How Much Do Tattoos Cost?

• $50–$250 Small Tattoo
• $150–$450 Medium Tattoo

Tattoos are a fantastic form of artistry and self-expression. However, there are plenty of things to think about before getting inked. Aside from the location and design of the tattoo, you’ll need to think about the cost. The pricing of tattoos varies according to a tattoo artist/studio’s location, their experience level, and their particular hourly rates.

However, it is possible to get some idea of average tattoo prices. For example, if you’re looking to get a smaller tattoo sized 2×2 or under, the average price will range between $30 and $100. Opting for a 3×3 size will cost you anything from $100 to $200. Larger, 4×4 tattoos will see you parting with at least $250.

This article will give you the lowdown on average tattoo prices relating to different factors, such as tattoo size, design, and the experience and expertise of the tattoo artist themselves.

Average Tattoo Cost

Smaller tattoos, for example, heart-shaped or crosses, cost between $50 and $250 on average. Tribal style or portrait tattoos (i.e., medium-sized) will have an average of $150 to $450. You’ll also need to factor in the tattoo artist’s hourly rate (typically between $120 to $150) and how long your particular tattoo design will take.

As for larger tattoos—think half/full sleeves, for example—will see the average price shoot up. You’ll be paying at least $500, and the cost can reach $4000 for full-back or custom designs. Generally, it’s best to keep in mind that you’ll be paying at least $100 for a tattoo. Most studios will ask for a deposit before attending your appointment unless you’re a walk-in.

So, bearing all the above in mind, the minimum you can expect to pay for a tattoo will be $100, with most small or medium-sized tattoos costing between $200 to $300. For an artist to be working on a large tattoo for around 6 hours, you’ll most likely be parting with at least $1,000.

Remember: tattoos are a permanent commitment; you’re investing in body art designed to be on your body forever. (Sure, you can get them lasered or gone over if you’re unhappy with them, but these options are far from ideal.) Therefore, quality and high value for money should be the top of your priorities. Suppose your budget restricts you from paying for a reputable tattoo artist who listens to your needs and carefully creates a design with which you’re 100% happy. In that case, it’s best to save your dollars until you can.

Tattoo Prices

The following is a guide that gives general tattoo pricing. Remember, prices will vary depending on the factors we outlined earlier in the article. These include artist location, experience level, hourly rate, and the tattoo design (customized or not, for example).

On average, tattoos of 2×2 size will cost from $30 to $100. Tattoos of 3×3 will cost between $100 and $200. Larger, 4×4 tattoos are priced from $250 upwards.

Tattoo Prices by Size

Tattoos are categorized as small, medium, or large. Let’s take a look at what this means in more detail.

• Small tattoo: From a dime-sized design, such as star or heart on your wrist, to a finger tattoo such as a wedding ring, to a pirate ship covering your upper shoulder. These would all be considered small tattoos.
• Medium tattoo: These are slightly larger designs that span larger areas of your body. For example, a koi fish in a waterfall, tattooed from your arm to your thigh.
• Large tattoo: Think big expanses of your body; angel wings spanning your entire shoulder and back, or your whole upper torso covered in a complex design. Full and half-sleeve tattoos are also considered to come under this category.

Other Factors Related to Tattoo Pricing

1. Where the artist/studio is located
2. The artist’s experience level and qualifications
3. The artist’s equipment and how much ink will be used for the tattoo
4. The artist’s waiting list/availability
5. Total amount of time it takes for the artist to design/make your tattoo
6. Where on your body you decide to have the tattoo
7. How complex your tattoo design is

Hourly Costs of Tattoos

Average hourly rates range anywhere from $75 to $250. As we’ve mentioned, these rates will vary according to the artist’s location, background, skill level, how complex the tattoo design is, and the artist’s waiting list/availability.

