Hourly vs Flat Rate Tattoos: Which Saves You Money?

It can feel like walking into a store, ready to buy some goods, not knowing if they are being priced per pound or per box, you’re either going to get an amazing deal or you’re going to be gouged out of several hundred dollars. That is why it’s important to understand how pricing works when you’re trying to book some tattoos. Two very popular ways in which tattoo artists price their tattoos are flat rates and hourly rates. Depending on the circumstances, one pricing structure might work better for you than the other.

Tattoo pricing can be confusing mainly because clients and artists are thinking about it differently. The person getting the tattoo is thinking of getting a set price for a design, but the artist may be billing hourly. If you want an hourly tattoo, it may turn out you’re paying less than you think it is. The following will help you understand both models of pricing, and when each one is the better deal. Plus, you’ll learn a little about how to discuss pricing with an artist before you sit in the chair. For an overall breakdown of tattoo cost per size, check our Complete Guide to Tattoo Cost.

How Hourly Tattoo Pricing Works

Hourly rates are exactly as they sound: you’ll pay a specific rate per hour. Most artists charge between €80 and €200 per hour in Europe and the USA, while the very top of the scale sees some tattooers charge in excess of €250 per hour. Usually the timer only starts when the tattoo process begins and pauses while you are out for a break, although that’s not universal so check the policy for your specific appointment. Some artists will charge in half-hour chunks while others only charge for full hours. It pays to ask beforehand what their practice is!

Because you will be charged hourly, you only pay for the time they have worked; it's very transparent, which is great. It's a nice model for the artist if they have a fast pace of work. But this means you don't know how long you're going to need to be under the needle because that depends on your skin, the design that's actually going to be placed into your skin, and how long you can sit still. If you move around, if you're on breaks, the tattoo is going to take longer. If you're doing something large that will take multiple sessions, ask for an hour estimate so you know what to expect.

When Flat Rate Pricing Makes More Sense

Flat rates are an exact total price for your tattoo as long as the design is finished, no matter how long it takes to do that. This is a common model for smaller to midsize tattoos like standard designs or flash, scripts and symbol tattoos and so on. Tattoo artists set their flat rate based on an approximation of time to get the tattoo done and the cost of the materials and complexity of the design, which is their guess as to how long it will take. For example, a small wrist tattoo may be at €120 flat rate, whereas a slightly more complicated forearm design may be at €500 flat rate. It doesn't matter if you finish the small wrist tattoo in 45 minutes or two hours, it will cost €120 for both!

If you want the security of knowing exactly what your drawing session is going to cost before it begins, a flat-rate session might be a better option than paying hourly. The best use case is someone who has their drawing taken before and knows that they are good at sitting (or just happens to be a great sitter). In exchange for that certainty though, your artist will build a small amount of margin in case the session runs over time. So, be prepared that paying the flat rate for a session can cost you 10 to 20 percent more than paying for the same length of time hourly. This extra fee basically amounts to your insurance in case something comes up and makes you arrive late or need the artist to stay longer than anticipated. For new clients, that peace of mind is definitely worth it.

Day Rates: The Third Option Most People Miss

Day rates are a secret that veteran tattoo lovers know well, but it's unlikely first-timers would ever discover. For a flat fee, usually €500 to €1,500, depending on the artist, you secure the tattoo artist for an entire tattoo session of usually 6 to 8 hours. Do the math, and day rates often amount to 15 to 25 per cent cheaper per hour than an hourly rate. If the hourly rate is €150 for an 8-hour session, then a flat day rate may be €900 to €1,000.

Day rates usually work best for bigger pieces such as sleeves, back, and chest designs, as well as when you book a guest artist who will be only in your city for a short time. The artist is guaranteed the whole-day rate even if things go slowly on the appointment, so they will still make a good day's pay, and you get more ink per euro. If you have a bigger piece in mind, see if day rate is offered to the artist before agreeing to hourly billing. While most artists will agree on a day rate, they may not promote it because it appears to be higher than an hourly rate at first glance. To make a multi-session appointment, first get a clear understanding of how a deposit works so that both you and the artist are secure on the commitment.

How to Choose the Right Pricing Model

Your best bet will depend on three things: the size of the piece, how intricate the design is, and whether you can be flexible with money. Flat rate is going to be your best bet 99% of the time if it's less than 10 cm because there's gonna be a standard price set by the artist, and you'll be in and out anyway, with no real chance of over-running the time frame. Flat rate is a possible option for tattoos ranging from 10-25 cm, although you'll usually end up paying less by going hourly if you can sit well and there is no need for heavy detail work. For any larger piece of work, ask for a day rate, and then go back to hourly if the artist doesn't offer day work.

Style factors in, too. Styles that are intricate, like realism, Japanese, and dotwork, charge more per square centimeter compared to bolder styles like traditional or blackwork. Since artists don't have the time to rush with detail work, hourly rates don't work as well for detailed pieces. That is when a flat fee or day rate comes in handy; in many instances, you might end up paying less, plus there won't be pressure to rush the work. You can use Inkjin's AI price estimator to see what kind of rates you might expect for your tattoo and to compare costs under different pricing structures before you sit down with a designer.

Red Flags in Tattoo Pricing to Watch For

All pricing is not equal and there are some warning signs that should make you consider other options before selecting an artist. These include a refusal to quote an estimated price before the session, a change of pricing structure mid-way through your tattoo, and prices that are too low. An hourly rate less than €50 in a large city usually means either the artist is inexperienced or not adhering to best practice in hygiene and materials. Flat rate quotations that appear too good to be true often mean the artist will rush the job or try and talk you into a less complex design.

Be sure to check for hidden costs that will drive up the final price from the quoted rate. Some studios will add a setup charge, extra fees for changing their designs, or even mandatory tips on your final bill without you knowing about it beforehand. A true artist will always let you know the total amount and whether or not there is an extra fee before you commit yourself. You should always get a pricing agreement in writing, especially for tattoos that take up many hours or days to finish that might run you thousands of euros in total. Good artists actually like being questioned about the prices because it means you are well prepared and knowledgeable, thus making you far more likely to proceed with the tattoo, and then leave a glowing review!