How much do you tip for an expensive tattoo?

Question

I have recently saved up and scheduled a tatto that should be 3 or 4 all day sittings at $130 an hour. I have been told tips should be 20% of the full price but, does this mean I should tip my artist nearly $1,000 for one weeks work?

Answer 1

Let's see, 8 Hours of labour for four days at $130/hr is $4160.

20% of 8 Hours labour for four days at 130$/hr is $832.

The numbers do seem a little outrageous.

Generally service related tips are based on a percentage of goods exchanged and quality of service, not hours worked.

For example; You tip a waitress about 20% of your total dining cheque - depending on how well she attended to you - despite the length of time it took you to finish your meal.

Tipping your tattoo artist $832 would be similar to paying a restaurant the staffing wages plus your dining cheque and a 20% gratuity atop all of it.

So no, I do not think that you should necessarily tip your tattoo artist according to this scale.

On the other hand your tattoo is a commissioned piece of original artwork. The gratuity scale might be differently calculated.

Perhaps you can inquire regarding the cost of ink, and how much other tattoos normally cost according to sizes and other factors and then base your tip calculation upon those numbers.

But from the "server" perspective; why are you paying 4160$ for a tattoo in the first place? And if you can afford a four thousand dollar tattoo, what's the worry about the additional $800?

Answer 2

Are you getting this all at once? I would think that this would be done in stages with a month or two in between. I would tip as you go with this, and never tip more than is easy for you, so don't stick to the percentage idea. Instead, give some cash, but mainly thank him/her for the work, and promise to take excellent care of it and tell others to go there. Maybe you can trade something, or how about a couple of gift certificates = movies, restaurants, etc. Your tattoo artist does not expect $500, just do what you feel comfortable with. luck~

Answer 3

My artists get about 15-20% People do not realize they split their fees with the studio. As the studio owner I rarely get tipped. See what each sitting costs and go from there - tip what you are comfortable with at the time and what the work is worth to you.

Big pieces like that take several months to finish since the skin needs to heal in between each session about four to six weeks.

Answer 4

if you gotta heal in between sittings i think maybe $50-$100 each sitting, or if you want to wait till the tat is finished them maybe like $200 will be good. No one would be upset w/ a $200 tip, even if it was a several thousand dollar tat.