Note: Remember: Expect to pay more if you expect a quality tattoo and service. Of course, there are plenty of tattoo studios on the cheaper end of the scale, but you should approach these with caution. Generally, the cheaper the tattoo, the less likely it’ll be of good quality.

And don’t worry too much about hourly rates; generally, the more experienced and talented the tattoo artist, the quicker they’ll be able to work. Thinking that you’re opting for a cheaper option using a less experienced artist with a lower hourly rate may cost you more in the end. In general, an artist with a background of 5+ years of professional experience will be able to get your tattoo done (and with far greater skill) than a less experienced one.

Cost of Tattoo Per Letter

A tattoo artist rarely charges for lettered tattoos on a per letter basis. Instead, they’ll charge for the time it takes to complete the tattoo. This will depend on the overall sizing of your tattoo, lettering, its complexity, and where you want it placed on your body. It’ll also be determined by how fast your tattoo artist can complete it. Generally, a short word tattoo will take about an hour, as long as the lettering isn’t oversized and the area the design covers is 2 to 4 square inches. This type of tattoo will cost anywhere between $50 to $200. A helpful tip is to bring along a few samples of the type of font and lettering you want so your tattooist can understand precisely what you want.

Cost of Small Tattoos

A small tattoo covers 3 square inches or less and will generally cost from $50 to $250, depending on the aforementioned factors. But remember that there will still be a studio/shop minimum fee that has to be paid and an hourly rate after the initial hour. On top of these charges, you may also be charged extra if your tattoo is customized. Minimum shop fees tend to start at $50.

Cost of Tiny Tattoos

Tiny doesn’t necessarily mean cheap! Tiny tattoos tend to be placed on the wrist or fingers, and you can be charged from $50 to $100. Also, the price will be affected by how intricate the design is and how difficult or easy the area to be tattooed is. (For example, the inner lip is a hard-to-reach area, and you may be charged as much as $200 for a tiny tattoo in that area.) Additionally, you’ll pay more if the tattoo is colored rather than only black or grey.

Calculating the Cost of Tattoos

You can use the information in this article to get a rough idea of how much you can expect to pay for the tattoo of your choice. It’s also wise to shop around the various tattoo artists available to you; ask for free estimates and see if you can get obligation-free, complimentary consultations.

Tattoo Cost Estimator

You’ll only know the exact cost of your tattoo once you’ve had your in-person consultation with your tattoo artist. However, use the following information to estimate how much cash you can expect to part with.

Cost of Half-Sleeve Tattoos

Typically, half-sleeve tattoos will set you back at least $1,000. This price will be the absolute minimum, especially if your design is original/customized, color, uses multiple tips and is done by an experienced, exclusive professional.

Cost of Full-Sleeve Tattoos

Full-sleeve tattoos require more time to be completed—sometimes up to 2 days or more. For black-ink-only, outline tattoos, you can expect to pay from $2,000 to $4,000; filling using multiple colors will see the price go up accordingly.

Cost of Eyebrow Tattoos

If you’d like a professional permanent makeup artist to tattoo on natural-looking eyebrows, then expect to pay at least $630. The tattoo artist will use ultra-fine, acupuncture-like needles to mimic the look of natural eyebrow hairs. Also, remember that you’ll need to get a touch-up each year as these types of tattoos eventually fade over time.

Cost of Eyeliner and Cosmetic Tattoos

It’s also possible to get other types of cosmetic tattoos done, such as eyeliner, lip liner, or other facial enhancements. The cost of these procedures will set you back anything from $1,500 to $3,000. However, highly-trained specialists should carry out this work, not traditional tattoo artists. These types of tattoos require special training and equipment.

Cost of Wrist Tattoos

More common wrist tattoos, such as words, letters, symbols, or small images, will generally cost you $50 to $150.

Cost of Ankle Tattoos

The starting price for most small ankle tattoos (straightforward, 1-inch designs in black ink) is $60. But the price can go up to $200 plus for larger designs incorporating more detail and color.

