California Ink Thailand, which has locations in both Bangkok and Phuket, is one of the most respected and recognizable names in the tattooing scene. They’re not just at their shop; they’re also at big concerts and sometimes at the yearly Chilli Fest. BK sat down with California Ink to learn more about how to get the best out of your tattoo experience, whether you’re a visitor or a veteran local tattoo-ee.
Book Ahead for Best Results
Anyone who has seen the endless reality TV shows about tattooing knows that there are specific styles, from basic Americana to complex Trash Polka. If you head to a one-person shop, that artist needs to be able to execute the style you want, and that isn't always the case.
California Ink Thailand, however, hosts a broad range of specialists. With 25 award-winning artists across both locations, they can provide almost any style. Popular specialties include fine line and minimalist, black and grey realism, color realism, old school, and neo-traditional.
“If a style exists, we do it — and we do it daily,” California Ink Thailand tells BK.
If you’re booking a full sleeve, make sure to do your homework, but also keep in mind that custom designs in all styles are available.
Safety First
The fly-by-night spots on a random soi might seem like a good option at 1 AM after a few Singhas, but you could end up regretting it. Tattoo artists who don’t know what they’re doing can leave a lasting mark—and not in the way you intended.
Rated as one of the best Thailand tattoo studios, California Ink imports all of their equipment from the US, and they’re big on both service and hygiene. More than that, you’ll find a very cool studio atmosphere.
Getting a Tattoo in Thailand on Holiday
It’s fun to get a little 5cm tattoo on your holiday, and Thailand, perhaps more than anywhere in Southeast Asia, has a pretty cool history with tattooing. But know the game on the ground. A professional operator like California Ink is your first step to doing it right.
The right decision starts at their front desk, where they have a multilingual team capable of speaking in languages including but not limited to English, Thai, Italian, and Dutch. By booking ahead, you can avoid long wait times and schedule your tattoo for the end of your holiday, saving yourself that itchy healing time on the beach.
“Booking ahead allows us to prepare designs in advance and match the right artist to the client. They can then save money even while enjoying a full vacation compared to getting tattooed back home,” California Ink Thailand tells BK Magazine.
Get the Price Up Front
This one seems obvious, but you never know. The main thing is getting work that you’re happy with tomorrow—and every tomorrow after that. So, getting it right is a must.
Whether you’re on an island holiday and looking for a Phuket tattoo studio or set on a wild city adventure of getting a tattoo in Bangkok, California Ink notes that even top quality work in Thailand has significantly lower prices than Western countries.
At California Ink, they follow a strict process to ensure every tattoo is done correctly from the start. Each client is matched with the right artist for their style, the design is carefully prepared, and a manager must approve the stencil before the artist can begin. This system helps avoid mistakes and ensures consistent, high-quality results.
That said, if a client is not happy, they always listen carefully and do their best to fix the issue. Adjustments and touch-ups are part of their service—striving to make things right when possible.
