tattoos

In the Phoenix area, $100/hour is the going rate for a good artist at a reputable shop. Tipping isn't necessary but if your artist does a good job, show them your gratitude! Anything less than 20% seems cheap in my opinion. They are tattooing you, not bringing you food from the kitchen.

ok what is the tip for? explain this to me. Why do I tip?

Don't tip bro...don't tip. Then go back and get a tattoo from the same guy.

: )

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. I make sure to tip my hairstylist and tattooist well because if they do a good job (what is tip is generally for) you're going to want to go back to that same person and get the same type of standard thay have set.

I've had one tattoo that took mutliple sessions, I made it a point to give a very substantial tip after first session. The guy was so happy with the tip that he actually lowered the price and sped up his tattooing time on me.

Just go to your local prison, I'm sure you can get a good price there.

Good work isn't cheap and cheap work isn't good.

talk to the artist, see some of thier work , make sure thier style meets with what you want ,
price is NOT the first choice, i have paid 160 for a large tattoo and i have paid 80 for an even larger tattoo.
price is subjective, price doesn't = quality, quality doesn't=price.
REMEMBER
tattoo artists are
1. Artists. unless you want something right from the book of flash , you are paying for talent
2. most are renting a chair room or spot.
3. most of the tattoo fee is set by the shop- the tip is just like a server at a restaurant, and goes directly to the artist
4. trained via apprenticeship, a cheap tattoo doesn't ALWAYS = bad- i have a 9 inch tall bear on my back done by an apprentice which was only 120.00 (normally it would be over 300) it took longer, but i am an experienced canvas.

he has great talent and i would not hesitate to go back to him again, and one of my rewards when i get through this journey is a tattoo i have wanted for a while -- besides the point,
get good work , not just fresh pictures of tattoos but healed tattoos, and you know what ASK PEOPLE around you who have tattoos where they got it . i never hesitate to recommend a good artist when i get stopped about my "sleeve"

My artist charges $100/hr but if he really gets into the design he won't charge you for the extra time he puts in. Especially for repeat customers. Definitely don't forget the tip. You are paying for talent if you have a great artist. Not just any artist can pull off a tattoo. It takes skill.

don't forget, not everyone on this site is american. tipping isn't expected in other countries and most tattoo artists i know set their own rates working more like contractors than employees.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I was just going to ask if "why tip" guy was from outside the US.

It's customary in the US. Other places, not so much. If you are unsure based on where you are.......ASK!

About $100 an hour.

If it's a small piece lots of times it will be a set price and most shops have min. However if it's a large piece it's per hour usually $75-$150 per hour and yes tip 15-20%

On tipping... why don't tattoo artists just ask for what they expect to be paid? Why all this song and dance about people being "cheap"?

About $100 an hour.

Seems to be the standard for most places I've been to.

It really does depend on where you go.

My tat artist doesn't go by hour. He's probably had days worth of work, time wise, in my big dragon on my side/thigh and it only came out to $420 before tip. And it's amazing. But if I were to get that anyplace local to where I am now? It'd be over a grand, easily.

But I agree with other posters. Go for quality over price if you can. And if you're in the Ohio area I can suggest an excellent person.

It depends on where you go. Price does not always reflect talent either. If you live somewhere where rent is lower, then the price is usually lower. There are plenty of very very talented tattoo artists who don't overcharge for their time. My guy charges $50.00 minimum, and I'm about to start my sleeve for $200 per session. We're in a smaller town, but he's very talented. I have a friend that goes to dallas and pays $150.00 an hour, and I don't think the quality is any better.

I didn't read all of the posts so sorry of this is repetitive. It depends on where you go. Many tattoo shops have a $50 minimum. I paid that (each) for my two wrist tattoos. My ankles are a bit bigger, 2x2ish, and cost $75 each. It also depends on tattoo placement. I was charged a little more for getting one done on the top of my foot than it would have cost somewhere else, simply because it's a very sensitive area and a lot of people can't handle it.

And I forgot to add, I live in NC and the city I'm in doesn't charge by the hour for the most part. They charge based upon what you're getting, where, how large, how much color, and how much detail.

Hey so tattoos aren't cheap, period. But are well worth the money if you ask me and other tatooed peeps. I would say no matter where you are (in the U.S.) $100/hr is about what you'd pay for most artists. Remeber its there forever and you don't want to go cheap. This is one time where the price really does match the quality. I have a lot of tats, probably have $4,000 worth of work on me. Sometimes I paid top prices and other times I got a great deal. The more you go to the same guy the more likely you are to get a better deal. MAKE SURE to TIP. I don't look at in percentages. My tip is usually a standard $20. I'm broke and getting tatted takes a lot of saving for me but then my guy knows this...