Cost of Lip/Inner Lip Tattoos

Lip tattoos are generally a form of permanent makeup. Prices start from $375 for lip liner tattoos to $600 for filling the lips completely. As we’ve mentioned, these types of tattoos should be done by qualified permanent makeup artists. Inner lip tattoos are decorative and are usually done by traditional tattoo artists, and these are cheaper, usually starting at $100. However, this part of the body is highly sensitive, and tattoos in this area tend to fade after just one month. (Inner lip tattoos will disappear altogether after one to five years.)

Cost of Forearm Tattoos

On average, for a forearm tattoo, you’ll be looking to pay anything between $200 and $1,200. Full-color sleeve tattoos are the priciest, and cheaper options are script or outline tattoos.

Cost of Triceps Tattoos

Black ink triceps tattoos with shading can set you back around $400, while using additional colors will further bump up the price.

Cost of Finger Tattoos

Finger tattoos generally consist of a single word or symbol and cost from $50 to $100. With these types of tattoos, it’s best to opt for a small and simple design. The skin on fingers and hands ages differently from other body areas, and more complex designs may become distorted.

Cost of Wedding Ring Tattoos

Matching wedding ring tattoos are a fantastic option if you feel like symbolizing your marital union more unconventionally. You’ll have the opportunity to pick from various artistic styles and personalize a unique design. Plus, with the average price ranging from $50 to $200, these rings cost considerably less than traditional gold wedding bands.

Cost of Full Back Tattoos

As you can imagine, a tattoo covering the entire back takes a lot of time and ink to complete, so prices will increase accordingly. Plus, costs will also depend on whether there’s a lot of detail, shading, and use of color. On average, standard full back tattoos of this nature take at least 20 hours to complete and will cost you between $2,000 and $5,000. Color filling a back armor tattoo can take around 7 hours and costs around $1,750. Smaller, half-back tattoos with black ink outlines will be cheaper at around $1,000.

Cost of Chest Tattoos

Full chest tattoos take some time to do—around 6 hours—which is reflected in their pricing, from $600 to $1,200. If you opt for a half chest design with a two-toned outline, you can expect to pay around $250. You’ll be looking at about $350 plus for full-color, filled-in half-chest tattoos.

Cost of Sternum Tattoos

A sternum tattoo is inked on or under the breastbone. These tattoos can cost from $500 to $1,000, owing to the time it takes to carry out the procedure on this highly sensitive part of the body. The tattoo can cover the sternum, lower-cleavage area, and half of the ribs—quite a large area, so you’ll need a high pain threshold!

Cost of Rib/Side Tattoos

Again, the rib area is very sensitive, so tattooing this area will take longer than, say, arm tattoos. Additionally, the area is irregularly shaped and needs to be inked by a more experienced, expert-level artist. Therefore, you should expect to pay extra. Color-filled tattoos around 6 to 8 inches will be priced from $600 to $700.

Cost of Hip/Leg Tattoos

Again, the cost of these tattoos will depend on whether you opt for black ink outline only or filled in color. Ones covering the entire shin and front of the lower leg and just a black outline will cost around $500. Colored designs will set you back around $1,800.

Cost of Shoulder Tattoos

Expect to spend at least $870 for a black-ink-only, detailed, highly shaded, custom-made shoulder cap tattoo. As with most tattoos of this nature, the artist’s expertise and the time allocated to the job will affect the pricing.

Cost of Calf Tattoos

Thinking of having just one side of the calf inked? A colorful design will set you back anything from $350 to $500. Going for a colorful full calf sleeve will cost at least double or triple the price.

Cost of Thigh Tattoos

Tattoos covering the whole of the front or side of the thigh using multiple colors will take a lot of time (at least 16 hours). For that reason, you can expect to pay around $1,500 to $3,200. A cheaper option would be having an outline design on half the thigh. This type of tattoo will take less time (around 3 hours) and will cost a lot less (from $300 to $600).

