It should come as no surprise that the answer is – it depends. On a number of factors, such as size, placement, colour, technique, pain tolerance of the person getting a tattoo, and skill of the artist. Of course, how long a tattoo will take also influences how much it will cost, as most studios and artists charge by the hour, after a minimum fee. Scheduling a tattoo is actually a complex procedure, which is why it is almost always better to book a full-day session if you are getting a bigger piece, leaving you and your artist ample room to accommodate things such as design changes and placement tweaks.
Size does matter
That being said, a general guideline could be that a small, simple, ‘straightforward’ tattoo about the size of half a thumb could take about an hour. Working our way up to a large back piece, it would probably not be done in a day and would require several sittings.
The same is true for a full arm or leg sleeve. You may need as many as five or more full-day sessions (of course taking into account that your artist – and you – will need to take breaks throughout). But remember, it is the quality of the work you are paying for, not the speed of the needle, and artists work at different output capacities.
The same goes for the person getting a tattoo. We all have different pain thresholds, and some areas will be trickier than others. Some may need to take more frequent pauses than others, whereas some may prefer to bite down and get it over and done with. Patience and dedication go a long way when considering larger pieces.
Some people may also decide that they actually prefer to get it done in smaller time increments, coming back to the studio more frequently for half days rather than getting under the needle for a full day.
As you will be spending a lot of time in each other’s company for such a project, it is important to go with an artist with whom you feel comfortable. Likewise, you want to take a little care to make their work environment and creative experience as enjoyable as possible.
Adding colour will mean that the piece will take longer than if it is done in black and grey. Portrait tattoos that naturally have a lot of minute details and shading will take much longer than an Old School piece with bold lines and primary colours.
Overall, when planning for a tattoo, even though you may want to get one now now now and preferably yesterday (we totally get it) it is always better to save up for a little longer to have a little more leeway when it comes to both motive and scheduling. You never want a tattoo to feel like it has been rushed, and if you count the money as in time you will actually spend having the tattoo on your skin, it’s not exactly an expensive hourly rate…
Getting a new tattoo can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months. In some cases they can take over a year. Each session is typically 4-6 hours. How long your tattoo takes depends on size, complexity, care, and artist skill.
That being said, a general guideline could be that a small, simple, 'straightforward' tattoo about the size of half a thumb could take about an hour. Working our way up to a large back piece, it would probably not be done in a day and would require several sittings. The same is true for a full arm or leg sleeve.
To become a tattoo artist, you still need to build your skills, even if this doesn't mean you need to go to school to study the art. Most people cannot enter the tattoo business until they train for around two to three years. While this might sound like a long time, keep in mind that tattoos are permanent works of art.
On the other hand, smaller letter tattoo designs may only take an hour or less. Keep in mind that every individual's skin and pain tolerance vary, meaning a simple design on one person may take longer than a more complex tattoo on another.
Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form.
The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip—just like at a restaurant or a hair salon. However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others.
Due to various tattoo locations causing more pain than others, some people decide they have to come back and complete the design in more tolerable increments. "When I used to do more large scale work, an 8 to 12 hour tattoo day was pretty normal," says Dagger.
The most painful tattoo placements are frequently located at the extremities (head, face, hands, fingers, feet, toes), regions where there is naturally less body fat (ribcage, shoulder blade, collarbones, hips, ankles) or more nerve endings (armpit, groin or buttocks).
Another reason for the long wait time is that some customers prefer special styles and large, unusual designs. Sometimes this requires several sessions and appointments must be found at the right intervals. There are 17 different tattoo artists working in our tattoo studio who specialize in different tattoo styles.
Yes, it is normal to find yourself hating a tattoo. In a Dermatologist study of 600 people with tattoos, 78% of them regretted at least one. You're not alone in saying “I hate my tattoo”.
A “simple” tattoo that's only line work and is 2–3 inches may take an hour or maybe a little less. An extremely complicated design, with lots of line work and filled in areas may take as much as 6–8 hours.
As you can imagine, there is no set time for someone to do this, it really depends on what you're looking to get done. However, generally speaking, it can take anywhere between 30 minutes for a small, simple design and up to 4 weeks for a large, complex, custom color design.
As you can imagine, there is no set time for someone to do this, it really depends on what you're looking to get done. However, generally speaking, it can take anywhere between 30 minutes for a small, simple design and up to 4 weeks for a large, complex, custom color design.
Some people describe the feeling of getting tattooed as a hot scratch. Others describe it as annoying. You might feel stinging or burning when the artist outlines or details your design. If you're getting a bony spot inked, you might feel a vibrating sensation.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative 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.
