“Which Is the Best Tattoo Studio in Mumbai” Is the Wrong Question to Ask
- Soham Devasar
- 3 hours ago
- 16 min read
Let’s be honest, any tattoo studio that loudly claims to be “the best tattoo studio in Mumbai” should be questioned, not blindly trusted.
Tattooing is not a commodity. It’s a craft. An art form. And more importantly, a deeply personal experience. Different studios, artists, and environments excel at different things, and what’s “best” for one person may not be right for another.
Many people search for the best tattoo studio, tattoo parlour, or Best tattoo shop in Mumbai because they’re looking for certainty - safety, quality, and peace of mind.
But the reality is this: there is no single tattoo studio that is “number one” for everyone. The right studio depends on your design requirements, your expectations, your comfort level, your budget, and the kind of experience you value.
The Right Question to Ask - How Do You Choose the Right Tattoo Studio in Mumbai for Yourself?
Instead of asking which is the best tattoo studio in Mumbai, the only approach that consistently leads to good outcomes is learning how to evaluate a tattoo studio properly.
Over years of working with clients across different designs, styles, and expectations, certain patterns become impossible to ignore. People who are genuinely satisfied with their tattoos tend to choose studios based on a small set of non-negotiable parameters, factors that matter regardless of whether you’re visiting the best tattoo studio in Mumbai, a boutique tattoo parlour, or an independent tattoo shop.
These parameters aren’t trends or opinions, they help you identify the best tattoo shop in Mumbai. They are the common factors that consistently separate well-executed, meaningful tattoo experiences from ones people end up regretting.
The 5 Parameters that actually matter when choosing the Best Tattoo Studio in Mumbai
When searching for the best tattoo studio in Mumbai, these 5 parameters consistently separate exceptional experiences from regrettable ones. Whether you're evaluating the best tattoo shop in Mumbai or any other city, these factors matter most:
Artistic Expertise & Style Alignment
The most important factor in any tattoo outcome is artistic capability, not just talent in isolation, but the ability to match the right artist and style to the tattoo you want.
Tattooing today is not one discipline. It spans realism, fine line, minimal work, spiritual and mythological themes, large-scale compositions, cover-ups, and more. No single artist excels at everything, which is why the best tattoo shops in Mumbai are built around teams of specialised artists, not individual generalists.
What truly matters is whether a studio has the depth and range of expertise to handle different styles without compromising on quality.
Identify the Style You’re Drawn To - Then Evaluate Depth Within It
Before judging any tattoo shop in Mumbai, be clear about the kind of tattoo you want. Realism, fine line, minimal, spiritual, large-scale compositions, cover-ups — each style requires a different skill set.
What to do:
Narrow down the 1–2 styles you’re most attracted to
Ask the studio which styles they are strongest in
Look at their best work within those styles, not just a mix of everything
A strong parlour doesn’t just say “we do all styles.”
It demonstrates clear strengths across its top styles, supported by artists who specialise in each.
Study Artist Portfolios, Experience & Recognition Together
Artistic expertise shows up most clearly when portfolios, experience, and recognition align.
What to look for:
Consistency across an artist’s body of work within a style
Clean line work, strong proportions, controlled shading, and attention to detail
Industry recognition, such as Awards or mentions at tattoo conventions, participation in national or international tattoo events, features, collaborations, or mentorship roles
Awards alone don’t make an artist great - but when they support an already strong and consistent portfolio, they’re a good indicator of professional respect and seriousness.
Look for Consistency of Delivery Across Clients and Styles
One exceptional tattoo doesn’t define a studio. Consistency does. The best tattoo studio in Mumbai is defined by consistency of delivery across clients, styles, and complexities, not occasional brilliance.
What to observe:
Repeated quality across different artists and styles
Similar standards of execution across multiple clients
A portfolio that reflects reliability, not occasional brilliance
Profession tattoo shops in Mumbai that lead the category are those that can deliver high-quality outcomes repeatedly, across different designs, expectations, and complexities - not just once in a while.
