Ranked · Updated May 2026
The 10 Best Tattoo Shops in Gastonia, NC
Ranked top 10 for Gastonia, NC — scored by rating, review volume, and distance from Gastonia. Updated weekly. See the full Charlotte top 10.
Finding a tattoo artist near Gastonia usually means weighing two things at once: how good the shop actually is, and how far you're realistically willing to drive for it. This guide solves both. We pulled every verified studio within 15 miles of Gastonia, then ranked them against the wider Charlotte market using the same star ratings, review volume, and proximity signals locals already trust — no pay-to-play, no sponsored slots.
Gastonia sits inside the Charlotte tattoo scene, which means residents get the benefit of big-city talent without big-city wait times. The shops below range from neighborhood walk-in studios to appointment-only specialists known across NC for custom work. Whether you're booking your first piece or adding to a full sleeve, the list is ordered to put the strongest match for Gastonia at the top.
What to expect from this list
- Verified ratings only. Every shop has real review history — we exclude studios with no public track record.
- Distance from Gastonia. Each listing shows exact mileage so you can balance quality against drive time.
- Style tags. Filter by what you actually want inked — fine line, traditional, blackwork, realism, Japanese, and more.
- Booking signals. We flag walk-in availability, price tier, and direct links to each studio's site and Instagram.
- Refreshed weekly. Rankings move as new reviews land — no stale "best of 2019" lists.
- No.1
Chaos Tattoos
4.6(829)0.5 mi from Gastonia$$Our top pick for Gastonia — right in Gastonia, with 829 verified reviews averaging 4.6★.
- No.2
Tattoo Factory of Gastonia
4.3(636)0.7 mi from Gastonia$$Tattoo Factory of Gastonia is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.3
Ink Link Tattoos
4.3(821)1.1 mi from Gastonia$$Ink Link Tattoos is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.4
Randy Herring's Skin Art
4.9(207)0.9 mi from Gastonia$$Randy Herring's Skin Art is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.5
Ivy Moon Tattoo & Apothecary
4.9(54)1.1 mi from Gastonia$$Ivy Moon Tattoo & Apothecary is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.6
Vibrant Ink Tattoos Gastonia
4.7(31)0.8 mi from Gastonia$$Vibrant Ink Tattoos Gastonia is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.7
From the Ashes Tattoo Studio
5.0(64)3.6 mi from Gastonia$$From the Ashes Tattoo Studio is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.8
After Hours Tattoos
4.2(5)0.7 mi from Gastonia$$After Hours Tattoos is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.9
Inkspire tattoo studio
5.0(45)4.4 mi from Gastonia$$Inkspire tattoo studio is a tattoo studio in Gastonia.
- No.10
Black Cloud Tattoo and Piercing
4.9(407)13.8 mi from Gastonia$$Black Cloud Tattoo and Piercing is a tattoo studio in Charlotte.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tattoo shop near Gastonia, NC?+
Based on rating, review count, and proximity, Chaos Tattoos ranks #1 for Gastonia. The full list is ranked by a combination of star average, review volume, and distance from Gastonia.
Are these shops actually in Gastonia?+
We include studios within roughly 15 miles of Gastonia — the realistic radius most people drive for a tattoo appointment. Each listing shows its distance and neighborhood so you can pick what's convenient.
How much do tattoos cost near Gastonia?+
Most reputable studios in the Charlotte area charge $150–$250 per hour for custom work, with shop minimums around $80–$120. Specialists and well-known artists routinely run $300+ per hour. Always confirm pricing during your consultation.
How often is this list updated?+
Our shop data refreshes weekly — ratings, review counts, and rankings reflect the most recent verified data from each studio.
Looking beyond Gastonia?
See every top-rated shop across the Charlotte metro — ranked by reviews and verified weekly.
Top 10 in Charlotte