It’s exciting to start a tattoo parlor. There is so much to daydream about; money, fame, and career satisfaction are just but a few. But fantasy aside, do you know anything about tattoo pricing?
Both underpricing and overpricing tattoos have some consequences. If you overcharge, you could lose clients. If you undercharge, you may not get sufficient returns to take your business to another level.
So in this article, we will talk about tattoo costs so you can charge accordingly.
Table of Contents
How much do tattoos cost?
On average, tattoo artists will charge between $50 and $300 for a one-hour session. However, a prudent decision would be to walk in several studios within your area to find out what they charge. This way, you even get to see how their shops are set up and run.
Generally, tattoo pricing is determined by the following factors:
Ink color and amount
Tattoos with several vibrant colors tend to be expensive because they are detailed. And because of their sophisticated nature, you will need to use more ink to get the gradient and shading right.
Artist’s experience and popularity
How good are you with the needle? Do your customers leave happy and satisfied? Are some of them returning for another tattoo? If you answered yes to these questions, then you are a skilled tattoo artist, and you should not be afraid to charge more.
Needless to say, the more popular you become, the steeper your rates get. However, if you are an apprentice or beginner without the ability to do complicated designs, consider charging less. You can charge more only when you have gained sufficient experience to carve stunning styles.
Top tattoo tip: Ensure that you always have digital templates of tattoo consent forms and get them signed by your customers.
Tattoo size
A tattoo can be considered small, medium, or large. Small ones can be likened to the size of a finger or a ring and cost somewhere between $50 and $100. Medium tattoos cover part of the thighs, sidearms, or part of the sleeve.
Large tattoos can cover an entire upper torso or start from the shoulders, falling to the lower back. Such tattoos cost upwards of $1000. Basically, the bigger the design is, the costlier it gets.
Geographical location
Hollywood and other flourishing metropolises are full of celebrities, rich folks, and other outgoing people that love tattoos. They don’t mind splashing hundreds to thousands on the latest designs. Any tattoo artist within such regions can charge a lot, although the rate has to be within what competitors offer.
However, tattoo artists residing in underdeveloped cities will have no choice but to offer low rates to attract customers. If such a situation is not sustainable, you will have to take your business to a busier town where tattoo consumption is reasonably high.
You should definitely charge more for complicated tattoo designs. Not only do they take time, but they might need different inks, some of which are expensive to acquire.
Some people will require tattoos near sensitive or hard-to-reach areas like the inner lip. Such areas demand a high level of precision and take time as well. Therefore you need to charge more. On average, studio owners charge upwards of $200 for any tattoo that is inked in complicated or hard to get areas.
Created by and for tattoo lovers.
Try TattooPro today!
Get Free Demo
Wrapping it up
As you have seen, tattoo pricing depends on a lot of things. Amongst them, your experience sits at the top. You may live in a remote area, but if your work charms clients, some of them won’t mind the extra costs that come with getting to you.
In the very beginning, be very clear on what you charge during a consultation. This way, your customer won’t freak out if the rate is way past what they expected.
All in all, you want to make sure your rates are competitive. Charging way more than your competitors can make clients jump ship. Unless, of course, you know it’s the right move. Otherwise, happy inking sessions!
The smallest tattoos under 2 inches cost anywhere between $30 and $100. A medium one, usually 4-6 inches, costs between $150 and $450. The biggest tattoos are over six inches and attract a price of $500 and upwards.
How can you lower a tattoo’s price?
As a studio owner, you can ask your customer to choose a smaller tattoo design or less vibrant colors to cut costs. Additionally, remind them to avoid choosing sensitive areas as they demand a lot of time and patience, resulting in a steeper price.
What can I sell in a tattoo shop?
Besides charging clients for tattoos, artists can supplement their income by selling branded t-shirts, bumper stickers, bobble hats, and anything that clients are likely to show off.
Charge more for large tattoos, which require more time, effort, and materials than smaller designs. Most artists charge a flat rate for smaller tattoos and an hourly rate for any that take longer than an hour or two. For example, you might charge an $80 minimum for small tattoos and an hourly rate of $100 beyond that.
