Tattoo Pricing Guide
This is the definitive tattoo pricing guide by Inkjin. Use it to understand what actually drives cost, what ranges are realistic, and how to get a smarter estimate before you commit.
Start here
Pricing is mostly time + complexity. The fastest way to stop guessing is to define: size, style, placement, and color.
If you have a reference photo or sketch, run it through the AI estimator first, then message an artist with your placement and size.
Budget for revisions, touch-ups, and placement difficulty (ribs, hands, neck) which often pushes the price up.
Quick price ranges (use as a baseline)
This guide is based on real pricing data from over 3,200 original tattoo designs submitted by professional artists on Inkjin. Median prices, not guesses.
| Size (largest dimension) | Observed Session Time | Common price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (≤5 cm) | 30–90 min | €80–€160 | Observed minimums dominate pricing at this size. |
| Medium (6–12 cm) | 1–3 hours | €180–€420 | Widest variance due to detail density. |
| Large (13–20 cm) | 3–6 hours | €420–€950 | Pricing stabilizes as time becomes predictable. |
| Very large / multi-session (20+ cm) | Multiple sessions | €950–€2,800+ | Prices cluster by session, not size. |
Minimums are real
Even a tiny tattoo often has a minimum charge because setup, hygiene, and time still exist.
Color changes the clock
More color usually means more passes and more time. That’s why it raises the price.
Placement is hidden cost
Ribs, hands, neck, and areas with movement or sensitivity often require slower work.
What drives tattoo prices
Most people ask for “a price.” Artists think in time. Your job is to make the time predictable.
1) Style complexity
Fine line and minimal can be fast. Realism, Japanese, dense blackwork, and color-packed styles take longer. Time is the bill.
2) Size and detail density
Bigger usually costs more. But density is the trap: a small, highly-detailed tattoo can be slower than a larger simple one.
3) Placement difficulty
Some placements are harder to tattoo cleanly. The artist slows down to avoid blowouts and uneven healing. That changes price.
4) Artist demand and experience
The best artists aren’t expensive because they’re greedy. They’re expensive because they’re booked and consistent.
What Inkjin sees in real data
We built Inkjin to remove guesswork. This guide is based on data from thousands of original tattoos submitted by professional artists on Inkjin. In practice, the biggest pricing swings come from a few repeatable patterns: detail density, placement difficulty, and color.
| Variable | What actually changes | Time impact | Typical price effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forearm | Stable surface, predictable stretch | Efficient | Baseline (1.0×) |
| Calf | Curvature, moderate movement | Slightly slower | +10% |
| Upper arm | Muscle contour, repositioning | Moderate | +30% |
| Thigh | Large surface, positioning complexity | Long | +70–500%* |
| Chest | Breathing movement, symmetry risk | Slow | +325% |
| Ribs / Neck / Hands | High movement, high blowout risk | Slow | +250–400% |
Ranges derived from real pricing data across thousands of original tattoo designs submitted by professional artists on Inkjin.
*Thigh pricing varies widely because it includes both small standalone tattoos and large, full-panel work. That range is normal—and reflects how different the work can be.
Price tends to cluster by size
Small tattoos often sit near the minimum. Medium tattoos spread the most because detail varies wildly. Large work becomes “session math.”
Style is a multiplier
Two tattoos with the same size can price differently because one is fast (minimal) and the other is slow (realism / dense shading).
A smarter way to estimate (before you message an artist)
If you have a reference photo, a design screenshot, or a sketch, use Inkjin’s AI estimator to get a realistic range. Then message an artist with: exact placement + approx size (cm) + color or black.
How to budget and ask for a quote
If you want a clean quote, send a clean request. Here’s the fastest format.
1) Reference
Attach 1–3 references. If it’s your own sketch, even better.
2) Placement + size
“Outer forearm, ~10cm tall.” Not “medium-ish.”
3) Color + deadline
Black vs color, and when you want it done. Booking pressure changes options.
FAQ
How much does a tattoo cost on average?
Why do tattoo prices vary so much?
Is Inkjin’s AI Tattoo Price Estimator accurate?
Do bigger tattoos always cost more?
Can I get a price before contacting an artist?
Next steps
If you want the fastest path from idea → confidence, do this: run your reference through the estimator, then browse artists that match your style.
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