"How much is this going to cost?" is right up there with "Does it hurt?" on the list of questions I hear every week. It's a fair question. A tattoo is an investment, and you deserve to know what you're walking into before you book.
The honest answer is that it depends on the piece. But "it depends" isn't very helpful on its own, so here's how pricing actually works with me, what makes a tattoo take more or less time, and a few tips for getting the most out of your budget here in San Diego.
How I price my work
I charge $150 an hour. I take a $100 deposit to hold your appointment.
I work hourly because realism and cover-ups are hard to price as a flat number. Two pieces that look the same size on paper can take very different amounts of time depending on the detail, the placement, and your skin. Hourly keeps it fair for both of us. You pay for the time your tattoo actually takes.
At your consultation, I'll look at your idea and give you my best idea of how many hours or sessions it will need, so there are no surprises.
What changes how long a tattoo takes
A few things make the biggest difference.
Size. This one is obvious. A bigger piece means more skin to cover and more time in the chair.
Detail. Realism is all about depth, soft shading, and small details like the light in someone's eyes or the texture of fur. That takes time to build up the right way. A detailed portrait will take longer than a simple design of the same size.
Black and grey vs. color. Color usually takes more passes, because I'm layering and blending each shade until it looks right. Black and grey can often move a little faster, depending on the piece.
Placement. Some spots are easy to work on. Others, like ribs, hands, or the inside of the elbow, take more care because of how the skin moves and stretches. Breaks also add up on more sensitive areas.
Cover-ups and reworks. Covering an old tattoo means designing around what's already there and packing in enough to hide it. It's very doable, but it usually takes more planning and more time than putting the same design on fresh skin.
Big pieces happen in sessions
If you're thinking about a sleeve, a back piece, or a large portrait, plan on more than one session. Your skin needs time to heal between sittings, and splitting a big piece up is easier on you, too.
A nice side effect is that the cost gets spread out over time instead of all at once.
Why the cheapest tattoo usually isn't the best deal
I get it. Everyone wants a good price. But a tattoo is one of the few things you buy that you'll wear for the rest of your life.
A rushed or poorly done tattoo often ends up costing more in the long run, because fixing it means a rework or a cover-up later. I see a lot of those in my chair. When you're comparing artists, look at their healed work, not just fresh photos, and make sure their portfolio shows the style you want.
How tipping works
People ask me this a lot, especially before their first tattoo. Tipping is never required, but it's always appreciated. Many people tip somewhere around 15 to 20 percent, the same way you would for other services. If money's tight, a great review on Google or sharing your healed photos and tagging me helps just as much.
How to get the most for your money
- Come in with references. The clearer your idea, the less time we spend going back and forth.
- Be flexible on size. Sometimes going a little bigger actually makes a realism piece look better and last longer, because the details have room to breathe.
- Show up ready. Eat a good meal, drink water, and get some sleep. You'll sit better, and we'll need fewer breaks.
- Take care of it after. Good aftercare protects your investment. Keep it out of the San Diego sun while it heals, and use sunscreen once it's healed so it stays sharp for years.
Let's talk about your idea
The best way to know what your tattoo will cost is to talk it through. Bring your idea, your reference photos, and any tattoos you want it to match or cover, and I'll give you an honest idea of the time it will take.
I specialize in realism, black and grey, color, pet and memorial portraits, and cover-ups here in San Diego. When you're ready, request a consultation on my Appointments page and we'll get started.
