when is the next friday the 13th?

friday, november 13, 2026. after that, the next one is august 13, 2027.

how much should friday the 13th flash cost?

a lot of shops charge $13 for a small piece, $31 for a bit bigger, and $113 for a larger design. many clients add a $7 tip. it's common practice, not a rule.

why are friday the 13th tattoos $13?

the tradition turns an unlucky day into a lucky tattoo. it goes back to a dallas shop in the mid-1990s and has spread to shops everywhere.

should friday the 13th flash be walk-in or booked?

either works. walk-ins are busier and harder to plan, and booked slots with a small deposit are calmer. just say which one when you post your sheet.

when should i post my friday the 13th flash sheet?

about three weeks before. post it again a week out and the day before with your hours.

friday the 13th flash: how to run your day

the short version

11/13friday, november 13 is the last friday the 13th until august 2027.
$13is the classic price for a small flash piece. many add a $7 tip.
3 wksis about when to post your sheet so people can plan.

friday the 13th flash days go back to a dallas shop in the mid-1990s and have spread to shops everywhere. the idea: turn an unlucky day into a lucky tattoo.

the date

this is the last one until august 2027

fri nov 13

2026. the next friday the 13th after it is aug 13, 2027.

9 months

until you get another shot at it.

people plan for this day. every time it comes around, local news runs lists of where to get a friday the 13th tattoo, and people ask on reddit where to go. if you want in, it pays to decide early.

pricing

keep the prices low and simple

what a lot of shops charge

small piece off the sheetthe classic. small and fast$13

a bit bigger13 flipped around$31

the big onefor a larger design, if you offer one$113

tipa lot of clients add a lucky $7$7

common practice, not a rule. plenty of artists charge more for their own designs. pick what works for you.

the low price is the draw. it works because the pieces are small and quick, and you do a lot of them. some artists run the day at a set price and keep it to one size so nobody has to ask.

what to do with this

pick one or two prices and put them right on the sheet.
say up front whether the price includes changes. most artists say no changes on day-of flash.

the sheet

draw small designs you can do fast

the whole day runs on speed. the best friday the 13th flash is small, bold and quick to stencil. the number 13, black cats, daggers, skulls, horseshoes, little hearts and spooky one-liners are all classics.

Two minimalist blackwork daggers on the thigh, featuring simple linework and shading — by Brian Kies, los angeles — small, bold pieces by artists on goodwork

A minimalist black and grey sword tattoo on the back with clean lines and simple design — by Garrick {Gman} lee, los angeles — small, bold pieces by artists on goodwork

A minimalist black and grey heart tattoo on the shoulder with simple linework and small decorative elements — by NJ TATTOOZ, los angeles

A colorful abstract tattoo on the chest featuring a stylized heart surrounded by tribal-like barbed elements — by tyler_whitlock, los angeles

what to do with this

draw 10 to 20 designs, all about the same size.
time yourself on one. if it takes more than 20 to 30 minutes, simplify it.
mark which ones you'll only do once. "one of one" pieces go first.

the day

decide walk-in or booked before you post

both work. what matters is saying which one, so people know what to expect.

walk-in onlyfirst come, first served. busiest, most fun, hardest to planline

booked slotspeople book a time and pay a small deposit. calmer, fewer no-showsdeposit

mix of bothsome booked slots, the rest walk-inboth

if you take bookings, a small deposit holds the slot. our deposit guide has a generator that writes the policy for you.

tips for handling a line

hand out numbers or use a sign-up sheet so people can leave and come back.

post on your story when the list is full, so people don't wait for nothing.

set a last-call time and stick to it. your hand will thank you.

getting the word out

post your sheet about three weeks early

13 weeks beforepost the sheet with the date, prices, and walk-in or booked.
21 week beforepost it again and share which designs are still open.
3the day beforepost your hours and how the line works.
4the day ofpost on your story when designs are gone or the list is full.

put your flash on goodwork too. you can list flash designs with a fixed price for each size, so clients can see exactly what something costs and book it. we're also planning a socal friday the 13th list for clients, and artists with flash up will be the ones on it.

on goodwork

put your friday the 13th flash where clients can book it

list each design with a price for each size. free to list. 15% only on the first booking of a new client goodwork finds for you. repeats and your own link are 0%.

list your flash free

checklist

what to have ready on the day

day-of checklist

stencils printed for every design on the sheet.
extra supplies. you'll go through more of everything than a normal day.
the sheet posted where people can see it, with prices.
a way to keep the line moving: numbers, a list, or booked times.
water and food. long days go better fed.

follow your county's health rules like any other day. if you're tattooing outside your usual shop, check that it's a permitted location first.