We contacted 36 Tattoo Shops in San Diego, California and hand-picked the best for you to choose from
The Email
The following email is sent to all tattoo shops in San Diego, California. 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!
454 Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
454 Tattoo and Body Piercing is a tattoo studio in San Diego that services the community. You can view the Artists’ designs online, and customers can choose from a wide variety of styles. The shop has strict standards of cleanliness and sterilization procedures before each client’s tattoos or piercings are done!
Website Address (760) 276-6615
Above All Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
At Above All Tattoo, you will find a one-stop-shop for all your tattoo and piercing needs. The artists at this well-established San Diego studio specialize in black & gray tattoos and Japanese style colorwork. The shop typically has one artist available on weekends, but most have up to two months worth of waiting.
Website Address (858) 285-4235
Bearcat Tattoo Gallery
| Score: A+ |
Bearcat Tattoo Gallery is a San Diego tattoo studio offering traditional as well as new-style tattoos and methods. They also create tattoos inspired by cartoons, pop culture, and urban legends.
Website Address (619) 391-3312
Big City Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Big City Tattoo was founded in the 1980s, and it has been a San Diego staple ever since. The shop specializes in custom designs, hand tap tattoos, piercings, and removals, among other things.
Website Address (619) 639-0942
Buju Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Buju Tattoo is a tattoo studio that aims to provide an enjoyable and friendly experience for artists and clients. The experienced artists handle various styles, such as realistic, traditional, watercolor, or fine line black-and-grey. Jeanie Clark, from Buju Tattoos, practices cosmetic artistry, which she has been doing for six years.
Website Address (619) 514-1427
Chapter One Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Chapter One Tattoo is one of the top shops in San Diego for tattoo art. It’s known to have friendly, laid-back employees that are welcoming and helpful with any questions you may need. You can view each artist’s portfolio before making your appointment, so it will be easier to choose what style or design work suits you best.
Website Address (619) 639-4032
Full Circle Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Full Circle Tattoos is one of the most popular tattoo shops in San Diego. It opened its doors to public services back in 2008 with ten artists on staff. All artists have decades’ worth of experience and specialize in various styles like traditional American and Japanese.
Website Address (619) 492-5599
Funhouse Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
The tattoo designs at Funhouse Tattoo are so detailed and intricate you’ll be amazed. Devotees of all sorts will find techniques to their liking, from portraits to watercolor work or dotting mandalas with Polynesian flair! If this sounds like your thing, then lace up those shoes because it has been said that Seth Reynolds is considered one of the best artists out there.
Website Address (858) 291-8833
Garnet Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Garnet Tattoo is a San Diego-based tattoo studio with 20 years of experience in the field. Founder Shane Wallin specializes in bold, bright tattoos and portraits but can cater to any design request for custom work.
Website Address (619) 942-9737
Good Neighbor Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Good Neighbor Tattoo is a tattoo and piercing studio in the Escondido area. The shop has eight resident artists who each have their unique portfolio online, which you can see by visiting their website. Custom work is usually done here; however, clients also get to choose from some flash art pieces used at this facility for no extra charge.
Guru Tattoo – Pacific Beach
| Score: A+ |
The San Diego tattoo shop Guru Tattoo has 16 resident artists, with guest talents available at any given time. They bring decades of combined experience to the ink world, and they also sell t-shirts or art prints to go along with it!
Website Address (858) 270-1070
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Hung’s Tattoo Parlor
| Score: |
Hung’s Tattoo Parlor is a place that will make you feel at home with its leather couches and dim lighting. The studio offers custom design work in many different styles, including traditional Japanese or portrait painting for those who need cover-ups.
Website Address (619) 582-0528
La Mancha Tattooz
| Score: A+ |
La Mancha Tattooz is a tattoo shop in the heart of America. They’ve been around since 2009, and you can find them in San Diego! Staff members are friendly like any other small business, and they understand what it takes for their customers to feel comfortable. A wide range of styles to suit every client’s need – including traditional Americana, realistic tattoos, or black & gray work for those looking inks without color!
