As a 30 year tattoo artist and a partner in a shop, I must first say that a tip is not necessary. However, it is greatly appreciated. The average client only sees the hours they are in the chair and not the hours that we are working for you not charging for it. We have a primarily custom shop so there are sometimes many hours that we are working that the client isn't charged for. Such as a consultation, the sometimes multiple hours that we are drawing your design (outside of shop hours), revisions to the drawing, set up, etc. The average 3 hour tattoo may actually have a good 5-6 hours of work for the artist but only charging for the 3 hours and I might add that our regulars absolutely get cut deals so they are not charged the posted rate. Although we may be working at the shop for 8-10 hours a day we are only actually putting money in our pocket when a client is physically in the chair. Now you also have to factor in that we do not get to keep all that money. Most shops are on a 50-50 split. Depending on the artist the split may be a bit more. As most artists are independent contractors there are a lot of expenses incurred. I will do a really rough break down based on average tattoo artist costs in an average shop doing their accounting properly.

Out of our 50% we must pay retail tax 5-7.5% depending on state, income tax, all the same social security and assorted fee/taxes that a w-2 worker pays, licensing fees, probable accounting fees (if the artist is smart), insurance, chiropractor ( lol, any in the business will understand this one) plus the artist will pay for their own supplies minus disposables, such as needles, inks, sometimes gloves, machines, power supplies, drawing supplies, electronics (iPad), additional training/seminars, etc. and keep these things stocked and maintained. Granted that some of these expenses are deductible but we must first front it and then hope it washes out at tax time. Like I said this is only a rough breakdown and can vary from shop to shop.

Now do not get me wrong, I am not claiming sour grapes over here. I am glad to be in a profession for 3 decades that I love and every profession has it's pro and cons. But that $200 that the client pays doesn't all go in our pocket. A realistic figure would be that out of a $200 tattoo the artist is really only pocketing about $70 to live on. So that extra tip really does make a difference. And the smaller the tattoo the more expense to profit ratio as the cost of doing a $1000 tattoo is the same as the cost to do a minimum priced one.

Like I said, not complaining over here as I get to make a living from doing what I love but just giving a heads up to the clients out there that we know tattoos are expensive and although tipping is not expected most of us cut the best deals to our clients that do tip well and a heavy hitter will never pay the posted hourly rate. Just being honest.