A good tattoo costs money, but you do not have to empty your savings to get one. The difference between someone who overpays and someone who gets great work at a fair price usually comes down to preparation. If you know how artists price their work, when to book and which design choices change the cost, you can keep the bill down without cutting corners.
This guide covers practical ways to pay less for your tattoo while keeping the quality and the safety. They work for any budget, for a first tattoo or the next one. For prices by size and style, see the tattoo cost guide.
Start with a realistic budget
The easiest way to overspend is to fall for a design before you know what it costs. Start with what Inkjin artists usually ask. Most small designs cost €80-€140, most medium designs cost €140-€200, and most large designs cost €220-€350. Sleeves and back pieces are custom work over several sessions and cost a lot more.
Then use the price estimator for your own idea. You can describe the design or upload a picture and get a rough range in a minute. If the number is higher than you want to spend, change the size or the amount of detail now, before you talk to an artist.
Size and detail are the two things you control most. A slightly smaller design, black and gray instead of color, or less shading in the background can all lower the price. Ask the artist which changes would make the biggest difference to the cost and the least difference to the look.
Choose the right pricing model
How the artist charges can change your final bill a lot. Small, simple designs usually work best at a flat price, because you know the total before you start. For medium and large pieces, paying by the hour can cost less if the artist works efficiently and you arrive with a clear idea. For big projects, ask about a day rate, which often works out cheaper per hour than hourly pricing.
Ask your artist which model they would suggest for your design and why. A good artist will tell you honestly. The hourly vs flat rate guide explains each model in more detail.
Keep design changes to a minimum
Design changes are one of the hidden costs of a tattoo. Each round of changes takes the artist time, and some artists charge for revisions after the first one or two.
The best way to avoid this is to arrive with clear references. Bring three to five images that show the style, the level of detail and the size you want. Say what you like about each one. This helps the artist get the idea right in the first or second sketch. The consultation guide shows what else to bring.
Placement and size changes are the most costly kind, because they often happen once the stencil is already on your skin. You can avoid most of them by checking the design on your own body first with AR try-on. When you know the size and spot before the session, the artist spends the time tattooing instead of redrawing and moving the stencil.
Book at the right time
Tattoo demand goes up and down during the year. In quieter months, often after the holidays, some artists run flash sales or offers to fill their calendar. Some studios also hold flash days, for example on Friday the 13th, with small designs at a lower price. Follow the artists you like on social media to catch these.
A few more booking tips:
- Weekdays. Booking on a weekday can sometimes get you a better price, or at least a calmer session.
- Cancellation list. Ask to be on the artist's list for last-minute openings. An artist would rather fill a gap than lose the slot, and some offer a lower price to do it.
- Multi-session pieces. For a big project, ask if the artist offers a package price for all the sessions.
Flash designs and apprentices
Flash designs are ready-made designs that the artist has already drawn. Because the drawing work is done, flash usually costs less than a custom piece of the same size. Many artists put some of their best ideas into flash, because they draw it for themselves. Check your favorite artist's flash before you ask for custom work. You can browse ready-made designs from Inkjin artists and find a tattoo artist whose flash you like.
Apprentices at good studios usually charge less than the studio's experienced artists and work under supervision. This can be a good way to get solid work for less. Look at their portfolio carefully, read reviews and ask for photos of healed work, not only fresh tattoos.
Before you book, read how tattoo deposits work, so you plan for the deposit and do not lose it by missing an appointment.
Where you should not try to save money
Some savings cost you more in the end. A bad tattoo can mean a cover-up or laser removal, and both cost much more than doing it right the first time. The cover-up guide explains what fixing a tattoo involves.
- Hygiene. Only book with a licensed studio that uses single-use needles and sterilizes its equipment. Avoid home tattoos and unlicensed spaces, however cheap they are.
- The artist's style. Pick an artist who is good at the style you want, even if it means a smaller design. A cheaper artist who does not suit the style is a poor deal.
- Aftercare. Budget for a tattoo balm, a fragrance-free moisturizer and sunscreen, usually around €10-€30. Good aftercare protects the money you spent.
- The tip. Plan for it if you want to tip. 15 to 20% is usual in the US, and 10 to 15% in Europe, where a tip is welcome but not expected.
For more warning signs, read tattoo artist red flags.
