Recognized Among Raleigh’s Best Tattoo Shops Since 2011
Mad Ethel’s Tattoo earned Gold for Best Tattoo Shop in Raleigh’s Best, presented by The News & Observer, in 2022, 2023, and 2024, followed by Bronze in 2025.
Why Choose a Custom Tattoo?
A custom tattoo can start with a story, a specific image, a style you love, or simply an idea you want to see brought to life. You don’t need a deeply personal meaning to have a worthwhile tattoo idea.
Working with an artist lets the design develop around your placement, preferred scale, and the way the piece should flow on the body. For larger or more detailed tattoos, those decisions can become an important part of the design itself.
Custom work and pre-drawn designs offer different starting points. Neither format alone determines quality.
Find the Right Tattoo Artist for Your Idea
Custom Tattoo Styles & Projects
Not sure what to call the style you like? Start with the pictures. Compare portfolios for the style, subject, and scale you want. Explore our artist directory or browse the tattoo gallery by style or artist. For slender linework and design guidance, explore our fine-line tattoos in Raleigh.
Cover-Ups & Reworks: Our artists can help you explore options for an existing tattoo. Include a clear photo of the existing tattoo and explain what you’d like to keep or change. Suitability requires artist assessment of the existing work and your goals. Some projects may benefit from laser lightening before new work.
Follow the booking link on your chosen artist’s profile, since some artists use their own request routes. If you are unsure who to choose, send the shop a tattoo request so the team can review your idea and help with artist selection.
What Clients Say About Their Custom Tattoos
“I had a vision for a really meaningful tattoo, and she completely brought it to life in a way that was better than I even imagined. She truly did such an incredible job!”
Skye Fedorchak · Google review
Excerpt about Jamie
“She was so thorough in making sure the tattoo was exactly what I envisioned and it came out so beautiful. She executed my vision so perfectly.”
Rachel Breeding · Google review
Excerpt about Ember
“My tattoo came out exactly how I envisioned. He was great at explaining what to expect during the process as well as what to do for aftercare.”
Kaitlyn Ewart · Google review
Excerpt about Clinton
“Got a tattoo from Jet and its absolutely amazing! Better than I could ever dream.”
Thomas Moss · Google review
Excerpt about Jet
How Does the Custom Tattoo Process Work?
1. Share Your Idea
Tell us the subject, placement, approximate size, color preference, and anything else that matters. Include reference images and explain what you like about them.
2. We Review Your Project
Your artist or the shop team reviews your request and determines the next step. If you aren’t sure which artist to choose, we can help point you in the right direction.
3. Plan the Tattoo
Depending on the project, the next step may be a consultation or direct scheduling. Larger pieces, cover-ups, and more involved projects may need additional planning.
4. Reserve Your Appointment
Once the project is accepted and scheduling is confirmed, your separate $100 deposit reserves your tattoo appointment.
Tattoo Pricing & Deposits
$100 Shop Minimum
The shop minimum is $100 per person, per session. It is not a quote for every custom project.
$100 Appointment Deposit
A separate $100 nonrefundable deposit reserves your appointment and is applied toward the final tattoo cost.
Pricing varies by artist, size, placement, detail, color, and time. Your artist can give a better estimate after reviewing your project.
Walk-In Tattoos in Raleigh
Walk-in availability varies by artist and day. Call 919-900-8345 or check current social updates before stopping by. Monday tattoos are by appointment.
For larger, detailed, or artist-specific projects, sending a tattoo request ahead of time is the best starting point.
Before you book: Tattoo clients must be 18 or older and bring valid government-issued photo ID. A release form is required at each visit. At least 72 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule. Read our deposit and cancellation policies for transfer limits and situations where a deposit is forfeited. A request starts review and scheduling; it is not a confirmed appointment.
Your artist will explain how to care for your tattoo. Review our tattoo aftercare guide and ask questions before you leave the shop.
Tattoo FAQs
No. A subject, a rough idea or a few reference images is enough to start the conversation. Your artist can help you work through design, placement and scale.
You don’t need to know the name of a tattoo style to start. Browse our tattoo gallery and artist portfolios, and save a few examples you like. Tell us what draws you to them, such as the linework, shading, colors or overall feel, along with your idea, placement and approximate size. If you’re unsure which artist to choose, send the shop a tattoo request so the team can review your references and help point you in the right direction.
Walk-in availability varies by artist and day. Call 919-900-8345 before stopping by to check current openings. Monday tattoos are by appointment. For larger, detailed or artist-specific projects, send a tattoo request ahead of time.
The shop minimum is $100 per person, per session. Your project price varies by artist, size, placement, detail, color and time. A separate $100 nonrefundable deposit reserves your appointment and is applied toward the final tattoo cost. Your artist can give a better estimate after reviewing your project.
The next step depends on your project. After reviewing your request, your artist or the shop team will let you know whether a consultation or direct scheduling makes sense. Larger pieces, cover-ups and more involved projects may need additional planning. Sending a request does not confirm an appointment.
Our artists can help you explore options for an existing tattoo. Send a clear photo and explain what you would like to keep or change. Suitability depends on artist assessment of the existing work and your goals. Some projects may benefit from laser lightening before new work.
You can explore each artist’s work and follow the booking instructions on their profile. If you haven’t picked someone yet, send your idea to the shop and choose the no-preference option.
