Tattoo shops in Salem, MA

Happy Monday everyone! I don’t know if it’s because I got myself some fresh ink a little over a week ago or if it’s because I see this question pop up regularly in my Facebook group but today I wanted to chat about tattoo shops in Salem, MA.

Salem is home to many amazing shops. The following is a condensed list of some of your options.

The Black Veil Tattoo
Witch City Ink
Sacred Harp Tattoo
Salem Ink Tattoo and Art Gallery
Helheim Gallery
9th Realm Gallery
Studio 13
North Street Tattoo

Now, none of my ink was done in Salem so I cannot personally comment on my experiences with any of the above. However this question is a common one in my Facebook group and the two shops that seem to be recommended the most are The Black Veil and Witch City Ink.

How to choose a tattoo artist

Making a decision on which shop and which artist to go with comes down to a few factors. First, make sure the shop has a good reputation and is clean. Second, do your research on the artists at that shop. One might be good at fine line work and shading, another artist might be amazing at realistic portraits while a third is killer at old school style tattoos. Pick an artist that lines up with the type of tattoo you’re going for and make sure you vibe with that artist.

If you’re planning to get a tattoo in Salem any time during the fall, you will need to book ahead. Many people come into the city and decide to do the same thing, so don’t expect to be able to walk in and get an appointment on the fly. Many shops have wait lists in the fall, especially The Black Veil which books super far out.

Spooky tattoo ideas

If you’re looking for some inspiration, I have an entire board over on Pinterest dedicated to spooky ink ideas. Check it out here.

I hope this information was helpful! Good luck with your new tattoo and have fun. <3