Hygiene, Safety & Professional Standards at Mumbai Tattoo Studios
No matter how skilled an artist is, poor hygiene and unsafe practices can permanently compromise both your health and your tattoo.
Tattooing is a medical-grade procedure. It involves breaking the skin, exposing the body to inks, tools, and surfaces for extended periods. This means hygiene isn’t an added benefit, it’s a baseline requirement. Any tattoo shop in Mumbai that treats it casually is taking risks with your safety and your tattoo’s out come.
Unlike art styles or personal taste, there is no subjectivity here. Hygiene standards are either followed correctly, or they aren’t.
Here’s how to assess hygiene and safety when choosing the best tattoo studio in Mumbai before you commit.
Visible Sterilisation Practices & Medical-Grade Equipment
A professional tattoo parlour in Mumbai will not treat hygiene as a backstage activity - it makes it visible, deliberate, and non-negotiable. From the tools used to the way the workstation is prepared, safety protocols should be obvious before the tattoo even begins.
High standards show up not just in what a studio claims, but in what you can clearly see and verify.
What to look for:
Single-use, disposable needles opened in front of you
Sealed, branded inks from reputed manufacturers
Fresh gloves worn throughout the session and changed when required
Medical-grade disinfectants and surface cleaners
Barrier protection (wraps, covers, films) on machines, cables, and work surfaces
Workstations cleaned and reset between clients
Proper disposal systems for needles and contaminated waste
Studio Environment & Overall Cleanliness
Beyond the tattoo station, the overall environment of a studio reveals how seriously hygiene is treated on a daily basis. Cleanliness isn’t something that can be switched on for clients - it reflects internal discipline and operational culture.
Pay attention to:
Floors, washrooms, and common areas
Organisation of workspaces and storage
Air quality and ventilation
Whether the studio feels clinical without feeling uncomfortable
A consistently clean environment is rarely accidental. It’s usually the result of processes being followed every day, not just during appointments.
Compliance, Documentation & Transparency
Well-run tattoo shops in Mumbai operate within clear professional boundaries and are comfortable being held accountable.
What to expect:
Proper consent forms before tattooing
Medical and allergy-related questions asked in advance
Aftercare instructions explained clearly, not rushed
Willingness to answer hygiene and safety-related questions without defensiveness
Studios that follow systems tend to welcome scrutiny, not avoid it. Transparency is often the clearest sign that safety standards are taken seriously.
Consultation & Design Process
A tattoo doesn’t begin when the machine turns on.
It begins much earlier - with listening, interpretation, and clarity. The best tattoo studios in Mumbai treats consultation and design as a critical part of the tattoo itself, not an afterthought.
This is where the difference between a transactional tattoo and a meaningful, well-executed one becomes obvious. Studios that rush this phase often rely on technical skill alone. Studios that take it seriously treat the consultation and design process as a critical part of the tattoo itself.
Most dissatisfaction with tattoos doesn’t come from poor execution, it comes from misalignment.
The idea in your head, the design on paper, and the final tattoo don’t always match and that gap usually forms during a weak consultation.
Here’s how to evaluate whether a tattoo shop in Mumbai takes this phase seriously
Depth of Understanding Before Any Design Work
Good studios don’t rush to draw. They first focus on clarity and alignment.
What to look for:
Thoughtful questions about why you want the tattoo, not just what you want
Discussion around size, placement, flow, and how the tattoo will age
Respect for cultural, spiritual, or personal meaning
Honest conversations about what will and won’t work for your skin or placement
Strong studios prioritise understanding over speed. They’re willing to slow the process down if it leads to a better result.
A Structured Design Process With Clear Communication
Once the intent is understood, the design should follow a clear, professional process, not guesswork.
What to expect:
Explanation of how the design will be developed and refined
Alignment on direction before finalising anything
Transparency around revisions, sessions, and realistic outcomes
Studios that take responsibility for outcomes are clear about possibilities and limitations. They don’t overpromise, the best tattoo studios in Mumbai design with long-term quality in mind.
