Tattoo pricing has to cover more than needle time: drawing, consultations, setup, sterilization, and booth fees all come out of the same price.
Start with the pay you want per tattooing hour, then add supplies and your share of shop or booth costs. The rate you charge clients should be higher than the rate you want to take home.
With $120/hour pay, 15% overhead, 20% margin, and $5 setup:
| Piece | Hours | Supplies | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop minimum (flash, tiny) | 0.5 | $15 | $115 |
| Small piece (up to 3 in) | 1.5 | $20 | $295 |
| Medium piece (3-6 in) | 3 | $35 | $575 |
| Full-day session | 8 | $90 | $1,520 |
Custom drawing is real work. Either bill a design fee or build it into the price, and take a deposit so no-shows do not cost you hours of unpaid drawing.
Flat rates suit flash and small pieces. Hourly rates suit large custom work where time is hard to predict. Many artists quote a range and bill by the hour.
Use the free tattoo calculator to price every service from your costs and make a professional price list in minutes.
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