Ranked · Updated May 2026
The 10 Best Tattoo Shops in Apex, NC
Ranked top 10 for Apex, NC — scored by rating, review volume, and distance from Apex. Updated weekly. See the full Raleigh top 10.
Finding a tattoo artist near Apex 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 Apex, then ranked them against the wider Raleigh market using the same star ratings, review volume, and proximity signals locals already trust — no pay-to-play, no sponsored slots.
Apex sits inside the Raleigh 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 Apex 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 Apex. 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
Apex Tattoo Factory
4.8(362)0.6 mi from Apex$$Our top pick for Apex — right in Apex, with 362 verified reviews averaging 4.8★.
- No.2
Fine Art Body Piercing By Lilith Mae
5.0(571)2.9 mi from Apex$$Fine Art Body Piercing By Lilith Mae is a tattoo studio in Cary.
- No.3
Apocalypse Girl Tattoos
4.9(1,083)4.6 mi from Apex$$Apocalypse Girl Tattoos is a tattoo studio in Cary.
- No.4
Ratatat Tats
4.9(527)5.2 mi from Apex$$A 4.9★ studio 5.2 miles from Apex — 527 reviews.
- No.5
Double Deuce Tattoo and Art Gallery
4.9(425)6.0 mi from Apex$$Double Deuce Tattoo and Art Gallery is a tattoo studio in Cary.
- No.6
RTP Tattoo Lab
5.0(262)6.1 mi from Apex$$RTP Tattoo Lab is a tattoo studio in Cary.
- No.7
Red Leaf Tattoo Studio, LLC
4.8(208)5.7 mi from Apex$$Red Leaf Tattoo Studio, LLC is a tattoo studio in Cary.
- No.8
Warlock's Tattoo Inc.
4.6(969)8.2 mi from Apex$$Warlock's Tattoo Inc.
- No.9
Odyssey Art Collective
4.9(129)5.6 mi from Apex$$Odyssey Art Collective is a tattoo studio in Cary.
- No.10
Ethereal Muse Tattoo
5.0(28)4.2 mi from Apex$$Ethereal Muse Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Cary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tattoo shop near Apex, NC?+
Based on rating, review count, and proximity, Apex Tattoo Factory ranks #1 for Apex. The full list is ranked by a combination of star average, review volume, and distance from Apex.
Are these shops actually in Apex?+
We include studios within roughly 15 miles of Apex — 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 Apex?+
Most reputable studios in the Raleigh 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 Apex?
See every top-rated shop across the Raleigh metro — ranked by reviews and verified weekly.
Top 10 in Raleigh