08/30/2026
This is a weird subject and one I'm never comfortable talking about but I get asked a lot so I figured I'd address it:
Tipping 😬
Are we supposed to tip for tattoo sessions...?
⚠️The short end of the story is that I'll NEVER think badly of you if you don't tip!!!
The long end is that tattooing is a service based industry and therefore does typically appreciate tips for income.
And you might think "wait, I paid $150/hr for this tattoo... It's an extortion to expect a tip"
But here's the rub, it's not really $150/hr...
I pay well over $2000/mo for my rent, electric, gas, water, etc BEFORE supplies.
I typically spend 20-25% of a session's cost on supplies in addition to the regular fees of running a business.
I always make sure I'm buying the highest EU grade inks/needles/aftercare and will NEVER skimp on product quality!! A lot of time I send clients home with extra aftercare just in case.
And that $150/hr is actually spent between our initial conversations (how many of those never amount to actual bookings?), the drawing of your design, the modifications, the setup, the tattoo session, and the cleanup.
I probably only see you for 1/2 of the time spent on planning your tattoo. So if you see me for 2 hours, I probably spent at least 4-5 hours on only you for the behind the scenes part and then factor in supply costs.
So that $150 per "hour" is very much a misnomer. It's meant to factor in all the expenses and extra time that you don't see.
**However! Again I will never EVER think badly of anyone who doesn't tip!!**
But I do greatly appreciate anyone who shows extra thanks for the effort I put into giving them a good experience!
And tattoo tips aren't like a set 15-20% dining price....
Anything extra you throw at us to say thank you, we are appreciative of!
So.... Hopefully that explains a bit without being annoying.... I've just been asked a lot recently so I figured I'd explain how the "behind the scenes" works.
Love y'all!!