Rates on Tattoos

Lots of times we get the request to quote a piece. This could be easily done if every piece would come out the same. There are a lot of factors that can build up the pricing for your tattoo: size, amount of details. colours, style and even how the skin will respond to tattooing.

Marina charges 180 $CAD per hour + GST.

JD and Trina - 160 $CAD per hour .

Denis - 100 $CAD per hour.

As soon as we get the submission form for tattoo we can guesstimate the time for the project.

Just as an example: a forearm piece can take from 3 to 5 hours, an upper shoulder - from 5 to 8 hours. But all of the numbers are very approximate unless we have a detailed description.

How Much Will My Tattoo Cost?

This question pops up right after the idea of having a tattoo. And this a serious matter because depending on combination of factors the price can go from 100$ to 5000$. Wow, you say! Well, let's look into to see where you will end up in this range.

Step one is usually free - formulate your idea, size and placement - contact the studio or studios (if you shop around).

Step 2 - consultation is usually free or may cost small amount, like 10$ at Maximum Colour. Human nature and its relationship with responsibility does require some monetary confirmation. We see the rate of no showing consultation appointments increasing when they are free.

From here the rates will differ a lot, as they will reflect: The Skill and Experience of the Artist. This is the leading factor in determining the price a tattoo artist charges. A professional tattooist will charge more for his/her service. An artist must possess both of these attributes to ask for the big bucks. Complexity. A complex design with lots of intricate details will take multiple sessions and long hours. Watercolor or realistic tattoos, for example, cost a lot more than getting simple writing in black ink because they require a lot of color and skilled technique to create. Color. More colorful pieces tend to be more time consuming Body Placement. Some of the body placement are considered to be more difficult than others: neck, elbow, feet, knee. Custom Design. A simple flash design that the artist or tattoo parlor already has a stencil of will cost around $50 to $100. If the artist has to create an original design based on what you want, the time he/she takes to conceptualize and draw the piece will factor into the price or rate. Size. The smaller the tattoo, the cheaper it will be. A small tattoo on your wrist might bring you down 50 bucks, but a full back tattoo will cost an average of $2000 to $5000 and upwards. Tattooing Tools and Supplies.The tools and supplies used to create your tattoo are another expense incurred by the artist and passed onto you, the consumer. Such items include ink, needles, sterilization units, inkwells, lotions, wipes, etc. Most of the artists will require a non-refundable deposit to hold the date and ensure that the drafting time in case of no show or cancellation is paid for. Some design can be simple and easy, some design may require days. The quote. The quote will usually include the time it takes to apply the stencil as well as to complete the tattoo. In some cases, if the artist has created a custom design for you, they may include some of this creative time in the price. The minimum charge for a by-the-hour quote is always one hour, even if your tattoo only takes five minutes. This is because irrespective of the time it takes to tattoo you, your artist must provide new and sterilized equipment for each tattoo. Some tips to keep in mind. By knowing the general standards and asking questions beforehand, you should be able to estimate the general price range of the tattoo you want and make a good decision.

• Talk to the artist and make sure you feel comfortable with them and their skill.

• Consider the timing. Some tattoo designs will take several sessions.

• If you don't currently have the cash to afford a decent tattoo artist, keep saving.

• If there is something awry, don't be afraid to speak up or go back and ask for a touch-up if the ink comes out too light. Sometimes tattoo artists practice caution the first time, so going back a second time to ask for stronger coloring is okay.

• You might end up being $300 poorer if you make a choice towards a more expensive artist, but you'll definitely be happier over the years.