Save Money on Tattoos Without Cutting Corners

Yes, a good tattoo costs money. No, you don't have to empty your bank account to have a nice tattoo done. Most of the time the difference between someone paying way too much, and getting a great tattoo for a great price, comes down to research. Knowing how your tattoo artist prices their work, and when and what you can expect to pay when you book your appointment will make the difference between you and someone walking into a shop blind, asking for advice, and getting ripped off.

Below, you will find effective and tested ways that will help you save 20-50% on your tattoos, without jeopardizing the quality of your ink or your safety. These tactics should be taken by tattoo-seekers, regardless of the size of your tattoo budget. Find out more about the average cost of a tattoo in our tattoo cost guide.

Pick the Right Pricing Model for Your Design

Depending on the pricing structure you choose, your final total can range hundreds of Euros. Small, simple tattoos are almost always cheaper as a flat rate because artists generally estimate the amount of time a session will take higher than is actually necessary for the purpose of covering themselves. For mediums and large tattoos, hourly pricing will probably save you money if you choose an artist you trust who does a relatively quick job and if you have your final idea in mind. Day rates usually save 15 to 25 percent of the money that an hourly rate would have, considering it would be billed by the number of days it takes to complete a tattoo.

Always ask your artist which rate they would recommend for a specific piece and why. An artist who is honest will tell you which rate is best for that specific piece for you. If a price seems high, you can ask your artist if eliminating certain details, such as a fill color or shading, would drop the price of the piece significantly, and sometimes you will be told that the price will drop 20-30% by simplifying these things.

Reduce Design Revision Costs Before Your Session

One of the hidden costs in tattoo design is revision costs. Each iteration can mean hours to the artist's clock (and a cost for some artists beyond one or two revisions). To save yourself some dollars in this arena, bring three to five photos to your consultation that show the style, detail and size of the piece you want, and be specific about what you like about each example. This will ensure that you get a great concept image on your first or second round.

With AR tattoo try-on tools, you’ll be able to see what a tattoo will look like on your body before your appointment. This avoids the most expensive kind of tattoo revision, adjusting placement or size once the stencil is already applied to your body. Using this technology gives you peace of mind so you know exactly how big the tattoo should be and where you want it, so the artist doesn’t waste any session time redrawing and re-stenciling. This alone can potentially save your tattoo session 30 to 60 minutes on larger, more detailed tattoos.

Timing and Booking Strategies That Lower Prices

Here’s an often-unconsidered secret to getting an affordable tattoo: timing. Every January through March, when demand typically dips for most tattoo shops, artists often offer promotional pricing and flash sales to fill the gaps in their schedules. In particular, Friday the 13th often sees flash pricing in shops; a small, tattooed flash design, for example, will usually go for 13 euros or more. The best way to know when these sales are offered is to follow the tattoo artists you’re fond of on social media.

On the flip side, booking your appointment during the week (rather than the weekend) may allow you to get a cheaper rate, or it will make the session more leisurely and less frantic. You can also ask your tattoo artist if you can be put on a waitlist for cancellation spots. Tattoo artists hate having empty spaces in their schedule, so sometimes they’ll be willing to offer a lower rate to close up any of those openings, which is better than just losing that income. Additionally, tattoos made up of multiple sessions can also be discussed as a whole package at a discounted rate per session.

Flash Tattoos, Apprentices, and Smart Budget Options

"Flash tattoos" are pre-drawn designs the artists have in stock; they are sold at a lower set price because the design work has been pre-completed. So you might pay €300 for a custom design, but the flash equivalent of similar size and complexity might be between €150 and €200. You'll find that the flash tattoos on an artists sheets are their very best, because many artists prefer designing for their own sake instead of adhering to a client brief. Look for any flash tattoos available from your favourite tattoo artist before you book any custom work.

At the shops that do hire apprentices (and they do happen), those artists will usually work for 40 to 60 percent less than the shop's regular artists, and under the supervision of that regular artist. It's the least common way to score a bargain, but it's one worth researching because the artists have the training and skill. Just be prepared to scrutinize your artist's work, read reviews, and ask to see healed photos and not just fresh work. Learn how tattoo deposits work so that you're able to set your budget accordingly and to avoid getting penalized for a no-show tattoo deposit.

Use Technology to Estimate and Plan Your Budget

With AI tattoo calculators, the entire process has shifted. Gone are the days of blindly guessing at the price of a new design and risking an awkward surprise at your consultation. You can now upload a picture of your idea, or simply explain it, and you’ll receive an approximate quote right away. This allows you to establish a realistic price bracket before ever picking up the phone to connect with a tattoo artist, so instead of loving a design you can’t afford, you can simply refine the size to better match your budget.

Price estimates in conjunction with an AR pre-view of the design, give the complete preparation for booking a tattoo appointment. See how the tattoo design would look on your skin, plus how much it costs, without having to spend any money yet. It is very easy to spend more than you intended. The two biggest culprits for overspending are deciding to change the size or shape of the design during the consultation, and having to add an additional session to complete your artwork. Your best budgeting decision is not getting the cheapest artist, but rather getting rid of everything that costs you money besides the design itself.