Guide to Stockholm's best tattoo studios

The name's a bit of a giveaway, but it bears pointing out anyway – this is a really classic tattoo studio, where those who tattoo (mostly) do it in a classic style. Among the tattoo artists here are Emilia Westerström, Max Stålhammar and Sebastian Murphy. The studio is located on Södermannagatan, very close to Lilla Blecktornsparken.

Behind a small, anonymous door on Upplandsgatan, Jack Ankersen and William Fjellman (better known as Pastilliam) mark people for life. They tattoo in widely different styles, but both are extremely popular among Stockholmers and people who travel far and wide to get tattooed here.

Rock icon Slash got tattooed here during his last visit to Stockholm, and both Fabbe and Emilia took part in the show "Master Ink" which was shown on Swedish TV in 2012. At Catapult Tattoo you can get a tattoo in all different styles, both the studio experiments a lot with watercolour motifs and does gorgeous portraits.

Right before you get to Sankt Eriksbron, on the Vasastan side, you'll find this studio run by Calle and Snynnöve Corson together with tattooists Maria, Jonny, Malin and Leigh. Malin's old-school design was chosen to grace the Swedish Good ol' Sailor vodka brand's distinctive bottle.

At StaDemonia Tattoo, Sara and Soledad have created a free zone and cultural space for queers. In addition to their own tattoo studio on Slipgatan, they also arrange various queer cultural events, such as Queer Art Fest and Queer Tattoo Expo, where they combine tattooing, music, performance, poetry and art.

East Street Tattoo is a custom studio which has seen some of Sweden's best tattooists pass through its doors. The studio regularly invites artists from all over the world for guest appearances. which means there's a chance you could get inked by an international talent without having to travel abroad.

On Birkagatan you'll find Imperial Tattoo, which opened in 2011. If you're looking for a particular motif, they specialise in old-school, Japanese and black and grey styles, to which they add their own personal touch. You can count on an experienced, skilled team of tattoo artists. 

Olle Alm, who previously worked at East Street Tattoo in Skanstull, can now be found plying his trade at Kollektivet Hvitan on Södermalm. Olle works in various styles, but the emphasis is primarily on traditional types of tattoos.

Susan Nygren (known as Mrsuz on Instagram) is one of the tattoo artists working at Bläck in Gärdet. She has also run the studio since 2011. Lots of people go to here for her special style, with motifs of everything from portraits to animals and nature. 

Sasa Tkalcevic, who runs this studio on Sigtunagatan, is an experienced tattoo artist who specialises in realism and freestyle. As well as tattooing, he's passionate about painting and you can see his works hung on the walls.

The tattooists at Narval in Sandsborg only works with vegan ink. Styles vary from tattoo artist to tattoo artist, from simple lines to larger pieces. The popular tattoo artists who work here include Dorotea Easter and Junora Ink, as they're called on Instagram, and if they also do stick and poke tattoos. 

This tattoo studio is popular among spontaneous revellers looking to immortalise their night out. Hilma is best known as a restaurant and bar, but on Thursday and Friday evening you can also get a drop-in tattoo done here. Combine your ink with a delicious dinner and that's your evening sorted. 

Ninnileo tattoos on Skeppsbron in Old Town. The tattooist is well-known for his/her razor-sharp, thin lines that transform into everything from butterflies to abstract faces. Areola reconstruction is also done here free of charge. The studio was founded in 2020 to offer a place where anyone can come and get tattooed without the risk of being exposed to sexism, transphobia, misgendering, outdated humor, racism or macho culture, writes Ninnileo on Human Canvas' website.

Sanctum is a classic street shop that takes both drop-in and pre-booked appointments. The studio is owned and run by Iain Mullen and Joel Soos, and tattoos are also done by Eric Olsson, Alex Widell, Tatiana Sandberg, Skuggan, as well as guest tattooists. Thanks to their many tattoo artists and guests, they can offer a wide range of styles, such as traditional, oriental, black and gray and fineline. Lady Fade has also been working here for a few years now, offering laser tattoo removal. There's a real mix of languages ​​spoken in the studio, but you'll mainly hear Swedish, English and Scottish English.

Huckleberry describe themselves as a friendly studio, with a strong core belief that everyone is equal and a zero tolerance attitude towards racism, sexism and homophobia. Half a dozen tattoo artists work here, all of whom have their own unique style. Huckleberry is basically a street shop, but also welcomes bookings.

An experienced gang of tattoo artists works at Ritus in Gröndal. One of them, Stockholm favourite Kim Ottogea often creates detailed, fairy-tale motifs. But the combined skill and knowledge at the studio provides a wide range of styles, from colourful motifs to portraits in black and gray, often slightly darker motifs.

If you're looking for something a bit different from the classic tattoo styles try Deepwood Tattoo in Björkhagen, just a few minutes outside Södermalm.They work with innovative and creative motifs and all their tattoo artists have their own unique style. Book via email or via each tattoo artist's personal Instagram account.