Cost of Tattoo
Tattooing can be an expensive hobby. The basic logic in buying anything is to get multiple quotes, weighing the cost of the quotes against the unique benefits offered. Since the primary consideration should be cleanliness and safety, you should only get quotes from reputable studios or artists who exhibit a high degree of cleanliness.
After that, you can consider your design. You may select a pre-drawn templated design, which is often less expensive, or you may determine that you wish for freehand work. Templated work is often charged by agreeing a fixed fee for the entire tattoo since the designs are often a little less complex than unique freehand work. However, freehand work is invariably charged at an hourly rate.
In North America, freehand work can range in price from $50/hr to in excess of $300/hr depending on the skill and experience of the artist, the bodily location of the work and the complexity of the design. This fee does not include the design work. If you require the tattoo artist to tailor a unique design to your specific needs, then expect an additional fee.
Other factors that contribute to the cost of a tattoo include the physical location, size and complexity of design. For example, an entire back piece may cost as much as $15,000 and involve many repeat visits over weeks or even months.
Although the temptation to haggle the price may be strong, this should never be done. Be honest and upfront about your prospective budget with the artist, as most artists are usually very willing to work within these limits. Remember, you are paying for an adornment that will remain with you for a lifetime so although cost may factor in to which artist and design you ultimately choose, it should never be used as a deciding factor. To paraphrase a now infamous quote: the anguish of a cheap, poor-quality tattoo will linger long after the joy of its cheap price-tag is forgotten.