The first tattoos date back 5300 years to a man known as ‘Ӧtzi, the European Tyrolean Iceman,’ discovered beneath a glacier along the Austrian-Italian border. Ӧtzi had 61 tattoos over his body, consisting of horizontal lines. Today, tattoos are seen as self-expression and are experiencing a surge in popularity.
Whether you are a first-timer or an ink junkie who wants to add more art to your body, it is necessary to find the right place. Somewhere that puts you at ease is clean and hygienic with creative artists who can work magic from your ideas. Fortunately for Londoners, the capital city is brimming with excellent tattoo studios. Here is a list of six of the best tattoo shops in London.
The Best Tattoo Shops in London
1. Flamin’ Eight – North London Tattoo Studio
After extensively travelling and working internationally, Naresh discovered many traditions and finely tuned his techniques. In 1988, he realised his dream and opened a tattoo studio.
Today, Flamin’ Eight has earned high acclaim as one of the most respected tattoo studios in London. They attract home-grown artists and highly-acclaimed tattooists from around the world. Each artist has a portfolio where you can check out their style. They specialise in traditional, modern, Japanese, and realism tattoos. You are sure to find inspiration.
Email is the easiest method to make an appointment, preferably with images of what you hope for. A follow-up phone call will help organise details and answer questions. They will only arrange neck or hand tattoos with a face-to-face consultation.
Flamin’ Eight do occasionally have walk-ins available. However, they do recommend making an appointment.
Due to tattoos being a personal thing, the tattoo studio cannot give prices. However, if you let them know your budget, they can keep it within that price limit.
They do require a non-refundable deposit, which is deductible from the total cost of the tattoo.
A highly-reputable studio, Flamin’ Eight tries to keep their waiting lists short, and you should have an appointment within a few weeks.
Also, if you want a black tattooist in London, customers with black or brown skin tones, who can find having a tattoo stressful, highly rate the artists for their amazing work.
Address: 2 Castle Road, London, NW1 8PP
Telephone: 020 7267 7888
2. One Day Studio – Tattoos That One Day You Can Have
The name, One Day Studio refers to achieving your goals. It might be, one day, wearing a tattoo you will be proud to show or know you have and admire privately. Founded in 2015, One Day has become a flourishing studio.
Now in the hands of Máté Spanberger and József Béres, who, along with their team, tattoo clients from around the UK and abroad. They are also honoured to be part of the tattooing industry’s professional wing. All tattooists are licensed and registered.
The team at One Day consist of three female and three male artists, all specialising in different styles, colours and techniques. Whether you are a seasoned customer or a first-timer, One Day will help you decide which artist best suits your requirements.
Prices depend on many variables, such as which artist you choose, the tattoo’s complexity and size, and whether the tattoo is bespoke. Different skin types and pain tolerance can also affect how long a tattoo will take. However, the team will guide you through the process giving as much information as possible.
To calculate a rough price, the studio uses an hourly rate of £130 to £150 and £650
to £800 for daily sessions. A half-sleeve tattoo can take around 10 to 15+ hours, full sleeves up to 30+, and a back tattoo up to 40+ hours. There is a minimum charge of £100.
One Day Studio receives excellent reviews for its cleanliness, professionalism, and incredibly talented tattooists.
Address: 20 Arlington Way, London, EC1R 1UY
Telephone: 020 7209 7891
3. Six Bullets Tattoo Shop – Camden Town
Established in 2008, Six Bullets Tattoo is near Camden Town, only a few minutes from King’s Cross and Finsbury Park stations. Over the years, the team has successfully created a relaxed environment for tattooists and customers. The tattoo studio has a wild West American feel, with interesting art cladding the walls.
Good music adds to a soothing ambience, while staff members are friendly and chatty to ensure everyone has the best experience.
An excellent mix of residential and guest tattooists offers realistic art in colour, black and grey, surrealism, blackwork, neo-traditional, and neo-traditional Japanese and anime. Each tattoo is bespoke and only used more than once if requested by friends or family.
