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Seattle, WashingtonOctober 18, 2026

Seattle tattoo shops, mapped by neighborhood.

We list 115 tattoo studios in Seattle across 23 neighborhoods, with the biggest clusters in Ballard and Belltown (11 studios each). Statewide, Washington licenses 939 tattoo shops and 3,143 tattoo artists.

  • License data from WA DOL
  • Featured listings always labeled

Featured

Featured listings are always labeled with their disclosure. Being featured changes where a studio appears, never the facts we publish about it.
Cleopatra Ink Seattle studio collage with signs reading “Free tattoo design consultation” and “Walk-in welcome”

FeaturedFeatured: Seattle Tattoo and Cleopatra Ink Seattle share ownership.How featuring works

Cleopatra Ink Seattle

Cleopatra Ink Seattle is a tattoo and piercing studio at 1523 6th Ave in Seattle. The studio offers custom tattoo artistry, piercings, and a free design consultation.

Open dailyFine LineAmerican TraditionalPiercing
  • 1523 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
  • Mon–Sun 9am–9pm
  • (206) 699-2822
View studio

Editor’s picks

Seattle studios worth the wait

Long-running shops and in-demand artists our editors check first — from traditional parlors in Ballard to fine-line specialists on Capitol Hill.
How we pick

Browse Seattle

Tattoo shops by neighborhood

Every Seattle studio in the directory, grouped by where it actually sits — so you can pick a shop near light rail, parking or your favorite coffee.

Artists

Seattle tattoo artists

300 artists, apprentices and piercers work at Seattle studios in the directory, and 1,015 across Washington. Each profile comes from the studio’s own website and links back to it.
All 1,015 artists

Names, roles, styles and photos come from each studio’s own website, and every profile links to its source. Professional information only. How artist profiles work

Washington State

Beyond Seattle: 146 more cities

From Tacoma and Spokane to Bellingham and Vancouver: every Washington studio in the directory, with county license counts from the Department of Licensing.
All Washington cities
115
Tattoo studios in Seattle
In this directory
948
Studios across Washington
147 cities
939
Licensed tattoo shops in WA
WA DOL, August 2026
3,143
Licensed tattoo artists in WA
WA DOL, August 2026

Price guide · 2026

How much is a tattoo in Seattle?

Shop minimums, hourly rates, deposits and tipping — plus a calculator that estimates your piece by size, style and placement.

Open the price calculator WA tattoo laws
  • Shop minimums$100–$250
  • Hourly rates$150–$300
  • Typical tip15–25%
  • Minimum age18

Guides

Before you book

All guides

A–Z · 115 studios

Every tattoo studio in Seattle

The complete list, alphabetical. Featured listings are always labeled.

Featured: Seattle Tattoo and Cleopatra Ink Seattle share ownership.How featuring works

Good to know

Seattle tattoo questions, answered

The short versionUpdated October 18, 2026
You must be 18 to get tattooed in Washington, and parental consent does not change that. Book with a DOL-licensed artist at a licensed shop, expect a shop minimum, and plan on two to four weeks of careful aftercare.

Frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to get a tattoo in Seattle?

You must be 18. Washington law (RCW 26.28.085) makes it a misdemeanor to tattoo anyone under 18, and there is no exception for parental consent, even with a parent present. Expect to show a valid government-issued photo ID at every appointment, because studios must record each client's age and artists are only protected if they checked picture ID.

How do I check if a Seattle tattoo artist or shop is licensed?

Search the artist's legal name or the studio's business name on the Washington Department of Licensing License Lookup at professions.dol.wa.gov/s/license-lookup. Confirm the license type (Tattoo Artist or Artist Shop), that it's active, and that it hasn't expired. At the studio, the shop license should be posted at reception and each artist's license at their workstation.

How much does a tattoo cost in Seattle?

Seattle studios publish shop minimums of $100 to $250, most often $150, and hourly rates of $150 to $300, usually $175 to $250. A small tattoo typically costs $100 to $500, a palm-sized piece $350 to $900, and a full sleeve $3,500 or more over several sessions. Add 10.55% Seattle sales tax and a tip.

How much should I tip my tattoo artist?

Tip 15 to 25% of the tattoo's price, with 20% the most common guideline. Seattle studios that publish tipping advice recommend about 20%, matching national guides. Calculate the tip on the pre-tax price, tip at every session of a multi-session piece, and bring cash, since some Seattle shops are cash-only.

Do Seattle tattoo shops take walk-ins?

Some do. A few Seattle studios take walk-ins daily on a first-come, first-served basis, others only on flash days, and many work by appointment only. Walk-ins work best for small pieces and flash. Check the studio's website or Instagram the same day, arrive early, bring photo ID, and expect to pay at least the shop minimum.

Do I need a deposit to book a tattoo in Seattle?

Almost always. Seattle deposits usually run $100 to $200, though we found $50 to $500 depending on the artist and session length. Every studio we checked that states a policy calls the deposit nonrefundable. It comes off your final price, and you can usually reschedule with 24 to 72 hours' notice. Late cancellations and no-shows forfeit it.

How long does a new tattoo take to heal?

Peeling and scabbing usually settle within about three weeks, the top layer of skin is typically healed by about two months, and deeper layers can take several more months. Large pieces heal more slowly. Until the surface has healed, keep the tattoo out of pools, hot tubs, lakes and Puget Sound. The CDC counts recent tattoos as open wounds for saltwater exposure.

When is the best time of year to get a tattoo in Seattle?

Fall through spring is easiest. A healing tattoo should stay out of direct sun and open water for several weeks, and Seattle's dry July-to-September stretch is peak season for beaches, lakes and hiking. If you book in summer, plan loose clothing over the tattoo. Don't book right after a sunburn: Washington rules bar tattooing sunburned skin.

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