Can you ask someone to cover their tattoos?

Author: Prof. Lindsay Hill  |  Last update: Saturday, November 1, 2025

Theresa: Yes, legally you can ask her to cover up her tattoo, provided of course that you ask all employees with visible tattoos to cover them up. However, if she tells you that covering it up is against her religious belief, you cannot require it unless doing so would cause an undue hardship.

Is asking to cover tattoos discrimination?

Yes, they can so long as such a policy is applied without violating Title VII of the Civil Rights act. For instance, if you have religiously themed sleeve tattoos you can be told to cover them. If 4 other guys with generic tribal, automotive/pinup...

Is $20 a good tip for a $100 tattoo?

For every $100 spent on the tattoo most would say $20-$25 but I think most artists agree there is a reasonable limit to that. Probably anything over a $250 tip for one's days worth of tattooing might be unnecessary however greatly appreciated.

How do you ask for a cover-up tattoo?

Don't be afraid to ask them about a cover-up, as long as you're courteous and professional. Tell them why you've outgrown the image or don't want it on your body anymore. Make sure you state that you appreciate the quality of their work and that's why you want them to perform the cover-up tattoo.

Can you tell an employee to cover their tattoos?

Yes, they can so long as such a policy is applied without violating Title VII of the Civil Rights act. For instance, if you have religiously themed sleeve tattoos you can be told to cover them.

People Treat Me Different When I Cover Up My Tattoos | Tattoo Prejudice Documentary

Can I cover my tattoo at work?

Clothing is the easiest and quickest way to cover a new tattoo at work. Wear loose, breathable garments to hide the tattoo without irritating it. Choose long sleeves and pants to cover ink on your limbs, and high-waisted pants or a tucked-in shirt to cover lower back tattoos.

Are tattoos protected by the First Amendment?

“The tattoo itself, the process of tattooing, and even the business of tattooing are not expressive conduct but purely expressive activity fully protected by the First Amendment,” the appeals court explained.

How much does a cover-up tattoo cost?

Most tattoo artists charge by the hour, and you can expect to spend around $50-$300 per hour, depending on their skill and experience levels. If the coverup tattoo is particularly challenging — like concentrated black ink in a large area — you can expect to pay a bit more than someone with a small outline tattoo.

What tattoos can't be covered up?

Pigments like shades of red, yellow and orange often fail to fully conceal preexisting ink, especially if it the shades beneath are too dark. Think of tattoo ink like watercolor: you can't cover a dark red with blue, but you can make purple.

Is it OK to ask tattoo artist for touch up?

Touch-ups are fairly common, and needing or wanting a touch-up isn't a bad thing at all. Even experienced artists do touch-ups on their work. Once a tattoo is fully healed, everyone can see what it looks like much better, and it's easier to tell if it needs a little extra oomph.

Do you tip for a $1000 tattoo?

As we state generally “tips are not required, but appreciated “ because most tattoo artists in a shop minus the owner are making 50-60% of the total cost… on a $1000 tattoo (most likely multiple sessions) I would tip at least $100-$150 for every session done.. so roughly I'd say average a good tip on a tattoo that's ...

Why do tattoo artists prefer cash?

Many tattoo artists prefer to be paid in cash as it simplifies the transaction and allows for a seamless commission payment to the studio. Invoicing or involving banks and payment sites can introduce unnecessary complications to an already busy workflow.

Is it rude to ask a tattoo artist to cover up their own work?

Tattoo artist here - I've covered my own work before. By no means do you even need to explain yourself whatsoever but it's good to maintain a good relationship with your artist so no harm in doing so. I think it's more common than you think.

Can a job fire you for tattoos?

An employer is generally free to maintain a policy prohibiting employees from displaying tattoos at work. That means in most circumstances, your employer can discipline or even fire you for displaying a tattoo.

How many people get tattoos every year?

How many people in the US get a tattoo every year? Americans get 11 million new tattoos every year. That's greater than the population of New York City!

What is the most overused tattoo?

Here are some of the most common cliche tattoos.
  • “Carpe Diem” ...
  • Om Sign. ...
  • Anchor. ...
  • “This Too Shall Pass” ...
  • Dreamcatcher. ...
  • Barred Wire. ...
  • Geometric animals. ...
  • Area Code. If you might want to get your area code tattooed on you in either large block numbers on your forearm, or in subtle small numbers somewhere else on your body.

What is the hardest tattoo color to cover-up?

It is difficult to cover up a black tattoo with any color other than black. Other dark tones like navy or brown might work, but lighter colors won't be effective in covering up an original black tattoo.

What are unprofessional tattoos?

If the content of a tattoo is racist, homophobic, or problematic in some way, this is a different story. Problematic tattoos can be revealing about a person's character. They show employers what values or beliefs they might bring to a workplace.

Is $200 an hour a lot for a tattoo artist?

According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for tattoo artists is about $100. This is typical for experienced, non-apprentice tattoo artists with solid portfolios, but some popular tattooists charge as much as $300 per hour.

How do you ask a tattoo artist for a cover-up?

Make consultation appointments with artists you are considering working with in order to gauge what they can do and what they suggest for covering up the original work. Come in with a couple of ideas and ask your artist for their ideas to coverup the old tattoo.

Is $100 alot for a tattoo?

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. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces. It can be very expensive to get elaborate and large tattoos.

Should you cover tattoos at work?

Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting. However, visible tattoos may not be appropriate for every profession. Even if your company allows body art, you may find that customers or coworkers discriminate against tattooed employees.

Are tattoos legal in all 50 states?

In the United States of America there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing. However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo be at least 18 years old.

Why do tattoos have a negative connotation?

Time and time again throughout history, tattoos have been used to designate groups of people as “lesser,” often by literally branding them as such. They've been used to subjugate, to punish, and to stereotype.

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