“Tipping is never expected but always appreciated,” said Christian Elias, a tattoo artist at Holy City Tattoo Collective in Charleston, SC. “Take care of your artist, and they will take care of you.
There is no problem, the tip is ALWAYS OPTIONAL, each artist sets their own prices, regardless of the percentage that the studio may or may not take.
If your tattoo is divided into multiple sessions, you should tip after each session.
The biggest thing to remember here is that there's no hard rule for how much to tip tattoo artists. Tattooers don't necessarily expect to be tipped, but they definitely always appreciate it. As with tipping waitstaff, 15-20 percent is a good standard. So, if you pay $200 for a tattoo, you're looking at a $30-50 tip.
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.
However, consider the amount you tip as a range, from 15 as the low end to 25 percent as the high end, which you choose from based on tattoo difficulty, size, time, artist expertise, and overall experience. Just like there is no one tattoo experience or price, there's no one-size-fits-all tipping option.
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.
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.
Sinatra also recommends tipping all tattoo artists, even if you're getting your ink done by the owner. “Clients often feel they don't need to tip the owner, but if the owner is working alongside others in the studio and their work is valued, a tip is greatly appreciated,” Sinatra says.
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.
It is very common for a tattoo artist to finish another artist's work. Sometimes this decision comes down to practicality. For example, the original artist might be overbooked or realize that the concept you envision is something they feel uncomfortable completing.
The cost of your tattoo is influenced by the amount of time the artist spends tattooing you, which is why most artists charge either an hourly rate or a day rate.
For example, a small wrist tattoo might cost about $100. Therefore, the average tip would be about $20.
Tattooing minors, offensive hate symbols, or copyrighted designs without permission are examples of requests that can be legally refused.
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 ...
A common guideline: 15 to 20% of the total cost of the tattoo. This range reflects the quality of work and the overall experience provided. For instance, if your tattoo costs $200, tipping 15 to 20% would mean a $30 to $40 tip.
Touchy-feely is great and all, but not on a new tattoo. Beware of admirers that are tempted to touch your ink. Don't allow anything, including hands, to come in contact with your new tattoo. Hands have germs and bacteria that can cause infections.
"While any tip is highly appreciated, a good guideline is to tip 15-20% of the price of the tattoo. However, this amount can be adjusted depending on your personal budget, as well as how happy you are with your tattoo; there definitely isn't a minimum amount," they added.
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.
If you don't know what to offer as a gift for your tattoo artist, go with music. That's an evergreen idea for a gift. Find out what they're listening to and buy them a vinyl or a CD. It's personal, and they will surely appreciate it.
Large tattoos, such as full sleeves, back pieces, or expansive designs that cover multiple body parts, can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, or more. The price will depend on the design's detail, the artist's rates, and the number of sessions required to complete the tattoo.
Tattoos typically take two to four weeks to heal on the surface, but it can take three to six months to fully heal. The tattoo healing process typically involves a week of redness and oozing, followed by two to three weeks of itchiness and peeling. After about a month, the skin still internally heals.