How this should guide your decision
If a studio:
Takes time to understand your idea properly
Communicates clearly before committing
Treats the design phase as seriously as the tattoo itself
It’s usually a sign that they care about results, not just bookings.
That mindset often separates the best tattoo studios in Mumbai which are built for meaningful, long-term work from those focused purely on transactions.
Transparent Pricing & Clear Expectations
Professional tattoo shops don’t treat pricing as a negotiation or an afterthought. They communicate costs, scope, and outcomes clearly and upfront, so there are no surprises later, financially or creatively.
Transparency here is a sign of maturity, experience, and respect for the client.
What to look for:
Clear explanation of how pricing is calculated (size, complexity, placement, sessions, artist expertise)
Upfront clarity on what’s included - design work, revisions, number of sessions, touch-ups
Honest timelines for larger or detailed tattoos, including multi-session requirements
Realistic conversations about healing, longevity, and final results
No vague quotes, sudden add-ons, or last-minute changes
Studios that are confident in their process don’t hide behind ambiguity. The best tattoo studio in Mumbai sets clear expectations early, and stands by them without surprises or hidden charges. They set expectations early and stand by them.
Reputation, Reviews & What People Say
In tattooing, reputation isn’t built through claims = it’s built through outcomes that people are willing to publicly associate themselves with. Reviews, word-of-mouth, and repeat clients form the foundation of trust, but there’s another layer that often signals confidence at scale.
When well-known personalities, cultural icons, and influential individuals repeatedly choose a studio, it’s rarely accidental. These are people whose public image, careers, and credibility are constantly scrutinised and they tend to be extremely selective about who they trust.
What to look for:
Consistent reviews across independent platforms like Google, not just social media comments
Clear patterns in feedback around quality, professionalism, hygiene, and experience
Evidence of repeat clients and long-term relationships
Word-of-mouth recommendations that go beyond visuals
Artists and studios trusted by public figures, creators, athletes, or cultural leaders
How the studio responds to feedback, including criticism
High-quality tattoo parlours in Mumbai don’t rely on hype. Their reputation is built through people choosing them again and being comfortable being associated with their work.
When the best tattoo studio in Mumbai earns trust from both everyday clients and high-profile individuals, it’s often a sign that its systems, culture, and execution are solid, not just occasionally impressive.
What people say about Aliens Tattoo Mumbai:
“I had an amazing experience at aliens tattoos from start to finish. That was such a modern studio and very welcoming, with a relaxed atmosphere that made me feel at ease right away. My artist Sunny Bhanushali and Allen and designer Sameer was incredibly skilled, taking the time to understand my design and ensuring I was comfortable throughout the process. The attention to detail was exceptional, and the tattoo turned out even better than I imagined. The staff was friendly and professional, I couldn’t be more happier with my tattoo. Best team of tattoo artists Highly recommend!!” - Gurjeet Randhawa
“This was my first tattoo, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place than Alien Tattoo Studio. The services were excellent, the staff behaviour was very polite, and hygiene was maintained perfectly. Special thanks to JD, Anmol, and Sachin, they were very caring and professional, which made the entire experience stress-free. This level of care is exactly what we expect from a brand like Alien. Truly a great experience!” - Upmanyu Priya
Is Aliens Tattoo Studio in Mumbai the Right Fit for Everyone?
Aliens Tattoo doesn’t position itself as the best tattoo studio in Mumbai for everyone, because tattooing itself isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Tattooing is deeply personal, and people approach it with different expectations, timelines, budgets, and creative preferences. Every tattoo journey begins from a different place, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Aliens Tattoo is built around doing certain things exceptionally well - thoughtful artistry, strong safety standards, a clear process, and long-term responsibility toward the work it creates. The studio welcomes you to explore Aliens Tattoo in Mumbai, understand how it works, and decide for yourself whether that approach aligns with what you’re looking for.
The intention here isn’t to decide on your behalf.
It’s to offer clarity, so you can explore, compare, and choose with confidence, based on what matters most to you in your tattoo journey.