Website Address (619) 265-7426
LHBLK Tattoos & Art
| Score: A+ |
Left Hand Black has been inking people up since 2009, and they are not afraid to show it. Owner Turk previously worked at Guru Tattoo, so you know his ink is always top-notch! Customers can view their portfolio online before placing an order for custom artwork, with prices varying by size.
Website Address (619) 546-6555
Luckys Tattoo Parlor
| Score: A+ |
Luckys Tattoo Parlor is one of the first tattoo shops to open back in 1989. It has an extensive portfolio with various styles, including black and grey work and tribal designs. They also do body piercings by using modern machines equipped with sterilization equipment.
Website Address (619) 615-0914
Mission Beach Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
The San Diego area has been home to Mission Beach Tattoo since 1997. The company specializes in traditional American tattoos, but its tattoo artists are experienced with all different styles of artwork.
Website Address (858) 488-8282
SD Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
SD Tattoo has been the go-to spot for San Diego residents who want to get inked or pierced with custom designs since 2011. The shop features work from nine talented tattoo artists, and staff members practice proper aftercare procedures so that clients can always come back.
Website Address (619) 627-0248
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Seven Seas Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
If you’re looking for a tattoo in San Diego, Seven Seas is the place. With over 20 years of experience and four talented artists that can create anything your heart desires, it’s no wonder this studio has been awarded “Best Of” by multiple magazines!
Website Address (619) 824-1371
Terry Ribera’s Remington Tattoo Parlor + Gallery
| Score: A+ |
As San Diego’s premier tattoo parlor, “Terry Ribera’s Remington Tattoo Parlor + Gallery” specializes in illustrative tattoos that will match each client’s vision. The shop was built in 1914 but underwent restoration from 2011 to bring it back up to up-to-date for today’s enthusiast, who appreciates both old-school artistry as well as high-tech laser technology.
Website Address (619) 393-8377
Tim Lees Tattoo
| Score: |
Tim Lees Tattoo is a San Diego-based tattoo studio and one of the most experienced artists in town. They’ve been doing this for over 20 years! Tim has been inking people since 1997 and sees clients by appointment only.
Website Address (619) 458-9477
Vipers Ink Tattoo
| Score: A+ |
Vipers Ink Tattoo is one of the top tattoo parlors in San Diego, owned by Frank Gomez. His work specializes primarily in portraits and black/gray designs, but he can also do tribal art or color tattoos. He opened up shop back when 2013 was still a recent memory, so they must be doing something right!
Website Address (619) 495-1071
Wylde Sydes Tattoo & Body Piercing
| Score: A+ |
Are you looking for a custom tattoo and piercing shop in San Diego? Located at Wylde Sydes Tattoo & Body Piercing, professional artists have decades of combined tattoo experience. The four artists have photos online where you can view their work. They are happy to accommodate most custom requests.
Website Address (619) 575-6792
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Email Response
For something similar to what you have in mind, the price would be around $250 depending on final size and location. I wouldn’t say we specialize in these types of tattoos, but we’ve done similar tattoos, especially with the watercolor style splashes.
1) Ingredients depend on the ink. We use both eternal and dynamic inks.
Eternal Ink: MSDS https://eternaltattooink.com/?act=view&page=MSDS%20Information
Dynamic Ink: https://www.painfulpleasures.com/media/MSDS/Dynamic/MSDS_Dynamic_Black.pdf
2) There is a possibility of allergic reaction to color inks, although this is rare. The most common color that causes a reaction is red, due to the proteins used to make the pigment. But, allergic reactions are very rare.
3) No, sorry, a scratch test should only be performed by a medical professional. Such a thing would be outside of our comfort zone.
4) Yes we are! We are licensed by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality. Our permit number is: DEH2011-FBAF-441628
