You’ve sat through hours of humming, stinging, and daydreaming. The tattoo is perfect, your heart remains intact, and your skin now bears on it something forever and one-of-a-kind. And then, that uncertainty creeps in — how much do you tip your tattoo artist?
It gets messy, especially for the customer. It’s not so much like getting fed or a haircut — tattooing takes imagination, patience, and technique — very intimate work. Your artist is not just marking you up with ink; he is sharing emotion and giving you beauty to last a lifetime.
So how do you quantify generous? How do you quantify reasonable? Let’s deconstruct tattoo artist tipping tradition — bizarre situations and percentages, too — so you can pay appropriately.
Why Tipping is Necessary
Tipping is not tradition, respect and appreciation are. Tattoo artists once split their earnings with shop owners or purchased equipment (inks, needles, gloves, sterilizing) themselves. What they pay is not what they take.
Your tip says:
- Thanks for your skill.
- Thanks for your time.
- Thanks for making something personal and permanent just right.
Tattooing is work and dedication. A tip is a sign of appreciation for the time, effort, and attention that went into your session.
The Average Tattoo Tip Percentage
The standard tattoo artist tip in most nations is 15%–25% of the cost.
- 15% – Sufficient for small, uncomplicated tattoos or quick sessions
- 20% – Typical for most tattoos (good service, good experience)
- 25% or higher – Generous for large, intricate, or exceptional work
If your artist exceeds expectations — by getting you in on short notice, coming and coming back to refine your design for hours, or doing something truly spectacular — you’re not surprised to give more.
Example:
| Tattoo Price | 15% Gratuity | 20% Gratuity | 25% Gratuity |
| $200 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| $500 | $75 | $100 | $125 |
| $1,000 | $150 | $200 | $250 |
When to Tip More
Now and then service is superb and definitely deserves a bigger gratuity. Tip more if:
- The artist exceeded expectations and tattooed you in one sitting.
- They re-did your work multiple times to get your eye.
- They gave you a discounted price or lowered their rate for you.
- The procedure was free of pain, clean, and emotionally comforting.
- You’re absolutely thrilled with the result worth every cent.
A great tattoo will last an eternity; a good experience is what makes it so.
When a Lower Tip Is Okay
While a tip is always appreciated, there are situations in which lower tips are not a problem — if they’re offered.
- When the tattoo must be touched up or repaired due to artist error (and they didn’t charge you).
- When the studio already charges gratuity in the price (the exception, but still ask).
- When the session was short, under 30 minutes and low complexity.
Even so, a little thank-you (cash or verbal gratitude) is classy and polite.
Cash vs. Digital Tipping
Tip in cash whenever possible.
Why? Because:
- Most artists split studio percentages on card payments.
- Cash goes directly to the artist, right away and in full.
- It’s more personal — a direct demonstration of thanks.
If you’re using a card, ask the front desk whether your artist gets tipped in full digitally or would appreciate cash. That will be a blessing for most.
What If You’re Getting a Large or Multi-Sitting Tattoo?
Large tattoos that involve multiple sittings, you can:
- Tip per sitting, on a day’s basis.
- Or tip more at the completion stage when you’ve finished the entire piece.
Either is fine. Some customers like to tip per session so there’s cost predictability and appreciation fairness. Artists will work more time between sessions — sketching, working out changes, and fine-tuning your flexibility of schedule.
As an example:
If your sleeve is four sessions in total at $2,000, you could tip:
- $50 per session (20% of $250 each), or
- $400 at completion (20% overall).
Group Sessions or Guest Artists
If the guest artist is coming to your town and you get a tattoo from them, tipping is particularly kind — they probably had traveling and temporary installation expenses.
For group contributions on a single piece (e.g., for large back pieces or group art), tip each separately. Distribute your overall tip among them in ratio to the time or detail that they spent on it.
What If You’re on a Budget
Don’t worry if you can’t leave a big tip, but otherwise be thankful.
You can:
- Leave 10% and write an honest thank-you note.
- Facebook post — shout-out their studio, write a positive review.
- Word-of-mouth referral and send word of your experience.
The policy of sincerity. A polite client who is truly pleased to be so frequently comes back as a return, even without leaving large tips.
How Not to Tip a Tattoo Artist
There are a couple of things not to do:
- Do not ever forget the tip at all. It’s not polite, not even for a small tattoo.
- Do not say to the artist you will “tip later.” It is not a winning tactic.
- Do not tip in trade instead of dollars, except if you actually know the artist pretty well.
- Don’t haggle about tips or inquire as to what others have paid — tipping is not a purchase but a gift.
The perfect tip is given graciously, with self-confidence and graciousness.
What Tattoo Artists Believe About Tips
Most artists will never expect or request a particular percentage but will never fail to demonstrate an absence of appreciation. A tip signifies that their physical, artistic, and emotional labor was valued.
Tattooing ain’t no cakewalk. It is tedious hours of labor, focus, backbreaking positions, and the psychological toll of working with the history of people. A good tip does not purchase art — it honors humanity in art.
Real Talk: Tipping Situations to Master Good Tipping
Small Tattoo (<1 Hour)
- Price: $100
- Tip: $20 (20%)
Fair and appreciated.
Medium Tattoo (3 Hours)
- Price: $350
- Tip: $70 (20%)
Ideal standard for quality work and great service.
Large Piece (Sleeve, 4 Sessions)
- Price: $2,000
- Tip: $400 (20%) in sessions
Demonstrates continuing appreciation and dedication.
Good Effort, Custom Design
- Price: $800
- Tip: $200 (25%)
Artist created a custom piece — reward creativity proportionally.
Quick Tipping Summary
| Tattoo Type | Average Cost | Recommended Tip | Total Payment |
| Small (1 hr) | $100 | $15–$25 | $115–$125 |
| Medium (3 hrs) | $300 | $45–$75 | $345–$375 |
| Large (Full Day) | $600 | $90–$150 | $690–$750 |
| Sleeve / Back Piece | $2,000+ | $300–$500 | $2,300–$2,500+ |
Other Ways to Show Appreciation
In addition to tipping, these are what artists like:
- Tag them on social media. Post your recovered tattoo and credit the artist.
- Leave a positive Google or Yelp review — future customers may very well see it.
- Return for return business. The best compliment is repeat business.
- Bring good energy. Show up on time, be prepared, and be considerate.
Good clients make tattooing easier — and respect allows future trust to be built.
A tattoo is permanent — and so is your relationship with your artist.
When you tip well, you’re not being courteous — you’re honoring artistry, creativity, and attention.
Tip the final brush stroke of your tattooing adventure. That’s what puts icing on it.
Do that and pay attention next time you roll in: a fire tattoo is deserving of fire appreciation.