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About a year ago, I wrote a blog post about how difficult it can be to price tattoos. There are so many variables involved, especially when working on large-scale projects. Trying to estimate exactly how many hours a tattoo will take isn’t always straightforward.

 

Since then, I’ve simplified my pricing system even further. And the solution is pretty simple: the day rate.

 

Rather than trying to calculate hourly estimates, I’ve structured my pricing around the project and the time we set aside to work on it. My goal is to make the entire process more straightforward, predictable, and comfortable for my clients.

 

How My Day Rate Works

 

A tattoo day starts at 11 AM and continues until we’re finished for the day. There’s no rigid clock-out time or pressure to squeeze every possible minute into an appointment or watching a clock.

 

The day rate includes everything that happens during your appointment:

 

Design adjustments and revisions

Resizing and fitting the design to your body

Stencil preparation, application, and reapplication when needed

Breaks throughout the day

The actual tattooing

 

It’s a more relaxed approach to tattooing. We can take the time needed to get everything right without constantly watching the clock.

 

And most importantly, you know the cost of your appointment upfront. There are no surprise hourly charges or unexpected fees because something took longer than anticipated.

 

Two Day Rates: Available Designs and Custom Work

 

I’ve divided my day rate into two categories:

 

Available Design Day Rate — $1,200

 

My available designs are original concepts I’ve already developed and am excited to tattoo. Many are created specifically with larger areas of the body in mind, such as arms, legs, and backs.

 

Because the design work is already largely complete, these projects tend to move more efficiently through the preparation process. That efficiency is reflected in the lower day rate.

 

Custom Design Day Rate — $1,500

 

Custom work is created around a client’s specific ideas, subject matter, and requests.

 

As with nearly anything custom-made, there’s a premium associated with the additional work involved. Developing a completely individual concept often requires considerable time spent researching, planning, designing, and refining the artwork before the tattoo appointment even begins.

 

The higher custom day rate reflects that additional creative work.

 

Both options receive the same level of attention and care during the tattooing process. The pricing difference reflects the amount of preparation and design development required.

 

Making Large-Scale Tattoos Easier to Plan

 

Since I specialize in large-scale black-and-gray tattooing, the day-rate system also makes it easier to estimate the overall cost of a project.

 

For example, if I anticipate that an outer sleeve will require approximately three appointments, I can provide an estimated project cost based on those three days.

 

Of course, tattooing isn’t an exact science. Individual anatomy, design complexity, and other factors can influence how many sessions are ultimately needed. But this approach gives clients a much clearer financial picture before committing to a larger project.

 

Rather than wondering how many hours each session will take or what the final bill might be, you’ll know exactly what each scheduled tattoo day costs.

 

Flat-Rate Pricing for Individual Projects

 

Not every tattoo requires multiple full-day appointments.

 

For projects that can be completed in a single appointment, I also offer flat-rate project pricing.

 

This is one all-inclusive price determined by the individual tattoo. It accounts for design development, revisions, resizing, fitting the artwork to the body, and the tattoo appointment itself.

 

Again, the price is established upfront.

 

Whether we’re working with a flat project rate or scheduling multiple tattoo days, the goal is the same: clear expectations without surprises.

 

A More Straightforward Tattoo Experience

 

I’ve been tattooing for over two decades, and one thing I’ve learned is that good tattooing isn’t always compatible with rigid hourly schedules.

 

Sometimes a stencil needs to be adjusted several times. Sometimes a design needs a little additional refinement to fit the body properly. Sometimes we need an extra break.

 

Those things are part of the process, not inconveniences that should have clients worrying about a running clock.

 

I want my appointments to feel like a dedicated tattoo day rather than a race against an hourly rate.

 

I also make an effort to provide realistic pricing information when responding to initial inquiries. Even when I can’t give an exact project total without discussing the details, I want prospective clients to have a useful idea of the financial commitment involved.

 

The bottom line is simple: whether you choose one of my available designs, commission custom work, or book a flat-rate project, you’ll know the pricing structure before your appointment.