How Long Does it Take to Get a Tattoo Depending on the Size? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does it Take to Get a Tattoo Depending on the Size? ›

Small tattoos usually take under an hour to make. Palm-sized tattoo would take from one to three hours to make. Hand sized tattoo can take up to 5 hours to make. Full sleeve tattoo can take 6-10 hours to make.

A three-inch by three-inch tattoo in black ink will take at least an hour. Larger, more detailed multi-colored tattoos require multiple sessions with the artist and can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months or longer. Each session is typically four to six hours.

After getting a tattoo, the outer layer of skin (the part you can see) will typically heal within 2 to 3 weeks. While it may look and feel healed, and you may be tempted to slow down on the aftercare, it can take as long as 6 months for the skin below a tattoo to truly heal.

Within the pricing conversation, you should also ask how long roughly you should expect the tattoo to take. Some small designs may take minutes whereas larger tattoos with lots of design and detail could be hours, if not multiple sittings.

Hand sized tattoo can take up to 5 hours to make. Full sleeve tattoo can take 6-10 hours to make. Very large tattoos, such as a back piece, can take up to 30 hours to make.

Most tattoo artists charge an hourly rate that varies from $75 to $150 an hour. A more elaborate tattoo like an elephant on the forearm or upper back that takes 2.5-6 hours typically costs $200-$600 with an average cost of $316.

It is customary to tip tattoo artists for their time and skill. A general guideline is to tip between 15-20% of the total cost of your tattoo, but you can adjust this amount based on your personal budget and satisfaction with the service.

Days 2 to 3

Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form. Excess ink and plasma may still ooze from your skin during this time.

How long does tattoo flu last? ›

Basically treat this sickness as if it is a regular flu. Your symptoms should pass in a day or two as your body's immune system calms down and gets to the proper work of healing the actual tattoo on your skin.

You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.

On average, tattoo artists charge $100 to $250 an hour, although in certain cases, high-profile tattoo artists charge more. Consider how in-demand your prospective artist is, based on factors such as their number of Instagram followers as well as awards given to the studio or artist, which can help determine rates.

Choose from our selection of over 700 designs below or bring your own image of similar size and complexity. $50 tattoos are approximately one inch by one inch in black ink on arms or legs.