Choosing a tattoo studio in Palma is a bigger decision than picking a restaurant for the evening: the result stays with you for life. There are plenty of studios in the city, and from the outside many of them look much the same.
This guide explains what to check before you book, from hygiene and portfolios to how a studio handles your questions. We've written it from our side of the counter, as Ink & Blood Tattoo Parlour, which has been working in the centre of Palma since 2014.
Look at the portfolio, not just the shopfront
The most reliable way to judge a studio is its work. Look at healed tattoos as well as fresh ones, because healed photos show how well lines and colours hold up over time. Check that the studio has done pieces similar to the one you want, in the same style and roughly the same size.
Instagram is a good starting point. Ours is @inkblood_tattooparlour, and you can also browse the gallery on this website.
Find the right artist for your style
Most good tattoo artists specialise. Someone who excels at bold Japanese work won't necessarily be the best choice for a tiny fineline script, and the other way round. A good tattoo studio in Palma will tell you honestly which artist suits your idea, even if that means waiting a little longer for a date.
At Ink & Blood, the styles are split like this:
- Danielo: Japanese, neo-traditional and blackwork.
- Floriana: fineline and blackwork.
- Miquel: realism, watercolour and cover ups.
- Carolina: blackwork, dotwork and black & grey.
You'll find examples from each of them on the artists page.
Hygiene: the first thing to check in a tattoo studio in Palma
Hygiene is not negotiable. In a professional studio, needles, cartridges, ink caps and gloves are single-use. Work surfaces are covered and cleaned between clients, and the artist should be happy to explain how they work if you ask. Things to look out for:
- Needles and cartridges come out of sealed packaging at your appointment.
- The artist wears new gloves and changes them whenever needed.
- Ink is poured into single-use caps, never used straight from a shared bottle.
- The workstation is cleaned and covered before you sit down.
If a studio gets defensive when you ask about any of this, take it as a sign to look elsewhere.
Custom designs and honest advice
A good tattoo studio in Palma draws your design for you instead of copying an image from the internet. Custom work means the tattoo is made for your body, your placement and your idea. The artist should also be honest about what will work: text so small it will blur with time, lines too fine for a certain placement, or a design that needs to be bigger to hold its detail.
If you're thinking about covering an old tattoo, ask to see previous cover up work. Cover ups need careful planning, and not every old tattoo can be hidden under every new design.
Clear quotes and how bookings work
Tattoo prices depend on size, placement, detail and the number of sessions, so a fixed price list rarely tells the full story. What you should expect is a clear quote once the studio knows what you want. At Ink & Blood the quote is free and without obligation: send your idea, a reference image, the placement and an approximate size on WhatsApp and we'll reply with an estimate.
It's also worth asking how changes to the design and rescheduling are handled, so there are no surprises later. How quickly and clearly a studio answers these questions tells you a lot about how you'll be looked after.
Aftercare instructions and support after the session
The job doesn't end when the tattoo is wrapped. A professional studio gives you advice and clear written aftercare instructions, and is reachable if you have questions while the tattoo heals.
In Mallorca, that should include straightforward guidance on staying out of the sea, the pool, the sauna and direct sun until the skin has healed, and on using high-SPF sunscreen once it has. If a studio rushes you out of the door without any of this, that's worth noting.
Visit the studio before you decide
If you can, drop by. You'll get a feel for the place, see how clean it is and talk to the artists in person. Our studio is at Carrer de Pere Dezcallar i Net, 8a, in the city centre, with red walls, framed flash and a hand-painted sign. We've been there since 2014, the team brings more than 15 years of experience and we've tattooed over 3,500 clients. We're open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 to 19:00, and on Mondays by appointment only.
If you're only in Palma for a short time, book ahead, especially in summer.
Looking for a tattoo studio in Palma for your next piece? Send your idea, a reference image and the placement to +34 690 104 035 on WhatsApp, and we'll suggest the right artist and give you a free quote. Directions and opening hours are on the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people ask us most.
Do I need an appointment at a tattoo studio in Palma?
It's strongly recommended. Some studios take walk-ins for small pieces when there's a free slot, but in summer most artists are booked in advance. Messaging the studio on WhatsApp with your idea and your dates is the quickest way to find a time that works for you.
How can I tell if a tattoo studio is hygienic?
Look for single-use needles and cartridges opened in front of you, new gloves, ink poured into disposable caps and a workstation that's covered and cleaned between clients. A professional studio will happily explain its procedures. If they avoid the question, choose another studio.
Can I bring my own design?
Yes. Bring reference images, sketches or photos that show what you like. The artist will use them as a starting point and draw a custom design adapted to your placement and size, rather than copying an existing tattoo. That way the piece is yours and fits your body properly.
Got an idea?
Send it to us on WhatsApp with the placement and approximate size and we will get back to you with advice and a free quote.