---
type: best_category_state
name: "Best realism tattoo shops in Illinois"
category: "realism"
state: "Illinois"
abbr: "IL"
shops: 13
url: https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism/illinois/
---

# Best realism tattoo shops in Illinois

13 shops in Illinois that reviewers mention for realism and portrait work, each with at least 25 Google reviews.

## How this is ranked

Shops are ordered by a Bayesian-adjusted rating: (n × rating + 320 × 4.79) ÷ (n + 320), where n is the shop's Google review count, 320 is the median review count across the directory and 4.79 is the directory-wide mean rating. Only shops with at least 25 reviews qualify; ties go to the shop with more reviews.

Ordering is computed at build time from two facts per shop — its Google rating and its Google review count. One listing per street address, and nobody paid for a position.

## Ranked shops

| # | Shop | City | Rating | Reviews | Reviewers mention |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Skinkraft Ink](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/calumet-city/skinkraft-ink.md) | Calumet City | 5.0 | 220 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Piercing Services |
| 2 | [Mind Crusher Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/chicago/mind-crusher-tattoo.md) | Chicago | 4.9 | 865 | Script / Lettering, Fine Line, Black & Grey |
| 3 | [New Hope Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/lombard/new-hope-tattoo.md) | Lombard | 4.9 | 338 | Realism / Portrait, Piercing Services, Cover-Up Tattoos |
| 4 | [Ncognito Ink](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/winthrop-harbor/ncognito-ink.md) | Winthrop Harbor | 4.9 | 208 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Piercing Services |
| 5 | [Aztek Ink tattoo studio](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/tinley-park/aztek-ink-tattoo-studio.md) | Tinley Park | 4.9 | 202 | Realism / Portrait, Cover-Up Tattoos, Custom Tattoo Designs |
| 6 | [Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/chicago/chicago-ink-tattoo-body-piercing.md) | Chicago | 4.8 | 1,800 | Fine Line, Japanese / Irezumi, Black & Grey |
| 7 | [Juggernaut Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/gurnee/juggernaut-tattoo.md) | Gurnee | 4.8 | 405 | American Traditional, Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 8 | [Red Moon Custom Tattoo & Piercing](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/chicago-ridge/red-moon-custom-tattoo-piercing.md) | Chicago Ridge | 4.8 | 206 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 9 | [Electric Tattoo Parlor](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/carpentersville/electric-tattoo-parlor.md) | Carpentersville | 4.8 | 200 | Japanese / Irezumi, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |
| 10 | [The Inkery Tattoo Studio](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/oswego/the-inkery-tattoo-studio.md) | Oswego | 4.7 | 203 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 11 | [Newage Tattoos and Body Piercings](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/jerome/newage-tattoos-and-body-piercings.md) | Jerome | 4.7 | 381 | Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome, Piercing Services |
| 12 | [Tattoo Union](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/chicago/tattoo-union.md) | Chicago | 4.6 | 305 | American Traditional, Japanese / Irezumi, Black & Grey |
| 13 | [Rising Phoenix Tattoo and Body Piercing](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/addison/rising-phoenix-tattoo-and-body-piercing.md) | Addison | 4.6 | 466 | Fine Line, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |

## Related

- [Realism tattoo shops by state](https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism.md)
- [Tattoo shops in Illinois](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois.md)
- [The best tattoo shops in Illinois](https://www.localtattoos.com/illinois/best-tattoo-shops.md)

---
*Source: [LocalTattoos.com](https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism/illinois/). Markdown alternate of the page at that URL.*