We contacted 22 Tattoo Shops in Detroit, Michigan and hand-picked the best for you to choose from
The Email
The following email is sent to all tattoo shops in Detroit, Michigan. 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!
Aaron Broke
| Score: |
While not necessarily a tattoo shop, Aaron Broke calls Vicious Ink Tattoo and Piercings home. His services are based in the Sterling Heights shop. Aaron started his career in 2008, and now offers his specialty of neotraditional and color bomb designs combined with a traditional base. Mr. Broke requests that all potential customers provide a deposit before their appointments are scheduled. His estimates are given after a number of considerations, like tattoo location, ink, style, and color.
Website Address (586) 488-4782
Blackwater Studios
| Score: A+ |
Dearborn Heights is home to Blackwater Studios, and has been providing its tattooing services to Detroit residents for over ten years. Their artists are trained in tattooing, but they also host a resident specialist named Tara who provides permanent makeup and microblading. You can book a visit through call or text message. Keep an eye out for a tattoo artist named Mark, who is known for his attention to detail from reviews.
Website Address (734) 926-9543
Caryl Cunningham
| Score: A+ |
Based at Eternal Tattoos in Taylor, Detroit, Caryl Cunningham offers studio visits from Tuesdays through Sundays. She offers customized and unique designs that are created through a collaboration with the client. Free consultations are offered, and a deposit of $50 is required for an appointment. The deposit is $100 if you want session work, pinup art, or portrait art.
Website Address (313) 388-8791
Detroit Ink Spot
| Score: A |
Detroit Inkspot, located in Detroit, offers a number of piercing and tattoo services. They also host an art gallery on location. On retainer are four tattooists who are experienced in many different styles and mediums. These include monochromatic, scripts, custom portraiture, airbrushing, and tribal art. They also provide repair work and coverup tattoos. In terms of piercings, body piercings for the gums, ears, lips, and nose are available. Past customers have spoken favorably of the location for its professionalism and creativity.
Website Address (313) 315-6797
Eternal Ink
| Score: A+ |
Detroit’s Eternal Tattoos Livonia provide a variety of tattoo and body art services. They employ eight artists that work with a number of different art styles. These include line work and geometric art, monochromatic imagery, and traditional Americana art. They also offer the services of a cosmetic tattooist, who works on permanent makeup, plus piercing work.
Website Address (734) 425-0428
Email Response
Hey drew,
The size you want is too small to do that particular tattoo. Tattoos spread out in the skin and the tighter areas where the cats eye and nose is would spread out with time and just be a black blob. I would say at least 5-6 inches. Color could be added. Maybe $200-250 just depending on how much color you want to add.
We are licensed. I have done several tattoos like that. You can see my work on IG @cheryldoestattoos. I don’t have time to go through and find pictures right now but you are welcome to look for yourself.
It’s impossible to know whether or not you’ll have a reaction to the ink. Most people who do have reactions to reds or colors with red in it. For ink questions, (as far as ingredients) you can go to eternaltattoosupply.com I don’t know the list of ingredients other than glycerin but I do know that they are vegan.
We can do a patch test if you would like, I would have to charge you our minimum which is $80 because I have to use all the same equipment that I would use to do an actual tattoo. The thing is that sometimes reactions happen months after the tattoo is applied, or after exposing it to sun, or different things. It might not happen right away. Everyone is different. If you’d like to do that, you can call the shop at 734-425-0428 and schedule a patch test.
Thanks so much. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheryl
Iconic Tattoo.Piercing
| Score: A+ |
A studio in Detroit that’s been working on body piercing and tattoos, Iconic Tattoo.Piercing has been open since 2015. They offer an extremely professional and sanitary studio and client environment, one of the reasons the studio became one of the first members of the Association of Professional Piercers in that area. Their artists offer numerous different art styles. The store was founded by Matt Hesler, whose been a tattooist himself since 1994. In 2014, he bought a run-down unit and overhauled it significantly to open the tattoo shop.
Website Address (313) 818-0078
Email Response
Hi Drew,
Thanks for getting in touch!
I can answer some of your questions, but will need to steer you to our website to browse the portfolios and choose the artist you would like to do your tattoo (and who will answer your art-related questions).
~no one specializes in single-line tattoos here, but I’d think everyone here could do them.
~i can’t speak to how much your tattoo would cost, but can tell you our studio minimum is $80. If your tattoo took over a half an hour to do, it would be a little more.
~color is possible, but you’d need to speak to your choice of artist to see what they’d be willing to do
~organic pigment, deionized water and hamamelis water
~not typically, no (itchy rash) but there is no way we could know an individual’s allergies
~not typically, but is has been (rarely) requested in the past. you would need to talk with your artist of choice. if there is a real need for it, it could be arranged.
~the studio is what is licensed. the tattoo artists have permits to perform tattoos in wayne county at our licensed facility.
