Ranked · Updated May 2026
The 10 Best Tattoo Shops in West Des Moines, IA
Ranked top 10 for West Des Moines, IA — scored by rating, review volume, and distance from West Des Moines. Updated weekly. See the full Des Moines top 10.
Finding a tattoo artist near West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, then ranked them against the wider Des Moines market using the same star ratings, review volume, and proximity signals locals already trust — no pay-to-play, no sponsored slots.
West Des Moines sits inside the Des Moines 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 IA 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines. 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
Union Station West Tattoo-Piercing
4.4(392)In West Des Moines$$Our top pick for West Des Moines — right in West Des Moines, with 392 verified reviews averaging 4.4★.
- No.2
Electric Warlock Tattoo
4.9(85)In West Des Moines$$Electric Warlock Tattoo is a tattoo studio in West Des Moines.
- No.3
Clover Tattoo & Body Piercing
4.7(303)1.6 mi from West Des Moines$$Clover Tattoo & Body Piercing is a tattoo studio in Des Moines.
- No.4
Wild Rose Tattoo & Piercing -Clive-
4.9(156)2.2 mi from West Des Moines$$Wild Rose Tattoo & Piercing -Clive- is a tattoo studio in Des Moines.
- No.5
Work of Ink
4.8(76)1.6 mi from West Des Moines$$Work of Ink is a tattoo studio in Des Moines.
- No.6
Trinity Tattoo
4.8(18)In West Des Moines$$Trinity Tattoo is a tattoo studio in West Des Moines.
- No.7
Electric Diamond Tattoo
4.8(123)2.2 mi from West Des Moines$$Electric Diamond Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Des Moines.
- No.8
Mint Piercing - WDM
4.9(395)3.9 mi from West Des Moines$$Mint Piercing - WDM is a tattoo studio in West Des Moines.
- No.9
Lucky Gal Tattoo & Piercing Clive
4.7(138)2.5 mi from West Des Moines$$Lucky Gal Tattoo & Piercing Clive is a tattoo studio in Des Moines.
- No.10
Lucky Gal Tattoo & Piercing
4.8(729)4.6 mi from West Des Moines$$Lucky Gal Tattoo & Piercing is a tattoo studio in Des Moines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tattoo shop near West Des Moines, IA?+
Based on rating, review count, and proximity, Union Station West Tattoo-Piercing ranks #1 for West Des Moines. The full list is ranked by a combination of star average, review volume, and distance from West Des Moines.
Are these shops actually in West Des Moines?+
We include studios within roughly 15 miles of West Des Moines — 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 West Des Moines?+
Most reputable studios in the Des Moines 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 West Des Moines?
See every top-rated shop across the Des Moines metro — ranked by reviews and verified weekly.
Top 10 in Des Moines