you just got a tattoo you love, the artist hands you the total, and your brain goes blank: wait, am i supposed to tip? how much? it's one of those things nobody spells out, so here it is, plainly.
yes, you tip — here's the short version
tipping a tattoo artist is customary, the same way it is at a salon or a barbershop. it's not technically required, but it's expected and genuinely appreciated, especially for custom work someone spent hours on. the standard range is 15–25%, with 20% as a safe default.
| tattoo price | 15% (lower end) | 20% (standard) | 25% (generous) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $15 | $20 | $25 |
| $200 | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| $400 | $60 | $80 | $100 |
| $800 | $120 | $160 | $200 |
| $1,500 | $225 | $300 | $375 |
socal artists you can book on goodwork
their work, where they tattoo, and the deposit they ask for.
vince espinozablackwork · linework$50 deposit
lunayflorestattoosanta fe springsrealism · black & grey$100 deposit
level tattoolos felizblackwork · minimalist$100 deposit
dylan aielloblackwork · minimalist$100 deposit
tip on the full price
calculate the tip on the whole cost of the tattoo, not on the balance left after your deposit. if the piece was $400, you tip on $400 — the deposit was just part of that total, paid early. and if you got a deal or a friend rate, tipping well is a nice way to say thanks for it.
when to lean higher
a few situations where people tip toward the top of the range — or beyond:
- a long, detailed, or fully custom piece the artist designed from scratch.
- they squeezed you in, stayed late, or nailed a tricky cover-up.
- you plan to come back — generosity is remembered, and so is the opposite.
who to tip, and how
you tip the artist who did the work. if a shop owner tattooed you, it's still kind to offer — some accept, some wave it off, in which case a glowing review, a referral, or simply rebooking is its own thank-you. tip at the end of the session once everything's done. cash is easiest, but most artists also take venmo, cashapp, or zelle — just ask what they prefer.
the bigger picture
a tip is a small thing that builds a real relationship with someone who's going to be marking your skin for years. the more important decision is who you sit down with in the first place — every artist on goodwork shows their work and pricing upfront, so the total never blindsides you and you can plan the tip in. new to all this? our first-tattoo guide covers the rest of the etiquette.
browse tattoo artists across socal →
ready to pick someone?
mr._folkssouth lablackwork · black & grey$50 deposit
钟逸政orangerealism · black & grey$120/hr
garrick {gman} leemiracle milelinework · blackwork$100 deposit
dean felipedowntown larealism · black & grey$100 deposit
dead pretty tattoosontarioillustrative · blackwork$50 deposit · $85 min
drettylong beachblack & grey · illustrative
frequently asked questions
do you tip a tattoo artist?
yes — tipping is customary for tattoos, the same way it is at a salon or barber. it's not technically required, but it's a normal and appreciated part of the etiquette, especially for custom work.
how much should you tip a tattoo artist?
15–25% of the total is the usual range, with 20% a safe default. for a long, detailed, or especially custom piece, many people tip toward the higher end. tip on the full price, before any deposit is subtracted.
do you tip the shop owner who tattoos you?
plenty of people still tip shop owners, and it's always welcome. some owners wave it off — if so, a great review, a referral, or rebooking is its own kind of thank-you.
when and how should you tip?
tip at the end of the session, once the work is done. cash is always easy and appreciated, but many artists also take venmo, cashapp, or zelle — just ask what's easiest for them.
should you tip on a deposit?
tip on the full price of the tattoo, not the leftover balance. the deposit is part of the total you're paying, so calculate the tip on the whole thing.