Cost of Hand Tattoos

If you’d like a tattoo to cover all of the back of your hand, it’ll take around 2 hours. In that case, you’re looking to pay at least $200. Pricing will also depend on if it’s a color or black-ink-only design.

Cost of Foot Tattoos

A tattoo covering the entire top of a foot will take around 3 hours to complete. Expect to pay between $300 and $400 for this type of tattoo. Outline designs, such as a dreamcatcher, will cost a little less (between $150 and $300).

Cost of Areola Tattoos

These types of tattoos are usually the final step in breast reconstructive surgery. They provide excellent, realistic-looking results for women who want to hide scarring or create the illusion of natural nipples. This procedure tends to cost between $200 and $800.

Factors Affecting Tattoo Pricing

When you have a good idea of what type of tattoo you want to have done, shop around to get the best price. Remember not to simply opt for the cheapest option; quality is essential!

Here, we’ll give you some factors to consider when doing your research.

How Tattoo Shops Charge

• Skill, Experience, and Popularity of the Tattoo Artist—It’s no surprise that a talented, well-known tattoo artist with celebrity clients and located in a major city such as New York or Los Angeles will charge a high minimum flat fee. For these types of reputable, in-demand artists, expect to pay at least $300 for the flat fee—if you can get an appointment in the first place! Then pricing will start at around $450 for the smallest size tattoo.
• Location and Popularity of the Tattoo Studio—Tattoo parlors featuring highly experienced (20 years+) artists will charge a minimum flat fee of $150 to $200.
• Discounts and Deals—If reading this article has got you worried about pricing, don’t worry. Look out for deals on websites or apps such as Groupon. You can also research local tattoo artists who are clearly talented but relatively new to the business. Those artists are likely to charge less due to their relative inexperience and desire to build their portfolio. However, it’s best to approach newly qualified tattoo artists with smaller, simpler designs.

How Tattoos Are Priced

Tattoo Placing and Planning

Tattoo pricing varies according to where on the body you’re getting tattooed. Tattoo costs increase for highly sensitive areas such as the ribs, scalp, sternum, fingertips, foot arches, shins, and nipples. Tattooing these parts of the body needs more time and skill, so charges will be higher. Also, bear in mind that most tattoo studios ask for a deposit, which will go towards the tattoo price.

Tattoo Sizing and Detailing

Small, simple tattoos that are black ink outlines (such as geometric shapes) cost the least to get done. It follows, then, that the larger the tattoo and the more intricate the design, the more expensive the tattoo. This is because these tattoos take longer to do and require more skill.

Tattoo Coloring

Contrary to what you may think, tattoo ink colors have minimal impact on pricing; black ink costs around the same as colored ink. In terms of tattoo coloring, you should focus on what colors work best with your skin tone (i.e., will stand out). Although you may not think it relevant now, it may be worth bearing in mind that certain colors (such as red-orange) are harder to remove by laser than others.

Rather than what colors are used affecting pricing, it’s how much color is being used. This means that an intricate design using black and grey and a lot of shading can cost the same (if not more) than a color tattoo. So, the time it takes and the quantity of ink contribute to cost.

Tattoo Equipment and Techniques

Generally, the time needed to create a tattoo will play the most significant role in pricing. However, other factors, such as specific needles and techniques needed for particular tattoos, will also influence the cost. You should be looking for experienced tattoo artists using premium tools for quality tattoos—although, of course, this means higher prices.

Tattoo Cover-Up Costs

Tattoo cover-ups are expensive (at least $125 per hour) as they require experience and creativity. Expect to pay at least what you paid for the original tattoo plus more, as the artist will need to fill in outlines using large blocks of solid color.

Tattoo Touch-Up Costs

It’s not uncommon for the need to touch up tattoos a month or so after having them done once they’ve healed. In fact, many tattoo studios will offer this service for free for their clients (providing you took care of it as directed). However, if you go to a different parlor for a tattoo touch-up, or if the tattoo is over a year old, you’ll usually have to pay a standard hourly rate.

