patron getting a colorful tattoo in a shop in augusta maine You have to be pretty picky when choosing a tattoo artist; you’re most probably going to be looking at their work for a long time, after all.

And speaking from experience, some tattoo artists are far more talented than others—a fact that sometimes isn’t obvious until it’s too late. So, people tend to not mind driving a bit further to find the perfect person.

Thankfully, if you live in or around Augusta, Maine, you’ll have access to an impressive roster of tattoo studios—many of which also offer piercing services—all within a 30-minute drive of the capital city…which is nothing when considering a permanent art installment on your body.

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Map Of Augusta Area Tattoo Shops

Want some new ink before you try some new things to do in Augusta Maine this weekend? The map below shows the locations of every tattoo parlor mentioned in this post:

InkSlingrz Professional Tattoos and Body Piercing


Offering a wide variety of tattoo styles including tribal, custom, lettering, and flash (when you choose an image off the wall or from a catalog-style book), InkSlingrz has been in business for over a decade.

The tattoo and piercing stations and tables are sterile and neat, and the artists are down-to-earth and personable. Most clients are return customers at this comfortable, clean shop, and reviewers consistently refer to the professional and patient service they received when needing help with a custom design.

Location: 102 Bangor St, Augusta, ME 04330

Website: InkSlingrz Professional Tattoos and Body Piercing

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True North Tattoos and Piercings


This high-end studio is located in the heart of historic downtown Augusta and is open seven days a week, making it easy for busy folks to get inked. Each of the talented artists here has a preferred style; this is how they determine who will be giving you your tattoo at True North.

While most tattoos require booking ahead, walk-in appointments are sometimes available—keep an eye on their social media accounts for up-to-the-minute notifications. There is also a professional piercing technician onsite; walk-in appointments are more easily accommodated for these services.

Location: 161 Water St, Augusta, ME 04330

Website: True North Tattoos and Piercings

The Wright Tattoo


Providing professional, breathtaking tattoo art, Spencer Wright has been in the business since 1992. His work (black and grey, color, portrait, and cover-up) has been reviewed in various industry publications, and for good reason; the life-like quality of his portraits and the attention to detail in everything he inks is truly remarkable.

If you are considering a realistic image for your next body-art session, take a look at Spencer’s gallery to see if his style is a good fit for your vision.

Location: 194 Eight Rod Rd, Augusta, ME 04330

Website: The Wright Tattoo

Saylorink Tattoo


Clean. Professional. Friendly. Affordable. Talented. These are all words used again and again in client reviews of the Saylorink Tattoo studio and its artists.

Offering a wide range of tattoo styles and designs, you can pretty much get anything permanently inked anywhere on your body by the professionals here. Most bookings must be made in advance, and a 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time to discourage no-shows. Walk-in appointments can be accommodated from time to time, typically for small tattoos only.

Location: 261 Water St, Augusta, ME 04330

Website: Saylorink Tattoo

Highwater Studio


Highwater is tattoo artist Ally Dutil’s Hallowell studio, just a few minutes from downtown Augusta. While talented in all styles of body art, Ally’s specialties are black and grey realism as well as line and dot work.

Her work is in high demand, and don’t be surprised to find that her books are closed when you try to make an appointment—but Ally’s customers are willing to wait. She’s that good. You can purchase prints, clothing, and other items bearing the artist’s work—and she also does murals.

Location: 184 Water Street, Hallowell, ME 04347 (5 minutes)

Website: Highwater Studio

Studio 201 Tattoo


Another Hallowell spot, Studio 201 has two experienced artists on-hand for both walk-ins (check social media for availability) and pre-bookings. Scott Webb has over 25 years in the business, and Steve Lawson has been tattooing for over 7 years.

Like most professional studios, a non-refundable deposit is required—but consultations are free. Bring in photos, artwork, or just ideas, and these guys will patiently work with you to design the perfect image for your body art.

Location: 210 Water Street, Hallowell, ME 04347 (5 minutes)

Website: Studio 201 Tattoo

Touch of Grey Tattoo


Less than 15 minutes from Augusta, the artists at Touch of Grey specialize in custom tattoo designs but also do all kinds of other styles and artwork. You’ll find realistic portraits, line-for-line renderings of pop culture images, and breathtaking scenes from the natural world alongside amazing fantasy world scenes, tribal art, and flash images. You can also have an old tattoo covered up here—and nobody will be the wiser of your old self’s bad taste (or bad breakup).

Location: 218 Water Street, Gardiner, ME 04345 (13 minutes)

Website: Touch of Grey Tattoo

Stay Lost Tattoo Studio & Gallery


Popular for their patience with clients that are uncertain what to have inked, the two artists at Stay Lost are typically booked out for several months; you’ll have to keep your eye on social media to see when their books open up again. But in the tattoo world, that’s a good sign that the work is top-notch, which is the case here.

Bella and Kayne do a variety of body art designs—everything from custom images and portraits to flash and tribal…and all manner of things in between. Clients love the art, the atmosphere, and the professionalism at Stay Lost—which is why there are so many return customers here.

Location: 2 Main St Unit 4, Richmond, ME 04357 (24 minutes)

Website: Stay Lost Tattoo Studio & Gallery

Persona


This Waterville shop is in the process of going from a combination tattoo studio, consignment shop, and metaphysical supplies store (an eclectic mashup, for sure) to being solely a tattoo and body art studio.

This isn’t surprising, because the spectacular body artwork of tattoo artist Rick Brown is a testament to his 10 years of experience—reason enough for anyone to make the short 25-minute trek from Augusta to Waterville. Consultations are free, and a non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.

Location: 225 Main Street, Suite 102, Waterville, ME 04901 (25 minutes)

Website: Persona

MADD Ink Tattoo and Piercing Studio


Formerly known as Redneck Tattoos, MADD Ink is located less than a half hour from downtown Augusta. All types and styles of artwork are on offer here, including color, black and grey, custom, portraits, and tribals.

If you can dream it up, bring in a photo, or dredge up an image on the internet, you can have it inked, and affordably—but note that clients that have given this talented artist creative freedom have been thrilled with his work. Walk-ins are sometimes offered for both piercings and tattoos; availabilities will be posted on social media.

Location: 117 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901 (27 minutes)

Website: MADD Ink Tattoo and Piercing Studio

House of Ink


Specializing in custom tattoo designs, tribals, sleeves, cover-ups, and life-like photo matching, the House of Ink studio is professional, comfortable, and hospital-clean. Rates are reasonable and Rodney, the artist, is consistently friendly, patient, and approachable—especially when helping you design your piece. There is also a piercing technician—Joe—at the House of Ink who is just as highly recommended and glowingly reviewed as Rodney.

Location: Benton Plaza Unit 26, Benton, ME 04901 (28 minutes)

Website: House of Ink