How to choose a tattoo studio

A tattoo is permanent, so the studio you choose matters more than the price on the quote. Here's what's actually worth checking before you book.

Hygiene and safety

Every reputable studio uses single-use, sterile needles opened in front of you, works from a clean, well-lit station, and is happy to explain its sterilisation process if asked. If a studio is cagey about hygiene questions, that's a reason to look elsewhere.

Portfolio

Look at an artist's portfolio for work in the style you actually want — someone excellent at bold traditional pieces isn't automatically the right choice for fine line or realism. Where possible, look at healed photos, not just fresh ink, since that's a better indicator of how the work will actually look in a few months.

Reviews

A high star rating built on a handful of reviews tells you less than a slightly lower rating backed by hundreds. Read a few recent reviews in detail, not just the star count — they usually mention specifics like cleanliness, communication, and how closely the result matched the brief.

The consultation

A good studio will talk through placement, sizing, and design details with you before booking, not just take a deposit and schedule you in. Use the consultation to ask about aftercare instructions, touch-up policy, and — for larger pieces — how many sessions it's likely to take.

Trust your read of the place

Beyond the checklist: how you're treated when you ask questions is a reasonable proxy for how the actual appointment will go. A studio that's rushed or dismissive at the consultation stage tends to stay that way once you're in the chair.

Start with studios near you — browse by city to see ratings, reviews and contact details in one place.