The Best Tattoo Parlors
We graded 19 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 4,230 Google reviews of 19 top-rated tattoo parlors nationwide. Updated October 29, 2026.
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Best tattoo parlors for custom tattoo lettering
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Backwoods Art Studio (BWAS)How Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom tattoo lettering”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%21Overall Experts Score 20%93Job match= 96Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.96
The Hive Aesthetics LLCHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom tattoo lettering”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%98Job match= 78Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.78
187 ink tattooHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Custom tattoo lettering”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%92Job match= 77Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.77Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Custom tattoo lettering” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about custom tattoo lettering
Backwoods Art Studio (BWAS)PERFECT!!! The artists are friendly, the building is crisp and clean and the work is GOOD! Even got the see a double nose piercing and it turned out beautiful! HIGHLY recommend.
187 ink tattooI was looking to get some new ink and searched for top tattoo shops in Philadelphia. 187 Ink Shop came up, so I checked out their website and immediately knew I had to book an appointment. Their work really stood out to me. I sent in an inquiry and received a quick response. I ended up booking with James, sent him…
The Hive Aesthetics LLCAllie does an amazing job! Excellent service and care! Check out one of her pop up events!
Backwoods Art Studio (BWAS)The customer service is top tier. Make sure you are JP. He gets me and my family right every time.
Backwoods Art Studio (BWAS)i’ve gotten a septum piercing and tattoo from this place and they are very good at what they do. the vibes and people are nice and find any way to accommodate you for the service you are getting.
Backwoods Art Studio (BWAS)10/10 would recommend and definitely coming back. artist JP talented individual, professional and overall great guy, Great services and I got exactly what I wanted
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of tattoo parlors).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Heart of Gold Tattoo ClubPhiladelphia, PA | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%99+68.5Reliability 31%97+29.8Experts Score= 98Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | $262 |
| 2 | Black Thorn TattooKimberly, WI | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%99+68.5Reliability 31%96+29.5Experts Score= 98Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | $462 |
| 3 | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%99+68.5Reliability 31%96+29.5Experts Score= 98Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | $153 | |
| 4 | The Hive Aesthetics LLCKimberly, WI | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%99+62.9Reliability 28%99+28Replies to reviews 8%88+7.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AA | 4.99 | $96 |
| 5 | Backwoods Art Studio (BWAS)Philadelphia, PA | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%94+65.1Reliability 31%91+28Experts Score= 93Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 4.95 | $84 |
| 6 | 187 ink tattooPhiladelphia, PA | A 92How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%86+6.1Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 92Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.92 | $158 |
| 7 |  Crown and Feather Tattoo Co.Philadelphia, PA | A 91How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%96+52.4Reliability 24%94+22.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%21+1.5Experts Score= 91Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.95 | $443 |
| 8 |  Sacred Bond Tattoo CompanyPhiladelphia, PA | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%95+60.4Reliability 28%92+26Replies to reviews 8%41+3.4Experts Score= 90Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AC | 4.95 | $164 |
| 9 |  Frequency Tattoo CompanyPhiladelphia, PA | A 89How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%92+50.2Reliability 24%93+22.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%30+2.1Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 89Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.86 | $196 |
| 10 |  Seven Swords Tattoo CompanyPhiladelphia, PA | A 88How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%88+48Reliability 24%84+20.4Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%92+6.5Craft & service penalty89−1.1Experts Score= 88Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.82 | $290 |
| 11 |  Wild Heart TattooPhiladelphia, PA | A 84How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%90+57.2Reliability 28%87+24.6Replies to reviews 8%51+4.2Momentum penalty81−1.9Experts Score= 84Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AC | 4.90 | $290 |
| 12 |  Celestial Piercing- Inside of Big Guns TattooKimberly, WI | B 79How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%81+44.2Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%87+12.3Replies to reviews 7%38+2.7Craft & service penalty81−1.9Experts Score= 79Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.81 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tattoos | $114 | $183 | $340 | 0% |
| Tattoo design | $74 | $132 | $233 | 0% |
| Fine line tattoos | $132 | $203 | $359 | 0% |
| Color ink tattoos | $144 | $236 | $536 | 0% |
| Piercings | $20 | $60 | $81 | 0% |
| Tattoo cover-ups & reworkings | $183 | $374 | $485 | 0% |
| Ear piercing | $72 | $108 | $132 | 100% |
| Solid black work tattoos | $169 | $236 | $410 | 0% |
| Abstract tattoos | $139 | $224 | $614 | 0% |
| Custom tattoo lettering | $131 | $225 | $360 | 0% |
Tattoo Parlors at a glance
How the 19 tattoo parlors we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A1158%
- Grade B632%
- Grade C15%
- Grade D15%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up947%
- 4.80–4.89★737%
- 4.60–4.79★15%
- Below 4.60★211%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality15530%
- Professionalism15730%
- Responsiveness00%
- Punctuality10520%
- Value10720%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Not enough data yet.
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.