How to Find the Best Tattoo Shop Near You

You’ve decided to get a tattoo, have chosen where to place it, and have picked out the perfect design style that best represents what you’re looking for. What’s next? Now you need to know how to find someone to do the work. It shouldn’t be too difficult, right? You see tattoo shops everywhere. You even have that one friend who knows a guy that does it out of his house for cheap. But something as permanent as a tattoo shouldn’t be left to random chance or relying on some guy named “Rob” who inks people in his garage. You’re going to want to do your research. After all, your tattoo is likely not only personal and important, it’s something you’ll hopefully want to show off for decades to come. This makes picking the right artist and tattoo shop near you a very important step in the process. Making the right choice at this juncture can mean the difference between getting ink you’ll love, or walking out of the shop with permanent regret and disappointment. Tattoos are an investment in time, your appearance and artistic expression. Not to mention they aren’t cheap. As such you should put some time into finding the best tattoo shop near you. When it comes to finding the right shop, there are some basic screening criteria that you should have in place in order to make sure you end up with a tattoo you can be proud of, but also to ensure you have a safe and incident-free experience and recovery. Below we’ve outlined a number of steps and tips you can use to help you find the best tattoo shops near you.

Tips for Finding The Best Tattoo Shop

A simple search online can pull up many options in your area, but not all of them are the best choice. Once you locate the shops around you, take the time to do a thorough search of their business. Look up testimonials and sample works. Take the time to see if they are licensed. The internet provides a lot of information, but don't pick your shop based off internet alone.

Get Referrals and Recommendations

Have friends or family with ink you love? Talk to them to see where they had their ink done. They will be able to tell you what they liked and disliked about where they went, and perhaps even give you some good tips and pointers for preparing for the big day. Getting a first-hand account from someone will help narrow down your choices.

Research the Business

Take the time to ensure your artist and/or shop is licensed. If something does go wrong you will want to know you can hold them accountable. Look at testimonials and reviews to learn more about the experiences others have had with them. Also, be sure to review samples of their work. These should be available online, in books in the shop or available upon request. It’s a big red flag if a business isn’t being open about the work they’ve done.

Talk with the Artists

Talk with the artists and see if you click. The right artist is going to be open with you about how they work, and given that tattoos take hours to complete, you’ll want to find an artist you feel comfortable with.

Observation

If it’s possible to watch the artist give a tattoo, feel free to observe them. This will give you a chance to see how they work. Pay attention to what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. Are they making sure their client is comfortable? Do they keep the area clean while working on the tattoo? You may not be a professional, but you know what makes you uncomfortable. If you see something that doesn’t sit right, try a different shop.

Things to Ask Your Artist Before Getting Your Tattoo

• Are they properly trained?
• Do they wear disposable gloves that get changed between tattoos?
• Is there a sterilization machine to clean equipment they don’t throw away?
• Are they using needles from sealed containers?
• Are the pigment trays new?
• How do they clean and sterilize their tattoo station?
• Where does the ink they use come from?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s safer to know who you’re working with and not take any chances. If you feel uncomfortable, or you're not getting clear answers, walk out faster than you walked in.

Final Thoughts

Do your part and find the best tattoo shops near you. Keep a clear head and make a choice. If you’re in the Toronto, Mississauga, or Kitsilano area feel free to stop into Chronic Ink. They offer a free consultation where you can ask any questions you want before getting your ink. Chronic Ink has an extensive gallery to show off their work and numerous awards. Get a tattoo you will love from the people who love to tattoo.