We contacted 29 Tattoo Shops in Boulder, Colorado and hand-picked the best for you to choose from
The Email
The following email is sent to all tattoo shops in Boulder, Colorado. 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!
?Parlour Tricks Tattoo Shop
| Score: A |
Parlour Tricks Tattoo Shop is the perfect place to get any style of custom tattoo you’re looking for. They have a wide range of styles and designs, including colored inkings or black-and-gray realistic drawings with intricate details that can be seen up close on skin! Their professional artists also offer piercings as well as suspensions – so everyone in your party will walk away satisfied when they visit this shop.
Website Address (720) 726-3854
Bound By Design
| Score: A+ |
If you’re looking for a Denver tattoo and piercing studio that has the most skillful artists in town, look no further than Bound By Design. This award-winning team is composed of 12 professional tattoo artists with two experienced piercers on staff who specialize in all styles from modern classics to more creative designs!
Website Address (303) 832-8282
Claw and Talon Tattoo
| Score: A |
Claw and Talon Tattoo’s tattoo artists provide a comfortable atmosphere for their clients with high-quality custom designs. The studio offers three professional in house artists as well as guest appearances from other top name brands, therefore providing the best possible experience you can get!
Website Address (720) 379-6577
Fallen Owl Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Fallen Owl Tattoo Studio is a premier Denver area tattoo parlor that caters to all of your needs. They offer custom designs in many styles, including fine line black and gray work as well full color tattoos which are prominently featured on their website.
Website Address (720) 650-8510
Honestbird Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Lora Bird, owner and lead artist at Honestbird Tattoo is a female tattooist with an interest in the performing arts. She started her own studio to provide clean ink for all customers interested in custom pieces of various styles from fine line drawings or colorwork designs on skinner bodies up close quarters full sleeves portraits—whatever you want’. Her goal each time she steps foot into work is making sure everyone leaves feeling appreciated by both themselves as well as Lora’s artistry!
Website Address (720) 593-1357
Email Response
Hi Drew! So sorry for the late reply, the last half of 2021 was not kind to me.
Firstly, I just want to make sure you know that Honestbird Tattoo is just me! My name is Lora and I own Nest Art Collective!
I personally do not specialize in color tattoos, so if that is an element you’d like to pursue, I can recommend other artists in my shop.
If you want just the black, I do specialize in fine linework and you can check out my portfolio at instagram.com/honestbird or honestbird.art
This tattoo at 3×3 would cost about 150 dollars with no color, from me. Other artists vary in booking times and pricing, so we’d have to contact them to get a good ballpark.
1. We use dynamic, eternal ink, and solid ink brands in the shop. Ingredients are listed on their websites.
2. Color ink can cause reactions depending on your specific skin. This would need to be an in person consultation to make sure you aren’t allergic to anything specific, and to talk about a possible color test.
3. yes.
4. Absolutely.
5. My portfolio is listed above, I have done them though, I promise.
Thank you so much for reaching out!
Inksmith Tattoo and Piercing
| Score: A+ |
The inksmith tattoo and piercing studio is Boulder’s go-to for custom tattoos. The team specializes in helping clients express themselves through body art, designing them to match your vision of what you want done or just giving some new ink that makes sense! They also have piercers handling lobe piercings (or other styles) as well septum rings – so come here if the idea of getting pierced excites you.
Website Address (720) 386-0475
Email Response
Hi Drew,
All of our artists could do a line tattoo with watercolor effect like that for you. Are you looking to get one of the examples you sent us, or a different single line subject matter?
Our artists hourly rate is $175 per hour. For a tattoo in that style and size, you would be looking in the ballpark of $250-$350.
The ingredients in tattoo ink are skin safe FDA approved dyes, typically paired with glycerin and witch hazel extract.
However, everyone’s skin reacts differently to these pigments, so we would be willing to accommodate you for a patch test if you are concerned.
As a reminder, a patch test will be permanent on your skin and we would have to charge our shop minimum ($100) to cover our artist’s time and supplies.
We are a licensed tattoo and piercing studio. All of our artists are certified and we inspected by the Boulder County Board of Health on a regular basis.
We do not have any pictures of our artists similar work on hand, but their portfolios are posted on our website as well as our Instagram page. There you can also find links to their own art social media pages.
I hope we answered all of your questions and we look forward to hearing back from you.
Inksmith Team
Mantra Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
A traditional tattoo parlor in Boulder, Mantra Tattoo offers a wide range of services from custom tattoos and piercings to clothing items. The shop’s artists have been working together since 1970 with combined experience over 70 years.
Website Address (303) 239-8282
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Marion St. Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
The staff at Marion St. Tattoo is known for their friendliness and creativity, but it’s what you don’t see that will get the customer excited. Owner Ryan Williard knows all about Eternal Tattoos owner Terry Welker; he credits her influence on his love of tattoos to Kleen Sting in Denver where Matt Jones specialized in black-and-gray style work before founding this shop with angel investor Eben Britton.
