Hourly vs. flat pricing
- Hourly pricing suits detailed, open-ended work — realism, large-scale pieces, cover-ups — where the exact time can't be known upfront.
- Flat pricing suits well-defined pieces like flash or small line work, where you can estimate time confidently and clients prefer knowing the total in advance.
- Many studios use both: a flat quote for anything under ~2 hours, hourly beyond that.
Setting your minimum charge
- A minimum charge covers setup, sterilization, and materials regardless of how small the piece is — most studios set it at 1–1.5x their hourly rate.
- Never charge less than your minimum just because a design looks 'quick' — the setup and cleanup cost is the same either way.
What actually moves your rate
- Experience and demand — a fuller books-out calendar justifies a higher rate than an empty one.
- Style specialization — fine line, realism, and custom illustrative work typically command more than flash or simple linework.
- Location — studio rent and local market rates in your city set a real floor and ceiling.
Try the calculator
- Use the tattoo pricing calculator to turn your hourly rate into a defensible price range for a given size and complexity.