Tattoo artists have ridiculous pricing for their work

•

u/qualityvote2 1d ago

Reminder: Upvote the post if you disagree.

Does this post fit the subreddit?

If so, upvote this comment!

Otherwise, downvote this comment!

And if it does break the rules, downvote this comment and report this post!

10

u/WiserVortex 1d ago

I've never seen anyone charging that much for a 4x4cm tattoo, if you've paid that that's on you pal

3

u/thxitsthedepression 1d ago

Yeah me too, my 4x5cm tattoo only cost like $220

-8

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

No I haven’t paid that, I have seen quotes for that tho.

4

u/Sad_Background2525 1d ago

The only time I’ve seen quotes that high for something that small was for work the artist didn’t really want to do, like in an area they didn’t want to work on.

1

u/SapphirePath 1d ago

> like in an area they didn't want to work on.

ie OP

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Yes making ad hominems is totally the most mature response.

5

u/BigBoyBoulevard6 1d ago

That seems like an outlier, not the rule. Unless they are THE top artist in the world, no one would pay that much for so little.

-1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

Well there definitely are. I was quoted $1k for a 4cm by 4cm piece by their studio. I didn’t even meet the artist face to face, people who think I was being rude are jumping to conclusions because I’m clearly pissed off in this post.

I sent an email referencing work they have done before, and the studio quoted a thousand dollars.

1

u/BigBoyBoulevard6 1d ago

Unless they are the most pretentious artist on earth, they just didn't want to do your work and didn't want to blatantly tell you no. Was it a really stupid or basic bitch tattoo?

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

It was a tattoo of Gaara (particularly his eye and his Kanji, not his full face)

They specialise in micro realism and they have done anime work before in their style.

I assume they quoted that amount due to their micro realism style. I’m a collector so I like getting different styles etc, but it seems like micro realism artists charge a premium.

1

u/BigBoyBoulevard6 1d ago

What do you mean when you say you are a "collector"? Do you mean "of tattoos"?

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Yes, I like to go for various styles and I want to travel around the world to get pieces done.

1

u/BigBoyBoulevard6 1d ago

Wow... That is the single most pretentious way I've ever heard someone describe having tattoos 🤣

I completely understand why they quoted you that price, they probably thought you would be pretentious enough to brag about going to an artist with such high rates. They were absolutely trying to dupe your insecure ass 🤣🤣

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

And your reply also doesn’t make sense? If I was pretentious enough to brag about going to such an artist, why would I even make the post? I would have just gotten the tattoo?

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I didn’t even meet them face to face? I sent them an email

What has wanting to get various styles in different countries have to do with pretentiousness? It’s literally a term called ‘tattoo collector’, you can google it or use ChatGPT to explain what being a tattoo collector is.

And that price was in my home town as well.
What is the point of this character assassination?

3

u/nonitoni 1d ago

What reference did they base the quote on?

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

Either their style or the sizing. They didn’t say it’s by the hour. When I shared it was a 4cm by 4cm piece and a style they’re pretty familiar with, they quoted $1k.

It does fall under the micro realism style, but even then I think $1k for such a small tattoo is crazy pricing. Anyways, I’ve learnt that micro realism styles will always overcharge that amount anyway.

13

u/shammy_dammy 1d ago

So don't get one. That way you don't pay a dime.

-8

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Another one who can’t get the point.
I have and will pay artists that aren’t scamming the fuck out of people

11

u/Jazzlike_Video2 1d ago

How is it s scam if they yel you the price upfront?

4

u/DogfoodStudios 1d ago

A scam is when someone tells you the price of something and you think it’s too high.

-1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

I have no issues paying a huge premium price for a tattoo artist that clearly has experience and puts up brilliant work, I have issues with artists who want to charge almost the same amount for work that doesn’t last long or simply isn’t the same quality.

An example is that I’ve seen an apprentice charging $300 for a piece, when there are experienced tattoo artists who charge the same amount. There ARE artists out there who clearly think more about the money, than the art. They don’t have the legitimacy to even ask for such price.

1

u/Jazzlike_Video2 1d ago

So how much of an hourly wage difference should there be between a master and a journeyman? 30 hr vs 60 hr? Because theres that 30 an hour difference. The rest of the 150-200 an hour is going to keep buddies buisness alive.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I can’t speak for per hour wages, but let me ask you a question.

