Tattoo Prices Guide: How Much Do Tattoos Really Cost?

Does Tattoo Cost Matter?

  People seek to remove tattoos for multiple reasons, but one common motivation is that they opted for an inexpensive tattoo because that’s what they could afford. Tattoo quality plays the biggest role in many of our clients’ decisions to seek tattoo removal, although the subject matter is another contributing factor.   

“Most clients tell us that if they’d had the option to get a better tattoo, they would have. They just didn’t have the means or resources available to do so,” says one of our founders Carmen Brodie. 

  It’s always better to save up for the tattoo you really want than to settle for the tattoo you can afford right now. But if you’re seeking to replace an unwanted tattoo with a new one, Removery can help. We have spent years fading tattoos for cover ups, which is becoming an increasingly popular trend among those who are unsatisfied with their existing body art.    A tattoo’s cost depends on the size, complexity of the design, and demand for the artist who is creating it. Pricing for tattoos can vary widely, but $150 to $450 is a typical range for more moderate sizes. Larger tattoos, such as full back pieces, can cost a lot more. Because a tattoo is a long-term investment, look for an artist that produces high quality work that can withstand time — and of course, artwork that you actually enjoy looking at.   After all, you’ll be seeing it on a daily basis and it will be projecting a particular image of you to the rest of the world. For health and safety reasons, you also don’t want to take the least expensive route when it comes to tattoos.    Removing tattoos has given us many insights into tattoo cost, especially the cost of coverup tattoos. We’ll answer all of your questions, like “How much does a small tattoo cost?” and “What does a half sleeve tattoo cost?”    We will also share some average tattoo costs for different types of tattoos and all the key factors involved, like size, complexity, and the artist’s level of experience in order to prepare you for your next piece of body art.  

How Much Does a Tattoo Cost?

  The cost of a tattoo varies widely, depending on a number of factors. An artist typically won’t give you an exact price until you’ve worked out all the details of your design. However, you can gain a rough estimate of tattoo cost based on the artist’s rates, design size, and complexity.    Most artists will give you a price estimate, determined by their hourly rate and how many hours your tattoo will approximately take. Don’t haggle over the price, as this can imply that you’re diminishing the value of the artist’s work and time. Going with the most economical option is usually not the wisest choice when it comes to a tattoo, so always make sure that you’re focusing on the quality of tattoo artist rather than their pricing.   If you’re getting a tattoo cover up, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of fading or removal of the old tattoo. Removery’s tattoo removal package and financing options make tattoo removal costs more budget-friendly.  

1. Flat Rate

  Some tattoo artists charge a flat rate for pre-drawn designs, also known as flash tattoos. Tattoos based on pre-existing designs typically cost $100-$200, depending on size and color palette. If you’re looking for a piece of flash, you can often walk into a shop and find out what the tattoo costs immediately.  

2. Hourly

  On average, tattoo artists charge $150 to $250 an hour, although in certain cases, high-profile tattoo artists charge more. To determine how in-demand your prospective artist might be, look at their Instagram followers, and possible tattoo awards they might have. Established artists will usually charge more per hour because they’re in high demand amongst potential clients. If they’re tattooing famous clients, you can expect a higher tattoo cost.  

3. Half / Full Day Rates

  If you’re getting a large tattoo like a full sleeve tattoo cover up or back piece, half- and full-day rates may apply to you. The artist will most likely book a full-sleeve tattoo as a two- to three-day project with a touch-up session after you’ve healed. 

Factors That Impact Tattoo Prices

Size, complexity, body placement, color palette, the artist’s experience, location of the tattoo studio, and the equipment used have the biggest impact on tattoo cost.   

Size

Size plays one of the most important roles in tattoo cost. Larger tattoos are naturally more time-consuming than smaller ones, and they often take more effort to design.  

How Much Does a Small Tattoo Cost?

A smaller tattoo can cost anywhere from $50-$150 minimum, depending on the design’s complexity and color palette. Getting a simple outline of a tiny star will typically cost less than a watercolor flower or microrealism. If you’re planning to get multiple small tattoos, it might be smart to get them all done in a single session, which could save you money since they’re quick and easy to do.    If you need to fade or remove a small tattoo before getting a piece that you truly want, small tattoo removal costs can be quite manageable. Removal rates often range from $10 to $25 per square inch for each session, and Removery offers a great package deal for removal.  

