What do you say when tattoo artist asks your budget?
Tell your artist what you can afford, and together you can create a design and a timeline that works for both of you. Spreading the cost across multiple sessions will not only help the tattoo to heal well, but you'll also avoid spending a large sum of money all at one time.
Many artists find it extremely rude if you try to haggle the price of a tattoo. Though negotiating the price of some goods and services is normal, haggling with your artist over the cost of a tattoo is typically seen as unacceptable and insulting.
While it's fine to get ideas from pictures of other tattoos, talk to your artist about what their ideas are for creating it. Tell them what you would like to change so the piece is uniquely yours. Remember, you selected your artist because they have strong portfolio and you are attracted to their style.
Things like materials, size, location, and type of tattoo affect the price. On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo.
In order to get the ink you really want, communicating your budget constraints with your tattoo artist is key. Tell your artist what you can afford, and together you can create a design and a timeline that works for both of you.
| Tattoo Price | 15% Tip | 20% Tip |
|---|---|---|
| $300 | $45 | $60 |
| $600 | $90 | $120 |
| $1,000 | $150 | $200 |
| $1,500 | $225 | $300 |
If the tattoo price is $600 you can tip 20% ($120) or 30% ($180) If the tattoo price is $1000 you can tip 20% ($200) or 30% ($300) If the tattoo price is $1500 you can tip 20% ($300) or 30% ($450) If the tattoo price is $2000 you can tip 20% ($400) or 30% ($600)
The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip — just like at a restaurant or a hair salon. However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others.
- Artistic Differences. Giphy. It's crucial to find an artist whose work resonates with you. ...
- Gets Pushy. Giphy. ...
- Lack Of Online Information. Giphy. ...
- Unclean Shop. Giphy.
Some artists love to gab while tattooing but others prefer to be quiet. Let the artist take the lead or ask them what they prefer. Do bring a book to read or movie to watch provided you can do it without moving. Do let your artist take the lead on whether or not to talk.
How big is a 5 inch tattoo?
| Size | Hours | Best Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 inches | 2-5 | Ankle, calf, wrist, upper arm |
| 3-4 inches | 4-5 | Lower arm, neck, chest |
| 4-5 inches | 5-8 | Thigh, lower back, shoulders |
| 5-7 inches | 8-11 | Upper back, half-sleeves |
It could be that the tattoo artist that you go to see is having a bad day or has been treated badly by another customer. There could be lots of reasons why they seem to be being rude towards you. However, it could just be their way and they don't mean anything by the abrupt way they speak to people.
A full-sleeve tattoo will usually cost between $2,000 and $4,000. These tattoos are so expensive because they can take many days to complete depending on size and detail. If you're getting a sleeve tattoo containing many colors, expect to pay even more than this.
How much would a 5 inch tattoo cost? A standard 5″ tattoo may be about a couple of hours so, in the US, between $150 and $600.
Many factors determine the price: Skill, reputation, artistic ability, location on the body, size of the tattoo, and complexity. Typically, a quality tattoo performed in a registered professional studio or parlor would be more expensive than one done by some scratcher working out of his back room.
It is generally accepted to tip 15-20% of total price to your tattoo artist. It means that from a $250 tattoo, you will tip $37.5-50. But not all people can afford to tip the same tips from a $2000 tattoo because tips are here up to $400. In this case, you can tip around 10% or $200.
How much do you tip for a $1,000 tattoo? You would tip around $200 - $300 for a $1,000 tattoo. So, the final price you'd expect to pay for the service is $1,200 - $1,300.
Tattoo Tipping Rates
A very generous tip for this piece would be $150 to $200. On bigger and more time consuming pieces with prices over $2,000 for example, you could be looking at a $400 to $600 tip when all said and done at this rate. For some clients that's a bit too high, which is understandable.
Average Tattoo Cost. The average cost for a small tattoo like a heart or cross is $50 to $250. For a medium-sized tattoo like a tribal or portrait, expect to spend between $150 and $450. Hiring a tattoo artist typically costs $120 to $150 per hour, and prices depend on how long it takes.
Many factors determine the price: Skill, reputation, artistic ability, location on the body, size of the tattoo, and complexity. Typically, a quality tattoo performed in a registered professional studio or parlor would be more expensive than one done by some scratcher working out of his back room.
Why are tattoo artists so rude?
It could be that the tattoo artist that you go to see is having a bad day or has been treated badly by another customer. There could be lots of reasons why they seem to be being rude towards you. However, it could just be their way and they don't mean anything by the abrupt way they speak to people.
Asking for art you found online can be rude to the original artist and person it was designed for. If you don't like your tattoo, don't hesitate to tell the artist to find something that works.
A full-sleeve tattoo will usually cost between $2,000 and $4,000. These tattoos are so expensive because they can take many days to complete depending on size and detail. If you're getting a sleeve tattoo containing many colors, expect to pay even more than this.
The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip — just like at a restaurant or a hair salon. However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others.
| Tattoo Placement | Size | Average Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Full Body Tattoo | Everywhere! | $100,000+ |
| Arm Tattoo | Full Sleeve | $2,000 – $7,000 |
| Half Sleeve | $800 – $2,000 | |
| Upper Arm | $600 – $1,300 |