Six Bullets is an appointment-only tattoo studio. It enables tattooists to be creative by knowing your ideas and expectations. If you do not know your desired style but are confident, you want a tattoo. It is okay. Call the tattoo shop, and the team can offer advice and guidance.
The tattoo shop in London is vegan-friendly, only using vegan inks.
Address: Unit 3, 394 Camden Road, London, N7 0SJ
Telephone: 07579 049308
4. Ushuaia – In The Heart Of Fulham
Gorsky is one of the resident artists at Ushuaia. He is also the owner along with Aneta, and together, they opened the studio in 2016. Gorsky regularly enters tattooing conventions around Europe, achieving some awe-inspiring results, routinely ranking first or second at the events.
In addition to Gorsky’s prizewinning reputation Ushuaia and six further impressive resident artists have a long list of celebrities and public figures who placed their trust in the studio.
The team of artists comprises three male and four female tattoo artists in London, all specialising in various areas of tattooing and methods. When looking through each artist’s portfolio, it is plain to see why Ushuaia’s reviews are full of praise.
Prices depend on many variables, as is the same with other studios. However, in the first place, contact Ushuaia via their website, where the team will provide further information and guidance. It is worth noting that all inks are vegan-friendly.
Address: 486 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5NH
Telephone: 020 3154 8836
5. London Inkaholics – Personalised Approach
Owner Stefan Dinu opened London Inkaholics in 2013. Stefan has over 20 years of experience working in the UK and Europe. Stefan has worked hard and has become an outstanding tattoo shop in London. The studio strives to provide a professional and relaxed atmosphere for its customers.
London Inkaholics has a Tattoo Hygiene Rating of four out of four stars, awarded by the local council.
Tattoo artists specialise in photorealism, colour, linework, and black and grey. Tattooists want to exceed your expectations, not simply meet them.
The studio does not tattoo faces, necks, hands, fingers, or genitalia.
Prices depend on the size and details, and the tattoo shop usually provides a set price. However, if the job is too large, the rate is £110.00 per hour. They require a deposit of £50.00 per booking, which is refundable if cancellation is made at least 48 hours before the appointment.
Customers of London Inkaholics found their experience at the tattoo shop above and beyond what they imagined. The atmosphere, artists, and fantastic, unique artwork have been superb.
Address: 8 Cavell Street, London, E1 2HP
Telephone: 020 3633 2879
6. Straight Lines Tattoo – Large-Scale Realism Tattoos
Straight Lines Tattoo is an award-winning tattoo studio on the outskirts of London, within the M25. Over the years, the hand-picked tattoo artists at Straight Lines have become internationally recognised and winning awards in London, China, Barcelona, Stockholm, and Milan.
The studio works on an appointment-only basis and provides thorough consultations, so you can have the best possible experience and walk away with your perfect tattoo. Artists have at least ten years of experience and only work with large-scale tattoos. They are not the place for scripts or something small.
To find the price of a tattoo, Straight Lines needs details of what you hope for. They only do day sessions of 6 – 7 hours long.
If it is a masterpiece you seek, Straight Lines artists produce impressive work. Customers travel considerable distances for their talent.
Address: Unit 7 / 8, Forest Business Centre, 92A Forest Road, Loughton, IG10 1EQ
Telephone: 07840 890214
Choosing Your Tattoo Studio: Tips
- Do your research. Check an artist’s portfolio or social media. You want to see unique work. If you see many small tattoos, these could be considered money-making pieces. Some might call them a tattooist as opposed to a tattoo artist.
- Contact the tattoo studio. Most tattoo shops prefer contact via email with as much information as possible. Great tattoo artists are extremely busy and might take a while to respond. If they are local, you can pop in for an idea of their work and if they are right for you.
- Know your style. Many tattoo artists specialise in a particular style, such as traditional, anime, or realism.
