Find a tattoo shop in Oakland, CA

Find tattoo shops in Oakland, CA

Find tattoo shops in Oakland, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best tattoo shops in your area.
Zip code

Find tattoo shops in Oakland, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best tattoo shops in your area.
Zip code

Top 10 tattoo shops in Oakland, CA

Clients agree: these vendors are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
HD Tattoos

HD Tattoos

5.0(1)
Offers online services
Serves Stockton, CA
Susana says, "Incredible artist capable of any design, very cool and always a pleasure to get a session in with Daniel " Read more
Uncover Body Art

Uncover Body Art

5.0Exceptional(23)
18 hires on Fash
Serves San Jose, CA
Victor R. says, "Jim was very chill and is a great artist. I got my birth year tattooed on my neck and it turned out amazing! The studio was also spotless and I loved the decor." Read more
Premium Tattoo

Premium Tattoo

New on Fash
Serves Oakland, CA
Matthew Decker started Premium Tattoo to be the counterpoint to the large tattoo/piercing production houses more in line with a store in the mall than an art studio. The shop is intimate to enhance the client to artist experience and Matt has always hand picked the very few artists to staff the shop. Quality, Saftey, and Service are the things that have kept the shop producing the best tattoos since 2008.
Monsters Ink

Monsters Ink

New on Fash
Serves Albany, CA
Monsters Ink Studio's goal is to set up a successful tattooing and piercing business; without forgetting the artist that create the art. Combining great artists and giving the community a great new updated atmosphere to the traditional biker gang tattoo shops of the past. We Specialize in custom tattooing as well as body piercing. Conveniently located right on San Pablo Ave in Albany, only a block south of the El Cerrito Plaza. We're looking to be established in the beautiful city of Albany for many years to come. building our reputation of a great fresh unique tattoo studio. We Set our customer service standards high giving an inviting atmo...
Golden Star Tattoo Company

Golden Star Tattoo Company

New on Fash
Serves San Francisco, CA
We are the premier tattoo studio in historic San Francisco Chinatown, specializing in custom tattooing.
Dream Masters Custom Tattoos

Dream Masters Custom Tattoos

New on Fash
Serves San Francisco, CA
International awarded tattoo artist. Custom tattoo designs created just for you.
Calaveras Tattoo

Calaveras Tattoo

New on Fash
Serves Hayward, CA
I am easy to work with. very good and fast tattooer. I don't take breaks (unless the customer wants to) so I can minimize the tattoo time. I tattoo pretty precise and quick.
HD Tattoos

HD Tattoos

New on Fash
Serves Hayward, CA
High quality and superior designs. My application stands the rest of time and the passion I bring to creating the art work is unmatched I love portraits and being able to create something so sentimental for someone to wear for life with them. I love being able to do incredible work that wins awards and breaks barriers in modern thinking

Your tattoo shop questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Fash.

The average cost for a tattoo is $50 to $250 for a small or simple image like a heart or cross, or $150 to $450 for a medium-sized tattoo like a portrait or tribal design. For a complex design or large tattoo, like a half or full sleeve or full back, prices start and $500 and can reach $4,000.

Tiny tattoos under 2 inches typically cost $30 to $100 or the tattoo parlor's minimum fee.

Tattoo artists charge $120 to $150 per hour, depending on their experience and reputation and the design complexity.

Tip a tattoo artist 20% if you're happy with their work or up to 25% for intricate custom designs or if the artist exceeded your expectations.

Many tattoo places also do piercings for ears, noses, tongues, belly buttons, and more. However, not all shops offer this service. Contact local tattoo parlors to confirm whether piercing is offered.

After finding a tattoo artist who specializes in the style you want, book an initial consultation to discuss your design placement, size, colors, and features. Most consultations are free and last 30 to 60 minutes. After confirming the design, the artist will schedule your appointment.

During your appointment, you'll be seated in a tattoo chair, usually in an open area. If you prefer a private area, be sure to request it in advance.

The artist will prep your skin, then apply a stencil or draw the design on your skin so you can review it and make any final changes. Then, the artist will tattoo the design with needles inserted into the skin. Though the process will hurt, most artists agree the first minute is the worst.

A tattoo takes up to 6 months to fully heal, though your skin will go through several stages of healing during that time.

  • At week 2, the tattoo may begin to itch as it flakes and scabs.
  • In weeks 3 and 4, a layer of dry skin will form over the tattoo before exfoliating itself, and the itchiness will fade. Redness and itching at this stage may be an early sign of an infected tattoo.
  • After the first month, all itchiness and redness should be gone, but the skin below your tattoo may continue repairing itself for up to six months.

Follow these tips to select the right tattoo artist for you:

  • Decide what style of tattoo you want. Look for artists who specialize in that style.
  • Ask for recommendations from friends and family.
  • Read reviews on Fash and Google.
  • Browse tattoo artists' portfolios of designs similar to yours.
  • Look for licensed, certified tattoo artists.
  • Choose the tattoo placement.
  • Meet with the artist for an initial consultation to discuss your ideas and vision for the design.
  • Confirm the shop is clean and sanitary and the staff is professional.

Ask the tattoo artist these questions before deciding who to hire:

  • How long have you been tattooing?
  • Are you licensed and certified?
  • Which styles do you specialize in?
  • Can I see your portfolio?
  • Which placement would you recommend for this design, and why?
  • How do you sanitize your equipment?
  • What aftercare routine do you recommend?
  • What deposit do you require?
  • Do you guarantee your work? What happens if you make a mistake in my design?

Reviews for Oakland tattoo shops

Recent success stories from people in the Oakland area.
Gabriella P.
Jimmy was very attentive to detail and answered any and all concerns I had about my tattoos. I felt very comfortable throughout the session. He also gave helpful aftercare instructions
Uncover Body Art
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