How Much Does a Tattoo Cost? Pricing and Tipping Guide

Most shops price one of two ways: a flat rate for small, simple pieces (often flash off the wall), or an hourly rate for custom and larger work, typically ranging from roughly $100 to $250+ an hour depending on the artist's experience and the shop's market. Almost every shop also has a minimum charge — commonly $50 to $150 — that applies even to a tiny piece, since setup, sterilization, and cleanup take real time regardless of size.

Size and detail are the two biggest factors, followed by placement (ribs, hands, and feet are slower and more painful to work on, which some artists price accordingly), color versus black-and-grey (color work often takes longer per square inch), and how in-demand the specific artist is — a sought-after artist with a long waitlist typically charges more than a newer artist building a book.

Tipping your artist is standard practice in the US tattoo industry, similar to a hair stylist — most artists work partly or fully on commission and rely on tips as real income. 15–20% is the typical range for solid, on-time work; 20–25% is common when a session ran long, the design was especially custom, or the artist went well beyond what was expected. For a smaller piece or a touch-up, a flat $15–$25 is a reasonable tip even when the percentage math gets small.

Cash is generally preferred — some shops take a processing cut out of tips added to a card payment, so cash ensures the artist keeps the full amount.

Reference photos and a clear sense of placement and size are the fastest way to get a real quote instead of a vague range — most shops can't price custom work accurately over a one-line message. See our guide to choosing a shop for what a normal consultation looks like.