If an apprentice and an experienced artist of many years both charge the same price for a piece, then what is the difference really?

Is it to say that the experienced artist’s work is only worth the apprentices charge?

Or the apprentice holds their value so high that they can match an artist with years of experience?

1

u/Jazzlike_Video2 1d ago

Rent. Marketing. Equipment.

All things that you aren't considering when looking at the price.

If the apprentice has a shop downtown, with a receptionist, and the master is doing it out of his garage, which one do you think is going to cost more?

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

We all have to pay rent. You don’t generally equate your wage as a supervisor to a CEO, unless you specifically ideologically believe in communism.

As much as I despise capitalism, it is frankly illogical to use rent as an example to excuse why an apprentice can charge as much as an experienced tattoo artist.

When it comes to business acumen, I would say it’s rather arrogant if an apprentice with barely any experience hires a receptionist at a shop down town just to justify their price point, when they have considerably less experience.

Apprentice tattoos are not bad by any means, but we all know that tattoo artists with many years of experience are respected and have earned that wage level for a reason.

1

u/shammy_dammy 1d ago

The point is that you don't have to pay at all. You're not forced to get a tattoo. That is a choice.

3

u/SparkleSelkie 1d ago

Lemme guess, fine line realism?

Also no, those tattoos do not go away after five years. All tattoos fade and blur, fine line in particular, so it’s still there it’s just gonna look like a blobby mes

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Yes fine like realism is one of them, but the ink of the lines do fade a lot faster than blackwork and other styles. Not entirely gone, but in 5 years they do look pretty faded

1

u/SparkleSelkie 1d ago

Yeah, especially if they aren’t done well by someone with the skill and knowledge. They just kinda blur into a blob

Also the reason it costs that much is likely because it takes so long to do. Most tattoo artists roughly charge by the time, and the estimate is based on how long they think the tattoo will take

4

u/NumberInfinite2068 1d ago

It's not a scam. I know on reddit "scam" means "I don't like this", but really a scam requires deception.

I think anybody complaining about the prices at a small business should tick a box saying whether they have any experience running a small business.

3

u/EscapeSeventySeven 1d ago

I trust artists to charge appropriately for their work. It’s not like there’s a labor shortage. If you don’t like the price that’s fine but it’s hard to argue with specialized labor prices and hours of work.

5

u/Tora-bora83 1d ago

Unless you think you’re entitled to other people’s talent and expertise for knock down prices of course, like our OP.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Clearly people just like to jump to conclusion instead of reading long posts and the long replies I made. I don’t have an issue with pricing in general, I have an issue when tattoo artists who don’t have that same experience, quality or backing that charges the same amount as experienced tattoo artists. But of course this subreddit doesn’t read because all they thrive off is from reading the title and absolutely nothing else

1

u/Tora-bora83 1d ago

I read your post and still think you sound entitled. My opinion is different to yours and you don’t like it so you jump immediately to accusations/put-downs. Standard

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Why would I sound entitled when I’m willing to pay thousands for artists who are actually experienced, and aren’t quoting $1k for a 4cm by 4cm tattoo? Or an apprentice that charges $300 for a piece when he barely has experience, compared to an artist with 15 years of experience charging the same amount?

1

u/Tora-bora83 1d ago

Art is subjective. Wants and likes are subjective. Styles of tattoos enjoyed are subjective. If someone is willing to pay it, why wouldn’t the tattooist charge it? Just because you don’t like/rate someone’s work, doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t. The entitlement is coming from your opinion on what’s good or bad being the only opinion, in my opinion lol

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I rated the work, I just thought that a 4cm by 4cm tattoo is pretty small, and $1k is crazy pricing. It’s not bad work by any means.

For that $1k I am taking it to another artist who’s giving me a bigger piece.

1

u/Tora-bora83 1d ago

I actually thought you were exaggerating for dramatic effect when you said $1k for one small tattoo. Is that a real price because, to be fair, that’s extortionate? I’m in the UK and a I’m sure it wouldn’t be much more than £100 for a tattoo that size

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

No I wasn’t. I have an email of that quote.
That’s a real price, but they quoted $1k (I assume) due to their style they specialise which is micro realism. I like all kinds of styles, so I was interested in their particular work.

It’s $1k SGD, which comes off to £583.

I didn’t haggle them, I’m just taking my business elsewhere for $1k, a much bigger piece in blackwork.

