TATTOOS AND PRICING

This article was written by respected US artist Albert Jeffers. We therefore
have used the exchange rate to display all prices in Australian dollars.

Most tattooists charge on a piece-by-piece basis, usually ending up at
about $200-340 an hr. Lesser pricing meaning your tattooist is broke, or
unskilled, likes you a lot, or is horny. Higher pricing because the artist is
world class or may think he/she is. Sometimes mediocre shops charge big
money because they are the only game in town. I worked for one. A Kanji
cost 200 bucks! But still be wary of anyone giving away tattoos.

We would l8ike to be a perfect world where artists charge based on their
skill, but it is not, so choose your artist wisely, be careful to look at lots of
photos of complete worked. It is said that it does not matter how high the price
was if you got the perfect tattoo. If you get a great deal on a crummy tattoo,
you have still been ripped off.

Most shops have a minimum charge, which in the urban areas of the US
tends to be about $100. In areas where the cost of living is lower, the
minimum may be as low as $70. You do not want a $30 dollar tattoo. This
means the artist is either unskilled, desperate for the money, or wants to get
in your pants. The minimum may be higher if you are placing the tattoo on
the torso, or other areas of the body that are harder to get to, or apply the
tattoo on. A fact of life is, that if you are having a tattoo put on a stretch-
marked skin, your butt, or your armpit, that $100 tattoo friend your got
cost you $120 because your skin will be harder to tattoo, and at an hourly
rate, may take longer.

The price of your tattoo may also rise in accordance with your attitude. If
you are rude, drunk, or otherwise hard to deal with you may get treatment
that we artists call "priced out of the door" so be courteous, and do not make
unreasonable demands on your artist. If your artist is obnoxious, don't bother
arguing, find another one.

Many custom tattooists charge hourly, on timed basis. The general pricing
of custom work is $240 an hour, if your tattooist is especially slow, he should
be charging less. If you are visiting a well-published, world class artist that is
very high in demand, you man pay as much as $530 an hour. But check this
out, as I have seen artists that were not world-class, claiming they are, so
check your artist out and see if they are as good as they say they are.

In some shops, haggling is acceptable, but most artists do quote the price
they want for a tattoo, and generally that is a fair price. Do not try to talk
your artist down or he/she may be offended. If he quotes $240, then he/she
believes that is what it is worth. If you plan to haggle leave your Rolex at
home, and take the bus, this is a sure sign of a bullshit artist.

If you think your tattooist is charging an outrageous price, look at the
quality of their work, then shop around and judge strictly on a quality/price
basis. If he's the best around, he's worth whatever he's asking. I cover up tons
of tattoos that were done at a super low price, so remember that a really
cheap tattoo may be an expensive nightmare in disguise.

TIPPING
While tipping is customary in a tattoo shop, it is not necessary. We work at
a 50% commission, so we make enough money from your tattoo, unlike
waiters and waitresses who survive on tips alone. Some shops hang signs
soliciting tips and I have seen artists verbally solicit tips. I find this rude and
unacceptable.

What is a good tip? I have done $1000 dollar tattoos with no tips and
received $100 on a hundred dollar tattoo. Tips are not calculated on a
percentage basis, and if you can afford one, they are greatly appreciated if the
artist has given care above and beyond what is expected. Most of us
appreciate your business, tipping or no, and I consider my clients' courtesy the
best tip of all

Albert B Jeffers III USA

Therefore DO NOT winge, bitch or moan about
how expensive tattoos are in Australia. Bullshit!!
We buy most of our materials etc. from USA and
Europe and pay import duty to boot. Please remember:

"Long after the price is forgotten, the quality remains."