It’s the several guest artists that this multi-awarded studio invites over that made us want you to consider Watermelon Tattoo. In our opinion, this is quite a unique practice for parlours to invite renowned local and international tattoo artists. 

So, if you’re a fan of the likes of Mika Munro, Sergio Canete, and Simone Gigiette, then it’s definitely worth keeping tabs on when they’ll be doing work at the studio.

That aside, their resident artists are also well-known in the community for their unique styles. Particularly, Noemi specialises in watercolour, Liz in blackwork, and Enrique in bold and delicate styles. 

Though, if none of their pre-made designs suit your taste, you can also work alongside them to create a bespoke design. 

We find it reassuring how thorough they are regarding the initial consultation and aftercare. They welcome interested clients to pop in any time to enquire with no pressure to get a tattoo done. 

As for the parlour itself, we thought it was a quirky and inviting space. We were touched to find out that their parlour is transgender and non-binary-friendly, which makes it a safe space for customers with these identities.

We like their online booking system’s convenience as you can easily process your consent form via their website. For clients with a preferred artist, it’s great that you can choose who’ll be doing your tattoo here, too.

Another added convenience is that you have multiple payment options to choose from. These include V Pay, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, AMEX, AndroidPay, ApplePay, and SumUp.

But here’s the hitch: they’re incredibly popular, which makes it a tad tricky to book an appointment with them. Nevertheless, many clients don’t mind the long wait, given how happy they are with the results.

Sanatorium Tattoo is one of the most popular parlours in Edinburgh, which is why we were interested to see what its artists had to offer.

Given the high demand for their services, they’ve employed a large team of well-known local and international artists. On top of that, many guest artists, such Dani Orellana, Luis Pelaez, and Pabloart, among others, come over. 

If you’re hoping to get inked by one of these professionals, we encourage you to explore their extensive online portfolio to see their skills up close. Based on what we’ve seen, their artists deserve the hype they’re getting for their talents.

However, it’s also important to remember that you may encounter a language barrier as some of their artists aren’t native English speakers. So, you may have to try a tad harder to ensure that you’re both on the same page. 

Nevertheless, we were impressed by how friendly their staff is. In our experience, they were incredibly attentive throughout the session and even provided comprehensive aftercare tips. 

We also like how comfortable their parlour is, which makes the whole process easier to endure. 

Unfortunately, here’s where things turn a tad sour: we’ve received several complaints about poor communication on the company’s end. 

Many have expressed frustration at having difficulties contacting them, whether it be via social media or telephone. Though troublesome, we suggest you visit their physical store to ensure your queries are answered.

They also strictly operate on an appointment-only basis due to their popularity. Though, in our opinion, this ensures that clients have enough time to complete their sessions unhurriedly.

What we love about Studio XIII Tattoo is the vast array of talent they house under a single room. From bespoke designs to abstract art, the talent and skills in this parlour seem unmatched.

Given their wide range of styles and approaches, we think they’re a fantastic choice for anyone looking for an artist to do an unorthodox tattoo.

Did we mention that many of their artists are bilingual? We think this is fantastic as it decreases the likelihood of miscommunication, especially for non-native English speakers.

Given their popularity, they’re open daily to meet the demand. So, you can schedule an appointment on any day of the week. 

While they do accept walk-ins, it’s encouraged to give them a ring to see if they have any open slots.

Another added convenience is that they offer remote consultations. This way, you can easily coordinate with your attending artist from the comforts of your home.

We also appreciate that their pricing information is up on their website, so interested folks already know the cost of their services. In our opinion, their fees are reasonably priced, especially since they charge per hour. 

Unfortunately, we were disappointed that they don’t have an online booking system. So, you’ll have to schedule an appointment the old-fashioned way – via phone.

On the bright side, we love the customer service here. Whether you’re calling to enquire or getting a tattoo, their customer care receives an A+ in our book. 

Unfortunately, many can’t say the same about the owner. We’ve encountered numerous stories of the owner’s unprofessionalism and impolite attitude.

In our opinion, many would agree that what Ink Dependent does best is hyper-realistic black and grey tattoos. 

Whether you’ve seen their work in person or have browsed through their online portfolio, it’s difficult to deny the remarkable detail work their artists provide.

Hence, it doesn’t surprise us that they have a solid reputation within the community for this talent. So, it’s definitely worth exploring their online portfolio to see their highly praised work.

Based on our experience, we also like that they take the time to go over every detail, emphasising their pride in their work. We also believe this gives people room to breathe, especially for those with low pain tolerance.

Apart from that, they’re great conversationalists, too. So, aside from a stellar tattoo, you’ll get a good laugh and an overall enjoyable experience.

Another great thing is that their services are quite reasonably priced. So, you won’t have to worry about doing too much damage to your wallet.

However, we think availability concerns could arise given that they only have 2 resident artists and 1 apprentice. On top of that, they’re closed on Sundays, unlike most parlours in town.

Though, according to many we’ve interviewed, they don’t really mind the queue, especially considering the assurance of high-quality tattoos. 

It’s also a minor inconvenience that they don’t have an online booking system. So, you’ll have to drop them a line to inquire about available slots.

Having been in the industry since 2008, Dragon Heart Tattoo has garnered a well-deserved reputation among Edinburgh locals and tourists for its custom tattoo work. 

In particular, they have a knack for turning clients’ vague ideas into masterpieces. So, it’s no wonder many come from around the world just to have their inks done here. 

So, if you’re interested, we suggest availing yourself of their free consultations and design service. Here, you can chat about the details of the style and tattoo you’re going for.

