It seems like there is a tip option available
at the register for every purchase, from the grocery store to the airport.
It might be challenging to choose whether to
provide additional money and when it's not essential to tip someone when there
are so many possibilities to do so.
The former usually holds true if you're
getting a tattoo.
According to Pat Sinatra, a founding member
of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, "tipping is a gesture of
appreciation for good service and good product, as with all gratuities."
"We frequently leave tips for restaurant servers and salon employees
because many of them frequently work for minimum pay, commission, or a
percentage cut and depend on tips to make ends meet. The situation for tattoo
artists is the same.”
Tipping is rather common in the tattoo
industry, according to Chicago's Speakeasy Custom Tattoo owner Patrick Cornolo.
Tipping is encouraged but not required if you like your tattoo and had a
positive experience.
We asked the experts to share the information
so that we might have a better understanding of the right quantity.
Here are some things to consider when
deciding how much to tip someone who has a tattoo.
Do You
Owe a Tattoo Artist a Tip?
To put it briefly, you should definitely try
to tip your tattoo artist.
According to Sinatra, "Tattoo artists
frequently rent a chair or space and give the shop owner as much as 50% of
their earnings."
This implies that your tattoo artist may only
receive $100 for the time, effort, and work they put into inking your body art,
even if you're paying $200 for a tattoo.
Even if the owner is doing your tattoos,
Sinatra advises tipping tattoo artists in general. According to Sinatra, "Clients
frequently feel they don't need to tip the owner, but if the owner is working
in the studio with others and their work is valued, a tip is greatly
appreciated."
📖 Read More: ten reasons why you need a digital tipping solution in 2023
How
much to tip your tattoo artist?
You may get advice on how much to pay a
tattoo artist by consulting the guidelines for tipping hair stylists, massage
therapists, and restaurant waiters.
"To be honest, anything that fits into
your budget is acceptable," Sinatra states. "It is considered
standard practice to set aside 20% to 25% of revenue for personal services,
particularly in the post-COVID era."
Although Cornolo states that it truly
fluctuates, he places the range between 15% and 20%. "Some people tip very
generously, and some tip less."
For example, you may be wondering how much a
$500 tattoo is worth tipping. Tipping between $75 and $125 would be fair in
this instance. Tipping between $15 and $25 is appropriate if you're getting
lesser artwork done or even a touch-up for $100.
Some loyal or frequent customers often
provide their tattoo artists with presents, such as theater passes, restaurant
gift cards, and shop-bought doughnuts.
According to Cornolo, "These are kind
gestures to show they appreciate your time and work—and are also
appreciated."
Add an additional 5–10% for intricate,
challenging, or personalized tattoos. You should leave a larger tip if your
tattoo artist worked with you to develop the design rather than if it was an
already-made piece.
This is due to the likelihood that your
artist advised you, drew and adjusted the design to better fit your idea before
the inking session. Don't forget to leave a generous tip as a token of
appreciation.
Your tattoo artist may need to invest more
time and accuracy if your design is intricate, tiny, or in a challenging area.
When
to tip your tattoo artist?
At the conclusion of your appointment, leave
your tip. Like with a hair or nail appointment, give a gratuity after the work
is done.
Once your tattoo artist has completed their
work, tip them at the counter after they've examined you.
After each session, leave a tip. It's
advisable to leave a tip after each session if getting a tattoo needs several
visits.
Distributing the tip over time, not only
makes it easier on your pocketbook but also demonstrates your gratitude for the
tattoo artist's work each time.
Speak with your tattoo artist and find out
how they feel about leaving a tip once your tattoo is all done!
When
may one not leave a tip?
If you have a negative encounter, you are not
required to tip. Tipping is a gesture of appreciation and thanks, so don't feel
compelled to leave a tip if you don't feel that way throughout your session.
Uncomfortable sessions might result from
things like a tattoo artist's rudeness or attitude.
It's crucial to understand that having a
lousy tattoo session is not the same as not loving it. Inform your tattoo
artist right away if you're not happy with it, and they may offer to fix it at
no cost to you.
