Best Tattoo Shops In Sacramento

Deciding on body art is no small endeavor. Ink written into the skin is forever, which is why it's important that your tattoo artist is skilled and trustworthy. Before getting a tattoo, do some research on the health standards and artistic prowess of any shop you hope to frequent. Look around to see that things are clean and flip through the artist's portfolio to judge the caliber of the work. Here are five tattoo shops in the Sacramento area that deserve further exploration.
JW's Archangel Tattoo
6244 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
(916) 721-0999

JW's Archangel Tattoo has a state-of-the-art facility and is dedicated to providing a sterile environment for its customers. The walls of the studio are lined with trophies and plaques because the studio is home to several award-winning artists offering art in numerous genres, from portrait to tribal. According to the owner, JW, "Archangel does all styles of tattoos and our artists have won awards in every category at some point." There is also a wide array of body piercing options.

Utopia Tattoo
885 Lincoln Way
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-8288
www.utopiatattoos.com

Utopia Tattoo is an art-oriented shop with artists that paint, illustrate, sculpt and work in all mediums when not tattooing. This makes them well-rounded artists with incredible range. If you want a tattoo that totally stands out among the competition, a stop at Utopia is a must do. Founded in 2009 by seasoned artist Joey Sprawka, Utopia is home to a wide variety of only the most talented of artists, including body piercers.

DV8 Tattoos and Body Piercings
203 Sunrise Ave.
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 772-8282
www.dv8tattoos.com

DV8 Tattoo in Roseville is home to four artists and a piercer. Check out its impressive portfolio on the website or in the studio. Fairly new to Roseville, the shop has already made a solid reputation for being involved in the community and being a go-to location for quality body art. Like all strong artists in any genre, the work at DV8 stands out among the rest. This shop deserves a look before a final decision is made.

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Legacy Tattoo
5140 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 454-5404
www.legacyinktattoo.com

Legacy Tattoo was founded in 2006 in the name of tradition with a special mantra: "ancient as time, modern as tomorrow." It houses numerous artists "specializing in popular styles of tattooing such as American traditional, Japanese, black and grey, realism, portraits and more." Long established in East Sacramento, Legacy Tattoo is a trusted name in body art. It is so dedicated to skin and ink that it doesn't offer body piercing.

The American Tradition Tattoo
1219 19th St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 706-0734
www.tatsacto.com

Based in the heart of mid-town, American Tradition Tattoo is a shop dedicated to the tradition. All of the artists at the studio have at least 10 years of experience tattooing in Sacramento and have a strong belief in the integrity of skin and ink. According to the website, "We specialize in every style of tattooing and pride ourselves in providing a clean, sterile and friendly tattoo environment." With four artists offering exquisite art, American Tradition is a must see when considering body art.

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Laurel Hanson is a freelance writer uncovering Sacramento's healthy food secrets in local restaurants, locavore havens, and even local foraging. Her work can be found on Examiner.com