Average Tattoo Prices: How Much Does A Tattoo Cost? (2024)

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Average Tattoo Prices: How Much Does A Tattoo Cost? (1)

Giving tattoos can be a great business for 2024. If you are working in the tattoo industry this year then take some time to consider your pricing. There are a lot of factors to consider when giving a tattoo though. One of those being tattoo prices. As a tattoo artist, it is important to research pricing and make sure your prices are comparable to others. Continue reading to learn all the details about tattoo costs.

Factors of Average Tattoo Prices

There is a lot that goes into figuring out the cost of your new tattoo. It isn’t a straight forward answer. Things like materials, size, location, and type of tattoo affect the tattoo price.

On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces. It can be very expensive to get elaborate and large tattoos.

Size Matters

The first thing you should consider is the size of the tattoo. The larger the tattoo the more expensive it is going to be. In general, a tattoo under 2 inches is tiny, something 2 to 4 inches is small, 4-6 inches is medium, and 6 or more inches is large.

It is important to understand that these sizes are subjective though. Each tattoo artist will have to determine their sizes and how they price them. You can also size up or down the design. If the customer is concerned about the costs associated with a tattoo you can make it smaller if needed. As long as the design is not too detailed, try to make designs that are scalable. This will give the customer more flexibility in the design and save you time for reworking it.

Time is Money

The next factor that goes into a tattoo’s cost is time. The more time involved the more a tattoo will cost. You need to consider consultation, drawing time, and tattooing. You are being paid for all the timeyou spend on the tattoo not only the actual tattooing.

If you have an elaborate design, it may take longer for you to create the design. This can add to the total cost of the tattoo. It will also take longer to tattoo it. In general, expect to charge around $100 an hour at least. Each artist has different hourly fees, a more experienced artist will be able to charge more. Be honest about your experience and skill level when pricing.

Average Tattoo Prices: How Much Does A Tattoo Cost? (2)

Location, Location, Location

You should also consider the location of the tattoo. Different parts of the body have varying costs associated with them. If the tattoo is in a difficult spot on the body, then you may have to charge more.

Something small like a finger will cost less than something like a half sleeve. Size is a factor here as well. A tattoo might be one price if tattoo it on a wrist and a different price if you tattoo it on a chest. It all comes down to how difficult it is going to be for you as an artist.

Average Tattoo Prices Vary On Experience

The customer will be willing to pay more for a quality artist. You can charge more if you have a lot of experience and a good portfolio of work. If you are popular and have a waitlist, then you will be able to charge more for a tattoo. Depending on the demand for your work you can set higher prices.

There are a few different things that customers will pay more for. Your experience, where you trained, portfolio, reviews, and artistic level. Customers will probably shop around so you want to stand out to them to charge more.Use social media to display your work and draw attention to your skill level. This is the most important decision for the customer so you should show them that your work in high quality.

Geography

Where you live affects your tattoo prices as well. Like with all things where you live may make the tattoo more expensive. If you live in a touristy location where a lot of people visit and get tattoos you may have higher prices.

Things are more expensive on the coasts then they are in the Midwest in general. The same goes for tattoos. As the cost of living goes upin certain areas so will your prices. Working in a bigger city will allow you to charge more than in small towns as well. Providing examples of tattoo prices by location can offer valuable insights. See examples from this blog.

Average Tattoo Prices: How Much Does A Tattoo Cost? (3)

Materials Matter

You will also need to factor in the materials. A more elaborate tattoo will cost you more in materials. If the tattoo has a lot of colors, will take a lot of ink, requires different needles it will cost more. You will need to factor in all the materials used for the tattoo into the pricing. So, the more materials required the more you will charge for the tattoo.

Average Tattoo Prices: Consultation is Key

Use the consultation with a customer to review all of the prices associated with their tattoo. There is a lot that goes into tattoo prices and you want to consider all the factors. Make sure to take your time and consider all elements of the tattoo. You do not want to short yourself or charge too much. Take your time with pricing and give them an accurate estimate. It will be difficult to change it later. When it comes to managing tattoo prices, appointments, and more,check out our tattoo softwarefor all of your tattoo parlor needs.

