Are you dreaming of adding some beautiful ink to your body canvas, but unsure where to go for those perfect pieces? Look no further than the finest tattoo maestros in NYC, who are at the top of their game and can create the tattoo of your dreams.

With so many tattoo shops in the Big Apple to choose from, it can be daunting knowing where to start your search. But we’ve scoured Instagram and found the city’s Insta-favorites for tattoos, with endless images of stunning, custom-made designs on the daily.

Did you know that more than one-in-three Americans under 30 years old has a tattoo, while about 10% of people aged 50 and older have them too? Or that tattoos carry significant personal meanings to their owners, often representing events or attitudes in their lives?

If you’re considering taking the ink plunge or simply need a touch-up, our team has hand-picked some of the most talented tattoo artists in New York City, whose skills go well beyond just drawing amazingly intricate designs.

From minimalist, delicate pieces to bold and colorful artworks with unique styles -- you’re bound to find inspiration with our NYC Insta-favorites. Check out our recommendations in this article to add some vibrant, thought-out art to your skin!

So what are you waiting for? Revamp your body canvas by choosing one of the top-rated tattoo parlors in NYC, renowned for transforming people’s skin into bodies of magnificent art. Read on and find out how to land your perfect tattoo.

Introduction

Tattoos have become a form of self-expression and artistry. People from every walk of life are getting inked up with meaningful designs that tell a story. Gone are the days when tattoos were frowned upon, and society viewed them as only for rebels and outcasts. Nowadays, tattoos are mainstream and an everyday part of fashion just as much as wearing jewelry or a new wardrobe. This article will showcase the best tattoo artists in New York City and Instagram Insta-favorites for you to consider.

The Best Tattoo Maestros in NYC

New York is synonymous with great food, fantastic nightlife, and amazing (you guessed it) tattoo artists! From Brooklyn to Manhattan, from big studio ones to start-ups, tattoo parlors are booming in the city. Below are some of the best ones:

Ryan Ashley Malarkey at Inq Tattoo

Ryan Ashley Malarkey, originally from Pennsylvania, is one of New York's leading tattoo artists. She became widely recognized when she featured on INK Master: Angels. Ryan specializes in optical realism, black & grey designs with some vivid colors, and super clean contouring.

Jonboy at West 4 Tattoo

Jonathan “JonBoy” Valena is an award-winning tattoo artist at one of the most popular tattoo shops in New York City, West 4 Tattoo. Most of his forte is minimalist tattoos, like single needle stories, fine line calligraphy, and delicate designs.

Sarah Gaugler at Bang Bang Tattoo

Sarah Gaugler is a sought after watercolor specialist who can bring soft colors and flowy lines to lifelike portraits of anatomy, flora, fauna, natural elements like sea, trees, and such. She works at celebrated troupe Bang Bang Tattoos—the house of different celebrities’ go-to artists!

Instagram Insta-Favorites

Instagram is a goldmine for discovering talented tattoo artists around the world, people with following in thousands and only proven to become popular by appealing to a lot of people. As posting regular feeds and tattoo-creation stories online builds up loyalty—an engagement—and has grown hype behind both customers and viewers.

Ricki Harnish

The colorful flower prints and fluid watercolor creativity of Ricki Harnish took over thousands of people on social media. With the majority of pastel hues tied into natural illustrative looking representation, the artwork promises intricate designs on any area of the human anatomy.

Vicvn't Var.l.designs

Visually intriguing patterns and streamlined bodies and shades that define innovative theme anything illustration is what is dominant at Victor Neromili’s art station represent. With contagious surreal stories blinding into vivid pops of color, he chains ideas together into making one special image of merit perfection.

Davide Andreoli