Whether you're searching for the best tattoo studio in Mumbai or exploring your options, we encourage you to visit, ask questions, and make an informed choice based on the parameters outlined above.
About Aliens Tattoo
Aliens Tattoo was founded in 2011 with a clear vision: To make art the universal language that elevates, heals, unites, and empowers humanity.
What began in Mumbai has grown into one of India’s most recognised tattoo studio ecosystems. Today, Aliens Tattoo is recognized as one of the best tattoo studios in Mumbai and across India, known for pioneering realism, hyper-realism, and minimalism in Indian Tattoo Industry, and has since expanded into a wide range of styles - supported by a collective of 100+ award-winning artists, each specialising deeply within their craft.
Over the years, the studio has been trusted by public figures and cultural icons such as Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Kriti Sanon, and Arjun Kapoor - a trust built through experience, not endorsement.
Today, with 14 studios across India, Aliens Tattoo operates with medical-grade hygiene standards, structured consultation and design processes, and thoughtfully designed experiential studio spaces. At its core, the brand is built around storytelling, translating personal meaning into tattoos that are designed to last, both technically and emotionally.
Aliens Tattoo is a culture-led, customer-centric art brand, supported by a global community of loyal clients and consistently strong ratings across Google and social platforms.
Tattoo Styles and Themes Aliens Tattoo Is Known For
Over the years, Aliens Tattoo has worked across a wide range of tattoo styles and artistic approaches. While the studio supports diverse forms of expression, certain styles and themes consistently reflect deeper expertise, long-term practice, and repeat client trust.
These are areas where artistic intent, technical skill, and execution come together most clearly and where the studio’s process-driven approach shows its strength.
Realism & Hyper-Realism
Aliens Tattoo is widely recognised for realism and hyper-realism tattoo, particularly detailed portraits and large-scale compositions. This work demands precision, strong anatomical understanding, control over shading and texture, and the ability to maintain consistency across multiple sessions. For clients seeking realism tattoos in Mumbai, Aliens Tattoo offers unmatched expertise in detailed portraits, large-scale compositions, and emotionally grounded visual storytelling.
Minimalism & Fine-Line Tattoos
For minimal tattoos in Mumbai, Aliens Tattoo's approach focuses on restraint, balance, and longevity, ensuring simple designs age well over time. There's no room for error with Minimal Tattoos. Clean lines, accurate proportions, and thoughtful placement are critical. Aliens Tattoo’s approach to minimalism focuses on restraint, balance, and longevity ensuring simple designs age well over time.
Spiritual & Mythological Tattoos
From Indian spiritual iconography to personal belief systems, Aliens Tattoo is known for tattoos rooted in meaning and symbolism. These projects often involve research, contextual understanding, and careful design development rather than surface-level imagery.
Large-Scale & Long-Term Projects
Sleeves, back pieces, and multi-session tattoos require planning beyond a single appointment. Aliens Tattoo is experienced in structuring long-term projects - considering flow, body anatomy, visual continuity, and how the tattoo evolves over time.
Custom Conceptual Tattoos
Many clients come in with emotions, stories, or life experiences rather than ready visuals. Aliens Tattoo specialises in translating these abstract ideas into original, custom artwork developed through consultation, iteration, and clear artistic direction.
Artists at Aliens Tattoo Mumbai
Aliens Tattoo Mumbai works as a collective of specialised artists, where every tattoo is matched to the artist best suited for its intent, style, and complexity. Rather than positioning a single face of the studio, Aliens operates on the belief that the right artist for the right tattoo matters more than prominence or popularity.
Here are a few artists currently working out of the Mumbai studio, representing different artistic approaches and strengths within the Aliens ecosystem:
Sunny Bhanushali
Sunny Bhanushali work is known for depth, realism, and emotionally grounded storytelling. His projects often involve large-scale compositions, portraiture, and tattoos rooted in symbolism and personal narratives. Beyond execution, his approach places strong emphasis on intent, structure, and long-term visual coherence.
