How Much to Tip Tattoo Artists

Tipping your tattoo artist is customary, but the etiquette isn’t always clear. This guide covers how much to tip, when it’s appropriate, and answers common questions about tattoo tipping.

The Standard Tip

20% is the standard tip for tattoo artists.

This mirrors tipping customs for other personal service providers (hairstylists, massage therapists). For excellent work or exceptional service, consider 25-30%.

Quick Reference

Tattoo Cost	15% Tip	20% Tip	25% Tip
$100	$15	$20	$25
$200	$30	$40	$50
$500	$75	$100	$125
$1,000	$150	$200	$250
$2,000	$300	$400	$500

Why Tip Your Tattoo Artist?

They Don’t Keep All the Money

Unless your artist owns the shop, they typically pay:

Booth rent: Fixed monthly fee to use a station
Commission split: Shop takes 40-60% of the tattoo price

A $500 tattoo might only net the artist $200-300 before supplies.

It’s Personal Service

Your artist is creating permanent art on your body. That’s intimate work requiring:

Custom design time
Skill developed over years
Hours of focused concentration
Personal investment in your satisfaction

It’s Expected

Like tipping waitstaff, tipping tattoo artists is part of the industry culture. Most artists budget expecting tips as part of their income.

When to Tip More

Consider tipping above 20% when:

Exceptional work: The tattoo exceeded your expectations.

Complex design: Your artist spent extra time on custom artwork.

Difficult placement: Challenging areas (ribs, feet, hands) require more skill.

Great experience: Your artist made you comfortable, handled your nervousness well.

Going above and beyond: Extra revisions, accommodating schedule changes, exceptional aftercare guidance.

Long sessions: Multi-hour appointments where your artist’s focus never wavered.

When Tipping Less Might Be Appropriate

Note: Tipping less than 15% should be reserved for genuinely poor experiences.

Consider reducing your tip only if:

The artist was unprofessional or rude
They ignored your design input
The tattoo quality fell significantly short of the preview
They rushed through the work carelessly

However: If there’s a problem with your tattoo, address it with the artist before reducing the tip. Many issues can be fixed, and your artist deserves the chance to make it right.

How to Tip

Cash Is King

Most artists prefer cash tips:

Goes directly to them
No processing fees
Received immediately
More private

Hand cash directly to your artist at the end of the session.

Card Tips

If paying by card, many shops allow you to add a tip:

May be subject to processing fees (2-3% deducted)
May go through the shop first
Still appreciated if cash isn’t an option

Digital Payment

Some artists accept tips via:

Venmo
Cash App
PayPal

Ask your artist if they have a preferred method.

Multi-Session Work

For large pieces requiring multiple sessions:

Option 1: Tip after each session

Tip 20% of that session’s cost
Most common approach

Option 2: Tip at the end

Tip 20% of total cost when complete
Can feel awkward if it’s been many months

Option 3: Partial tips each session, larger tip at completion

Smaller tips during, larger tip when finished
Shows ongoing appreciation

Tipping at Different Price Points

Small Tattoos ($100-300)

Standard 20% works fine. A $100 tattoo = $20 tip.

Medium Tattoos ($300-800)

20% is still standard. $500 tattoo = $100 tip.

Large Tattoos ($1,000+)

At higher prices, some people tip a flat amount or slightly lower percentage:

$2,000 tattoo with 20% = $400 tip
Some tip $200-300 as a generous but not proportional amount

There’s no universal rule here. If you can afford 20%, it’s always appreciated. If that’s too much, a generous flat amount (10-15%) is still good.

Day Rates

For artists charging day rates ($1,000-3,000/day):

15-20% of the day rate
$1,500 day rate = $225-300 tip

Special Situations

Free Touch-Ups

If your artist does a free touch-up:

Tipping isn’t mandatory but is appreciated
$20-50 is a nice gesture for their time

Friends/Family Discounts

If your artist gave you a deal:

Tip on what the tattoo would normally cost, not the discounted price
Or at minimum, tip generously to acknowledge the discount

Shop Owner/Artists

Owners who tattoo you:

Still should be tipped—owning the shop doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate it
They still have costs and provided personal service

Traveling/Guest Artists

Artists doing guest spots:

Tip them directly (not through the host shop)
Standard 20% applies

Common Questions

Is it rude not to tip? Not tipping is noticed and can be considered rude, similar to not tipping a server. It’s technically optional but socially expected.

Should I tip even if I paid a lot? Yes. The price reflects the artist’s skill, time, and the shop’s costs. Tips are separate appreciation for personal service.

What if I can’t afford to tip? If you can’t afford 20%, tip what you can. Even 10% is better than nothing. Or, consider a smaller tattoo you can properly budget for, including the tip.

Do I tip for consultations? Free consultations typically aren’t tipped. If they charged for design work, tipping is a nice gesture.

Should I tip the shop front desk? Not expected, but if someone went above and beyond helping you, a small tip ($5-10) is kind.

Building a Good Relationship

Beyond tipping, good clients:

Show up on time
Follow aftercare instructions
Leave positive reviews
Refer friends
Return for future work

Your tip is part of this relationship. A generous tipper who’s pleasant to work with becomes a favorite client.

Bottom Line

20% is standard. Adjust up for exceptional work, down only for genuinely poor experiences. Cash is preferred. Tip your artist directly, not just through the payment system.

Your tattoo artist creates permanent art on your body. Their skill, time, and personal investment deserve recognition. When budgeting for a tattoo, factor in the tip as part of the total cost—not an afterthought.