are you suppose to tip tattoo/piercing artist, how much for each?

Question

thanks for all the answers!

Answer 1

It depends how good you want your NEXT tattoo from this artist.

The more cash you put in their hand, the better they'll remember you next time.

I like to give em 20%

Answer 2

YES! Always tip. It really helps if you return and they know how you tip...they could change the price for the project you are getting.

I always tip more for my tattoos of course since it is more artistic merit and time consuming but I also leave a tip for piercings.

Tips should always depend on the service you get and the finished product. I've never left anything lower than 25% for a tattoo and for piercings I generally leave anywhere from a 8-15$ tip.

Were they friendly and happy to help?
Did they give you all the information possible?
Did they make you seem like a person and not just a body?

Much like you would critique a waitress, do the same for a body modificator.

Answer 3

YES! You are supposed to tip if you feel the artist/ piercer has done a good job. I've been tattooing and piercing professionally for about three years now, and the best tips I've gotten weren't money. People have given me paintings, baked me cookies, taken me out to dinner, brought me food at the shop- one person even gave me a dog! While I wouldn't recommend suprising your artist with a dog, any of the others are awesome ways to show your appreciation. If you want to tip with money, then go by the 20% rule. But even a $5 tip on an expensive piece at least makes an artist feel appreciated. All a tip is is a way to show somebody that they did a good job and you were pleased with their work. Usually, I've noticed that when I pierce someone and the piercing costs $30, they tend to give me $5 as a tip. Sometimes, I get $15 on a $30 piercing, and these big tips are usually accompanied by lots of jumping up and down, giggling, and lots of thank-you's. Basically, tip whatever you feel like tipping. If you're not happy with the work, don't tip. If I don't get a tip, I usually have the person sit down and tell me what they weren't happy with, and then I fix it free of charge. To my knowledge, nobody has ever left my studio unhappy with their work.

Answer 4

You are supposed to tip. They did you a service and its just not fair to stiff someone on something like that. Not only that, but they took the time to help you and answer your questions and concerns and worked with your needs (I'm a piercer and I get screwed over so much by 18 year old brats who want navel piercings...I'm sick of it!!!!)

For a piercers, I suggest you tip $10-$15ish.

For tattoo artists, I usually suggest 15% (but if the work is small and cheap enough, go for a huge tip if you can)

Of course, tip more or less depending on how you feel about the work done and the person who preformed the service. Give them something, even if a little is all you can afford. Just don't promise you'll come back if you don't plan to. And of course, if you are really satisfied, referring friends and others to go to the shop and artist is a great compliment on the work.

Answer 5

I get tattooed on a weekly basis from my tattoo artist and have had a chance to get to know him and how the shop operates where he works. The typical way a tattoo shop is operated, is the artist has to pay a percentage of the amount charged to the shop owner for the rent on his station. The tattoo artist I go to gets $150.00 per hour which means that he only gets paid $75.00 per hour. Now I know that still seems like alot of money per hour but my artist always draws all of my work up custom which involves research time and pencil time to draw the piece and make the stencil. I figure that for every charged hour he actually spends two to three hours. This makes his actual hourly rate more like $25.00 per hour. Whatever money the artist receives in tips goes straight to the pocket and doesn't have to be divided and shared. I have developed a relationship with my artist over some time and always tip him $20.00 per one hour session. This indeed pays off in the end as I have actually received extra long and free sessions as a token of his appreciation. Hope that I could be of some help to you...

Answer 6

I have always tipped both piercers and tattoo artist. I generally tip 10-15% of the price depending on how satisfied I was. I have noticed lately most professional studios I have been in they have signs now encouraging tipping, so it's probably a good idea to.

Answer 7

If the tattoo is done well I would tip around 20% because I plan on going back to that artist.

Answer 8

Yes. I usually tip 20%. Some might say that is a little steep, but I'm a server and I feel bad if I don't leave at least 20%. Now if the guy, or girl, did a crappy job, well then obviously you wouldn't really have to tip.

Answer 9

same as a waitress. normally 20 bucks will do it, but the more you tip the better deal you get the next time. also he/she will be more likely to do a really awesome touchup on you for free. as with anythin it is optional, but keep in mind shop artists have to give half of the total price to the shop. the tip is entirely for the artist to keep. we are people too and you may have just bought that artists son/daughter/wife food or clothing.

Answer 10

You should always tip anyone who preformed a service for. Now on a piece that costs you like $350 already to begin with you may not always have the 20% to give but give something just to show you appreciate the work that was put into it.

Answer 11

yes you are....u are thanking them for their time, their artistic ability and the effort that they are putting into your ink. Ammount varies depending on the price of the tattoo and how happy u are with it. Some people tip as as high as like 40%......I'm getting a $700 tattoo in about a week (nervous!) and I'm planning on giving $88 (12.5% - kind of low to me but I want the 88 in there because it means that I'm wishing good luck to him - and the tattoo is only taking 1.5-2 hrs) I'm chinese and so is the artist and $88 also means good luck and good prosperity in Chinese custom - he'll understand what I'm doing...I might also tip his assistant for working the schedule around for me and such....I was going to tip her $20 - all being given in Chinese red envelopes.