Grishita Suthar
Grishita Suthar work reflects precision, restraint, and balance. She works extensively with minimal, fine-line, and delicate compositions, focusing on clean execution and thoughtful placement. Her approach is especially suited for tattoos where subtlety and longevity are central.
Devendra Palav
Devendra Palav work explores form, symmetry, and structure through geometric and dotwork-based compositions. His tattoos often involve layered patterns, abstract elements, and mathematically influenced designs that require patience, planning, and technical control.
Vishal Maurya
Vishal Maurya is known for his controlled approach to realism and detail-oriented execution. His work focuses on accuracy, tonal balance, and consistency across sessions, making him well-suited for detailed projects that demand steady progression and refinement.
Access to Aliens Tattoo Artists Across India
Aliens Tattoo operates as a connected network of studios across the country. While Mumbai has a strong in-house team, artists from any Aliens Tattoo studio in India can travel to other locations on demand, allowing clients access to the most suitable talent for their tattoo - regardless of city.
To explore the full roster of artists, their portfolios, and areas of expertise:
At Aliens Tattoo, artist selection is never about convenience.
It’s about alignment - between the idea, the artist, and
the outcome.
Hygiene & Safety Standards at Aliens Tattoo
At Aliens Tattoo, hygiene and safety are not treated as differentiators, they are non-negotiable fundamentals. Tattooing is approached as a medical-grade procedure, and every studio is designed, operated, and monitored with that responsibility in mind.
Aliens Tattoo follows European hygiene and sterilisation standards as a benchmark for its safety protocols, not selectively, but across studios, artists, and daily operations.
Medical-Grade Sterilisation & Equipment
All tattooing is carried out using single-use, disposable needles, opened in front of the client for every session. Only sealed, branded inks from reputed manufacturers are used, along with medical-grade disinfectants and surface cleaners.
Workstations are fully barrier-protected, cleaned, and reset between clients. Dedicated systems are in place for the safe disposal of needles and contaminated waste, following regulated procedures.
Controlled Studio Environment
Hygiene at Aliens Tattoo extends beyond the tattoo chair. Studios are built and maintained to support consistent cleanliness across work areas, common spaces, and washrooms with attention to ventilation, organisation, and daily sanitisation routines.
Hygiene is visible, deliberate, and repeatable - never hidden or improvised.
Audit-Led Protocols & Continuous Training
Safety standards at Aliens Tattoo are enforced through regular internal audits, documented protocols, and structured artist training systems. Artists are trained not just once, but continuously ensuring hygiene practices remain consistent across teams and over time.
Clients are guided clearly through consent, medical disclosures, and aftercare instructions, and are encouraged to ask questions. Transparency is treated as part of professionalism, not an exception.
At Aliens Tattoo, safety isn’t maintained through claims,
it’s maintained through systems, audits, and disciplined repetition.
Pricing at Aliens Tattoo Mumbai
At Aliens Tattoo, pricing is structured, transparent, and communicated upfront. Tattoo costs are not treated as arbitrary numbers, they are derived from clear parameters that reflect the work involved, the expertise required, and the responsibility of execution.
Pricing at Aliens Tattoo Mumbai starts from ₹1,200 per square inch, with the first square inch priced from ₹2,500. From there, the final cost is determined based on the specific details of the tattoo.
What Influences Tattoo Pricing
Tattoo pricing can vary depending on several factors, including:
Design complexity - level of detail, realism, line work, shading, and custom development
Artist expertise - specialisation, experience, and the skill set required for the design
Placement on the body - areas that require higher technical control, time, or multiple sessions
Larger, more detailed, or multi-session tattoos are always planned and priced with clarity, including realistic timelines and expectations.
There are no hidden charges or last-minute surprises.
Costs, scope, and sessions are discussed clearly before any work begins.
For a detailed breakdown of how pricing works and what to expect:
As one of the best tattoo studios in Mumbai for pricing transparency, Aliens Tattoo ensures clients make informed decisions with confidence, not pressure. Pricing transparency is part of how Aliens Tattoo builds trust - allowing clients to make informed decisions with confidence, not pressure.