~past work: a question for your artist of choice.
I hope that was helpful. So, it’s best that you choose whose art style speaks to you most.
Additional Information
Please take a look at the portfolios on our web site and decide which artist you would prefer to do your tattoo. When you’ve chosen one, please contact them directly via the email link beneath their photo. Please be sure to send along your idea for your new tattoo, the approximate size you’d like, placement, and perhaps some reference photos; that is the best way to start the process.
When the two of you are to a point of booking an appointment, they’ll have you call the studio to book a specific amount of time and leave a deposit.
Happy planning,
~Kelli
Ironclad Tattoo Co.
| Score: A+ |
Based in Troy is the Ironclad Tattoo Company, which offers both tattoos and body piercing. They are open all week with six artists making up their roster. They also host guest tattooists on a rotating basis, and have two body piercers on full time. This shop was actually voted one of the best in Detroit in 2016 by the Metro Times. They even offer awesome flasks with acid etching, which can be bought online and in their store.
Website Address (248) 528-0810
Jay Wheeler
| Score: A |
Operating at the North Main Tattoo Studio and Art Gallery, Jay Wheeler both co-owns and offers his tattoo services. In 1992, he started his career in Detroit. Eventually he travelled internationally to hone his craft with some of the best in the business. His work has been exhibited in a number of tattoo magazines. Wheeler’s specialty is realistic tattoos. His fees run about $200 an hour, and he requires a two-hour time minimum.
Website Address (734) 212-8891
Lady Luck Tattoo
| Score: |
Located in Waterford, Michigan, Lady Luck Tattoo has been among the top tattoo shops three whole years in a row according to WDIV-TV Detroit. Here, clients are welcome to bring in their own custom designs. Operating for the past 16 years, Lady Luck Studio is available all week for appointment scheduling and estimates.
Website Address (248) 673-0670
Larry Farley
| Score: |
Owner and artist at Collective Studios Ink in Detroit, Larry Farley specializes in art – both in the form of murals, and in tattoo works. He has mastered various unique styles and techniques in his tattoos, offering both monochromatic and greyscale work. The entire studio captures Larry’s love for art, which you can see in its aesthetics and design. Its also committed to the highest standards in safety. Larry has also collaborated with some of the best in the business.
Website Address (248) 963-7096
Neurotic Ink
| Score: A+ |
Neurotic Ink has been operating in Detroit with the highest focus on professionalism, craft, diversity, and detail. Located in Westland, this shop specializes in custom and flash tattoo styles. Customer reviews have attested to the relaxed and friendly environment of this business and recommend the shop for people looking to get their first tattoo.
Website Address (734) 727-4845
New Skool Tattoos
| Score: A+ |
A venue in Brownstown established 17 years in the past, New Skool Tattoos has been serving visitors from worldwide. The store is committed to not reusing any needles, and only offers body jewelry consisting of implant grade, allergen-free, and nickel-free materials. New Skool has been the recipient of a “4 of the best” award, granted by WDIV-TV’s review of Detroit’s best shops. An artist working at New Skool received six prizes from Motor City’s 2014 Tattoo Expo.
Website Address (734) 782-3550
Vicious Ink Tattoos & Piercings
| Score: A+ |
With locations in Sterling Heights and Rochester Hills, Vicious Ink Tattoos and Piercings offers their services in both piercings and tattoos. The stores received two nominations for the “4 The Best” WDIV-TV awards in Detroit. They offer high quality tattoo and piercings aftercare materials, as well as employees that will thoroughly brief customers on proper aftercare. Vicious Ink also has a special line of art, jewelry, and art available. Open all days of the week, the store also has a Point and Loyalty Program that offers tattoo and piercing discounts.
Website Address (586) 553-9100
Wonderland Tattoo Studio
| Score: A+ |
With a 30 year history in Detroit, Wonderland Tattoo Studio provides body artwork services in a variety of styles. They offer styles like realism, monochrome, colorwork, and portraits. Their staff is trained in illnesses related to blood-borne pathogens, infection control, CPR, and first-aid. This ensures that they can provide the safest possible care for their clients. Employees also receive yearly medical exams, with the store getting regular spore testing as well.
Website Address (586) 774-8288
Email Response
Hello! I would recommend doing something of this style a bit larger than 3″x3″. Watercolor style and sketchy, loose lines have to be on the larger side to accommodate the small, subtle details that make it look intentional and not just poorly done.
1. We/I use primarily Fusion ink, you can search the ingredients.
2. I can not predict how you, as an individual, will react but no one has reported problems in the past.
3. No, I can not test unless you pay for a ‘set up’. Our minimum is 80$ for materials.
4. We have our licences and certificates posted in the shop.
5. After 21 years tattooing, I don’t really document the smaller, simpler stuff.
Price for something like the cat in the link would be around 200$.
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