Jordan EllisAs a tatted dude, I know a poorly done tattoo when I see one. I’ve seen work that became a laughing stock on the internet… shaky line work, bad shading, and designs that didn’t age well.
Hear me out—I don’t judge, but if you’re going for something flashy or attention-grabbing, you might as well get it done right.
Execution matters just as much as the idea behind it. So, before you get all hyped up, make sure that you look for a tattoo studio in Columbus that can match your vision… and you can find some of them in this list.
How much does getting a tattoo cost in Columbus?
Getting a tattoo in Columbus costs around $70 to $120 for small and simple designs. Meanwhile, larger tattoos that may require more than one session can cost more than $1,000, depending on the hourly rate of the artist.
1. Evolved Body Art
Address: 2520 Summit St
Phone: +16144214444
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12–8 PM
If anything, Evolved Body Art isn’t your basic tattoo parlor—but rather, it’s more of a full body modification studio where you can get services like body piercings and ear stretching alongside getting inked.
Pricing here isn’t heavily advertised, so the cost is provided upon consultation. According to customers, it’s a little expensive, but the hygiene and personalized service seem worth the price.
And if you’re still in doubt, we’ll have you know that the studio has received numerous recognitions over the years. This includes multiple Columbus awards for the “Best Place for Tattoos and Piercings” title.
You can find Evolved Body Art in three locations in Columbus: Summit St., E Hudson, and N High St. While this makes them accessible, note that only the former accepts walk-ins and the other two require an appointment.
However, we highly recommend securing your slot in advance. The Summit St. location is the most popular branch, so walk-ins aren’t always guaranteed.
The whole gang here is really great
“This place is amazing, first tat or 100th, they’ll make you feel right at home! I asked *Mariana*, I think it was her name; she actually didn’t speak English, but her tattoo ability will put her in a magazine one day. I asked her for a very basic tattoo on my hand and three hours later, I have an absolute masterpiece that I could’ve never created myself. She really went absolutely INSANE. The whole gang here is really great!”
- Logan Costello, Google Review
Two years later, it’s honestly aged even better than it looked at the start
“I’m leaving this review two years later because I never got around to it, but Brett absolutely knows what he’s doing. He’s great to talk to (especially about music), and his understanding of color is next level. When I first got the tattoo, I wasn’t sure how all the colors would look once they healed and aged. Two years later, it’s honestly aged even better than it looked at the start. The colors have held up beautifully, and I couldn’t be happier with them. Not to mention every single piercing I’ve had done here was flawless!”
- Adrianna “Anna” Duty, Google Review
2. Envy Skin Gallery Tattoo Studio
Address: 1528 Bethel Rd
Phone: +16144573689
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 12–7 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM–6 PM
Envy Skin Gallery has been around for two decades and has built a loyal client base around the city. It’s a full-on tattoo studio, so they pretty much offer everything from minimalistic designs to traditional and full sleeve tattoos.
Something clients love the most here, aside from the talented artists, is the welcoming atmosphere. The staff will make sure you’re comfortable and will constantly check on how you’re dealing with the pain.
The space is always kept as well, and the customers can see that the tools used are either new or sterilized.
Pricing is custom, but they do offer a free consultation. Many people cited the cost as somewhat “right and reasonable”, so it may not be the cheapest option, but not overly expensive either.
However, it was disappointing to hear that occasionally, the artist would arrive later than scheduled, making the client wait for almost an hour.
I’m very pleased with my overall experience
“My experience was quick and easy! They were patient and helped at the front desk when filling out paperwork. My stylist was efficient with the stencil and double-checked that he had gotten all of the adjustments and colors correct. The tattooing itself only took around 10 minutes! The pricing was fair, and I’m very pleased with my overall experience. Will be coming back! 👍”
- BatistaJk690, Google Review
Super clean shop
“Envy is a fantastic place. Super clean shop. The staff is very friendly, and the atmosphere is very welcoming. Sean and Chuck were both great throughout the entire experience.”
- Brian Fontanarosa, Google Review
3. Cleopatra Ink
Address: 1217 N High St
Phone: +16147204404
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 AM–8 PM
Cleopatra Ink offers both tattoo and piercing services. They specialize in creating custom designs, where artists will work closely with clients to create the perfect sketch.
