I am getting my snakey tattoo finished next week and I am wondering what the standard tipping procedure is for tattoo's...
I have heard some people say they never knew you were supposed to tip, some say that you're a bitch if you don't, and some say that if the artist owns the shop don't tip but if they are just working there then tip....
none of them mention any type of percentage that you should tip....
like at restaurants it's between 10-20% (depending on the quality of the restaurant and waiter)
so what is it for tattooists?

Its not mandatory, but appreciated. Tip whatever you think is appropriate if you wish to do so. :)

I don't tip my artist. I think the ammount I pay him is enough.

Originally posted by xevious Originally posted by Jack Crrack I don't tip my artist. I think the ammount I pay him is enough. like we actually see all that money.

you're the ones that charge that amount ;)

us tipping you is a treat, you shouldn't expect it constantly!

Originally posted by ZombiePhlegm Originally posted by xevious Originally posted by Jack Crrack I don't tip my artist. I think the ammount I pay him is enough. like we actually see all that money. you're the ones that charge that amount ;)us tipping you is a treat, you shouldn't expect it constantly!

actually, not always. I can't charge under a certain amount, sometimes shop pricing is set by the owner. Also, figure in that we have to pay for all our materials, health insurance is not something we can generally get, plus the fact that we don't get paid unless we do something. I have had times where I didn't make money for one or two weeks. Sometimes maybe only like 4-5 $50-60 tattoos. So sometimes I make nothing, or almost nothing. If it wasn't for the fact that my husband has a job, we'd be flat broke, especially since everyone is tight with their money these days. Theres been times when I almost had to get a second job to make sure we could make our mortgage. I also work in a city where people are cheap-asses no matter how good they're doing financially. Tallying up what I made last year, I actually made less than minimum wage. I made more when I worked at Subway.

I had a guy pull up yesterday in a brand new F150, brand new clothes, talking on a cellphone that I know cost him a good amount of money, and ask me how much it would be for a sleeve of tribal. Since I need money right now, I lowballed myself, saying that the one I have in my portfolio cost about $400 for the halfsleeve. It actually cost about $600. I then told him that It would probably be $7-800, and he looked at me like I just told him he was going to have to give me his car, his wallet, and all his children, and said "that's too expensive, I have a friend that'll do it for $100" and walked away.

I NEVER expect tips. They're nice, I'll admit, but most people don't because they think we're rolling in money. We're not. We charge what we charge so that we can actually make enough to support our families. I do this because I love it, and because I'd probably go insane if I had to work an annoying customer service or food service related job.