What is the price of a tattoo and how much does it cost?
To answer this question it is better to ask, “How long will this design take to tattoo on me?”. That is the same question as “how much does a tattoo cost?”
In this blog I will give you enough information, so when you attempt to get tattooed, you’ll understand how your artist will be answering this question and you’ll now be prepared with the proper answers.
Disclaimer
- When I mention a tattoo artist and/or a studio/shop I’m talking about a professional, reputable and established tattoo artist.
- When I mention pricing and rates, it is from my perspective. I own a shop in Fallbrook, California which is in Southern CA. The following is from my experience, within my region and from speaking with other artists around the country. This means that hourly rates and fees are different in other areas.
It is important for me to help you navigate this type of information so you will understand all tattoo artists are individuals and they price their work independently.
You are commissioning an independent artist to put a piece of art on your body. Even if the tattoo is chosen from the wall (which is considered a flash piece) each artist is an individual. The only “industry standard” in the tattoo industry among tattoos artist is THERE IS NO standard. We all conduct our businesses as we choose.
What type of service exactly are you receiving when you are getting a tattoo?
Obviously, you are getting tattooed. But a lot people lump us in with the beauty industry, because let’s face it, some tattoos are simply beautiful. But, unlike the majority of the beauty industry, we permanently modify your body.. forever. Keep in mind getting tattooed is not as invasive as most plastic surgery, but it is as equally permanent. Ours includes the factor of art. Art is defined as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles. Think about it, you can purchase a painting for $50 USD or 50 thousand USD and upwards.
So, getting tattooed has components of beauty plus of art and body modification. Therefor you must understand when getting tattooed it’s not the same as a haircut. Tattoos may fade but it’s not going to grow back or disappear. You are purchasing art that will stay on your body forever.
I hope that helps you understand the value of hiring an established tattoo artist.
Therefore, it’s basically impossible to answer questions like; How much for a sleeve? What about a Backpiece? Or how much for something small? It’s like asking a sales associate, how much is a car? It simply depends on what you are getting and with what additions and accessories.
Plus, beauty is the eye of the beholder. If you approach an artist via email, messenger, etc. and you are not scheduled for a consultation they are likely to start asking many questions. I promise they are not trying to be vague and they are not trying to give you a price right away. There just are a lot of variables that can go into your tattoo.
So what are some of those variables you ask…
When you are getting a tattoo you are paying for the artists time and other factors that go into the artists time. This may include; expenses such as studio overhead, ink, needles, stencils, etc. Of course, you are also paying for their experience and how sought out that artist is too. If they are booked far in advance, they are good at what they do and people enjoy getting tattooed by them.
Size: One of the main variables is size. How big your tattoo is going to determine how long your tattoo will take. A larger tattoo will be more expensive than small one. That is pretty simple logic.
Often, I will get messages such as, “I want a palm sized tattoo”. In this case, the word size needs to be more specific. First, I don’t know how big your palm is. I’m 5’2 with small hands.
I suggest that when describing size please try to use inches instead of mentioning the words; small, medium, or large. Using a definite size in inches is so important for your artist to understand you.
Placement on the body? Where are we putting this tattoo? Different parts of the body have different textures. Your artist needs to understand what part of the body we will be working on. Are you requesting a part of the body that is a sensitive area? If so, we may to factor in break time, body twitches and ultimately how well you’re going to sit. Are you going to need a lot of breaks? Will be tattooing over any scar tissue or stretch marks?
Details are next. This is where pricing really varies. Let’s say you want a tattoo size to be in a 6” x 6” space. You may want to do a simpler tattoo with light shading IE: a daisy. Or will that same artist tattoo the same 6” x 6” space but you requested a coy fish tattoo? A coy fish tattoo has a lot more detail compared to the daisy, and likely with color added. The coy fish is the same size as the daisy tattoo, but it will take 2-3x longer than the simpler daisy tattoo. Realism tattoos often have a lot more detail which you’ll discover can take even longer.
Experience level will play a big factor as well in how much your tattoo will cost. Is your artist still learning and growing but not taking on much elaborate work yet? Or does your artist have 15 years’ experience and offers really unique artistic specialties that they are known for… their prices will go up accordingly.
So, as you can see; size, placement, details and experience level will affect the pricing of your next tattoo.
Finally, another factor is geographic location. My shop is in San Diego area which has a high cost of living. If you’ve chosen an artist that lives in a lower cost of living area you may end up paying less. Ultimately your artist will determine their fees based on all the other factors we discussed above.
So please know when you approach an artist with questions like, ‘How much for a bird?’ We are going to ask, ’Where is the bird going?’, ‘What kind of bird?’, ‘Is this bird in color or black and gray?’. There are many questions we have to ask you in order to determine how long it will take us to complete and then apply our rates to your tattoo request.
Now, let’s discuss hourly rates. I hesitate discussing this. I know what I charge and I know what many other artists in my area charge, but I don’t know every artist around the globe. So, for me, I charge $200 an hour. Because I can tell you what I can accomplish in that hour.
Another artist may charge a lot less with a minimum of $100 an hour. I also know artists who charge between $350-$500 an hour. If they are asking and receiving that fee then their value as an artist can determine that.
Here is a bit of etiquette to consider when talking to an tattoo artist whose work you love. You follow them on Instagram, you expect this artist to put in 100-110% into every tattoo they complete. You see that they are going to give you quality work and a good experience… It needs to be reciprocated.
Please don’t barter, don’t lesson the value they placed on their work. If you respond to the price with “oh wow really.. or will you do it for this much .. you just reduced the value. Honor the pricing. This is going on your body forever. If you honor their value, they will give you 100-150%.
One last thing, the only person who should ever determine the value of your tattoo is your tattoo artist. If you have a friend who has a bunch of tattoos by a lot of different artist that does not make them an expert in telling you how much your tattoo could cost. They are not the best source for this information just because they have tattoos. The only person who should determine your cost is your tattoo artist.
You are commissioning that individual artist.