Website Address (303) 832-3717
Rising Tide Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Phill Bartell has been tattooing for over ten years, and he’s still not bored of the art form. Phill started RisingTide Tattoo in 2005 with just himself at his home studio to provide custom-designed tattoos that were both high quality but affordable too. The shop now has four experienced regular tattooers who offer different styles like Tibetan thangka paintings and modern day realism designs.
Website Address (303) 500-5046
Skinhouse Tattoo Studio
| Score: A |
Raul Regalado has been tattooing for over seven years and is committed to creating a clean, comfortable environment at Skinhouse Tattoo Studio. He offers consultations so clients can get inked by him without worry about what they’ll look like afterwards with his complimentary artistry!
Website Address (720) 491-7375
Smokey Banana Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Broomfield’s newest tattoo and piercing shop has an incredible reputation for quality work. Owner, Tom Cross is known throughout the industry as one of Colorado’s best artists with over 35 years worth of experience under his belt! You won’t find any corners cut in Smokey Banana Tattoo – they specialize exclusively on commission-based artwork from all around Broome County (and beyond)! If you’re looking to get some ink done or just want beautiful custom makeup applied by Meredeth herself then this place has what it takes.
Website Address (303) 438-9499
Email Response
Drew
Line work is something that all the artists do here. None of the artists “specialize” in simply that style because we handle so many different requests from all the clients we see.
I think it’d be easier to chat in person about the piece you’d like so we can go over details, design, etc. 3×3 is pretty tiny for all that’s going on in the image that you sent over.
To answer some of the questions beforehand
1 – I believe many of the ingredients are proprietary in nature, but most of the brands at this point (that reputable shops use) are organic pigments that are vegan friendly.
2 – Color does not cause itchy rash. Black is a color as well. That said, people had different sensitivities for sure. Most tattoos itch for a bit while they are healing. Just part of the fun. 🙂
3 – A patch test would cost the same as any basic tattoo, so you’d be looking at $100 test piece. I hate to say it, but it’s probably not worth a permanent test patch.
4 – Licensing and regulations vary from county to county and state to state. Artists in CO are not required to hold a license. That said, our shop has been a staple of the community for over 30 years with the same family ownership. We are professional and well trained.
5 – Visit our website or Instagram and you’ll see all sorts of examples of line work, from design to lettering to detail.
If there is any artist with whom you’d like to work, reach out and we’ll set up a time for you and her to chat.
Thanks
Scott
Sol Tribe
| Score: A+ |
Denver-based Sol Tribe Tattoo & Body Piercing provides custom and cosmetic tattooing, body piercing, dermal anchoring services as well as scarification. The team at the shop offers large selection organic jewelry for those looking to be different from society’s standards or wanting something they can’t find anywhere else! All artists are required by law must belong with Association of Professional Piercers, which ensures quality service in an environment where everyone feels comfortable.
Website Address (303) 832-1311
Think Tank Tattoo
| Score: A |
Think Tank Tattoo is a tattoo studio and gallery in Boulder, Colorado that has been working with the community since 2002. They specialize in custom designs created by their diverse team of professionals who are experienced at traditional Japanese styles such as realism or Celtic/Norse artistry; they also accept walk-in clients if you’re not sure what your desired style preference may be!
Website Address (720) 932-0124
Email Response
Hello Drew,
We only have one artist who works with watercolor tattoos.
Our minimum starts at $150. I can set up a consultation so you can make an appointment.
As for your other questions:
No it will not create a rash
Yes all of our artists are licensed
You can look at his Instagram for examples (@jason_lukach_tattooer)
During the consultation you can discuss ingredients and a patch test.
If you would like to set up the consultation please let me know.
Thank you
Think Tank
Travis Koenig Tattoos Artist
| Score: A+ |
With his tattoos, artist Travis Koenig strives to change the perception of tattooing in Boulder. He has been working on perfecting this art since 1998 and knows that not all people are aware or interested enough about it’s history as well-made pieces often go unnoticed by passersby walking down city streets. His large scale designs incorporate flowers with mythological beasts, while incorporating natural elements into them.
Website Address (303) 832-8282
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Tribal Rites Boulder
| Score: A |
Tribal Rites’ team is customer service-oriented and previous clients applaud the professional service received. The talented artists specialize in all tattoo styles, work with clients on design, offer custom tattoos at three locations across Longmont Westminster Boulder for over 20 years now! With their creative prowess they are able to achieve any look or idea you might have without breaking a sweat – literally.
Website Address (303) 449-4611
Tribe Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Tribe Tattoo is a Denver tattoo and piercing studio that has been in operation for over 15 years. Owner John Slaughter, along with his team of professional artists specialize in various styles – including custom tattoos, original script or cover ups.
Website Address (720) 904-8904
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