Tattoo cost. Why is it priced this way?

When looking at the quoted price of a tattoo, a fair question might pop up: “Why the hell is it so expensive?”

It might seem reasonable to think: “Okay, maybe a session should cost $500–600 — that covers the artist’s expenses and pays for their time. But why then does a session cost $1000, $1500, or even more?”

The answer often lies in what sets a tattoo artist apart from cheaper options — the strengths and advantages that justify the higher price.

What contributes to the high cost? There are several reasons:

• The artist has deep knowledge of professional nuances: strong composition, proper placement on the body, how the tattoo will age over time, and more. If the artist can draw well, that’s a huge advantage. All of this knowledge shows up on the client’s skin in the form of high-quality work

• The tattooer has a bold and recognizable style. People travel from other cities to get tattooed not just for a design, but for a piece of art — something unique, not just a basic Pinterest sketch

• A true professional works with structure and responsibility. If you agree on something with them, you can count on it — they won’t disappear or flake on deadlines. When a client pays a deposit, they know the artist will treat the project seriously and find the best design solution, even if it takes a lot of time and effort

• A skilled tattooer never stops improving. They invest in learning from stronger artists, attend workshops, study drawing, editing, social media — and all of that costs money. Some might see it as optional, but for me, it’s essential

The points listed above aren’t basic standards for every tattoo artist. That’s why the overall state of the market also plays a role. If some sloppy artist who’s never even heard of these principles charges $1000 per session — why should a skilled artist charge the same or less? In our industry, most artists in the same city more or less know each other’s work and reputation, and that too influences pricing.

Personally, when I feel that I’ve grown in one of those areas, I raise my prices with a clear conscience. That usually happens every six months.

Here’s another key point:

A tattoo is a luxury design item. Like a premium phone or a handmade designer bag — but even more unique and for life (maybe even longer). It’s also a piece of art. Paintings in galleries are priced high, and that’s considered normal. So why should high-quality tattoos be any different?

The saying “you get what you pay for” definitely applies here. Covering up a bad tattoo often takes more time and money than getting the same design done right the first time on clean skin by a skilled artist. Laser removal is even more time-consuming and painful — something to think about.

Respect yourself and your body!