Respect the Artist’s Quote
Don’t negotiate the price. Tattoo artists quote you beforehand based on their time and tattoo size. They want to get the design right, so it’s better to pay for extra time than walk out with a rushed, sub-par tattoo.
It’s normal to ask about pricing. But never ask to negotiate or copy another’s work. That’s disrespectful.
Pricing Guide and Tipping
On average, small tattoos cost $50-100, medium ones up to $200, and large ones over $250. Elaborate, large pieces can cost much more.
Generally, you should tip the tattoo artists around 20% to 30% on top of the final tattoo price. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done.
How to Handle Estimates
The first approach to asking for estimates is to proceed during your consultation. After you walk them through it all, they will envision it by quickly sketching something or will prepare it later and email you for your approval.
While it’s fine to talk about the cost of your tattoo, artists can get annoyed when their clients try to haggle for a better price.
Tipping Etiquette
It is generally accepted to tip 15-20% of the total price to your tattoo artist. For a $250 tattoo, you will tip $37.5-50. However, for a $2000 tattoo, a tip of around 10% or $200 is more reasonable.