Consider leaving a tip if they made you feel
comfortable, guided you through aftercare, had a sterile setup, or made a
bespoke design, even if you're not happy with the final product.
If your tattoo artist refuses to take
gratuities, don't worry about them.
While tipping is customarily expected in the
tattoo world, some tattoo artists have different opinions and refuse to accept
tips. They may accept it whole or give you back half of your gratuity.
If you live in a nation where tipping is
frowned upon, stay away from tipping.
Although tipping is popular in the United
States, it may not be as acceptable or required in other cultures.
Be careful to educate yourself on the tipping
customs if you're getting inked abroad in the United States.
Tipping is regarded as offensive in several
regions of Asia. Some business owners could presume that you believe they are
underpaying their staff.
While it may not be conventional in many
European nations, gratuities are nonetheless typically appreciated.
Do You
Leave Tips for Tattoos Requiring Several Sessions?
A tattoo may require many sessions to
complete. According to Cornolo, the tattoo artists at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
often work on intricate designs that require many sessions to complete.
"Clients who sit for multiple sessions
may choose to tip at the end of the session or wait to tip until the piece is
finished," he explains. "They have made this decision entirely on
their own."
Do You
Give Custom Tattoos a Different Tipping Rate?
In contrast to flash or walk-in tattoos,
which are pre-made designs you may discover in a book or poster at the tattoo
parlor, bespoke tattoos are works of body art that are created by your tattoo
artist in consultation with you.
"Whether it's a walk-in from a flash
sheet on the wall or a custom tattoo, the tipping procedure would be the
same," Cornolo claims.
Tipping is dependent on the overall cost of
the tattoo; walk-in tattoos are usually smaller designs and less expensive,
whereas bespoke tattoos may be larger and more costly due to the pre-work
involved.
The
Significance of Tipping Your Tattoo Artist
Sentient Tattoo Collective owner and tattoo
artist Tyson Weed says, "Tattooing is a service, and just like any other
service industry, clients should consider tipping their tattoo artists."
"A tattoo requires a lot of time and effort to create, which many people
are unaware of."
According to Weed, this is particularly valid
if you're obtaining a bespoke design. He points out that the artist's approach
involves a lot of effort between customer meetings and the actual appointment.
Or several hours, artists will sketch,
design, select colors, locate reference images, lay out the design, and
occasionally redo it all.
Additionally, the majority of artists handle
a lot of behind-the-scenes financial responsibilities, such as purchasing their
own materials or paying shop rent, which may quickly mount up.
Tattoo artists usually appreciate and welcome
tips, but according to Michaelle Fiore of Sacred Tattoo, they're not something
that they depend on.
It's more of a means to express your
appreciation for the artists' labor and your passion for your tattoo. According
to Fiore, leaving a tip is a polite way to let the tattoo artist know that you
value their time, skill, and work.
What
Happens If You Dislike Your Ink?
It's never enjoyable to have a negative
tattoo experience, but we advise you to speak with your artist so they may try
to make things right. Nobody wants to leave the studio unhappy.
You can ignore the advice if you are unable
to manage the situation or if it just doesn't get better.
Nevertheless, the only true reason not to tip
your tattoo artist is a negative experience, so before skipping the additional
cash, make sure you and your artist have had as much communication as possible.
A tip would be appropriate if your tattoo
artist took the time to create a completely custom design for you, worked with
you over several sessions to successfully execute the design, had excellent
bedside manners, guided you through the process of what makes a good tattoo
while keeping your vision in mind, and was transparent in answering any
questions you had about safety or cleanliness.
Additionally, if you had a good experience
and they are tattooing a pre-drawn design, it should get you a tip.
Read More: Everything you need to know about tipping musicians
Conclusion
If you are consistently unable to honor the tattoo
artist’s laborious efforts, don't worry.
Use our electronic tipping app for servers
for quick, cashless tipping and tip monitoring. You'll benefit from a
contribution app's ease.
With this app, which takes payments other
than cash, you may leave a tip. It's important to know that this digital
tipping application works with both Android and iPhone smartphones.