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 28, 2026.
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Best tattoo parlors for tattoo aftercare
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Seven Swords Tattoo CompanyHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Tattoo aftercare”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%24Overall Experts Score 20%88Job match= 95Stars 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.95
The Hive Aesthetics LLCHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Tattoo aftercare”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%10Overall Experts Score 20%98Job match= 88Stars 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.88
187 ink tattooHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Tattoo aftercare”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%9Overall Experts Score 20%92Job match= 86Stars 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.86Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Tattoo aftercare” (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 tattoo aftercare
The Hive Aesthetics LLCAllie was very attentive to my tattoo request and patient. She listened and brought back a design dang-near spot on! She allowed me to make a few tweaks -as she understands tattoos are a permanent decision. She was very thorough and easy-going throughout the whole process which helped me relax and not fixate on the…
Seven Swords Tattoo CompanyDrea is awesome, I’ve done 3 pieces with her so far and go out of my way to book with her every time I’m in Philly! She is always prepared with art before I even get there, multiple sizes to test fit… just a total professional and amazing artist! I’ve worked with a bunch of artists over the years and she is absolutely top notch!!!
187 ink tattooThe Best. Flawless design, Flawless execution. Kept me calm throughout the process. Not going to find a better Artist. Extremely knowledgeable and talented. No glazing just being honest. Immaculate design. Extremely happy. Not goin anywhere else
The Hive Aesthetics LLCAlways kind and inviting! Has great ideas and really cares about you and how you are doing! The pictures don't do them justice because I took them while I was driving but these are just a few examples of her amazing artwork! Recommend her 1000%
Seven Swords Tattoo CompanySebastion did an amazing job and was very easy to work with ! Thank you Sebastion!
Seven Swords Tattoo CompanyJane did an absolutely amazing job on my tattoo. We were a large walk in group from out of town and she not only did great work, she also was entertaining and very knowledgeable. Would totally see her again.
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.