Popular Tattoos: Pricing

There are certain popular styles and designs of tattoos that many clients opt for, especially first-timers. Here, we’ll provide a list of some of these so you can get a rough idea of how much they cost. Remember: Pricing will vary depending on the particular artist’s skill and experience, where the studio is located, the demand for appointments, etc.

Cost of Word or Name Tattoos

Name tattoos generally take less time to do (less than an hour), so they usually cost between $75 and $100. The price will increase if coloring is used or the design is more complex.

Cost of Script or Serenity Prayer Tattoos

Serenity prayer tattoos are priced according to how large they are and typically cost between $100 and $300. They’re typically placed on the entire side of the back or half of the back.

Cost of Portrait Tattoos

These tattoos take great skill and expertise to get life-like quality results. You’ll need to hire a highly skilled tattoo artist with great attention to detail. Therefore, you won’t be paying any less than $200 an hour for this type of tattoo work.

Cost of Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos vary in size, coloring, symbols, and designs. You can opt for images from numerous cultures, such as Celtic, Aztec, Māori, Inca, etc. Expect to pay from $50 for a finger-sized, solid color tribal tattoo to $300 plus for a palm-sized one.

Cost of 3D Tattoos

Like portrait tattoos, 3D ones require expertise and experience and will be priced accordingly. Expect to pay at least $200 an hour for one. Clever work with shading achieves the 3D effect that makes the design or image “pop,” which takes time and skill.

Cost of Watercolor Tattoos

Watercolor tattoos are expensive, not because they use expensive ink, but because of the time and skill that goes into creating them. The tattoo artist will use special techniques to create the effect of brush strokes, for example. You’ll usually pay around $400 for a 4-inch-wide watercolor tattoo.

Cost of Dreamcatcher Tattoos

Dreamcatcher tattoos are amongst some of the most commonly requested. Typically, a 7-inch design (incorporating both the round top part and the dangling feathers) will cost from $200 to $250.

Cost of Semicolon Tattoos

A semicolon tattoo typically represents mental health awareness and suicide prevention. One done on your wrist in black ink (and thumbnail-sized) will usually be priced at $50. (But this may vary according to a tattoo studio’s minimum rate, if applicable.)

Cost of Hair Tattoos

A hair tattoo—or scalp micro-pigmentation—will cost between $1,500 and $4,000. This is a special technique used to create the illusion of hair, and the best results are usually on people with buzz cuts. Expect to pay at least $200 per hour for scalp or simple hairline tattoos. These types of tattoos cost more than average as the tattoo artist is working in a highly-skilled, careful, and slow manner. Not to mention the fact that the area being inked is highly sensitive.

However, it’s unlikely that the average tattoo parlor will offer this service. You’ll typically have to go to a hair-loss specialist trained specifically in scalp micro-pigmentation and equipped with triple-cluster fine needles and particular ink necessary for this technique.

Cost of Soundwave Tattoos

A soundwave tattoo is created from an audio clip and can be scanned and played back using an app. The original design will typically cost $30 to $40, with an additional fee of $100 to $200 for the tattoo artist (who’ll be a member of the soundwave tattoo network). In some cases, you’ll be charged a yearly subscription fee ($10) to pay for your design registration and for it to be usable with the app. Several companies offer the apps and designs for these types of tattoos (for example, Skin Motion and SoundViz).

Cost of Quote Tattoos

Pricing for quote tattoos will depend on the size of the sentence, the font size, and how long it takes to get done. Typically, for a small sentence in black ink, you can expect to pay about $90.

Cost of Freckle Tattoos

As freckles become more fashionable, so do freckle tattoos. This type of inking is relatively quick and straightforward, so you’ll only expect to pay the shop’s minimum price (usually $50 to $90). You may pay a bit more if the tattoo parlor is highly exclusive or you want to have some more unique detailed work done.

