Popularity of the Shop

Even if you choose to go to an artist that is relatively unknown, you might still be charged more if they are at a popular shop. Their shop is the name that is bringing all the customers in so if you happen to go in there, the artist might have to charge more because the shop is charging them more. This comes with the territory when you are going to a big name. In many cases, these bigger names offer better customer service, so you might be offered free touchups or some free swag.

Location of the Shop

One more factor that could impact the price of your next tattoo is the location of the studio. You must consider the overhead costs of the shop which might be getting pushed onto the artist. If they work out of a shop in downtown NYC or Los Angeles, their prices might be much steeper than the talented artist that works in the suburbs.

The point of this article is that even though you would like to know a straight answer on how much your tattoo will cost based on the size, it is almost impossible to give you that rate. Everything is on a case by case basis and it will depend on the artist you choose. Our recommendation for anyone curious of the pricing for the size of the tattoo is to do your research and take your time in doing so. There are a lot of fantastic artists out there without the big name, but they have the big skills.

Complexity of the Tattoo

The complexity of the tattoo will be the main factor into how long the tattoo will cost. Some artists work faster than other, but for the most part, if you get a big complicated tattoo, it is going to cost more money. For example, if you want a tattoo sleeve incorporating color realism, the process will take longer that someone getting a simple black tattoo. In this case, expect to pay more money.

Deals and Discounts

Every now again you can find promotional offers online or through the shop. Many tattoo shops will look to increase business with sites like Groupon. Others might send you information on discounted rates through their mailing list. You can always check with your local shops to see if they have any specials going on.