Discover the Best Tattoo Artists Worldwide
Created by tattoo artists to elevate tattooing.
The Global Tattoo Guide
An Authoritative Guide, Long Absent Yet Urgently Required
The Global Tattoo Guide is a comprehensive resource created by professional tattooers Jake and Kelly Bertelsen of EXEX Tattoo. A collective list of the world's top tattoo artists and best tattoo practices. Cutting through the online clutter of subpar art and computer-generated images, it was created to help tattoo enthusiasts easily find the masters who artistically propelled tattooing into a global phenomenon. The GTG goal is simple: Create a comprehensive guide that easily allows serious collectors to find the most extraordinary studios in the world.
The GTG Rating System
To be nominated: Artists are chosen by their peers.
The GTG started with artists who their peers have nominated as the best and most inspiring artists in the industry. We began with lists of seven, from the following seven masters: Jeff Gouge, Adrian Lee, Guy Aitchison, Nikko Hurtado, Shigenori Iwasaki, and Filip Leu.
To be awarded a GTG Star: Each studio must demonstrate all seven essential qualities that create an extraordinary tattoo experience.
- Extraordinary Tattoos- Phenomenal artistic fundamentals, Amazing Layouts, Innovative work
- Kindness- Workers are kind, humble, and care about and the customers
- Exceed Client Expectations - Understanding clients well and going above and beyond to tell their story masterfully
- Honesty- Workers have integrity. They're honest with clients about what they do best, and recommend others if they’re not the right artist.
- Excellent Business Management- Outstanding business processes and customer service, clear and efficient communication
- 100% Accountability- Workers always take full responsibility for all mistakes
- Studio Enriches Life- Shop consciously adds value to tattooing in a positive way and enriches the life of everyone around it. Workers are willing and open to being helpful and sharing valuable knowledge.
About
The Global Tattoo Guide is a branch of EXEX Global. EXEX means "Exalt the Extraordinary." We inspire and lift extraordinary people, which enriches their lives and life itself. The Global Tattoo Guide isn't made just to showcase elite artists; it's being created to hold the industry to a higher standard. For too long, tattooing has been relegated to the fringes of the art world — we're here to help elevate it to the recognition it rightfully deserves: one of the greatest art forms of all time.