Looking for the best tattoo artists and studios in Vancouver? Whether you’re after bold traditional tattoos, intricate fine-line designs, or surreal blackwork, Vancouver’s tattoo scene is packed with talented artists and top-tier studios. From Asian-inspired designs and hand-poked tattoos to hyper-realistic and illustrative styles, this guide highlights the top 10 tattoo artists and the best 5 tattoo shops in Vancouver, helping you find the perfect place for your next ink.
Top 10 tattoo artist in Vancouver
1. Yi Stropky (@chinatown_stropky)
Yi Stropky is renowned for his minimalist and abstract designs. His work often features playful, childlike imagery, including abstract faces, figures, and imaginative scenarios like dinosaurs riding skateboards.
2. Steve Moore (@getmooretattoos)
Steve Moore is renowned for his large-scale, colour tattoos that blend new school and neo-traditional styles. His work features vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and intricate details, often depicting fantastical themes.
3. Greg Nicholson (@evilkolors)
Greg Nicholson specialises in black and grey realism, creating intricate and detailed designs that often feature portraits, wildlife, and surreal themes. His work is characterised by meticulous shading and lifelike representations, showcasing a high level of artistry and technical skill.
4. Shannon Elliott (@paingardens)
With nearly a decade of experience, Shannon Elliott specialises in designs that reflect her Chinese-Canadian heritage and a profound appreciation for the natural world, including plants and animals. Her work draws inspiration from ancient mythology, Pan-Asian tattooing, and classic American Traditional motifs, resulting in tattoos that are both culturally rich and artistically detailed.
5. Jeff Tam (@jeff_tam_monkeyking)
Jeff Tam, also known as the Monkey King, specialises in Asian imagery and mythology, creating tattoos that are both aesthetically pleasing and culturally significant. His work often features traditional Japanese elements, rendered with meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for cultural symbolism.
6. Katie So (@ghostmeadow)
Katie So specialises in blackwork tattoos. Her designs often feature botanical elements, animals, and mythological themes, characterised by bold lines and intricate details.
7. Mitch Kirilo (@_kirilo)
Mitch Kirilo specialises in traditional tattoos, creating designs characterised by bold lines, vibrant colours, and classic motifs. His work often features iconic imagery such as roses, daggers, and nautical themes, reflecting the timeless appeal of traditional tattoo artistry.
8. Pifa (@pifanida)
Pifa specialising in hand poked tattoos. With a background in Fine Art, Animation, and Graphic Design, her work is influenced by movies, space, art history, cartoons, weed, sex, and puns, often incorporating touches of existentialism.
9. Danielle Zastowny (@danielle.tattoos)
Danielle Zastowny is known for her fine-line and floral designs. Her work often features delicate linework and botanical elements, creating tattoos that are both elegant and intricate.
10. Rachel Clark (@rachelclarktattoo)
Rachel Clark is specialising in american traditional tattoos, known for their bold lines, rich colors, and timeless motifs. Her work often features classic imagery such as roses, daggers, skulls, and nautical elements, staying true to the fundamentals of traditional tattooing while adding her own artistic touch.
Top 5 tattoo shops in Vancouver
1. Liquid Amber Tattoo & Art Collective (@liquidambertattoo)
Liquid Amber Tattoo is a Vancouver-based tattoo studio known for its diverse range of styles, including fine-line, illustrative, blackwork, and neo-traditional designs. With a team of talented artists, the studio focuses on custom, high-quality tattoos tailored to each client’s vision.
2. Chronic Ink Vancouver (@chronicink_vancouver)
Chronic Ink Vancouver is a renowned tattoo studio specializing in fine-line, black & grey realism, and custom Asian-inspired designs. Known for its highly skilled artists and detailed craftsmanship, the studio offers bespoke tattoos that range from delicate minimalist pieces to bold, large-scale designs.
3. The Fall Tattooing and Piercing (@thefalltattooing)
The Fall Tattooing is known for its diverse range of styles, including black & grey realism, neo-traditional, illustrative, and fine-line tattoos. Home to a team of talented artists, the studio focuses on custom, high-quality tattoos, offering both bold and intricate designs tailored to each client’s vision.
4. Third Eye Tattoo Parlour (@thirdeyetattooparlour)
Third Eye Tattoo Parlour is known for its custom, fine-line, blackwork, and illustrative tattoos. With a focus on intricate details and unique artistic expression, the studio offers a welcoming space for clients seeking personalised, high-quality tattoo designs.
5. La Maison Tattoo (@lamaison.tattoo)
La Maison Tattoo is specialising in fine-line, black & grey, and minimalist tattoos. Known for its elegant, detailed, and custom designs, the studio provides a refined and welcoming environment for those seeking delicate and artistically crafted body art.
Vancouver is home to an incredible lineup of tattoo artists and studios, offering a wide range of styles from classic American traditional and neo-traditional to fine-line minimalism and black & grey realism. Whether you're looking for a small, delicate tattoo or a full-scale custom piece, these artists and shops are among the best in the city. Ready to get inked? Explore these top-rated Vancouver tattoo studios and artists to bring your vision to life.