How Much to Tip a Tattoo Artist
15–25%
Tip a tattoo artist 15–25% of the price. Custom designs involve drawing time you are not billed for, so 20% or more is common. On multi-session pieces, tip each session.
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Within the 15–25% range for tattoo artist.
How much to tip, situation by situation
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Small flash tattoo | 20%, min $10–20 |
| Custom piece | 20–25% |
| Multi-session sleeve | 15–20% each session |
| Free touch-up | $10–20 |
| Piercing | 15–20% |
Tattoo artist tip on common prices
| Price | 15% | 20% | 25% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $3.75 | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $15.00 | $18.75 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Worth knowing
- Cash is preferred at many shops.
- A good review and photos tagged to the artist are a real bonus.
Working it out by hand? See how to calculate a tip. Travelling? Customs differ abroad: tipping by country.
Questions people ask
Is it rude to not tip a tattoo artist?
In the US, tipping tattoo artists is customary, so skipping it is noticed. Tip unless the work was poor.
Do you tip for each session on a big piece?
Yes, tipping per session is the usual approach.