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 general tattoo prices.
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 time you 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.
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 up in 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 general tattoo prices by location can offer valuable insights. See examples from this blog.
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 software for all of your tattoo parlor needs.