Who is a Tattoo Artist?
A tattoo artist (also tattooer or tattooist) is an individual who applies permanent decorative tattoos, often in an established business called a “tattoo shop”, “tattoo studio” or “tattoo parlor”.
Tattoo artists usually learn their craft via an apprenticeship under a trained and experienced mentor.
Top 10 Tattoo Artists In South Africa
Best Tattoo Artists In Johannesburg
Johannesburg has got some of the finest tattoo parlors and tattoo artists in South Africa that will transform your tattoo ideas into reality within a short period. You’ve got to try out some of these artists for a great and smooth body art experience.
Evil Ink
- Address: Evil Ink is located at 28 Hoeveld Road, Ruimsig, Honeydew, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Contact: +27733735897
Evil Ink has got a well-equipped tattoo parlor to have a nice body art design that will reflect your true self in any way you want it.
With its massive portfolio of imaginary works that exceed common reasoning and skillful display of artworks, you can’t get it wrong here.
Classic Tattoos
- Address: 33 De Korte Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000. South Africa
- Contact: +27722056055
Classic Tattoos is known for its broad array of tattoo styles with an incredible display of professionalism to ensure a pleasant customer experience. The parlor is owned by two professional tattoo artists, Ronald and Rasty, who cover various tattoo styles.
Fallen Heroes
- Address: 53 6th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Contact: +2711028 0994
For a custom artwork that brings any concept to life in any range of tattoo styles you may want, Fallen Heroes is the specialist with a high sense of professionalism.
It boasts capable hands who are highly talented and attentive to details. Fallen Heroes is owned by two professional tattooists, Thys and Jen, who share the same high spirit for the art.
Best Tattoo Artists In Cape Town
Cape Town is known as home to many of the best tattoo parlors and tattoo artists in South Africa, as Cape Town itself is where culture and beauty reside. These body art illustrators are good at what they know best to do, so you are in safe hands when it comes to handling your tattoos; either you’re just starting, or you’ve been wearing tattoos before.
Metal Machine Tattoo Studio
- Address: Metal Machine Tattoo Studios can be located at 49 Shortmarket Street, Central Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.
- Email: mmtattoo@iafrica.com
- Contact: +27 21 423 0688
Metal Machine Tattoo Studio has been around for a long while now and has proven to be one of the best tattoo studios in Cape Town.
The studio began operation in 1993 with skillful and professional tattoo artists who have, over the years, sharpened their body art skills by improving themselves locally and abroad.
Queen of Steel Tattoo Studio
- Address: Queen of Steel Tattoo Studio, Shop G64 Blue Route Mall, Tokai, Cape Town, 7945
- Email: info@queenofsteel.co.za
- Contact: +27 21 712 5088
Queen of Steel studio is a professional tattoo studio that specializes in classical designs and techniques that brings a new dimension to body arts, an all-girl kind of tattoo and piercing studio in Cape Town with a large portfolio of different arrays of tattoo and piercing designs to choose from.
The Body Architect
- Address: The Body Architect, 166 2nd Avenue, Kenilworth, Opposite Banana Jam & above Punjab, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa.
- Email: info@thebodyarchitects.com
- Contact: +27 82 226 4065
A place to get your body tattoo in Cape Town with a complete sense of home, relaxation, and comfort is The Body Architect Studio, where customer experience is a priority and key.
It is one of the best tattoo parlors in Cape Town, where you will fully have the best result and value for your time and money.
Best Tattoo Artists In Durban
Durban is undoubtedly home to some of the best tattoo parlors and tattoo artists in South Africa, and here are some of them for you if you stay in Durban or plan to travel to Durban soon.
Ink It Tattoos
- Address: 12 Circle Drive, Dawncliff, Westville, Durban, 3630, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and Unit 10 Pineville Junction, 81 Stapleton Road, Cowies Hill Park, 3610 Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Email: info@inkittattoos.co.za
- Contact: +27 81 414 3941
Ink It Tattoos is a famous tattoo parlor in Durban with the latest equipment and a conducive and friendly environment that gives you a warm welcome any day.
The studio is bent on strict rules, as laid down by various international tattoo councils and bodies, to ensure international standards of practice.
Majestic Ink Tattoos Studio
- Address: 156 High Street, Vryheid, 3100, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Contact: +27 720549570
Majestic Ink Tattoos Studio is one of the top recommended tattoo Parlors with the best tattoo artists in South Africa.
The studio started operation in 2017 and has been making waves in Durban since then. The studio prides itself in its ability to cover a wide range of tattoo styles and highly skilled artists with unique qualities of crafting the finest tattoos one could ever imagine.
How much is a tattoo in South Africa?
Placement, size, detail, and time are all factors that determine the price of a tattoo. We have a minimum/starting price of R800.
We use an hourly rate for tattoos that are done in multiple sessions or take over 4 hours. This rate ranges from R1000-1200 depending on the design/artist.
How much is a big tattoo in South Africa?
The price of a tattoo in South Africa
Materials, size, location, and tattoo kind all affect the price. With starting prices for tattoos at roughly R500 and rising to R1 200 or more per hour for larger pieces, a well-known studio may earn R80 000 or more per month. There is more than just the ink you are paying for.
Are tattoos legal in South Africa?
South Africa, by contrast, is one of several countries with no specific legislation governing the tattooing of minors.
However, the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 states that tattooing minors amounts to maltreatment and, therefore, it is an offense to tattoo anyone under the age of 18.