Where Should CSU Students Go For Their First Tattoo?

So you’re interested in getting your skin poked, and having something permanent on your body. Maybe a dog portrait, a rose, or the awesome arrow you've wanted for 18 years? Regardless of what it is, Fort Collins has no shortage of tattoo shops to satisfy your needs.

For students looking for their first tattoo, the search can be both exciting and frightening. You’ve seen those vibrant sleeves on others and decided that it's your time to officially get inked. But where do you start?

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While it seems the first step would be to scour Google in search of the right picture, it actually begins with finding the right artist. Tattoo artists generally vary in specific skill sets, and no artist has the exact same style as another. You have to do your research, and this is what all your long nights of studying have prepared you for. It is a good idea to walk into the shops and look through artist's books. There, you can look through their previous work and see if it aligns with what you want to get. When I was searching for tattoo shops in Fort Collins, these were a few I looked through.

Tribal Rites Tattoo

Tribal Rites is an awesome shop located conveniently next to CSU’s campus. There is an awesome feel walking in with a bottom floor full of jewelry and an upstairs dedicated to tattoos. There are many artists to choose from, and plenty of different styles to suit whatever tattoo it is you want. 

Freakshow Tattoo

Another Shop I looked at was Freakshow Tattoo, located on Elizabeth Street west of campus. Freakshow has a more urban style to their shop: with graffiti covered walls, you feel instantly surrounded by artwork. This gets the juices flowing on those creative tattoo ideas. 

These are just two examples of the awesome shops located throughout Fort Collins, but it is important to do your research, and find the shop and artists that fit you best!