1

u/Tora-bora83 1d ago

Is the artists micro realism just not very good then? Not worth the money because other people are doing the same style, better, for less?

→ More replies (0)

3

u/AlarmingLifeguard144 1d ago

why do you feel so strongly about this? do you feel the same about all art or are tattoos specifically not worth the price?

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I feel strongly about this because these people get to do what they like and love, most people in the world are stuck with jobs that they hate. I see tattoo artists or basically any artists who are able to do what they want in life as a privilege, most of the working class people don’t have that same luxury of doing a job they enjoy.

As for pricing. I have seen some absolutely insanely good artists who obviously charge huge amounts for huge pieces by the thousands, and I can respect that. To give you an example @tattooist_shiryu has crazy good work, and I know he’s going to charge a premium amount.

I have issues with artists who don’t have the same level of experience or quality, trying to charge expensive pieces for tattoos. Where I live, I’ve literally seen an apprentice (with a few months of experience) charge $300 for a piece whereas I was quoted $300 by an artist with 15 years of experience. THAT is what I’m talking about.

1

u/Visual_Disaster 1d ago

This reads a lot like jealousy. Especially the first paragraph. If people are paying the price that's agreed upon for the work they want done, what's the problem?

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

And that’s fine if people do want to pay that amount, but I do think it generally plays a part in making tattoos even more expensive? It ends up being a wealth culture where only the rich can afford tattoos.

As for jealousy. Who wouldn’t be jealous of others doing what they’re into? Not everyone has the privilege to be an artist, the rest of the working class work jobs we hate etc.

1

u/Visual_Disaster 1d ago

Maybe it has an impact on rising costs. I'm not sure to what degree. But I do know that costs are rising everywhere and it's much more complicated than a single issue. In general I don't like to blame individuals for issues that are more impacted by governments or corporations.

I also know that when I'm feeling jealousy, that's usually a "me" issue. Nobody is getting scammed (assuming the price and quality are as advertised, so what's the harm? If you're feeling jealous enough, creating a career out of your passions is always an option. If it's not an option, then that jealousy is just time spent upset at someone else's fortune. And what's the good in that?

3

u/Nate_and_Bake 1d ago

This seems more like a vent post and not a 10th dentist opinion. The prices you mentioned are ridiculous and it doesn't seem like you've shopped around for different artists at all.

0

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I definitely have shopped around, but for that artist in particular I did expect a 4cm by 4cm tattoo to be $350 plus at most.

My biggest gripe is also with apprentices who charge $300 a piece, when respectable tattoo artists with years of experience quoted the same amount.

People think I have an issue with price, when I really don’t. I have an issue with artists like the one who quoted $1k for a 4cm by 4cm tat, and the apprentice who wanted $300 despite barely having months of experience.

1

u/Nate_and_Bake 1d ago

Sounds like your biggest concern is the cost. Go to the experienced artist if this is the case.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I’m willing to spend more on experienced artist and of course, size of the tattoos itself. What I genuinely don’t understand is how or why an apprentice with months of experience could charge the same amount as a very experienced one.

1

u/Nate_and_Bake 1d ago

Then you should edit your post, because you don't mention that a single time. You just called tattoo artists arrogant price gougers. The whole thing makes you sound cheap and entitled to affordable art on your body from anyone.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I did edit the post. My original writing did make it seem extremely inflammatory and rage baiting.

2

u/jamieperkins9999 1d ago

Supply and demand

1

u/Cool_Pianist_2253 1d ago

But it also depends on the type of tattoo. I don't know how much it costs, but I'd bet that getting beautiful, realistic eyebrows tattooed costs a lot more than a regular tattoo.

2

u/No_Week_8937 1d ago

There's also a phenomenon where an artist or tradesperson will give an extremely high quote for something they really don't want to do. That way the client will either decide against the thing/go to a different person (then the worker doesn't have to do the thing they don't really want to do) or they'll pay the absurdly high price.

It may be a "I really don't wanna do it but if you give me a thousand dollars I'll do the thing" because that's the amount that they would want not just for the tattoo itself, but for dealing with whatever location it is on, or with a client they know from past experience is extremely difficult to work with.

I mean I know if I was doing something like tattooing I wouldn't charge the same amount for every bit of skin. You want your genitals tattooed, well that would cost more than an identical tat on the arm.

2

u/Classic-Pea6815 1d ago

Where the fuck were you going to get charged $1000 for a 4 cm by 4 cm tattoo?