Average Tattoo Prices: How Much Does A Tattoo Cost? (2024)

FAQs

Average Tattoo Prices: How Much Does A Tattoo Cost? ›

On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces. It can be very expensive to get elaborate and large tattoos.

How much should tattoos cost by size? ›

BASIC TATTOO COSTS
TYPESIZECOST
Tiny TattoosUnder 2 inches$50 - $100
Small Tattoos2-4 inches$50 - $250
Medium Sized Tattoos4-6 inches$150 - $450
Large Single-Piece Tattoos4-6 inches$500 - $5,000
1 more row
Jan 29, 2022

How big is a $500 tattoo? ›

A standard-size hip or thigh tattoo (about 12 inches in length) will run you about $500 for outline only, or anywhere from $1500 to $2000 for full color.

How big is a $300 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.

How much is a 1 hour tattoo? ›

✴ Hourly Rates

Many tattoo artists charge an hourly rate, ranging from $50 to $300 per hour or more, depending on their skill level and reputation.

How to calculate tattoo cost? ›

Since tattooing is an art form, The price essentially depends upon the artist and the work involved. The skillset, experience and class of the Artist, The intricacy and size of the Tattoo would influence the pricing. At Eternal Expression, the price can vary between 1500-3000 per square inch depending on intricacy.

Is $1000 normal for a tattoo? ›

A larger or more intricate tattoo could run you a minimum of $500 for a sleeve size and as high as $4,000 for areas like the back or chest. Any kind of custom tattoo is likely going to be upwards of $1,000.

Is $250 an hour a lot for a tattoo? ›

On average, tattoo artists charge $100 to $250 an hour, although in certain cases, high-profile tattoo artists charge more. Consider how in-demand your prospective artist is, based on factors such as their number of Instagram followers as well as awards given to the studio or artist, which can help determine rates.

What does a 50 dollar tattoo look like? ›

$50 tattoos are approximately one inch by one inch in black ink on arms or legs.

Is $50 a good tip for a $350 tattoo? ›

The best rule of thumb you can follow is to tip at least 20 percent of the total cost of your service, and tip even more for custom, intricate designs. It's the human thing to do.

How painful is a tattoo? ›

Tattooing tends to be a painful procedure because tattoo artists use needles to inject ink into the dermis layer of the skin. The injections cause localized swelling and damage to the skin. Once the tattoo procedure is over, the area may be sore for about a week before the swelling goes down.

Do you tip a tattoo artist? ›

The answer is yes, it is customary to tip tattoo artists. In fact, it is considered polite and appreciative to do so. Tattoo shops operate similarly to other service-oriented businesses, such as restaurants and salons.

Why are tattoos so expensive? ›

Quality work takes skill and time. And a lot of the tattoo price essentially comes down to the total time spent on the service, from designing the tattoo to changes made, to how long it takes to apply it to your skin.

How big is a $1,500 tattoo? ›

Half-Sleeve Tattoo Cost

The average cost for a half-sleeve tattoo is $500 to $1,500. It can span either the bicep or the forearm.

Is $100 expensive for a small tattoo? ›

On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces.

Is $200 for a tattoo expensive? ›

For designs under 2x2 inches, you can expect to pay our shop minimum, around $100. If you're considering a 3x3 inch design, the price typically falls within the $150-$200 range. For larger tattoos measuring 4x4 inches or more, prices start at approximately $250 and go up from there.

How much is 1 sq inch tattoo? ›

Price Range Table
Skill Level of the ArtistRate by Size (per sq. inch)Rate by Session (full day)
Beginner₹500 - ₹1,500₹18,000 - ₹30,000
Intermediate₹1,500 - ₹2,500₹30,000 - ₹75,000
Expert/Pro Artist₹5,000₹75000+
Oct 10, 2023

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