Some artists prefer to charge by the piece instead of charging per hour. This works if you tattoo very quickly. For example, if one artist can do a tattoo for $100 in one hour, you don't want to discount yourself by doing the same tattoo for $50 in half an hour. However, charging per piece comes with extra risk.
When inquiring about the cost of a tattoo, it's important to be upfront and clear about your budget. This will help the tattoo artist understand your financial limitations and guide you to designs that fit within your price range.
Rather than asking upfront about the price, be patient and wait for their reply to make sure they want to work on the piece. Many artists will charge by the size of the tattoo or how long it takes to complete, and they should have a good idea of the price once they read through your first email.
Charge more for large tattoos, which require more time, effort, and materials than smaller designs. Most artists charge a flat rate for smaller tattoos and an hourly rate for any that take longer than an hour or two. For example, you might charge an $80 minimum for small tattoos and an hourly rate of $100 beyond that.
The cost of a tattoo is primarily determined by the size of the design, the location of the tattoo parlor, and the experience of the tattoo artist. Typically, tattoo artists charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $100 to $250 per hour.
Some charge a set rate per hour, and their hourly rate typically depends upon a number of factors, such as where they work and how in-demand their services are. Artists charge anywhere between $50-$400 per hour, with most somewhere between $100-250 per hour. Some charge a flat rate per piece.
This one is at the top of the absolute worst tattoo shop etiquette. Don't negotiate the price. Tattoo artists will always quote you beforehand based on their time and the size of the tattoo.
Tattoo artists receive payment for each tattoo they complete, but if they don't own their own studio, the studio owners will typically take a commission from each tattoo. The specific commission arrangement varies depending on the contract, with a common split being an even 50/50 between the studio and the artist.
TIME. 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. But it's important to appreciate that the time they take tattooing you is NOT the only time they spend on your tattoo.
If the price quoted feels out of your budget, it's fine to discuss this with the artist. They might be able to suggest changes to the design that might bring the cost down. This can include simplifying the design, reducing its size, or possibly removing some colors.
Go ahead and share your budget estimate, even if it's a broad range. Cite a high- and low-end, or give a more specific figure if you're comfortable doing so. If your budget depends on a variety of factors, be open about that. What considerations will impact how much you can spend?
Consider the hours invested in honing your craft, the quality of your work, and the experience you provide to your clients. Your pricing should reflect the value you bring – after all, you're not just offering a service; you're creating wearable art that lasts a lifetime.
Try explaining it in one sentence.” Then there's some practicalities. “We need the size in cms/inches, the location on your body where you want it to go, whether or not it's a cover up, if it needs to fit into a gap around other tattoos, whether it's going to be in colour or blackwork or black and grey,” Kezz tell us.
So, for me, I charge $200 an hour. Because I can tell you what I can accomplish in that hour. Another artist may charge a lot less with a minimum of $100 an hour. I also know artists who charge between $350-$500 an hour.
The average cost for a small tattoo like a heart or cross is $80 to $200. For a medium-sized tattoo like a traditional , expect to spend between $ 200. to $450. Hiring a tattoo artist typically costs $150 to $250 per hour, and prices depend on skill level and demand of Tattooist.
“A suggested percentage of 20% to 25% for personal services is an accepted standard, especially in these post-COVID times.” Cornolo puts the range between 15% to 20%, but says that it really varies. “Some tip less, and some are very generous." For instance, you might wonder how much to tip for a $500 tattoo.
A palm-sized tattoo usually runs between $200-500, and medium to large tattoos (about 8”) usually range from $300-600. Half sleeves typically start around $1,000 and full sleeves often range from $2,000-$4,000.
A full sleeve tattoo can cost anywhere from $1000 to $6000, depending on the hourly rate of the artist and how much time the art takes to complete. For a design in full color, expect to spend at least two full days sitting for the piece, or be prepared to sit for multiple sessions.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