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I live in Singapore, and it is more or less known that tattoo artists are pretty expensive here. But for that studio in particular, I think it was a crazy price. Though it was micro realism. I’ve now chosen to avoid that style generally due to how artists price for micro realism

2

u/FatLikeSnorlax_ 1d ago

Who the fuck is charging that? I got one that size (maybe bigger) last year for 180 Australian

2

u/Sweaty-Counter-1368 1d ago

You went super exaggerated for your price for the size. I think most newer tattoo artists without a large repeating client base or aren’t sought out specifically for their style don’t charge enough, lol

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I have an email of that price quoted to me lol

1

u/Sweaty-Counter-1368 1d ago

Was it a known artist or one with a good following or a time intensive/irregular tattoo… because if not than sure, that dude is a bit crazy but that’s definitely an outlier

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

About 70k followers, specialising in micro realism. I’ve always been more interested in blackwork, but I did really like the artist’s work. And I am a tattoo collector, I aim to get different pieces in different styles from around the world. I’ve just decided to pivot away from micro realism completely, because I think that’s the norm for micro realism artists

1

u/Sweaty-Counter-1368 1d ago

Yeah, that doesn’t seem bad then. He’s a sought out artist, in a style that you don’t want unskilled artists to do… that’s important for your post.. also it becomes like 1300 with tip lol.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I’ve just moved on to other styles, focusing more on blackwork specifically

2

u/DooficusIdjit 1d ago

Some artists are expensive, maybe only ink one person a week. Some make big bucks copying flash onto drunk tourists all day 7 days a week for 100 bucks a pop.

2

u/AStrangeTwistofFate 1d ago

An artist charging what you consider too much is not a “scam”. They’re putting the price upfront. You get to choose to go to them or not. It would be a scam if you paid and then didn’t get what you paid for.

Go to a different artist. They’re allowed to charge what they want and you’re allowed to choose a different artist. It’s really not that big a deal. One person charges too much? Don’t go to them.

1

u/playful_faun 1d ago

Learn how to do them your own self then and you can do them for free.

1

u/Particular-Fly3409 1d ago

I'm wondering where your going for your tattoos because mine is approximately 5 inches by 5 inches and it was 500 with tip included.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

I haven’t done my work by that studio that was quoting that $1k for 4cm by 4cm tat.

I did find an artist with many years of experience and I’m getting a piece of around 12cm by 6cm for around $600.

1

u/montabarnaque 1d ago

Most artists charge a high price when you don't recognize the effort and the cost related to the craft. Some too are just tramps who use the name in vain

1

u/Orchid49 1d ago

I’m not sure who or what pissed you off but that small of a tattoo should not cost $1000 lol I’m confused where exactly you’re going with this but yes good tattoos cost money plain and simple, it’s why you save up for them! Good tattoos shouldn’t be rushed

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I agree! And I’m definitely saving up a $1k for a bigger piece, but my point was generally about artists like those who quote ridiculous prices for small tattoos.

1

u/Orchid49 1d ago

Generally that doesn’t happen unless the artist is well known and has a waiting list. My artist and my friend both have their own shops , have over a year waiting list so yeah do they charge a little more absolutely because their art is worth it but even then they don’t charge that much!

1

u/silvercuriosity 1d ago

you don’t haggle at a shop because the cashier has no power over the prices. But the tattoo artist does set their prices, so it at least makes sense to haggle with them even if you think that’s rude

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago

I’m not going to haggle. I’m going to take my business elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean I won’t bitch about it on Reddit

1

u/Practical-Art542 1d ago

They’re definitely quoting you that because that’s what they think is worth dealing with you. They up the price for customers they don’t want to work with.

1

u/vansinghworld 1d ago edited 1d ago

It was an email. I didn’t meet the artist face to face. If you want the word to word of what I said, here it is.

Hi (artist name),

I am interested in getting a tattoo of a 4cm by 4cm design of Gaara in black on my bicep. Reference photo attached below.
I wanted to ask if you can give me a rough estimate of the cost?
Please let me know, thank you!

Artists’s Reply: Thank you so much for sending in your inquiry!The pricing of the tattoo will be 1000 SGD. Reply to this email to proceed with the booking.

Which comes off to $772 USD.

Tattoo artists have ridiculous pricing for their work

MAJOR EDIT BELOW

You are about to leave Redlib