After an initial tattoo appointment, most artists will advise you to return for a touch-up within the first year. The initial tattoo touch-up will check and correct any imperfections that were caused in the healing process, and it is usually included in your initial appointment as a complimentary service.
Tattoo artists generally offer free touch ups so it shouldn't be an issue to contact them. However, how your body reacts to ink and how you heal from being tattooed isn't something that they can control. Call the artist and speak with them.
Touch ups are generally free but the most respectful thing to do is ask for it when you're getting your next tattoo. That way the artist isn't setting everything up and making no money on the materials they used. If you're already getting another tattoo, just have them do the touch up in the same session.
Yes, Any time a tattoo artist does work on you, if you are pleased with the work, you should tip. Plus, many artists offer free touch-ups after the tattoo is completed. (Just make sure to tip your artist, even for a complementary touch-up session!)
Yes. This is correct, most shops do not charge for a consultation.
Yes, tattoo consultations are free. However, keep in mind that many artists will ask for a deposit to be put down before scheduling a tattoo appointment. After your tattoo consultation, if you both agree on the design and appointment day/time, the artist will usually ask for a deposit.
I think you'd be fine asking, politely, what an artist's rate is, maybe including a note about wanting to budget properly for their work. That said, don't let the cost of a tattoo you really want deter you, save up until you can get what you want done correctly.
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.
Generally, tipping in the tattoo industry is customary and expected. It's an easy way to acknowledge your artist's creative skill, effort, and time spent on your tattoo.
A tattoo touch-up is a very common aspect of getting tattooed, but one most people seem to neglect. Much like most other artworks, with time, tattoos fade, and sometimes they might not heal exactly how we had hoped.
How long do touch-ups take? They can take five minutes, or several hours, depending on the size of the tattoo, and on the way that the tattoo has healed. Visit your artist a few weeks after the tattoo has finished peeling, to allow them to assess the need, if any, for touch ups.
Additive Work: Additive work refers to adding to a pre-existing tattoo (as opposed to covering the pre-existing tattoo.) This can range from adding some small new elements to a larger existing tattoo, to incorporating a smaller current tattoo into a new larger piece.
Most of the time, your first touch-up is free within the first year. However, this depends on the tattoo artist or the shop. Following that initial touch-up, you can expect to pay a fixed hourly rate for any additional work done to your tattoos. Usually, the cost is between $50 to $150 per hour for touch-ups.
Due to their delicate nature, fine line tattoos tend to fade more quickly than traditional tattoos, and will need to be touched up over time.
Negotiating or Criticizing the Tattoo Price
Don't negotiate the price. Tattoo artists will always quote you beforehand based on their time and the size of the tattoo.
Tattoo tipping rates
But as a rule of thumb, a 15-20% tip is usually a good place to start. So, if you spent a total of $200 on a tattoo, tipping anywhere from $30 to $40 shows your artist that you appreciate their handiwork.
If you're getting smaller art done or maybe a touch-up for $100, tipping anywhere from $15 to $25 fits the bill. Some regular or return clients also give gifts to their tattoo artists, such as restaurant gift cards, theater tickets and doughnuts for the shop.
Tattooing minors, offensive hate symbols, or copyrighted designs without permission are examples of requests that can be legally refused.
While some touch-ups are necessary and are often included in the initial price of the tattoo, tattoo artists are not always obliged to do touch-ups for free. It depends on the specific circumstances of the tattoo and the agreement between the artist and the client.
Here's some of the things you may want to avoid saying or asking: “Can you go any faster?” – If you want a crappy tattoo, maybe. “If I don't like it, can I get a refund?” – No, sorry. You pre-approved the art before they started.
If the price quoted feels out of your budget, it's fine to discuss this with the artist.