Tattoo Cost when getting a tattoo

Tattoo cost when getting A Tattoo: How Much Does It Cost? How Long Does It Take?

Two of the most commonly asked questions by anyone dabbling with the idea of getting a tattoo done are how long will the session last and how much will it cost. The fact is, there is no one simple answer to these questions as the cost as well as the time involved depend on a whole lot of factors.

Pricing the Tattoo

Getting a tattoo done is like commissioning an artist to get a work of art done and just like any other artist, tattoo artists too have their own distinctive ways of evaluating the value of their work. When checking around and comparing prices, you will soon learn that some tattoo artists charge by the hour while others charge for the job you require them to do. Should you decide to get the smallest tattoo done however, just remember that keeping in mind the cost and preparation of the equipment, all artists will charge a certain minimum rate no matter how small the size of the tattoo.

What are the Factors That Determine the Tattooing Cost & Time?

There are several factors that work together in determining the total cost of the tattoo:

• Location of the Tattoo: Though it may seem unlikely, where you choose to get your tattoo plays a significant role in the total costing of the tattoo as well as the time it takes. It is easier to tattoo some parts of the body as compared to others. A smoother shoulder or the fleshier upper arm make for an easier tattoo canvas as compared to the curvier lower back or a bony ankle.

• Size of the Tattoo: While it may seem obvious that a larger tattoo will cost more, it is not only the amount of tattooing ink you will be paying for; you also have to pay for the artist’s time as a larger tattoo will expectedly take so much more time.

• Design of the Tattoo: Choosing a design from an existing image takes less time and is cheaper too; all that is involved is the execution of the tattoo.  It will take much longer and you can expect to pay much more for a custom designed tattoo, which will require the tattoo artist to create, draw and adjust the image before starting with the actual tattooing process.  Customized tattoos are really a labor of love and they are impossible to put a fixed price on.  Also, intricate designs with plenty of details are tricky to create and execute, which hikes up their price tremendously.

• Colors of the Tattoo: The total cost of your tattoo also depends on how many different colors you want to use as well as how much color you want used. Alternating the equipment also adds to the time taken when there are several colors.

• The Reputation of the Tattoo Artist: The more popular and reputed the tattoo artist, the more you can expect to pay even for a simple tattoo.

If you are toying with the idea of getting a tattoo done but are compromising on the cost/time factors, you should remember that you are going to be carrying this tattoo around for the rest of your life. Do you really want to settle for 2nd best? It is best to choose a tattoo artist or a tattoo parlor based on their reputation as well as their hygiene and safety standards. Settling for anything less is not worth it!