Here’s everything you want to know about my tattooing rates and pricing (but were terrified to ask).
Are your rates hourly?
No, they’re not. Every tattoo quote is value-based—which means you’re paying for the finished product, not the time spent producing it.
My rates also include:
- Time for research and gathering references.
- A deliberate, thoughtful design approach which includes thumbnails, comps, and final designs.
- Access to a network of expert tattooers and fine artists: With six years in the tattoo industry, I’ve built an extensive network of knowledgeable artists through educational communities. I frequently do outreach to those partners to tie their expertise into the pieces I design.
- A custom client folder where you can share references and track the progress of your design(s).
Do you offer tattoo design services for other artists to execute?
I do offer tattoo design services, but there is a 20% additional fee added to these types of assignments due to the fact that not doing the tattoo means I don’t get to grow my portfolio.
What price point do most projects start at?
I require a $200 minimum to get a slot on my calendar for art/design/tattoo services.
Why do your prices start there?
Clients who decide to work with me do so because they believe in paying for a high-quality, thoughtful experience where they get to watch the process unfold, not just a finished tattoo. If your focus is keeping costs low or getting a Pinterest tattoo(rather than amazing results and confidence in your skin), you’re in the wrong place.
What’s the process like for a new client?
Every new client follows this process (this will be updated as my onboarding process evolves):
- You book a consultation using one of the links available on my links page.
- On the day of your consult, we discuss all of the details of your project. I will take a photo of the area to be tattooed, have you sign our art preparation and deposit agreement, then take a $100 deposit. No work will begin until a deposit is on-file.
- Once I have a deposit, you will receive a link to my calendar to schedule your appointment.
- After your consult, I will set up your client folder and send you an email with an onboarding info, my communication policy, and a link to your client folder.
- Three days before your tattoo you will receive another email with a reminder to check your client folder if you would like to make any changes to your design.
- If necessary, I will make changes to the design before your appointment.
- You visit the studio and I do your tattoo. We have a great time, I laugh, you cry, and you walk out of the studio feeling like a duffel bag of $100,000 that went through an industrial dryer.
I never want you to have to “check up on me.” My goal is to keep you informed of where I’m at with your custom client folder. For smaller projects, I’ll often be finished before you even ask how things are going.
Once the final design is on your skin, I may ask you to complete an exit survey via text.
Other FAQs
1. Can I pay via credit card?
Of course! I accept every form of payment except for checks. They can be bouncy.
2. How many rounds of edits do I get?
Every tattoo project includes two rounds of edits. If you need additional edits after those rounds, there is a time-based fee of $100/hr for additional work. This fee helps ensure we’re both on the same page from the start.
3. How soon can you start?
I request at least a two-week lead-time for new projects. I typically have 1-2 openings for new clients each month, but those fill up quickly. The sooner we can start a consult, the better.