Tattoo Parlour Etiquette

[ThreadBbdr]

We should start a tattoo pics thread over in the pictures forum!

(That being said, I'll have to have my sister take a picture - it's darn near impossible to photograph your own back! LOL)

I tipped when I had my last work done since he did a custom job, not flash off the wall. It's harder than I realized to cover up old work. I love the new version and will be going back for more!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I tip my tat guy. In my eyes its being very greatful for his or her time and talent.

Tip for tat!? Sorry, the punning possibilities are endless.

Be well,

[Yaish]

Generally I'd say yes, tip the artist. There are some things I would consider that would make me decide not to however.

If the artist owns the shop and is the sole artist, or is doing the tat somewhere out of the shop then maybe not. In those cases establish a set price and the artist is probably most, if not all of that money.

If it's an artist in someone elses shop, or even the owner in his own shop where several artists work then I think a tip would be in order.
Like any industry, tip according to the level of service you receive. If it's a custom piece, coverup, overly elaborate, or if you are making any special requests then a bigger tip is probably in order.

And no, tips don't always have to be cash... my first tat came when I worked at a pet store. The artist owned his shop and had a large fish tank in it, but could never get everything set up right. I fixed his tank problems, he hooked me up with my first tattoo.

[BoldHighlander]

I debated on answering this one because I had a bad experience a few years ago.

The tattoo itself was based on my artwork & turned out rather nice (it was done by a first rate prize winning westcoast tattooist/shop owner), however the problem came as we were in the middle of sleeving my forearm (a one session, five hour gig). Prior to the job we had settled on a price, however in the middle of the session he told me it would cost me another $300 on top of our agreed price

I found out later that this individual was notorious for pulling such things, and is part of the reason why his former associate left & started his own business (who is a first rate artist himself & sticks by his word -- and who will be laying more ink on me later this summer).

Needless to say I didn't feel under any obligation to leave him a tip (other than wishing to give him the tip of my boot! ).

Best of luck Brian

[Dirk Skene]

A tattoo artist should get a tip just like a good server in a resturant.

[Colin]

I always tip my tattoo artist.

[Woodsheal]

Well, the tat came out great! And I did tip the artist/shop owner, which was much appreciated (so, thanks for the input!).

Will take a pic when the area calms down a little bit....

[Macman]

Will take a pic when the area calms down a little bit....

Looking forward to it! I know you probably will, but follow your artist's care instructions to the letter.

[cacunn]

This is something that has always confused me. If you have agreed with a person on the price for a service why "renegotiate" and leave a tip. The concept of a tip was "To Insure Prompt Service."

If you negotiate a price for a kilt with Barb or Rocky or Matt or . . . do you send them a tip after you receive their artful work?

Please I am not running down the concept of tipping I just wish there was a list of you to tip and who not to tip and why.

[mbhandy]

This is something that has always confused me. If you have agreed with a person on the price for a service why "renegotiate" and leave a tip. The concept of a tip was "To Insure Prompt Service."

If you negotiate a price for a kilt with Barb or Rocky or Matt or . . . do you send them a tip after you receive their artful work?

Please I am not running down the concept of tipping I just wish there was a list of you to tip and who not to tip and why.

Hear Hear.

MrBill