tipping your tattoo artist

I tipped my tattoo artist $75 for a $250 tattoo. I didn't know what to tip either, I just brought $325 total when I went to get it, and figured he did a good job, and he was very nice. Though, I've always been a generous tipper, Ijust know to many people that need the money.

Whoa, you said DEER MEAT? That's pretty hardcore.

What Tim says. Being with an artist makes you sensitive to this: I always tip well, again because most of the people are doing me are pals of mine or pals of Hannah (usually both) and because I'm usually getting some kind of sweet "friend" deal that always makes me feel horribly guilty. I try to tip at least another 50% on top because of that, but that is just me.

--jamie

Considering what I said yesterday, I have further proof that it is good business to tip your tattooist: I got a copy of the latest DESERT SESSIONS cd in the mail today from my inker. He said it was a thank you for all the business my wife and I have given him. Whatta guy!

it depends usually at least 20% but when i knew my artist like we were friends and stuff and i only had to pay for ink, then i gave her the same as the ink
so if it was 20 bucks i gave her 20 bucks.

Same thing here. If the work is as
great as you hoped, show for it $$$.
my $0.02...

here is the rule i try and follow:

for example if a shop costs $75 an hr and u sit for 2 hrs and he/she charges you $100, i tip to the $150 price.....if I get charged $150 and they put in less than 2hrs, i tip like $10.....If i sit for 2 hrs and they charge me the $150, I'll tip $20.....of course this is predicated on the fact that you're happy with the work

What always makes me uncomfortable is when they ask you, "well, what do you want to spend"......if I come back too low will they do shit work? if i come back with more than they expect do they do better work or just laugh inside?

[Edited on Nov 06, 2003 by Capn_Mike]

We aren't trying to rip you off by asking this question.
I often ask my clients what they want to spend. Then I draw it up for them knowing their budget. If they have $100 and I draw up a tattoo worth $150 well the extra is on me, if it's only $80 then the client has a little left over for themselves. If the client dosen't have enough for what they want we can break up the tattoo in smaller sittings that are more affordable. And some (not all) designs you can do a $100 version or a $300 version.
It also alot easier than playing the pricing game "how much for this? how about this?" This is usually done by a client who has limited funds and dosen't really know what they want.

i only tipped him 20 (it should have been like.... 40-50), because i was out of money because it took about 2 hours longer than he said it would. i also bought him a milkshake while he worked on my friend, and handed out business cards for him. he was good. jason at tropics north in orono, maine. i think he also used pictures of my tattoo to show people his work, as he was a younger artist.

well, i guess tipping for anythjing artistic that has been customly done for you is expected, just professional curtosy.

...but i dont get this tipping automatically thing you have in the states. over hear its a case of 'dont like what ya getting paid, get another fuckin job'.

want it explained in detail, watch resevoir dogs.. laters.

For a custom piece of art that is going to be on my body forever I think tipping is very important. I usually tip from 20% to 30% and when I do tip but I have always been happy with what I have got. If for some reason it looked totally fucked up or not like what was drawn out and agreed on then I probably wouldn't tip... i'd just be pissed. Luckily the two artists who have done work on me are really good at what they do and are friendly and conversationable so I never have had second thoughts about tipping.