Tattoo Pricing Strategy Guide

Pricing tattoos correctly is one of the most challenging aspects of running a tattoo business. Charge too little and you can’t sustain your career. Charge too much and clients go elsewhere. This guide helps you find the right balance.

Tattoo Pricing Models

Hourly Rate

Charging by the hour is the most common model for larger pieces:

Pros: Fair compensation for complex work, accounts for difficulty Cons: Clients may feel uncertain about final cost, slower artists benefit

Flat Rate/Per Piece

Quote a fixed price based on design complexity and size:

Pros: Clients know exactly what they’ll pay, encourages efficient work Cons: Can lose money on difficult pieces, requires accurate estimation

Minimum Charge

A base price for any tattoo, regardless of size:

• Typical range: $80-200
• Covers: Setup time, sterilization, supplies, small designs
• When to apply: Any piece that takes less than your hourly rate

Day Rate

For large-scale work (back pieces, sleeves):

• Typical range: $800-3,000+ per day
• Usually includes: 6-8 hours of tattooing
• Best for: Multi-session projects with established clients

Factors That Affect Pricing

Your Costs

Calculate your true costs before setting prices:

• Supplies per tattoo: $10-50 (needles, ink, gloves, barriers)
• Shop rent/booth fee: $200-2,000/month
• Insurance: $500-1,500/year
• Equipment maintenance: Ongoing
• Software and tools: $30-100/month

Market Factors

Location: Major cities command higher rates than small towns.

Competition: Research what other artists in your area charge.

Demand: Popular artists with waitlists can charge premium rates.

Specialization: Unique styles or techniques justify higher prices.

Design Factors

Size: Larger pieces = more time = higher cost

Detail: Fine line work vs. bold traditional affects time significantly

Color vs. Black/Grey: Color often takes longer, may warrant higher rates

Custom vs. Flash: Custom work requires design time; price accordingly

Placement: Difficult areas (ribs, feet, hands) may warrant premiums

Setting Your Prices

Step 1: Calculate Your Hourly Cost

Monthly expenses ÷ Hours worked = Minimum hourly rate

Example:
$4,000 expenses ÷ 100 hours = $40/hour just to break even

Step 2: Add Profit Margin

Your time and expertise have value beyond covering costs:

Break-even rate × 2.5-4 = Sustainable hourly rate

$40 × 3 = $120/hour

Step 3: Research Competition

Check other artists in your area:

• What do beginners charge?
• What do established artists charge?
• Where does your experience/skill fit?

Step 4: Test and Adjust

Start conservative, then raise prices as:

• You get busier
• Your skills improve
• Your reputation grows

Pricing Strategies

Good/Better/Best

Offer multiple options:

• Basic: Flash design, standard size, black only
• Custom: Personalized design, your interpretation
• Premium: Full custom collaboration, revisions included

Tiered Deposits

Larger pieces = larger deposits:

• Small tattoos: $50-100 deposit
• Medium pieces: $100-200 deposit
• Large work: 20-30% of estimated total

Package Pricing

For multi-session work:

• Full sleeve packages
• Back piece deals
• Touch-up inclusion

Common Pricing Mistakes

Undercharging: The most common mistake. You can always lower prices; raising them is harder.

Charging friends less: “Friend rates” devalue your work and create expectations.

Not accounting for design time: Custom drawings take hours—include this in your price.

Forgetting supplies: Every tattoo has material costs. Factor them in.

Comparing to hobbyists: Scratchers working from home don’t have your overhead or standards.

Rushing estimates: Take time to accurately estimate—losing money on underquoted pieces hurts.

Communicating Prices

Be Confident

State your prices without apologizing. You’re a professional providing a service.

Be Transparent

Explain what’s included:

• Design time
• Revisions allowed
• Touch-up policy
• What affects final cost

Provide Estimates, Not Quotes

For large pieces, give ranges:

“Based on the design, I estimate this will be $800-1200, depending on how much detail we include.”

Deposit Policies

Clear policies prevent disputes:

• Deposit amount and when it’s due
• Whether deposits are refundable
• How deposits apply to final cost
• Cancellation/reschedule terms

Raising Your Prices

When to Raise

• You’re consistently booked out 4+ weeks
• Your skills have significantly improved
• Your costs have increased
• You haven’t raised prices in 1-2 years

How to Raise

1. Give notice: Tell existing clients prices are increasing next month
2. Honor existing quotes: Don’t change prices mid-project
3. Raise incrementally: 10-20% at a time feels more acceptable
4. Update everywhere: Website, social media, booking page

Handling Pushback

Some clients will push back. Remember:

• Not every client is your client
• Quality clients value quality work
• Underpricing attracts price-sensitive (often difficult) clients

Special Situations

Touch-Ups

Common policies:

• Free within 3-6 months if following aftercare
• Charged if client didn’t follow instructions
• Always charged after initial period

Cover-Ups

Typically charge 25-50% more due to:

• Extra difficulty
• Design constraints
• More sessions often needed

Fixing Others’ Work

Be careful with pricing:

• May require more sessions
• Often more stressful
• Consider charging premium rates

Price Examples

Small Flash (1-2 inches)

• Shop minimum: $80-150
• Time: 15-45 minutes

Medium Piece (3-5 inches)

• Price: $200-500
• Time: 1-3 hours

Half Sleeve

• Price: $1,500-4,000
• Sessions: 3-6
• Time: 12-25 hours total

Full Sleeve

• Price: $3,000-8,000+
• Sessions: 6-15
• Time: 25-50+ hours total

Back Piece

• Price: $5,000-15,000+
• Sessions: 10-30
• Time: 40-100+ hours total

Bottom Line

Your pricing should:

1. Cover all your costs
2. Compensate for your time and skill
3. Allow for business growth
4. Reflect your market position

Don’t race to the bottom on price. Clients who choose solely on price are rarely your best clients. Build a reputation for quality work, and price-conscious clients will be replaced by value-conscious ones.

Related: How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make | Building Your Tattoo Client Base