involving skulls; Nick Mcevoy demonstrates detailed kinetic artistry while still producing realistic paintings for clients looking for something different.

Website  Address  (617) 340-5467

Facebook | Instagram


Hourglass Tattoo

Hourglass Tattoo

Score: A+

Hourglass tattoo is the perfect place for all your ink needs. From small, delicate tattoos to significant elaborate works of art, they have multiple artists that can create what you’re looking for! They also offer piercings and body modifications; if this isn’t enough variety, we don’t know what else is.

Website  Address  (617) 380-4264

| Instagram


Pino Bros Ink

Pino Bros Ink

Score: A+

Pino Bros Ink is the go-to for all your tattoo needs. This shop has you covered with an emphasis on providing high-quality, professional work at affordable prices with no hassle or stress! Whether it’s just a small piece that doesn’t require much time commitment or needs some help coming up with ideas yourself so our artists can get started right away… Pino Bros Ink has you covered.

Website  Address  (617) 744-4044

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Email Response

Hello Drew,

Thank you so much for reaching out. We definitely have some artists that would fit that style and could do the piece for you. As for pricing, our shop minimum is $150 and most of the artists have an hourly rate of $200. We cannot give you a final idea on price without doing a consultation, so that is just to give you a general idea of pricing and does not set anything in stone.

As for inks, each artist uses different brands so it will be best to discuss any specifics with the artist during a consultation. The inks are vegan but each brand does have specific ingredients so the artist can go over any questions with you about the brand that they use.

Our artists are licensed.

For examples of our artists’ work, please feel free to check out our website http://pinobrosink.com/ as well as our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pinobrosink/?hl=en .

If there is a specific artist that catches your eye, please let us know and we can talk to the artist and set up a consultation for you.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Marley


Redemption Tattoo Inc.

Redemption Tattoo Inc.

Score: A+

Redemption Tattoo Inc. is a tattoo and piercing studio owned by experienced artists Mike Shea and Erick Lynch. The shop was opened in 2002 with seven talented staff members who specialize in different styles of artistry; clients can book an appointment to meet any one of them at their respective specialty!

Website  Address  (617) 576-0097

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Regeneration Tattoo

Regeneration Tattoo

Score: A+

Regeneration Tattoo is a family-owned and operated tattoo shop located in Allston. They specialize in employing independent artists so that you can walk right up to them without any appointment necessary! Clients widely love their staff for their friendly service, making it an enjoyable experience from start to finish. You won’t be disappointed with prices or quality when visiting this Boston institution today!

Website  Address  (617) 782-1313

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Stingray Body Art

Stingray Body Art

Score: A+

The team at Stingray Body Art has a wide array of different styles, from traditional to modern. They specialize in small tattoos that can be booked over the phone or in-person, with larger pieces needing appointments only available for scheduling online. The artists hold their sessions by appointment, so there’s never any wait time! You may also choose laser removal services if needed- it removes all ink without damaging skin cells, ensuring your new tattoo won’t have adverse effects on healing.

Website  Address  (617) 544-2788

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Email Response

HI Drew,

Thanks for reaching out.
I’m not sure what you want will be possible at such a small size… you can see the size it is in the photo; It would be difficult to do much smaller, as the lines will blur together over time. I’d be happy to set up a consultation with Alastair for you to go over your options, but we don’t have anyone who actually “specializes” in watercolor, but I can recommend an artist in Framingham (at Route 9 Tattoo) who used to work here- his name is Bosco Layne and he is killer at watercolor. Not sure how small he’d be willing to go, though.

As for your other questions, ink manufacturers aren’t required to publish their formulas or ingredients, so we can’t give you more than general info on inks. Our artists all use multiple brands of ink.
With sensitive skin, some people take more time and heal rougher than others, but nothing serious that we’ve come across.
We can potentially do a test, but to do even a dot requires the artist’s station to be fully set and cleaned, so there may be an additional charge.
Our shop and all our artists are fully licensed through the City of Boston.
Even though they’ve done them, there aren’t really any photos of this style of tattoo that I can share with you, as they aren’t the type of thing that they usually photograph for their portfolios.

Let us know if you’d like to set up a consultation to talk about your tattoo! We are currently booking consults in December, and appointments in January.

Thanks!


The Black Veil

The Black Veil

Score: A+

The Black Veil Studio is a tattoo and art studio founded in 2012 based out of Salem that also services surrounding areas like Boston. They specialize exclusively in the gothic community, offering custom designs with black ink coloration for those looking for an edgy style statement or macabre scene design alike! The twin brothers Ryan & Matthew Murray own this business together alongside their talented staff; you can find them at various events across New England.

Website  Address  (978) 575-8725

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The Gallery Tattoo Studio

The Gallery Tattoo Studio

Score: A+

The Gallery Tattoo Studio is a Boston-area custom body art studio and gallery that offers tattoos to clients in the Boston area. The artists—who have owned and operated this business since 2012–showcase their work through an elegant, modern space that ensures customers feel comfortable while getting inked.

Website  Address  (978) 610-6861

Facebook | Instagram

Email Response

Hello Drew, Thank you for the inquiry. Each artist has their own individual styles and genres of tattooing that they specialize in, but I wouldn’t say any of us specialize in single line work. Please take a look at our Artist’s portfolios to see if any of us have examples of the style you are looking for. https://www.thegallerytattoostudio.com

As for pricing: We bill most custom work by the hour, Our hourly rate ranges from $150-$200 an hour depending on which artist you work with. I am guessing a tattoo that is roughly 3″ x 3″ could range between $200-$350 depending on color and detail.

Yes, we could get colors similar to the example.

We do not perform patch tests, and each artist used different brands of pigments that are different ingredients for each color. The ingredients can be found in each of the manufacturers MSDS sheets online. If you would like to do some research you could look up some of these brands: Dynamic Black ink, eternal, fusion, dermaglo, startbrite, and industry inks. We use the finest pigments developed specifically for this industry and application, but there is no way to know if you are going to have an allergy to certain colors ahead of time. I can say that black has the least amount of ingredients and the fewest allergic reactions in my experience.

We are a licenced establishment and each artist has a current Body Art Practitioner License issued by the town of Concord.

I hope this information helps and if you have any other questions feel free to give us a call @ 978-610-6861

Thank you,
-Kurt


Visible Ink Tattoo

Visible Ink Tattoo

Score: A+

Visible Ink Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Malden, Massachusetts, that specializes across the board. They serve clients from all over Boston and specialize in traditional black-and-white ink and full-color work like scripts or floral styles for those looking to get something specific onto their skin forever! VST’s artists have been doing this type of work since 2005, which means they’ve got plenty of experience under their belt.

Website  Address  (781) 324-8465

| Instagram


Witch City Ink

Witch City Ink

Score: A

The tattoo artists at Witch City Ink have decades of combined experience and can work with clients to design their tattoos or help them bring faded designs back from memory.

Website  Address  (978) 354-7745

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