Tip/gratuity for tattoo artist

Hi, just wondering what most people typically give the tattoo artist as a tip/gratuity after work is completed (assuming of course that you are happy with the work).

I usually tip $25 per hour of work performed, in addition to spreading the word on who did the piece and talking them up.

i'd say 20% of the total amount is pretty standard.

$500 per tattoo...no question about it.

$500...RIGHT dude! Stop being an asshole.

Able, you can find us at 112 cottage st easthampton ma... ha. tips depend on how happy your artist makes you and how much dough you have in your pockets.

I usually got how well the artist treats you or by the work itself.

Hugs, smiles and Twinkies not necessarily in that order.

Well apparently I got dooped into thinking sexual favors were the norm. From now on I will stick to $500.

Mary, does this mean that you got SCREWED? Sorry couldn't help it.

25%... Anything less and you MUST include a reach around

Other than offering sexual favors and $500.. I have a question for you guys. I'm getting my first multi-sitting tattoo started in the next few weeks. Should I tip each time or just when the work is complete? We've scheduled 4 sittings for my sleeve. I was actually kinda wondering about this the other day. Somehow I missed this topic when it came up.

I tip everytime. For example, my last piece was about $350 and I tipped $150. Maybe I'm just a good tipper,but being that for $350 I feel I got work that was worth much more than that, that's what I gave. For a multi sitting I'de say shoot the guy $50 to $100 bucks per sitting, depending on how much work he did and how well he did it.

On a serious note, I also take into consideration on how much the artist hooks you up for pricing i.e. charging the price of 5 hours for 6. You scratch my back I'll scratch your kinda thing :)

Follow up, do you tip differently for an artist working at a larger shop, kinda to make sure the "house" doesn't take too big a cut , versus a solo operator/owner?

I wouldn't primarily base it on the size or ownership of the shop. Generally I shops give the artist the cut they deserve which much more often then not is a larger % for the artist then the shop. So I'd base it on time put it, how much you liked their work, and also "bedside manner" if you will. I've had tattoo artist complain about tattooing and make the experience less then pleasant and at least on my end that directly affects how much extra cash they're getting out of me.

You guys make me feel like I am mis-treating my artist. I have $1100 worth of work from him, $40 in T-shirts. I have given him a Brandon Bond DVD, but not really tipped him anything otherwise. I still have at least three hours of work to go on the current piece and will probably get more eventually, but not before I heal up financially! Best tip I know is scheduling another appointment!

dude if you cant afford the tip then don't get the tat. its like going out to eat. if you cant afford to tip your waiter, go somewhere that doesn't have one. i would never not tip my artist or not tip at a restaurant. and i am not rich by any means, but i worked in bars and restaurants my whole life and know what its like to get stiffed, it sucks. when you think about it, whatever you have given your artist, they get at max half and the rest goes to the shop. for all those hours, all those supplies, all the time they spent learning the craft. it adds up bro, maybe your artist is cool with it, but if it was me i would be pissed. yeah its nice to make another appt, but unless they are struggling to fill the chair thats not a huge issue.

My last two tats I tipped him before we even started tattooing. I already seen alot of his work from his porfolio and my friends, so I already knew he was a good artist. I was just letting him know I appreciate his talent and maybe it might make the guy want to give that extra effort for a nice final product.

i think if you're going to the right artist they will be giving it everything they have regardless, i just think its the right thing to do.

Very True.... But you now how sometimes in any buisness there's the people you want to help because you truly want to help them. Then you got the people who you wouldn't do anything more than required because of bad attitude or lack of respect.

i know exactly what you mean. and i am not advocating tipping every single time. if the service was bad or you are not happy let them know. if they fix it and are cool about it, then tip. but a tip indicates you are happy with their service. i tip my artists because everytime i leave i have the biggest smile on my face knowing that the tattoo on my body is absoletely what i wanted and i really love it. i dont think i would get work done from someone i hated or couldnt stand, even if they were a good artist. part of the process is bulding relationships and i love the whole ordeal of getting tattoos. if you dont like your artist i thiink you should find another one, there are plenty of talented and cool artists out there.

Yeah gotcha.... The last reply was speaking more of the artist point of veiw more than the customers. Maybe the industry just needs more people like you and myself that respect the artist and craft instead of just thinking it would be cool to go get "whatever" by "who ever" and look at it as just thier job..ya know. I catch your drift, tipping is something you should want to do, not feel obligated to do.

i think in general the world needs more people that think of other people. period. how many years did it take that artist to learn this sacred art? how much time did he/she spend drawing out your piece? how much did the supplies cost? etc.... people are just way too greedy and selfish. if i was more financial stable my artists would get tipped huge, but as is i feel bad only giving 20 percent. these people are putting something awesome on my body for the rest of my life, to not try and show them my gratitude for a job well done is lame.

TIPS, means To Insure Proper Service, if none of above is performed you are not Obligated to it, If you are Happy 20% is Customary, if i have to tell you how much 20% 0f a $200.00 Dollar job, then i will have to Kick your Fuckin ASS Biatccchhh!

how about if you guys having a more than $6000 tattoo how much will you tips?

6000$ in one sitting or multiple? i will assume multiple.... i personally tip every time i sit for work, and i've never had a small tattoo so everything is a few(4-8) sessions. as a rule i never go below 20% and tend to go higher usually. Some people i know will tip at the end of a big piece, but imho if you are sitting for say 30 hours in 5-7 sessions, it's a long time to wait to give your artists some money over and above the fees. i think when in doubt about what to tip, go more. The next time you see your artist the last thing you want in anyones mind is "that cheap fuck shafted me last time"

how about that artis work for him self? should i tip him? thanks.

How about this situation - I'm getting a portion of one tatoo just filled in with black b/c I was not happy with the coloring I got somewhere else. The area is about two inches in diameter and frankly I think i'm gettting screwed on the price as it is...Not a lot of artistic skill here (no disrespect to anyone), just a big circle of black. ...any ideas on a tip here? Thanks all,

Don't tip at all, it's expensive enough for their service. You've paid once already.

I agree with the previous poster. As a cab driver, ALL of our fares went to us and we simply paid for renting the cab. Is it the same for tattoo artists? If they get paid an hourly plus tips like a waiter or bartender, I can definitely see tipping (and generously) for good work. But if they "rent out" the chair like hair stylists do (or rent out cars like we cab drivers did) that's kind of a different story. I'm not a cheap prick, but I'm not a rich man either. CJ

Am I missing something? I've always tipped my cab drivers. Additionally, paying someone half of your income based solely on your personal skill, expertise, and time is a little different than dropping them off at the airport, no offense.

I thought I'd look quick on here to see what other people said, because I forgot to do it before I got my tattoo today. My tattoo is going to take 1 more sitting, but the charge for the work today was $300, and I tipped $100. This is my 3rd tattoo, and I think I gave about the same on the last 2.

I have a question. I go tuesday to get my tattoo retouched (i was swelling too much when i got it done at first, he said he didnt want to shred my skin). i paid $120 for it already, with a $30 tip, but he's telling me the retouch is free. Should I tip him for retouching it?