What’s an appropriate tip for a tattoo? I ask because tattoo prices vary wildly at different shops. I usually tip 20% of the price. I think that’s fair but should you base your tip on price, time, or a combination of both?
Last night I got a 320 dollar piece, but only tipped 60 bucks. This was a 5 hour tattoo, and it came out good, but I felt like maybe I undertipped.
Anyways, What are your thoughts?
BTW I’m bored out of my skull right now ao I thought I would start a totally useless thread for shits and giggles.
The best tip I ever gave a tattoo artist was when I told one that he should keep the fact that he’s hungover as shit and only slept for 3 hours to himself until he’s done with the piece.
Well you tip a Tattoo artist because they usually pay a pretty decent chunk of the price of the tattoo to the house if they don’t own the place. Around here, the best place to get a tattoo just rents out spaces to artists who are good, and I think I remember the tattoo guy I got say that the average rate for the house is 50-60% of the tattoo fees.
[quote]Brother Chris wrote:
Um, they are not a waiter. Why would you tip an artist more than he charges? If you want to give them more money go back for more work.[/quote]
That is a stupid reason not to give them a tip. If the artist does a really good job, why would you not want to tip them? Something permanent on your body is a little more important than the food you ate for dinner.
Not only that, the artist i went to sketched out the piece for free after i gave him the idea on what i wanted.
As far as a tip, on my half sleeve i recently got done it took five visits to get it done. My tattoo artist doesn’t like to sit on the same piece for more than two hours at a time. The prices ranged from $60 a visit to $100. I tipped him $20 each time, except the last time i tipped him $40 because i was so pleased with the final product. Probably under $500 dollars for almost a complete half sleeve. Definately got hooked up with a good price and that is why i felt like tipping generously.
I had once asked an artist about tipping and he said that he didn’t expect a tip as the shop owner but some artists working for shops like tips, although they don’t expect them.
When I have an appointment, I’ll show up early and ask everyone in the shop if they want coffee or something else from the local coffee shop or I can make a deli run. I buy for everyone, other customers too. I think the last time I did that it ran me like $30 but they appreciated it. I’ve taken artists out to the diner or bar for drinks after they closed.
[quote]skaz05 wrote:
What’s an appropriate tip for a tattoo? I ask because tattoo prices vary wildly at different shops. I usually tip 20% of the price. I think that’s fair but should you base your tip on price, time, or a combination of both?
Last night I got a 320 dollar piece, but only tipped 60 bucks. This was a 5 hour tattoo, and it came out good, but I felt like maybe I undertipped.
Anyways, What are your thoughts?
BTW I’m bored out of my skull right now ao I thought I would start a totally useless thread for shits and giggles.[/quote]
please Post a pic of this 350 dollar piece. Just curious. I really never heard of anyone tipping tattoo artists as I thought it was already somewhat expensive for their fees anyways!! Then again I haven’t got a tattoo yet:/. I think 60 bucks was generous as you’re already paying him at the minimum at least 140-160 bucks if he rents out.
[quote]fighting_fires wrote:
Sindie wrote:
60 is nice tip for a 300 buck tattoo
that would be 20% lol [/quote]
you don’t really use percentages for it but i guess it is 20%. seriously, if he’s a decent artist he’s making bank, tips aren’t expected or guaranteed but if he’s cool and you might return you should give something but you don’t have too.