Oftentimes, they also use AI tools to generate custom tattoos, which helps speed up the brainstorming and visualization of client ideas.
There are mixed opinions regarding this. Some people appreciate it, while others think it raises ethical concerns, especially around originality and the actual creativity of the artists.
Nevertheless, we think it works best as a supporting tool rather than something to rely on completely.
Pricing-wise, we heard they can be a little expensive. But the good thing is, they’re willing to work around the patron’s budget in case the first estimate is too high.
They do accept walk-ins, but if you book ahead, you get a free custom design consultation with one of their artists.
The shop is the cleanest one that I have ever been to
“I got a beautiful yellow rose tattoo. It looks so real. The guy who did my tattoo was the best. Thank you for such great ink. The shop is the cleanest one that I have ever been to. It was like walking into a spa.”
- Angel BallShirkey, Google Review
Highly recommended
“Highly highly recommend the Whole process from start to finish was amazing. The staff was amazing, my tattoo artist, Ercan, was top of the line, had a great personality and just wanted to remember, thank you so much, guys. I look forward to seeing you again in March.”
- Robert Ramos, Google Review
4. Stoic Body Art
Address: 2094 W Henderson Rd
Phone: +16143707285
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 12–7 PM
- Sunday, 12–6 PM
Stoic Body Art is another tattoo and piercing studio that accommodates both appointments and walk-ins, depending on availability.
And through free consultations, clients like the idea of co-creating designs with the artists. This allows for a more meaningful tattoo rather than just choosing among the pre-made selections.
While pricing is based on the size, details, and experience of the artist, the shop has a minimum price of $100 (even if it’s just a small or simple tattoo). They also offer a full-day session for $1,000, covering from 12:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
What we like most is that, besides flash deals and occasional discounts, they regularly run events and themed tattoo days, giving the shop a more community feel.
Don’t miss out on this studio
“If you are looking for a new tattoo artist or just want to get a walk-in design, don’t miss out on this studio! Everyone here does amazing work and they’re all professional and very welcoming! My friend and I walked in on a Sunday and we were both able to get medium-sized pieces done by Matt! He’s amazing!! He does amazing work and is very friendly and knowledgeable!! It’s one of my favorite tattoos by far; I’ll definitely be back soon!”
- Alexis Boesel, Google Review
Such a great experience
“I had such a great experience getting my tattoo here. I was really nervous beforehand since it was my first tattoo, but Matt was super patient and made me feel comfortable the whole time. The shop was very clean and professional, and he made sure everything looked perfect before starting. My tattoo turned out beautiful and the line work is so clean. I couldn’t be happier with it and would definitely recommend Matt to anyone looking to get a tattoo!”
- Katelynn Kelley, Google Review
5. High Street Tattoo
Address: 962 N High St
Phone: +16142948888
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12–10 PM
If we talk about one of the staples in the city, High Street Tattoo is probably one of them. It’s been operating for over two decades and is known for providing both traditional and modern tattoo works.
The artists here are carefully selected and trained. Plus, the studio prioritizes not only a safe place, but also a comfortable environment, especially for first-timers.
In addition to tattoos, they also offer other creative services like design work and commissioned art pieces.
We like that the shop is highly accessible as well. Walk-ins are accepted daily, and the shop is open on long hours (usually up to 10:00 PM). There’s a bit of a wait time if you come in without a reservation, so we’d recommend booking an appointment.
Pricing is generally consultation-based, but there’s a minimum rate of $100, which can be pretty high for smaller tattoos. But overall, many customers find the total cost fair and reasonable.
Did a wonderful job
“I came into High Street Tattoos as a walk-in on Sunday morning for a small tattoo and I was greeted with nothing but kindness and professionalism! The artist Blake did a wonderful job on my thin-line tat. He was friendly, funny, listened to my requests, and remained professional the entire time. The studio was clean and the paperwork/setup was efficient. I will definitely go to High Street Tattoo for my next tat!”
- Katie Kara, Google Review
Loved the atmosphere as soon as I walked in
“Zack did amazing work! It was a walk-in session, and I was helped immediately. I loved the atmosphere as soon as I walked in. I described the piece I wanted and gave a reference photo, and he created this beautiful piece. I can’t stop looking at my arm. Definitely will be coming back!”
- Sadie Hargrove, Google Review
