Visit your artist a few weeks after the tattoo has finished peeling, to allow them to assess the need, if any, for touch ups. Together you can make plans on how to schedule time for the work.
Yes, you can ask another artist to touch up your tattoo. However, be sure to discuss the specifics of the job before hand so that both parties are on the same page. If something goes wrong during or after the touch-up, it can be difficult to restore trust between you and the artist.
After obtaining a tattoo, most people wait 6 months before getting a touch up. The length of time you should wait for a touch-up is determined by the size of your tattoo, the level of detail in the design, and how quickly your skin heals.
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.
The answer, of course, depends on the artist and the size of the tattoo. However, touch ups typically start at around $50 and can go up from there. So, if you're looking to keep your ink looking fresh, be prepared to spend a little extra cash. But touch ups are worth it!
Visit your artist a few weeks after the tattoo has finished peeling, to allow them to assess the need, if any, for touch ups. Together you can make plans on how to schedule time for the work.
When it comes to tattoo touch-up appointments, the general rule of thumb is yes, you should tip for the extra work required. Showing appreciation for the additional effort illustrates your understanding of the artist's commitment to ensuring your tattoo looks its best.
Tattoo artists recommend waiting until the tattoo has fully healed before considering a touch-up. This is usually between 1 to 2 months but can be longer depending on how your body heals.
In most instances, tipping is appropriate and encouraged. While you can tip less than 15%, try to avoid it. Good work should be recognized, and being broke is no excuse not to tip. If you don't have the money to tip your artist, rethink getting tattooed until you can.
While the pain may still be the same, tattoo touch-ups usually take much quicker compared to entire tattoos! The length of time that it takes can be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on what you are getting touched up and the size of the tattoo.
Consider a tattoo touch-up every 3-5 years to maintain its vibrancy and clarity, as regular exposure to sunlight and natural skin ageing can cause fading and blurring.
Now that you've chosen your tattoo artist, it's time to set up a consultation. You can do this by calling, emailing, or just stopping by the shop.
If you don't want to use the same tattooist, that discussion will need to be had with tattoo shop management so that they can rectify the situation. If the issue is clearly due to negligence, you will likely get a refund and be welcomed back for correction at a later date.
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.
Touch-Ups and Cover-Ups. In extreme cases of damage and dullness, you can always get your tattoo retouched or even covered with a new design. Having fresh ink put over your tattoo can bring it back from the dead! Or you can see it as an opportunity to switch it up and add a completely new piece over the damaged area.
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.
First, your tattoo will have some irritation around it. After you remove your bandaging after the allotted amount of time recommended by your artist has passed, your skin around the tattoo may be red. It may also be secreting a fluid, or ink may be dripping off of it.
Your Artist Recommends It
They'll also be able to tell you when the best time to come in is, whether it's a week or two after the final work or a couple of months later. 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!)
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.
Some artists will fix the tattoo free of charge. However, you should still consider tipping even if you ended up not loving the final result, especially if they: Created a custom design. Did their best to keep you comfortable and answer all questions.
It's your right to have it look exactly how you want it. So feel free to request a redo or second session from a different tattoo artist than the one you initially contracted to work with. In addition, many people assume it's rude or unprofessional to ask an artist to finish someone else's design.
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.
Tipping may not be mandatory, but it's a way to show that you appreciate all of the hard work and effort—physical and monetary—that your artist put into your new tattoo. Remember: A tip isn't about you; it's about the artist.