What is the Price of a Sleeve Tattoo?

Half sleeve and full sleeve tattoos are often more intricate and time-consuming due to their size, meaning they will be more expensive.   Hourly rates for sleeves usually exceed an artist’s standard hourly rate because these designs require a high level of detail. Sleeves tend to range from $1,500 to $6,000 based on the tattoo style and artist’s skill level. These designs can also be trickier to execute because of the body placement.   People often get a sleeve tattoo over the course of several sessions rather than all at once, which can allow the tattoo’s total cost to be split up amongst the necessary appointments.   If you need full sleeve tattoo removal prior to getting the tattoo of your dreams, Removery offers financing to help make the process easier. Removal will take some time, typically at least a year and a half – but the results are worth it.   Never ask your tattoo artist to rush on a project, especially one as detailed as a sleeve tattoo. Be patient, and you’ll be sure to get the best results possible.  

Tattoo Design Complexity

The amount of time needed to design a tattoo will heavily influence the price. Designing a piece of flash may take 20 minutes, while a custom full-back tattoo could take hours.    Artists commonly charge for one hour for the tattoo design automatically. For very large designs, they sometimes include the design at no additional charge, due to the high commission they’ll be receiving for all the hours of work.    The complexity of the design will directly influence how long the tattoo takes to complete, so always consider the level of detail involved and the precision needed to carry it out.   Tattoos that incorporate delicate shading will require more time and skill than those with uniform colors and simple black outlines. A realistic tattoo of an animal, a portrait of a loved one, or an intricate geometric design will require more skill and care than a cartoon figure.  

Black and Gray vs. Color Tattoos

Opting for a full color tattoo can increase the complexity of the design, as the artist must consider how to place or blend them for the desired effect. The artist has many more stylistic choices to make while creating a full color tattoo design than one in grayscale.  

Tattoo Artist Experience

Your tattoo artist’s experience and level of popularity will strongly affect the price of your tattoo. Unless you’re already set on getting a tattoo from a particular artist, explore the work of multiple tattoo artists in your area to make sure you’re choosing the right one. Don’t just look at the experience ; also make sure the artist’s style fits exactly what you want.  

Tattoo Parlor’s Location

The tattoo’s studio geographic location will influence the price of a tattoo. Cities with a higher cost of living like New York will have higher rates for tattoo prices. If you live in a place that attracts a lot of tourists, tattoo prices are likely to be higher.  

Professional Equipment

Going to a safe, hygienic studio that follows the proper sanitary protocol will cost more than a studio that’s more disreputable or dirty. You’ll want to choose a tattoo studio with a great reputation and the proper licensing for your state. Ensure every artist follows best practices like using a fresh needle for each client and sterilizing equipment that can’t be thrown away.   The amount and type of ink needed can also affect the price. Larger tattoos with many colors will require more materials in terms of ink and needles than smaller black-and-grey pieces.  

Finding the Right Tattoo Artist for You 

Factors like size, complexity, geographic location, and the artist’s experience can greatly influence the cost of a tattoo. Research prospective tattoo artists carefully, so you’ll find the person whose style best fits your own. It’s much better to save up for the right tattoo than to get one from the wrong artist simply because they’re cheaper!   If you’re considering tattoo removal or fading for a coverup, book a consultation with Removery. Our experienced specialists will answer all of your questions about how removal can give you a blank slate to work with. We’ll walk you through every step of proper tattoo removal aftercare so you can achieve the best possible results from each session.   

NO. 1 Factor That Impacts Tattoo Price: Cover Up vs. New Tattoo

The number one factor that impacts tattoo cost is time. Cover up tattoos require more time to design, apply and heal than new pieces. No matter what artist you choose and what design will replace your old ink, the time needed to properly apply the new tattoo is increased. Removery focuses on fading old tattoos to decrease the amount of time necessary to design and tattoo coverup. Book a free consultation at one of our locations near you to make your dream coverup a reality.