Tattoo Pricing Made Simple: What You Need to Know

Tattoo Pricing in st. Louis

photo of tattoo in process of a larger scale tattoo

The cost of a tattoo depends on several factors, including size, style, placement, shop location and the experience of the artist. Smaller tattoos that can be completed in a single session (around the size of a hand or less) are typically quoted at a flat rate. Larger tattoos, especially those requiring multiple sessions, are generally charged by the hour.

Factors That Affect Tattoo Pricing:

  • Size: Larger tattoos require more time and effort, which increases the price.

  • Style: Simple designs take less time compared to more intricate styles like realism, pointillism, or geometric tattoos, which are more time-intensive.

  • Placement: The location of your tattoo on the body can affect the difficulty and time required, therefor increasing the price of the tattoo.

  • Shop Location: Like most services, the price changes based on the cost of living in the area. A tattoo in Las Vegas or Los Angeles might run closer to $300 or more per hour.

  • Artist Experience and Speed: A more experienced artist may charge more, but they also might be a lot faster at completing the tattoo.

Our artist hourly rates range from $100 to $200 per hour. Tattoo size, style, placement, shop location and artist experience all come into play when pricing your tattoo, which is why to get an accurate tattoo price estimate, we recommend scheduling a consultation with your preferred artist. During this consultation, the artist will assess your design idea and provide a more specific quote. You can explore our artist portfolio pages to view their work and learn how to book a consultation.

Discounted Tattoo Rates

Our apprentices offer tattoos at discounted rates. Check out their portfolios and request an appointment if you're interested in working with an apprentice. All tattoos done by tattoo apprentices are supervised by a licensed artist.

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