tipping your tattoo artist

There's a pretty comprehensive thread on this in the Tattoo group - check that out if you haven't already. Other than that, I got nothin'.

Do you ? YES
Should you? ALWAYS
How much is enough? depend on how much you love your tattoo?
I've been known to tip rough about 20%-25%

20%
always.

I just got an outline done of a semi half sleeve. It was $200 and I tipped $20.
His prices are high for custom, which sucks when I'm constantly dishing out money to him, but he does amazing work so I keep going back.
But its his shop and he owns it. So I tend to tip him less than the other people who work @ his shop, since they have to give him a cut of what they make as it is.
But I usually tip about $20 on every sitting. But thats just me. I don't even know if that is too much or too little. I just seems about right to me.

my friend scott white in orlando has a sign in his booth that reads something like:

Tipping is fun
you should tip your tattoo artist
or he will light you on fire.

I try and tip as much as i can. I have also found that things like dinner and stuff are appreciated as well

My friend scott white has a sign on his computer at work it reads something like:

double posting is stupid
if you double post
I will light you on fire

i try to double post as little as possible. It helps for not looking like a jackass

[Edited on Nov 03, 2003 by egon]

Oh dear, we're supposed to tip them? Am I a terrible person now?

C'mon kids.... its only good karma that you should tip anyone making modifications to your body. Especially if you intend to go back......

if they really go out of their way to do a fucking spectacular job then i would tip huge, i mean, a tattoo is a really big fucking deal (or at least to me it is). when i finally save up the cash, and find someone skilled enough to do the shit i want done, the sky's the fucking limit, that's for damn sure. that shit is for life. fuck the dollars.

It depends on whether or not they did a good job and you were comfortable, if you hated being there and would never go back... don't tip at all. If you want to establish a good relationship the more you tip the better you and your artist will get along.

I tip for everything except bad service. The more knowledgeable, the more talented, and the more friendly the artist is the better I tip. That goes for barbers, waiters, and anything else. If I have a positive experience, they get more, plain and simple.

Being on the receiving end most of the time, tipping is nice. If I am doing a large piece that takes multiple sittings, I don't expect it all the time. I appreciate any amount they want to give, even if it's $10-20. I know not everyone has a ton of money and I appreciate that they are willing to spend what they have getting work from me. Gifts are definitely cool instead of money (as long as you are sure the artist will like it). It really is the gesture that counts, not the amount.

I always tip really well, but I also usually sit for a pretty long time, and the people tattooing me are usually friends in the industry--it is always good manners to tip large when they are giving you a deal.

And I also agree: If the tattooist is an asshole, don't tip and don't go back. A tattoo should be a positive experience, and you don't need added stress while you are getting drilled. There are plenty of talented, friendly tattooists out there who will appreciate your business.

i thought people knew that you tip anyone giving some sort of service, even if you can only give a dollar? it's just the considerate thing to do. unless the person provided a shitty service.

i usually tip as much i would a waiter, 20%, more if the experience was better than average?

i've always gotten hooked up generously on my body mods. if i was charged, it's always next to nothing. so i generally try to tip close to what the actual cost of the mod. for example, my lucky you tattoo was done for next to nothing. i bought him dinner and tipped him like 60 or 70 bucks. but, when i was living in that town, i frequented the shop and would bring my friends food and treats all the time. not that this means i'm deserving of a hook up, but i never took them for granted. sigh. i miss my friends at electra art in corpus. if you're ever there, visit them. they're bad ass!!!!

I always tell my clients who ask:
Tipping is appreciated, but not expected.

I know tattooos cost alot at one time. Somtimes the client has enough to get the tattoo but not to tip. I'd rather do the tattoo without the tip then to not do it at all. But remember if the artist dosen't own the shop they are paying out a nice chunk of the money to the shop, the tips are all the artist's.

Gifts are great tips too. I have recieved baked goods, Deer meat, cheese and flowers. If you really like your tattoo sending a thank you card is nice. On days with assholes in the lobby I like to read these cards to remind myself that there are nice clients out there.

I'm glad somebody brought this up. I've tipped on my two pieces, but had always wondered about the ettiquette of the practice.

I tip my current artist 60-80 per session. To me it depends on quality and professionalism. I have about thirty hours per arm with my current artist.

I always tip when I get ink.

Most of my ink is by one artist here in Virginia, James Marlowe, who has become a friend over the years. I usually tip at least 15% -- the last time he charged me $250 and I gave him $40. But since I often design my own images, I try to give him a little more because I feel like I'm intruding on his creativity by bringing my own designs. Fortunately, he likes my art and has always done a great job with them.

Give what you can afford. If you don't have much money left after the art is finished, tell them that. An explanation goes a long way and is much better than just leaving without a word. But most artists I know are reasonable folks, who will charge you what they think is fair payment for their work, in the first place. Tips are gravy. It also helps if you send your friends to them for work, too. Knowing that you are expanding their customer base is always appreciated.

Oh yeah, your new sleeve is very nice. I look forward to seeing it colored in.

im usually pretty good about tipping. 20-25% is what i usually tip but
its not always easy to figure that out. if its around $100 i tip $10-15.
i tip if theyre good too. they have to earn it.

Don't feel bad, sweetie, when he finished my design, my tattooist refused a tip having not only done the work for less than the original quote, but less than his usual rate for custom work I don't normally tip, but this to me was as good a candidate for one as I'd met, but he just wouldn't take the money. A while ago there was an exhibition on tattooing in our local museum, and he asked if I'd have pics taken of mine for it, so that was pretty kewl too. I keep trying to direct friends his way for tattoos, but they're all too chickenshit at the moment
Spike