While they accept walk-ins, you’ll still need to phone in to inquire about availability. So, it’s best to book an appointment online via their website.

In our experience, their staff were incredibly hands-on in offering suggestions. We also appreciate how thorough their team is when explaining the details of how the session will go down, which, from our perspective, helps first-timers be less anxious. 

It’s also worth mentioning that they charge on an hourly basis. We think this is a cost-effective approach as clients only pay for the duration of services rendered.

They also offer all-day session discounts and gift vouchers to make their services more affordable.

While we find their quaint shop cosy, it’s a tad small. Hence, their parlour can only accommodate a few customers at a time.

Also, they’re not operational on Sundays, unlike other local parlours. Though, in our opinion, this is just a minor inconvenience. 

Geezy a.k.a Gzy Ex Silesia is an individual tattoo artist providing his services at The Absolute Body Art Tattoo Studio. Just make sure to ask for Geezy on your next visit.

Unlike other artists, we see his love for the craft of tattooing and its original cultures that define its style. Some of which are Black and Grey, Old School, New School, Traditional,  Traditional Japanese, Black Work, Abstract, Graphic, Watercolour, and more!

Their 12 years of industry experience is apparent in how their precise their works are, paying attention to every little detail. Add this to the fact that they have extraordinary knowledge on different art and design when it comes to tattoos makes them deserving to be on this list.

If you are into dark surrealism, Geezy may be the tattoo artist for you as this is his specialty. However, if you prefer cute designs like flowers and small detailed ones , do not worry because he also do well in these type of tattoos.

They even offer free consultations. Plus, designing is already included in the final price of your tattoo.

We prefer him over others because he also does illustrations and Graphic Designs. If you have reference pictures but cannot incorporate your own idea onto it, he can help you.

Just let him know every bit of detail you want to include, and leave the rest to him.

The only down side here is that he does not have his own studio. Rather, he provide services in different studios within Edinburgh.

Next up on our list is Okey Dokey Tattoo. They are a local shop in Edinburgh that has four main tattoo artists, namely Dominika Szymczyk, Tomy Jack, Diana Pikus, and Simon in Black.

The first thing that caught our attention about their business is the sheer versatility and skill that their staff has. Not only can they handle minimalist tattoo designs, but they can also make intricate and colorful pieces come to life through their work.

This fact is backed by the fact that they have staff members who are award winning. How amazing is that?

Their location is pretty great as well. We’ve heard that they have a very welcoming atmosphere, which helps lessen the anxiety of first time goers.

Plus, it’s easy to reach from East and West Lothian, which is definitely a bonus.

One thing we hope they can improve on, though, is their website. This is mainly because we want to learn more about each individual tattoo artists as well as their respective backgrounds.

Regardless, they’re definitely a tattoo shop in Edinburgh that we highly recommend!

David Strods is a local tattoo artist that specializes in illustrative, realistic, and opaque tattoos in his vast experience in giving individuals tattoos that they would like to specifically ink their skin.

Being a veteran in the field, clients can be ensured that he can readily guide them in both getting and removing their desired tattoo to better fit their particular preferences at both a price and the way that they would like.

Past clients have commended him for his pleasant and approachable personality that enabled the whole experience to be hassle-free and an overall comfortable experience for them.

Since early winter 2023, clients can now book appointments on their website to streamline the process.

You may notice that minimum tattoo prices always start at high grade studio standards. However, now, you can now choose among different options as their platform has all necessary information to choose between different sessions sizes.

You can even purchase laser tattoo removal treatments and gift cards online as well!

Overall, with his highly experienced palate in the field of tattooing, well-equipped shop and quality products used for a long-lasting job, we highly recommend them to clients in the area looking for such services.

EC.DY.SIS is not your ordinary tattoo studio; it’s a place for personal transformation and self-expression through art.

EC.DY.SIS embraces the concept of transformation and self-discovery, offering clients a space to shed their old selves and emerge anew through art. This unique vision makes it a go-to destination for those looking to express their true selves through tattoos.

The studio boasts a small and dedicated team of artists like Dave and Laura, each specializing in different tattoo styles. Dave, known for illustrative realism and bold opaque tattoos, and Laura, with her expertise in bold and delicate floral artwork, provide clients with a range of artistic styles to choose from.

The studio’s design, inspired by the cobbled streets of Edinburgh and the vibrancy of London’s Borough Market, creates a clean, minimal, and inviting environment. Clients can relax and discuss their tattoo ideas in a space designed to put them at the forefront of their image transformation.

EC.DY.SIS focuses on understanding clients and their unique preferences, aiming to ensure that each tattoo perfectly represents the inner person. Whether you seek to modify existing tattoos or create entirely new designs, the studio offers custom-tailored services to match your vision.

Do take note that they are only open from Thursdays to Sundays. So if you want to get your tattoo from them, make sure to free your schedule during the mentioned days.

Yobori Ink is committed to providing a friendly, enjoyable, and high-quality tattoo experience from start to finish.

We praise Yobori Ink for delivering a high-quality tattoo experience, thanks to their skilled artists and use of top-of-the-line equipment and products.

The studio ensures that all tattooing products are of the highest quality to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and maintain the integrity of the tattoo investment.

Yobori Ink offers a modern and welcoming studio space, creating a friendly environment where both artists and clients feel at ease.

We appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, which allows for open communication and collaboration throughout the tattooing process.

The studio adopts a transparent pricing structure, pricing tattoos by the piece rather than by the hour. Additionally, Yobori Ink provides clear guidelines for securing bookings, requiring a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure appointments.

We value the transparency and professionalism in the booking process, ensuring clarity and peace of mind.