The Road To Ink, Part II: Funding

This is Part II in a series of posts.

Let's face it: tattoos are expensive. Unless you are getting a Stick-and-Poke, and the only cost is for a needle and ink(and maybe a six-pack for the artist!), you'll need to save up some money. Here are some basic guidelines to remember to prepare for your next piece of art.

Price

The price of a tattoo is dependent on the shop, the artist, the intricacy of the design, whether or not you want color and, obviously, the size. A small black tattoo will cost significantly less than an entire sleeve with many colors. Different colors generally cost around the same price. The increase in price comes from the time between switching colors and filling in the design. This causes the tattoo to take longer to complete, thus driving up the price. A good number to start with is about $100. This will cover the expense of a smaller, single color tattoo. My friend Nora told me her tattoo cost over $1000. For my next tattoo, I am estimating that it will cost at least $200. I am considering just getting the outlines done with the money I have, and finishing the color at a later date.

My next ink: at least $200, probably more.

Funding

If you cannot afford the price of your tattoo, definitely do not try to find a cheaper place. Quality is far more important than price, especially for something that will be on your body forever. Always look for a good quality artist and not an inexpensive shop. Never sacrifice quality for price.

As a unemployed college student, I have to rely on other peoples' money. That means saving up from birthdays, Christmas, and always shaving off a little from my meal funds. Collect your change over the course of the year. Offer handiwork like leaf raking or snow shoveling. Or just get a job. The choice is yours. Just make sure you have enough money before you get the tattoo.

Tip

Because of the amount of work the artist puts into your tattoo, it is customary that you tip. My polar bear tattoo was $100, and I felt that a $20 tip was fair. The larger the tattoo, the larger the tip.

Got any price advice? Leave a comment below! And don't forget to send in those submissions!

Posted in: color, funding, price, stick-and-poke, tip