Most tattoo artists will want you to stop into the studio for an in person consultation, and this is so they can make sure they are going to draw up exactly what it is you are looking for.
The consultation is a scheduled time for you to come in and talk to the tattoo artist about what you want to get tattooed. Bring any references you might have with you to the consultation. You can also talk about things like design details, placement, and pricing.
Yes. This is correct, most shops do not charge for a consultation.
Consultations generally take 15-40 minutes, depending on how involved the tattoo is. The consultation itself is free, but if you do decide to book a tattoo appointment once we've talked, I have you put down a deposit to secure your spot.
You will need a consultation before a tattoo if you are getting custom work done. Sometimes this means coming into the shop and other times, especially if you or the artist is traveling, the consultation will be done over messaging or email.
Artist Availability: Some tattoo shops designate specific artists for walk-ins, while others may be fully booked. Understand that immediate availability is not guaranteed, and there might be a waitlist. Rest assured, shops strive to accommodate walk-ins promptly.
When it comes to tipping your artist, there is no such rule but rather etiquette. If you feel like they earned it for the consultation, you can list them however you're satisfied. You can save your tip money for the day of your tattoo appointment, as it seems more appropriate to tip them for their hard work.
Again, 20 percent is the typical amount, though tipping percentages often range from 15 to 25 percent based on tattoo difficulty, size, time, artist expertise, and overall experience.
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.
First, there's one word to sum up the type of clothing you should wear to any tattoo appointment: loose. In general, you don't want to wear anything tight or restrictive.
A small, simple quarter-sized tattoo could take an hour, whereas a large backpiece could take seven or 10. Size matters in this equation, and it's important to remember that time is also money. The longer it takes to finish, the more your piece will cost.
Consultations are free of charge. They last around 30 mins – 1 hour and you will sit with your artist and go over design, style, placement, size, and any other details that help inform your tattoo design.
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.
Please note: $50 tattoos are generally sized at 1 inch by 1 inch on arms and legs. Size, placement, and addition of color is available for an additional charge to be determined at the time of your visit.
I'd love to be tattooed by you if you have an available appointment.” “Hello James! I'm Pablo and I was hoping to get some more information about a potential tattoo design. I really like your style and was hoping we could work something out for a piece that I've been wanting.”
Having a consultation gives you the chance to speak with your tattoo artist directly. You are welcome to bring in some reference material to show an idea of what it is that you would like. This helps the tattoo artists translate your idea into your tattoo and gives them a better idea of style that you're looking for.
It can be tempting to want to chat with your tattoo artist while they're working on you, but it's important to remember that they are trying to focus on giving you a great tattoo. If you must talk, keep it brief and to the point. The same goes for taking pictures.
Many people choose to tip about 20% of the overall price of their tattoo – just like at a barbershop or massage appointment.
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.
As a tattoo lover, you may have wondered if you are supposed to tip your tattoo artist. The answer is yes, it is customary to tip tattoo artists. In fact, it is considered polite and appreciative to do so.