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Leaving tips for tattoos

Dirty Dan

Dirty Dan

Board Sponsor
Hey everyone, come August I'll be going in for my first session of getting sleeves done. Both the tattoo artist and I will be putting in lots of time, along with this costing me a pretty penny.

Curious on what everyone feels is an acceptable amount of money to tip your tattoo artist?

Does it depend on their hourly rate, or how much they charge by the individual piece?

So far I have 4 sessions booked, do I tip after each session or at the end of all 4?

Much thanks!
 
you should tip and i have tipped based on price. if your price is 500 i go with 20%, 25 after each session. Dont tip prior or upfront. if something happens that you have to change times or they get jammed up and its a month later, they could forget you gave them a tip and then you get into the Seinfeld thing- When George threw the money in the tip jar but the guy didnt see it.
 
smith_69 said:
you should tip and i have tipped based on price. if your price is 500 i go with 20%, 25 after each session. Dont tip prior or upfront. if something happens that you have to change times or they get jammed up and its a month later, they could forget you gave them a tip and then you get into the Seinfeld thing- When George threw the money in the tip jar but the guy didnt see it.
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Thanks my man. I had a chest piece done years ago and tipped waaaaay too much haha. Don't want to make that mistake again, 20-25% sounds logical. Appreciate it!
 
I had the luck of winning a free tattoo session valued at $500 so I just gave the dude $75 cash for his trouble. I guess that's 15%.

He has told me previous winners haven't given him **** though which would suck after hours of his work for free.
 
lifted67 said:
I had the luck of winning a free tattoo session valued at $500 so I just gave the dude $75 cash for his trouble. I guess that's 15%.

He has told me previous winners haven't given him **** though which would suck after hours of his work for free.
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what did you get
 
A bull with wings, symbol for Saint Luke, in memory of my grandfather Luke.
 
I'm heading in Monday for a 5 hour shading session on a massive outline that extends from my leg to my armpit, completely covering my ribs and wraps around my back. Wish me luck lol :D
 
Gutterpump said:
I'm heading in Monday for a 5 hour shading session on a massive outline that extends from my leg to my armpit, completely covering my ribs and wraps around my back. Wish me luck lol :D
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Never commit a crime again, that'll be a helluva distinguishing feature lol
 
I tip about $60 per session, on multisession pieces. Each one of my sessions for example lately have been $750. I think that's fair. His rate is $250/hr
 
Joedoubledose said:
$250 an hour damn , homie better be damn good . Does he specialize in anything specific ?
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Sure does :) He's one of the best blackworkers around.

He's also done work on Heath Ledger. Celebrity tattoo shop, one of the best in NYC.

The piece I'm getting is massive too. Taking about 5 sessions. Not cheap
 
I for the first time didn't leave a tip for a tattoo. I always waited till after a tattoo was done, and paid for the tattoo. Then part of how i'd base the tattoo was what they charged vs what the tattoo was worth.

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Got this one in Puerto rico last week. Just adding the 3 little coquis - a type of frog, this is the style of the taino Indians cave drawings. The tattoo above it is something my wife and I had done on our 18th anniversary, so we also got this done together since it was an addon to the above. Anyhow, as you can guess it took all of 5 minutes to do each of us, even adding some time for "design" (we had it pre-printed) etc. couldn't have been a half hour.

That shop's rates are 80 for a half hour, 125 per hour. When we got up front to pay, they charged us as 2 1/2 hour sessions since there were two people. So no tip on that one
 
Yup for really short session, no real need to tip.

Mine's taking multiple lonnnng sessions. Here's a few pics of the progress. This guy is definitely worth his rate.

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I'd tip $25-$40 every session, especially since you have a few.
 
Gutterpump said:
I tip about $60 per session, on multisession pieces. Each one of my sessions for example lately have been $750. I think that's fair. His rate is $250/hr
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That's helllllllllla!!!!
 
Gutterpump said:
Yup for really short session, no real need to tip.

Mine's taking multiple lonnnng sessions. Here's a few pics of the progress. This guy is definitely worth his rate.

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Yup!! Looking awesome.
 
Gutterpump said:
It's not too bad for top notch ink. I know someone here who charges $900 an hour. Dotwork with 1 needle, start to finish
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Dot work is painful as ****! I have one artist and he hooks me up every time. Been going to him for 16 years. :)
 
Gutterpump said:
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Sure does :) He's one of the best blackworkers around.

He's also done work on Heath Ledger. Celebrity tattoo shop, one of the best in NYC.

The piece I'm getting is massive too. Taking about 5 sessions. Not cheap
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You need to go see mike at kings ave ....
 
Gutterpump said:
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Sure does :) He's one of the best blackworkers around.

He's also done work on Heath Ledger. Celebrity tattoo shop, one of the best in NYC.

The piece I'm getting is massive too. Taking about 5 sessions. Not cheap
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im in nj, so that is worth the trip, whats the address- up,mid or downtown--
 
Gutterpump said:
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Sure does :) He's one of the best blackworkers around.

He's also done work on Heath Ledger. Celebrity tattoo shop, one of the best in NYC.

The piece I'm getting is massive too. Taking about 5 sessions. Not cheap
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think i found it, in Brooklyn?
 
Gutterpump said:
Does he do blackwork and/or dotwork? I'll look into him. I have really picky tastes. My absolute favorite tattoo artist is Alexander Grim (Russia) as well as Ien Levin (Ukraine)
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He specializes in irezumi ( traditional Japanese tattoos) however his style is more new school with bright colors that contest and pop really nicely .
 
