Slave to the Needle Tattoo
Editor’s pick508 NW 65th St · Ballard
Open dailyAmerican TraditionalNeo-Traditional
Seattle neighborhood · 11 studios · 30 artists
Tattoo shops in Ballard
Nordic and maritime roots, Ballard Avenue bars and a few studios
Quick answerUpdated October 18, 2026
Ballard grew up around fishing and lumber and remains the center of Seattle's Scandinavian heritage. Today it's known for the bars and restaurants of historic Ballard Avenue, the Ballard Locks and a year-round Sunday farmers market. A handful of tattoo studios sit in and around the old core. There's no light rail, so most people use the RapidRide D Line.
- Nordic heritage
- Maritime
- Nightlife
- Farmers market
- Walkable core
11 studios in Ballard
Style
Showing all 11 studios
7353 15th Ave NW · Ballard
Getting tattooed in Ballard
Ballard is the traditional center of Seattle's Scandinavian community, and the National Nordic Museum on NW Market Street tells that story. The Ballard Avenue Historic District holds the neighborhood's densest mix of bars, restaurants and shops, and the Ballard Farmers Market sets up on Ballard Avenue every Sunday, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tattoo studios are spread through the old core around Ballard Avenue and Market Street and along the main avenues, a mix of street shops and appointment-based custom studios.
Ballard has no light rail yet. The RapidRide D Line runs along 15th Avenue NW to Interbay, Uptown and downtown. Street parking in the core is paid Monday through Saturday until 8 p.m. and free on Sundays, which pairs well with the Sunday market. After a session, the grounds of the Ballard Locks, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the fish ladder make a good low-key outing. Save Golden Gardens beach for after the tattoo has healed, since sun and saltwater are hard on fresh ink.
Artists
Tattoo artists in Ballard
30 artists work at Ballard studios in the directory. Each profile comes from the studio’s own website and links back to it.
Darryl Duncan
Tattoo artist at Slave to the Needle Tattoo
Ballard, Seattle
- American Traditional
- Neo-Traditional
Names, roles, styles and photos come from each studio’s own website, and every profile links to its source. Professional information only. How artist profiles work
Just outside Ballard
Photo: studio website
Studio Arcenum
Fremont, Seattle · 1.7 mi
Studio Arcanum is a tattoo studio in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. The studio says it has been bringing magic to the tattoo industry for over 10 years.
Walk-ins(425) 679-9134View
Ballard tattoo FAQ
How many tattoo shops are in Ballard?
We list 11 tattoo studios in Ballard, Seattle, including Slave to the Needle Tattoo, Anchor Tattoo, and Rabid Hands Tattoo.
Is there light rail to Ballard?
Not yet. Ballard has no light rail station, so most people ride the RapidRide D Line, which runs along 15th Avenue NW between Crown Hill, Ballard, Interbay, Uptown and downtown. Other bus routes link Ballard with Fremont, Wallingford and the U District, where you can connect to light rail.
Where can I park in Ballard for a tattoo appointment?
Street parking in Ballard's core is paid Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with posted time limits, and free on Sundays and holidays. Side streets outside the paid area may have free, time-limited spaces. Read the signs before a long session, because some Seattle residential blocks are permit-only for long stays.
What can I do in Ballard while a new tattoo heals?
Watch boats and salmon at the Ballard Locks fish ladder, browse the Sunday farmers market, or visit the National Nordic Museum. Hold off on swimming at Golden Gardens and on long beach days until the tattoo has healed. The CDC counts recent tattoos as open wounds that should stay out of saltwater.