Cost of Blackout Tattoos

Blackout tattoos (large areas of the body covered in solid, opaque black ink) are priced from $150 to $300 an hour. The cost reflects the amount of ink it takes to create the intense blackout effect.

Cost of Forest and Tree Forearm Tattoos

These tattoos are a popular design, mainly on men, and can cost upwards of $500 if they include many different colors.

Cost of Lion Tattoos

If a realistic-looking tattoo of a lion appeals to you, expect to pay around $150 to $400 for the work. These portrait tattoos can take up to 2 hours, while a full sleeve version can take up to 8 hours and will cost around $200 per hour.

Cost of Heart Tattoos

Many people opt for a tattoo of a small heart on their wrist. This type of tattoo will be priced at about $50 for a thin, fingerprint-sized, single-color, stencil design.

Cost of Cross Tattoos

Minimal, single-color cross designs are another popular choice. Depending on their size, you can expect to pay between $80 and $150 for small to medium-sized ones.

Cost of Rose Tattoos

The price of rose tattoos depends on the color, size, and length they take to complete. For example, a large, colorful, hand-sized design can take around 6 hours and cost at least $600. Two-inch-or-smaller designs that are outline-only won’t take more than an hour and therefore won’t cost more than $100.

Cost of Koi Fish Tattoos

If you decide on an outline-only, black ink design that’s no more than 8 inches, you can expect to pay between $100 and $150. However, many people opt for larger, colorful koi fish designs, and the price of these tattoos will be upwards of $250.

Cost of Polish Eagle Tattoos

These tattoos—a type of coat of arms symbol—will set you back anywhere between $75 and $250.

Cost of Ironman Tattoos

These tattoos are inked on competitors who have taken part in the famous Ironman triathlon. The typical design is simple and in red and black ink only, and they tend to cost between $75 and $150.

Cost of Solid Black Armband Tattoos

Black armband tattoos are inked in perfectly straight solid lines all the way around your arm. It’s up to you how thick you want the lines to be, which will affect the price. You could find yourself paying anything between $100 and $350.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are White Ink Tattoos Priced Differently?

White ink doesn’t cost more than other colors. However, you’ll tend to pay more for white ink tattoos as the artist needs to penetrate the needle deeper into the skin to stabilize the color. As this takes more skill and time, the pricing will be higher than for other color tattoos. Expect to pay around $100 for a white ink wrist tattoo. (Of course, cost also depends on the design of the tattoo.) Another issue is that white ink tattoos can’t be touched up and fade after a few years.

How Much Do Blacklight Ink Tattoos Cost?

Blacklight ink is virtually invisible in normal light but visible under UV light. The ink itself is comparatively thin and harder to work with. Therefore, a tattoo artist will take longer to complete your tattoo (at least twice as long as regular ink). They’ll also need to use a blacklight to work with this type of ink. The complexity and time it takes to use blacklight ink are reflected in pricing—around $150 to $300 an hour.

You should also note that an ingredient of some UV inks is phosphorus, which is potentially toxic in high amounts. Do your research and pick a tattoo artist that uses high-quality UV ink that doesn’t contain this ingredient. Some people also react badly to this type of ink, risking color changes or healing issues. Additionally, there may be problems with this ink being used in combination with “normal” tattoo ink, such as unwanted chemical reactions. Your tattoo artist should be trained to recognize all of these potential issues. Also, be aware that these types of tattoos tend to fade after 5 years, regardless of your body’s tolerance to the ink.

How Much Do Scleral Tattoos Cost?

A scleral tattoo (or eye tattoo) means getting the white of the eye dyed. Although not necessarily painful, scleral tattoos have several associated risks, including infection, permanent eye damage, or vision loss. Most specialists will charge upwards of $450. It’s vital that you thoroughly research the procedure, its risks, and what professionals carry it out before proceeding.