Joedoubledose said:
He specializes in irezumi ( traditional Japanese tattoos) however his style is more new school with bright colors that contest and pop really nicely .
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thats good. color can hide anything, so if you have a good artist that makes it pop vs looking like its covering up a crime scene your golden
 
smith_69 said:
thats good. color can hide anything, so if you have a good artist that makes it pop vs looking like its covering up a crime scene your golden
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I'd kill to have some extra cash to get tattooed by him . He's probably booked out 3 to 4 months ahead of time too
 
Joedoubledose said:
He specializes in irezumi ( traditional Japanese tattoos) however his style is more new school with bright colors that contest and pop really nicely .
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Ahh cool yeah I like that style, but I only plan on having blackwork done. I love the sun too much for color (fades more over time in the sun), and blackwork just looks so sinister.
 
A little update on my sleeve


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Sorry my face makes babies cry
 
Dirty Dan said:
A little update on my sleeve


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Sorry my face makes babies cry
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Looks awesome, hunny bunch!
 
Im digging it Dirty Dan! Ive just got one part left on my sleeve and then its moving on over to the left chest. Sorry.. only picture I have of it right now, but you get the idea. Entire Japanese Firefighter themeInvalid Link Removed

EDIT-you got called honey bunch from puccah8808, stupid jealous
 
FireTitan said:
Im digging it Dirty Dan! Ive just got one part left on my sleeve and then its moving on over to the left chest. Sorry.. only picture I have of it right now, but you get the idea. Entire Japanese Firefighter themeInvalid Link Removed

EDIT-you got called honey bunch from puccah8808, stupid jealous
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You're looking mighty sexy these days, FT!

I just made a tattoo apt for the 7th. I'm scared, it's been almost 2 years since I got inked. My artist was super excited to see me and more excited to do my piece. :D
 
look good bro
 
I try to tip at least $25 per session. Most artists I know who work for or at a shop split it 50/50 or close to it...the lesser percent goes to the house. My guy charged me $150hr with 3hr minimum bookings. I have a full left Japanese chest plate going into a full, but not completed, left sleeve. I've got about $2he's invested and always gave him what I could basically afford each session. This guy owns more Harleys and a few houses than anyone else I know so I'm pretty sure the tips go for lunch or coffee lol...not much more.
 
FireTitan said:
Nice!! Not to sound TOO weird, but would like to see it when you get it done. Ill post a better picture of mine here in a bit for you. Still have a little to do.
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I'm here and he's drawing it up. I will post when I'm done. :)
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Here's my first session. I sat for 6 hours but was not able to finish it. It's so painful!

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Nice and haha. Funny how it's different for everyone. Both my quads didn't hurt as much as my side calf. What shop is that?
 
puccah8808 said:
Here's my first session. I sat for 6 hours but was not able to finish it. It's so painful!

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puccah8808 Im diggin it. Looks like solid work. And I dont care who you are..6 hours gets old. You did good. I have a ridiculously high tolerance for pain and 7.5 is the longest Ive sat at once. Still need to get you a picture of my sleeve. Ill do it when I get back to the station.
 
puccah8808 here it is. My arm doesn't haven't the same aww factor your leg does...but,it is what it is.Invalid Link RemovedInvalid Link RemovedInvalid Link Removed
The samurai with the maltese cross is my favorite part. But still figuring out what Im gonna do with the inside of my bicep into my chest.
 
Mowglisml said:
Nice and haha. Funny how it's different for everyone. Both my quads didn't hurt as much as my side calf. What shop is that?
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Thank you! It hurt the most on top and I wanted to die! :) It's called Cloud 9 tattoo in Sacramento. I've been going to to same artist for 17 years. I mean, this big ass piece was only $300. :)

FireTitan said:
puccah8808 Im diggin it. Looks like solid work. And I dont care who you are..6 hours gets old. You did good. I have a ridiculously high tolerance for pain and 7.5 is the longest Ive sat at once. Still need to get you a picture of my sleeve. Ill do it when I get back to the station.
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Thank you! 7.5 is a lot! My body went into shock and I literally caught the flu that same night. :(

ELROCK said:
Looks amazing on you Puccah!
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Thank you! :) I can't wait to complete it.

FireTitan said:
puccah8808 here it is. My arm doesn't haven't the same aww factor your leg does...but,it is what it is.Invalid Link RemovedInvalid Link RemovedInvalid Link Removed
The samurai with the maltese cross is my favorite part. But still figuring out what Im gonna do with the inside of my bicep into my chest.
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Yours look amazing! Plus, you're looking really good these days! :) Your awww factor is up there. :)

Sometimes I regret destroying my skin but then I just Google sexy people with tattoos and I feel better.
 
puccah8808 said:
Thank you! It hurt the most on top and I wanted to die! :) It's called Cloud 9 tattoo in Sacramento. I've been going to to same artist for 17 years. I mean, this big ass piece was only $300. :)


Thank you! 7.5 is a lot! My body went into shock and I literally caught the flu that same night. :(


Thank you! :) I can't wait to complete it.



Yours look amazing! Plus, you're looking really good these days! :) Your awww factor is up there. :)

Sometimes I regret destroying my skin but then I just Google sexy people with tattoos and I feel better.
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Thank you. And everyone has tats these days. The town I work for started talking about me covering my arms up when on duty so I didn't offend anyone...first call of the day that day was a 92 year old WW2 Navy Vet with tats all over his arms. And again..thanks, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy coming from the likes of you.
 
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