Tattoo Prices in Australia (2022) - Aussie Prices (2023)

FAQs

How much is a 1 hour tattoo? ›

On average, tattoo artists charge $100 to $250 an hour, although in certain cases, high-profile tattoo artists charge more. Consider how in-demand your prospective artist is, based on factors such as their number of Instagram followers as well as awards given to the studio or artist, which can help determine rates.

2022 Tattoo Prices | Average Tattoo Costs (by Size & Examples) The average cost for a small tattoo like a heart or cross is $50 to $250. For a medium-sized tattoo like a tribal or portrait, expect to spend between $150 and $450.

Most tattoo artists charge an hourly rate that varies from $75 to $150 an hour. A more elaborate tattoo like an elephant on the forearm or upper back that takes 2.5-6 hours typically costs $200-$600 with an average cost of $316.

Average price for a quality tattoo of this size would be $350 to $500. This is a detailed, medium-sized piece in full colour that would take approximately 5 - 7 hours. The average price for a quality tattoo this size would be $650 to $800.

A tiny tattoo such as a wrist, finger, or wedding ring tattoo, costs between $50 and $100 on average. If the design is intricate, or if it's in a hard to get to location such as your inner lip, expect to pay $200 or more for your tiny tattoo. Prices also depend if it's black-ink or color.

In Australia, a 3-hour tattoo would cost around $400 to $600, depending on many factors such as size, complexity, and body placement.

To determine your tattoo size, simply multiply the height of your tattoo with the width at the longest points. A small wrist or ankle tattoo might end up being 2 inches tall and 1 inch wide, making it a 2 square inch tattoo. A large tattoo might be 5 inches by 8 inches on your back, making it a 40 square inch tattoo.

A 3-inch tattoo size still fits comfortably on the lower arm, wrist and ankle areas just like the 2-inch tattoo sizes. But 3-inch tattoo sizes also look great elsewhere. The upper arm area, shoulder and the back of your neck are all good placements to consider.

A small tattoo that's 2-5 inches in size will cost far less than a medium or full-sized rib tattoo. You're looking at $250 to $500 depending on the exact size and intricacies of the tattoo design.

Things like materials, size, location, and type of tattoo affect the price. On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces.

How painful is a tattoo? ›

Sharp or stinging pain can be described as many tiny bee stings. This kind of pain is usually quite intense, and it feels like the needle is poking deep into your skin. It's sometimes enough to make you want to move away from the tattoo needle!

The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip — just like at a restaurant or a hair salon. However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others.

Palm-sized tattoo would take from one to three hours to make. Hand sized tattoo can take up to 5 hours to make. Full sleeve tattoo can take 6-10 hours to make. Very large tattoos, such as a back piece, can take up to 30 hours to make.

Generally you can't just call and ask them how much for a tattoo. A legitimate artist/shop will need you to come in person for a consultation before they even give a quote. You will talk about what you want and based on that the artist will give you an estimate of how many hours it will take.

Expect about half an hour to an hour for a simple, small tattoo. Keep in mind, however, a small tattoo with lots of color, line work, details, or a tricky placement could take several hours. Small tattoos are great for people who don't want to go through a lengthy tattoo process, but still want some cool ink.

The average percent of tips to a tattoo artist is 15-20%. So, for a $500 tattoo, you can tip $75-100.

However, the average tattoo tip in the U.S. is at least 15-20 percent. “A tip is a tip—we appreciate anything,” says Clifton. “But you can always follow the Golden Rule of tipping 20 percent of whatever your tattoo price was if you're not sure.”

How much do you tip on a $300 tattoo? You would tip around $60 - $90 for a $300 tattoo. So, the final price you'd expect to pay for the service is $360 - $390.

Small tattoos are always a fan favorite because they have really cool designs and usually don't take too much time or planning. A small tattoo on average costs about $50 to $80 total, and usually won't take more than an hour.

Other factors that drive the cost of a tattoo are the intricacy of the design, if the work is custom or is flash, placement on the body—areas that are more difficult to tattoo or sensitive may cost more, and colors used (the more colors a design requires, the higher the price tag—that's more materials used and more ...

What is a good size first tattoo? ›

6×6 Tattoo Size

If it's your first piece, don't go bigger than this.

Yes, a 6-hour session is long. It is almost an all-day session, so your body will be tired and you will feel pain. More than 4-hour sessions are recommended only for those, who have already done tattoos before.

But optimally, four to six hours is the limit. For one thing, you, as the person being tattooed, is going to run out of adrenaline and all those lovely chemicals the brain makes that are "natural opiates" which keep you from feeling pain clearly.

This number is a powerful symbol that speaks to the immense amount of work that is still needed in the fight against addiction. Those who bear this tattoo, wear it with pride because it points to the victory in that persons life. Most who bear the the mark of the 2% have survived a battle that many will not.

#12 gauge (0.35mm)

A 12 gauge might be referred to as standards, but they have a faster flow of ink which means they are good for shading and coloring even in bigger areas. There are some other gauges under these, #6 is 0.20mm. #14 is 0.40 and #16 is 0.45mm.

How much would a 5 inch tattoo cost? A standard 5″ tattoo may be about a couple of hours so, in the US, between $150 and $600.