How Much Do Bodysuit Tattoos Cost?

These types of tattoos aren’t just done in one session; they’ll usually take a least a year to complete. Each session will last between 4 and 8 hours, with an average hourly rate of at least $180. A full bodysuit tattoo (covering your body from your neck to your ankles) will cost at least $100,000, and a half-body tattoo will range between $40,000 and $50,000.

Note: Your body needs to rest, and the skin needs to recover for more than a day between tattoo sessions. Therefore, it’s more realistic to presume that a full bodysuit tattoo will take 2 to 3 years to complete.

How Much Are Henna Tattoos?

Henna tattoos are a non-permanent alternative, lasting for up to 2 to 3 weeks. Typically, they’ll cost between $10 and $60, depending on the design, size, and how long it takes to complete.

Is Tattoo Removal Expensive?

Several methods are available to remove tattoos: laser, dermabrasion, and surgical removal. It’s not a straightforward process, as the tattoo ink has to be removed from beneath the top layer of skin. If you opt for laser removal, you’ll need several sessions. For example, you’ll probably need to have at least 10 sessions for a sleeve-sized tattoo to be removed.

PicoSure laser treatment is safe and non-invasive—but it will cost you. Expect to pay around $250 to $300 to remove small tattoos. Medium-sized to larger tattoos will see prices around $1,000 to $1,200. This laser treatment uses photo-acoustic energy to break down pigment particles. Rather than treatment that uses thermal energy, it’s relatively less time-consuming (i.e., fewer sessions are needed) and good at removing dark ink. However, there is some pain involved in the process.

You can use the Kirby-Desai score system to estimate how many sessions you’ll need to remove your tattoo. It considers your skin color, where the tattoo is, what ink has been used, the quantity of ink, the amount of scar tissue, and the number of layers in the tattoo. You’ll then have a rough idea of how much a tattoo removal will cost.

Hiring A Tattoo Artist: Tips to Bear in Mind

1. Tattoo artists have a process: Most tattoo artists/parlors have a general method for dealing with clients. At your initial consultation, you’ll discuss what you have in mind with the artist, and from there, they’ll create a sketch of the design for you. You may need to pay a deposit ($50, on average).
2. Think about how much creative freedom you want to give the artist: Perhaps you want to cede all creative control and let the artist’s imagination run wild. Or maybe you want to pick a stock image or design from a catalog, magazine, or website. Or you may have created your own tattoo design. Either way, you’ll still have a consultation with the artist so they can properly get to know exactly what you want.
3. Do your research: Are you a spontaneous and adventurous free spirit? Or do you like to plan and know exactly what you want? Either way, you should research all your options. Look into local tattoo artists and their skills and experience, the types of tattoos and designs available to you, and know your budget. Read reviews of the artists and parlors, ensuring that they’re recent and not outdated. After all, tattoos are meant to be permanent, and you don’t want to regret any decisions you make.
4. Pick a design—carefully: Choosing a design that’ll be permanently inked on your body should take up a large part of the process. If you have any doubts, run some of your ideas past a few people whose opinions you trust. (Especially if they already have tattoos themselves!) Also, remember to ensure that there are no errors in your design if you’re getting any inking done using a foreign alphabet.
5. Think carefully about placement: A good idea to see where your design will look on your body is to get a printout of it, cut around its shape, and place it on different areas.
6. Pick a budget: As we’ve mentioned, many factors determine the pricing of different tattoos. You should have a ballpark figure in mind of how much you’re prepared in total to pay to get your tattoo done (and for potential touch-ups). It may be tempting to opt for the cheapest options but remember that the tattoo will be with you all day, every day, and probably for the rest of your life. Don’t sacrifice quality and safety for the sake of saving a few bucks. As long as you bear in mind all the points outlined in this article, you should be able to get the tattoo of your dreams at a fair price.