There’s often a lot of contention when it comes to tattoo pricing, because understandably everyone wants to feel like they’re getting a good deal.

Having a firm understanding of how tattoo prices are calculated will give you peace of mind knowing you’re not being taken advantage of.

This article explains exactly how we price our tattoos here at CB Ink and also discusses why cheaper doesn’t always mean you’re getting a better deal.

Let’s begin!

How Tattoo Prices Are Calculated

Most tattoo shops will quote you an hourly rate, but tattoo artists often work at different speeds and it might take some artists 6 hours to do a tattoo others will complete in 9 hours.

Should you pay more for the same quality?

We don’t think so.

Also, some tattoos can be more painful than others, causing the customer to want to take lots of breaks, and sometimes the position can be tricky and uncomfortable for both the artist and client.

We’ve also found that some clients get impatient when artists are taking their time, because they don’t want to feel like the artist is dragging things out just so they can get paid more.

Why We Charge Per Piece At CB Ink

At CB Ink, instead of an hourly rate, we charge per piece, which means you’re paying for the outcome, not how long it takes.

This takes the pressure off artists to complete the piece in a certain amount of time, and instead they can focus on doing their best work.

Being charged for the end result, not time spent in the chair, allows us to work within your budget and gives you peace of mind knowing we’re focusing on quality and not speed.

Factors Influencing Tattoo Prices

There’s a ton of factors we consider when it comes to quoting a tattoo, some of which include…

Size

Size is going to be the main factor to consider as larger tattoos are naturally going to cost more.

Style

Certain styles of tattoo can be more difficult than others.

Simple fine line tattoos can actually be incredibly difficult to do, but are often mistaken as one of the easier styles.

Colour

Whether your piece is done in black and grey or in colour is another important factor to consider, as having a knowledge of how various colours blend together requires a ton of experience and not every artist can do colour pieces.

Placement

Some areas of the body take a lot of skill to tattoo well, whereas others are relatively straight-forward.

Detail/Complexity

Lastly, just how complex is the design? The more detailed a piece is, the longer it will take.

How Do Free Consultations Work?

A great option, especially if it’s your first tattoo, is to come into the shop and have a chat with our studio managers about your tattoo idea.

We’ll go over the design, size, placement, and be able to offer advice and recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

This is a completely free service, so use it!

How Do Deposits Work?

A minimum $50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a date and time with an artist.

This allows the artist to begin working on your custom design and preparing everything necessary to begin tattooing on the day of your appointment.

Deposit amounts are typically around 25% of the total price, but may vary slightly based on the total costs incurred to secure your booking.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

For most smaller tattoos (A4 size and less), one session will usually get the job done, but larger pieces like sleeves will require several sessions.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

As soon as we have all the details required to provide you a quote, we’ll be able to give you a price estimate.

We’ll need to know:

Style (please collate some reference photos for inspiration)
Size in centimeters
Placement
Black and grey or colour

We can give you a quote online over email or via Messenger/Instagram.

Is There A Minimum Spend?

At CB Ink we have a minimum spend of $120 for tattoos.

This charge covers the basic expenses required to complete a tattoo, regardless of the size, colour or detail.

People often don’t realise exactly how much preparation is required before, during, and after the tattoo.

This includes setting up the tattoo station, including all equipment, inks, needles, gloves, towel, cleaning afterwards, etc.

What Are My Payment Options?

We’re flexible about when exactly you pay.

You’re welcome to pay before getting tattooed, after seeing the stencil on your skin, or after receiving the tattoo – it’s completely up to you.

Financing Options Are Available

CB Ink also offers a range of different financing options including Afterpay, ZipPay, and InkMoney, which means you can get tattooed today instead of having to wait until pay day!

You Get What Your Pay For

CB Ink is a premium tattoo studio that focuses on doing tattoos of the highest quality.

We only work with the most experienced artists in the city and our team has 100+ years of experience tattooing between them.

You’ll always be able to find a cheaper quote elsewhere, and if you’re happy to compromise on quality, we encourage you to shop around.

At CB Ink, we believe if you’re going to tattoo a work of art on your skin that’s going to last a lifetime, it’s well worth investing in doing it right the first time.

This means seeking out the best artists who have access to the best materials and equipment in a pristine environment.

Otherwise we might be seeing you back here when it’s time to get laser or a cover-up tattoo!

Remember you’re going to be looking at this tattoo every day for decades to come. You want it to be amazing, so get it done properly by a seasoned professional.

Get A Quote For Your Next Tattoo Today!

Send us through some details about your tattoo idea and we’ll happily let you know roughly how much you’re looking at!