A full sleeve tattoo can cost anywhere from $1000 to $6000, depending on the hourly rate of the artist and how much time the art takes to complete. For a design in full color, expect to spend at least two full days sitting for the piece, or be prepared to sit for multiple sessions.

Sleeve tattoos are usually getting done in few sessions. Consider doing 3-5-hour sittings at a time, going back every 2 and a half weeks. A good tattoo artist will charge $1,500 – $7,000 for a full sleeve tattoo. While an artist with a wait list, that can often go beyond two plus years, can cost $14,000 and upwards.

Get ready to get tattooed

In order to get the ink you really want, communicating your budget constraints with your tattoo artist is key. Tell your artist what you can afford, and together you can create a design and a timeline that works for both of you.

Don't negotiate the price. Tattoo artists will always quote you beforehand based on their time and the size of the tattoo. They want to make sure they get the design just right, so it's better to pay for an extra half hour or so than to walk out with something that looks rushed and sub-par.

Is it rude to ask a tattoo artist for price? ›

Many artists find it extremely rude if you try to haggle the price of a tattoo. Though negotiating the price of some goods and services is normal, haggling with your artist over the cost of a tattoo is typically seen as unacceptable and insulting.

The tattoo needle goes through 1/16th of an inch of skin. That might not sound like a lot of skin, but it is really going through five sublayers of the epidermis, the dermal layer, and also the top layer of the dermis.

Typically, the outer layer of your skin will heal in two to three weeks. The deeper layers can take up to six months. The total healing time will depend on the size and placement of your tattoo. Once healed, your tattoo shouldn't hurt.

People doing things to avoid taxes is an old story, right? But, it is true; that some shops won't accept credit cards because then they have a direct paper trail for income. The same goes for tattoo parlors; tattoo artists and tattoo shop owners will only accept cash to avoid any evidence of their actual income.

Some people describe the pain as a pricking sensation. Others say it feels like bee stings or being scratched. A thin needle is piercing your skin, so you can expect at least a little pricking sensation. As the needle moves closer to the bone, it may feel like a painful vibration.

Absolutely. Areas with more nerves and bone and less flesh tend to hurt more. Pain intensity varies across different parts of the wrist, but the part of the inner wrist closest to the palm and the area over the bone on the outer wrist are particularly sensitive.

Smaller tattoos take less time, have less detail, and heal faster. Therefore small tattoos minimize both the initial pain that you will experience as the tattoo is being done as well as the soreness that will last a few days as your tattoo heals.

How long does a 3 inch tattoo take to heal? ›

How long does it take for a tattoo to heal? After getting a tattoo, the outer layer of skin (the part you can see) will typically heal within 2 to 3 weeks. While it may look and feel healed, and you may be tempted to slow down on the aftercare, it can take as long as 6 months for the skin below a tattoo to truly heal.

Tattoo Shading

Contrary to what you might expect, many people report that the shading hurts significantly less than the outlining of the tattoo. If you've already made it through your line work, pat yourself on the back. You've likely conquered the most painful part already.

What tattoo size can I get in an hour? It depends on the tattoo style, but typically a moderately detailed 2-inch tattoo or a large but very minimalistic 5-6 inch tattoo. It also depends on the tattoo artist.

The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip — just like at a restaurant or a hair salon. However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others.

How much do you tip for a $1,000 tattoo? You would tip around $200 - $300 for a $1,000 tattoo. So, the final price you'd expect to pay for the service is $1,200 - $1,300.

The smallest tattoos will take around an hour, while sleeve tattoos may require up to eight all-day sessions. The average tattoo session lasts around five hours but all-day sessions are usually longer (seven and more hours). They also have a different rate which you should check with the artist.

If you're getting smaller art done or maybe a touch-up for $100, tipping anywhere from $15 to $25 fits the bill. Some regular or return clients also give gifts to their tattoo artists, such as restaurant gift cards, theater tickets and doughnuts for the shop.

Drink a lot of water during the week; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting tattooed. Please do not shave the area; we will do it for you at your appointment. Avoid aspirin or blood thinning medication at least 24 hours before your tattoo; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, & other NSAID pain relievers are OK.

It is generally accepted to tip 15-20% of total price to your tattoo artist. It means that from a $250 tattoo, you will tip $37.5-50. But not all people can afford to tip the same tips from a $2000 tattoo because tips are here up to $400. In this case, you can tip around 10% or $200.

Tattooing is a unique, personal service, just like getting a piercing, having your nails done, etc. Such services almost always accept cash payment because they're related to body art, and paying for body art with a credit card is simply a bad idea.

Why do tattoo artists prefer cash? ›

Tattoo artists may prefer cash because credit cards have processing fees that they must pay and checks bounce!

Sharp or stinging pain can be described as many tiny bee stings. This kind of pain is usually quite intense, and it feels like the needle is poking deep into your skin. It's sometimes enough to make you want to move away from the tattoo needle!

Palm-sized tattoo would take from one to three hours to make. Hand sized tattoo can take up to 5 hours to make. Full sleeve tattoo can take 6-10 hours to make. Very large tattoos, such as a back piece, can take up to 30 hours to make.