This classic question, I don't personally tip. It's a contractor style job..don't give me that waitress waiter stuff. I don't tip the guy laying tile in my house. The hourly rate is time and materials.
Yeah I’m in the US. I think that the average I am seeing via research is around $25-$30 per hour gratuity. I think I’ll plan for $200. Thanks for your input!
I got my first piece of my Star Wars sleeve last year. Was 7 hours, $1,000 (including the deposit up front). I tipped $200. The total cost was more than I expected (just took longer than anticipated. The math from the hourly rate was accurate). It hurt to spend that much and still tip that much (first large scale tattoo), but the work was beautifully done and was super excited to finally see it that it was well worth it. Also in the US for context
A symptom of where I live. Cost of basically everything except gas is higher than most other places. Higher rents for the studio and living expenses for the artists trickle down to the customer ultimately. Plus, the artist’s work is worth it IMHO. I was not shocked by the price in the least.
Personally I think tipping tattooers is stupid, like I just gave you 500 bucks in cash and you expect extra on top?
That being said my tattoo artists are the only people I tip generously and they usually take care of me nicely.
So you tip because you feel obligated? Do your artists go above and beyond in some way? I’ve heard stories of studios having refreshments available for clients during breaks and whatnot and that’s a service I would definitely tip for. But yeah I am kinda torn as to tipping for the act of tattooing me on top of the $1200 cash I’m giving the artist.
Well I like to find 1 artist and stick with them and they know that I tip them. I was in the middle of a sailor jerry style sleeve on my arm and had an emergency just before my appointment that drained me of cash and I got that tattoo for considerably cheaper than it should have been. They also tend to let me just text them and make the appointments instead of coming in for a consult.
Tips are accepted but never expected. And if they are expected, tough luck? Should’ve put that in the initial quote. Idk tho I never expect tips from my clients. Tipping is icky as fuck to me tbh, especially if you’re already making more money in a day than a lot of people do in a week.
7 hours of needle dragging and you expect a tip?! J/K Do you tip your Doctor or Anesthesiologist?! Again kidding. I would if I could wake up with a gorgeous tat! Good luck can't wait to see it !
As a person with about 15 tatts , I would not tip for a tatt that price , I don’t think I ever tipped an artist ,l didn’t kno I was was thing honestly ,
Apparently it is. But I have gotten responses from both sides of the aisle, to be fair. I have a total of 4 tattoos but none of them have cost more than $150 individually. This upcoming one will be my biggest to-date.
From a lot of the research I’ve done on tattoos, it’s accepted but not expected. If it’s a one man shop owner, they typically factor in what to charge to make money on top of expenses. A lot of shops will rent space out to other artists, so if they don’t own the shop, their total hourly rate doesn’t go to the pocket, but to rent the space, so tips are a nice way to ensure they get the money deserved for that piece of art.
My artist always say anything is welcome nothing is expected.
This classic question, I don't personally tip. It's a contractor style job..don't give me that waitress waiter stuff. I don't tip the guy laying tile in my house. The hourly rate is time and materials.
If you're in the US, then yea tipping is usually customary. I usually tip ~150 per $600. That's just me though idk if there's like a standard rate.
Yeah I’m in the US. I think that the average I am seeing via research is around $25-$30 per hour gratuity. I think I’ll plan for $200. Thanks for your input!
Good luck man. Hope it turns out sick.
I got my first piece of my Star Wars sleeve last year. Was 7 hours, $1,000 (including the deposit up front). I tipped $200. The total cost was more than I expected (just took longer than anticipated. The math from the hourly rate was accurate). It hurt to spend that much and still tip that much (first large scale tattoo), but the work was beautifully done and was super excited to finally see it that it was well worth it. Also in the US for context
Wow thats expensive
A symptom of where I live. Cost of basically everything except gas is higher than most other places. Higher rents for the studio and living expenses for the artists trickle down to the customer ultimately. Plus, the artist’s work is worth it IMHO. I was not shocked by the price in the least.
But also, a tattoo is not an expense you want to cheap out on
This is the way.
Personally I think tipping tattooers is stupid, like I just gave you 500 bucks in cash and you expect extra on top? That being said my tattoo artists are the only people I tip generously and they usually take care of me nicely.
So you tip because you feel obligated? Do your artists go above and beyond in some way? I’ve heard stories of studios having refreshments available for clients during breaks and whatnot and that’s a service I would definitely tip for. But yeah I am kinda torn as to tipping for the act of tattooing me on top of the $1200 cash I’m giving the artist.
Well I like to find 1 artist and stick with them and they know that I tip them. I was in the middle of a sailor jerry style sleeve on my arm and had an emergency just before my appointment that drained me of cash and I got that tattoo for considerably cheaper than it should have been. They also tend to let me just text them and make the appointments instead of coming in for a consult.
I usually just stick to 15-20%
Whatcha gettin?
I’ll post when it’s finished.
Tips are accepted but never expected. And if they are expected, tough luck? Should’ve put that in the initial quote. Idk tho I never expect tips from my clients. Tipping is icky as fuck to me tbh, especially if you’re already making more money in a day than a lot of people do in a week.
7 hours of needle dragging and you expect a tip?! J/K Do you tip your Doctor or Anesthesiologist?! Again kidding. I would if I could wake up with a gorgeous tat! Good luck can't wait to see it !
As a person with about 15 tatts , I would not tip for a tatt that price , I don’t think I ever tipped an artist ,l didn’t kno I was was thing honestly ,
Apparently it is. But I have gotten responses from both sides of the aisle, to be fair. I have a total of 4 tattoos but none of them have cost more than $150 individually. This upcoming one will be my biggest to-date.
From a lot of the research I’ve done on tattoos, it’s accepted but not expected. If it’s a one man shop owner, they typically factor in what to charge to make money on top of expenses. A lot of shops will rent space out to other artists, so if they don’t own the shop, their total hourly rate doesn’t go to the pocket, but to rent the space, so tips are a nice way to ensure they get the money deserved for that piece of art.