Aliens Payment Plan (APP) — Installment-Based Tattoo Payments
For tattoos that require multiple sessions or involve a higher investment of time and skill, Aliens Tattoo offers APP (Aliens Payment Plan) - an installment-based payment option.
APP allows clients to spread the cost of their tattoo across planned sessions, making long-term or large-scale projects more accessible without compromising on quality, artist selection, or execution standards.
Payment plans are structured transparently and discussed upfront, based on the scope of the tattoo and the number of sessions involved.
To understand how APP works and whether it’s suitable for your tattoo:
Aliens Lifetime Care - Aftercare & Long-Term Support
At Aliens Tattoo, aftercare isn’t treated as a short-term checklist. It’s formalised into a dedicated long-term service called Aliens Lifetime Care - built around the belief that tattooing carries responsibility well beyond the final session.
Aliens Lifetime Care is designed to support clients through healing, settling, and the long life of their tattoo, ensuring the artwork remains healthy, well-maintained, and true to its original intent.
Structured Aftercare, Clearly Guided
Every tattoo under Aliens Lifetime Care begins with detailed, personalised aftercare guidance based on the tattoo’s size, placement, and complexity. Healing expectations, do’s and don’ts, and timelines are explained clearly, not rushed - so clients know exactly how to care for their tattoo during recovery.
The focus isn’t just on healing quickly.
It's healing correctly, so the tattoo settles the way it was designed to.
Ongoing Access & Hand-Holding Beyond the Session
Healing isn’t always predictable. Skin responds differently, and questions often arise days or weeks later.
Aliens Lifetime Care ensures clients have continued access to guidance after their session - whether it’s checking healing progress, addressing concerns, or clarifying care instructions. Support is proactive, not conditional, and treated as an essential part of the tattoo journey.
Long-Term Accountability for the Art
Tattoos evolve with time. Bodies change. And responsible studios plan for that reality.
Aliens Lifetime Care reflects long-term accountability offering honest advice on how tattoos age, when refinements or touch-ups are genuinely needed, and how to maintain the artwork over years, not months. This approach is especially important for detailed, large-scale, or multi-session tattoos.
About Aliens Lifetime Care
A tattoo isn’t a one-time experience - it’s a lifelong mark.
Aliens Lifetime Care exists to honour that permanence, ensuring clients are never left navigating healing or long-term care alone. It represents a deeper commitment to both the art and the people who carry it.
To understand what’s included and how Aliens Lifetime Care supports your tattoo over time:
Locate Aliens Tattoo Studio in Mumbai
Address: Aliens Tattoo Mumbai
Old Sonal Industrial Estate, K2, Link Road Malad, Malad, Kanchpada, Malad West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400064
Contact: 098330 65209
Locate us on maps: Aliens Tattoo
FAQs
How much does a tattoo cost in Mumbai?
Tattoo pricing at Aliens Tattoo Mumbai starts from ₹900 to ₹1,200 per square inch, with the first square inch priced from ₹2,500. Final pricing depends on design complexity and artist expertise. All costs are discussed clearly before work begins, as you would expect from the best tattoo studio in Mumbai.
Who made Virat Kohli's tattoo?
The famous spiritual geometric sleeve for Virat Kohli was a collaboration within the Aliens family - designed by our founder Sunny Bhanushali and inked by master artist Devendra Palav over 14 hours.
How much does a 2 cm tattoo cost?
A 2 cm tattoo is well within our minimum size category. Since it requires the same medical-grade setup and precision as any larger piece, it would typically be charged at our Minimum Base Price of ₹2,500.
Is a 3 inch tattoo small?
A 3-inch tattoo is generally classified as Small-Medium. It provides enough canvas for meaningful detail (like a medium script or geometric pattern) while remaining a single-session project.
Author
Soham Devasar is a content writer and graphic designer at Aliens Tattoo, where storytelling, structure, and visual clarity come together. As a core part of the marketing team, he works at the intersection of words, design, and brand intent - shaping how stories are told and experienced.
