How much should you tip your tattoo artist?

Answer 1

lol...I actually just got another tattoo the other day and was wondering, so I asked the people in the shop about it...

I was told that it really depends on how you feel after the tattoo...if you walk out of the room feeling like god, then give them a really good tip!!! It all depends on how you feel about the tattoo...if they don't get a tip then they figure they didn't make you feel good about it...the bigger the tip, tells them that you felt good about it...
You can base it on the cost if you want to but, my artist told me that he's gotten a $50 tip off of a $30 tattoo before...and that does happen a lot apparently...
So, it all depends on how you feel...if you can look at the tattoo and say damn, "that's f***ing awsome"....give the artist a nice chunk of change...If you look at it and say "well, I guess I like it"....then don't tip, or tip a small amount...

For my $100 tattoo, I gave the guy $20...but I drew my tattoo and figured out all the colors and kinks..all the had to do was put it on...but when it was done, it was exactly like I wanted so...I tipped him...GOOD LUCK...hope it helps

Answer 2

First of all it sort of depends on how much the tattoo was to begin with if it is a small tattoo that was around $40 then leave a $10 to show that you appreciate it. Tattoos are for life so why would you not tip the artist if they did a good job. If the tattoo was a few hundred bucks then leave them at least $30-$40 bucks.

Answer 3

I have never tipped my artist. He is the owner of the shop, and we have become close friends. I have sent a lot of work his way, am continuing to have work done, and hell, in the past month, I have made his shop payment for him!

He tells me that referring people his way is a much better reward than any tip. Now, if it were one of the artists under him doing the work, you're right, I'd tip, at least 15%...all they take hom is around 50% of the cost of the tattoo to the person getting it.

Answer 4

15% or $20 minimum...more for quality work.

EDIT: I'm amazed at the number of cheap people here. A tattoo artist is performing a service, and deserves to be tipped. Unless you get the owner of the shop working on you, the artist only gets a percentage of what is charged for the piece...the rest goes to pay for renting his spot in the shop, supplies, etc. PLUS the owner's cut. Some artists recieve as little as 20%...so tips are greatly appreciated (and go directly in the artist's pocket most of the time). Trust me on this...an artist will understand if you're short on cash once, but he'll remember it if you're consistently short. You're less likely to get the extra attention that turns a good piece into a great piece if you constantly stiff him on the tip...

Answer 5

ALWAYS TIP THE ARTIST!!

I've found that because I tip well my tattoo guy tends to give me great deals on my future work.

The Studios I go to around Houston usually have a sign that says:
"Tipping is not a city in China"

so tip....

Answer 6

It is customary to tip, despite what some people seem to think, and the standard is about the same as for service industry, 15-20%.

A five dollar tip would be an insult.

Answer 7

The standard tip for anything is 10%, but if you are really happy, you can tip more. If you can't afford the 10%, tip what you can.

Answer 8

Wow I never thought to tip my tat artist...I feel kind of bad now :-(. I have quite a few tats and have never tipped any of them... Im about to go back and tip them all LOL!

Answer 9

5

Answer 10

If you think they did a great job, give them as much as you can. Everytime I got something done, I tipped $10.