---
type: best_category_state
name: "Best realism tattoo shops in Michigan"
category: "realism"
state: "Michigan"
abbr: "MI"
shops: 12
url: https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism/michigan/
---

# Best realism tattoo shops in Michigan

12 shops in Michigan 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 | [Motown Tattoo Company](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/detroit/motown-tattoo-company.md) | Detroit | 4.9 | 1,300 | American Traditional, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |
| 2 | [Motown Tattoo Company](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/detroit/motown-tattoo-company-gratiot-ave.md) | Detroit | 4.9 | 454 | American Traditional, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |
| 3 | [Daybreak Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/kalamazoo/daybreak-tattoo.md) | Kalamazoo | 4.9 | 285 | American Traditional, Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products |
| 4 | [Copper Coin Tattoo Parlour](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/grand-rapids/copper-coin-tattoo-parlour.md) | Grand Rapids | 4.9 | 244 | American Traditional, Realism / Portrait, Cover-Up Tattoos |
| 5 | [Signature Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/ferndale/signature-tattoo.md) | Ferndale | 4.8 | 451 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 6 | [Breathing Canvas Tattoos](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/livonia/breathing-canvas-tattoos.md) | Livonia | 4.8 | 265 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Piercing Services |
| 7 | [9 Lives Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/ferndale/9-lives-tattoo.md) | Ferndale | 4.8 | 200 | Script / Lettering, Japanese / Irezumi, Black & Grey |
| 8 | [Millennial Ink- Tattoo Shop-Custom Tattoos-Top Tattoo Artist](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/flint/millennial-ink-tattoo-shop-custom-tattoos-top-tattoo-artist.md) | Flint | 4.7 | 280 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products |
| 9 | [Mad Tatter Studios](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/waterford-township/mad-tatter-studios.md) | Waterford Township | 4.7 | 293 | Realism / Portrait, Cover-Up Tattoos, Custom Tattoo Designs |
| 10 | [Electric Chair Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/flint/electric-chair-tattoo.md) | Flint | 4.7 | 451 | American Traditional, Script / Lettering, Japanese / Irezumi |
| 11 | [Motown Tattoo Company (Downtown Detroit)](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/detroit/motown-tattoo-company-downtown-detroit.md) | Detroit | 4.6 | 137 | Fine Line, Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 12 | [Elite Ink Tattoo Studios](https://www.localtattoos.com/michigan/center-line/elite-ink-tattoo-studios.md) | Center Line | 4.6 | 926 | Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products, Walk-ins Welcome |

## Related

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

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