How Much Should a Tattoo Really Cost?

Everyone wants a straight answer to this question, but tattoo pricing is one of those topics where nobody really wants to go first. Clients are scared of sounding cheap. Artists are scared of sounding expensive. And somewhere in the middle there’s a very confused person asking, “So… how much for this?”

If you’ve ever tried to compare prices between artists in Canada, the US, or honestly any other country, you’ve probably noticed the chaos. One shop quotes you $150, another says $450 for what looks like the same tattoo. Who’s right? Are you being overcharged, or are they just valuing their work properly?

In this guide, I’ll break down how pricing actually works, share realistic (not perfect, but useful) ranges for US and Canada, and walk through the way I personally think about setting a fair price for my own work.

How Tattoo Pricing Actually Works 🧬

Tattoo prices don’t come from a magical chart that every studio secretly follows. They mostly come from a mix of:

• Time involved
• Artist’s skill and experience
• Style and complexity

Size matters, but it’s only one piece. A tiny but super-detailed tattoo on a tricky area (like fingers) can take longer than a simple linework design that’s twice the size on a flat area like the forearm.

So when you ask, “How much for a tattoo like this?” what you’re really asking is, “How much time will this take with this artist, in this city, at their skill level?”

Common Pricing Models Artists Use 🐚

Most studios mix a few different pricing approaches. The trick is understanding which one you’re being quoted.

Hourly Rates and Studio Minimums 🪐

Hourly rates are the backbone of tattoo pricing. In many North American cities right now, a solid, professional artist might charge around $120 USD per hour.

On top of that, most shops have a minimum—even for a tiny tattoo—because set‑up and clean‑up take almost the same time whether you’re doing a dot or a detailed piece. That minimum is often around $80–$120 CAD, depending on the studio.

If you’re an artist and you don’t know where to start, an honest question is: “What do I think one focused hour of my time is worth, at my current level?” That number becomes the base of almost everything else.

Flat Rates for Small Pieces 🧿

For small, straightforward tattoos, a lot of artists prefer a flat price instead of billing by the minute. It keeps things simple for everyone:

• Tiny, simple linework piece: maybe $80–$150 USD
• Small but detailed piece (like a palm-sized design): $150–$300 USD

The exact number depends on style, detail, and the artist’s usual rate. But the logic is the same: they’re silently estimating, “This will probably take me about X hours at my usual rate,” and then rounding the number into something you won’t have to do math for.

Day Sessions and Large Projects 🧱

For big work—sleeves, back pieces, large colour projects—many artists do half‑day or full‑day rates instead of strict hourly billing. A full day can land anywhere around $800–$1,500+ USD, depending on the artist and city.

From the artist’s side, this is less about squeezing every minute and more about having a comfortable block of time where you’re both locked in, with fewer breaks in the schedule.

From the client’s side, it’s a way to mentally prepare: “Okay, this sleeve is probably going to be several full‑day sessions, not one magical Saturday.”

Real-World Price Ranges in US & Canada 🛰️

These are ballpark ranges, not promises. Every artist is different, and every city has its own economy. But if your quote is wildly outside these, it’s at least worth asking yourself why.

Small Tattoos: Tiny but Not Cheap 🐡

Think: small symbols, simple script, tiny linework designs.

• US: around $80–$200 USD for a clean, professional job in a proper studio
• Canada: roughly $100–$250 CAD, depending.

Yes, you can absolutely find someone’s cousin doing "$20 tattoos" in a kitchen. No, that does not count as the going rate. :D

Medium Pieces: Forearms, Calves, and Ribs 🦙

Think: palm‑sized to half‑forearm pieces, moderate detail, maybe some shading or colour.

These often fall into the 3–5 hour range, so you might see:

• US: roughly $350–$900 USD
• Canada: roughly $350–$1,000 CAD

Placement matters too. A medium piece on a flat forearm is one thing; the same level of detail on ribs or stomach (aka the "why did I do this to myself" zones) can take longer.

Large Work: Sleeves, Backs, and Beyond 🦂

This is where things stop being “a tattoo” and start being “a project.” Full sleeves, full backs, big colour compositions—these usually require multiple sessions.

A full sleeve, for example, might easily be 15–30+ hours of work, depending on style.

Could it be cheaper? Sure. Should it be too cheap? If someone offers a full custom sleeve for less than a decent phone, you might want to ask what exactly they’re saving money on.

How I Think About My Own Rates 🧲

Let’s talk from the artist side for a second.

When I’m pricing a design, I don’t start with a random number. I start with time and honesty about my level. If I look at a design and think, “This will probably take me around two hours,” and I value my time at $100 per hour, that piece becomes a $200 tattoo.

Time, Skill Level, and Honesty With Yourself 🦜

Here’s the important bit: the hourly number should reflect your skill, not your insecurity.

If other artists at a similar level in your area are charging $150/hour and you’re quietly doing the same quality for $60/hour, that’s not being "nice”... that’s slowly burning yourself out.

On the flip side, if you’re still relatively slow, it doesn’t automatically mean the client should pay for your learning curve. If most artists could finish a piece in two hours and you need four, it’s often more fair (and more competitive) to charge around the market rate for two hours, not four full hours at a premium.

That way you:

• Stay realistic about your current speed
• Don’t punish clients for your practice time
• Still keep your prices within the normal range for your area

Is this a perfect formula? Of course not. But it’s a much better starting point than "uhhh, what about… $50?" while you quietly regret it halfway through the linework.

Final Thoughts and Important Disclaimer 🧪

There’s no single “correct” price for every tattoo. But there are healthier ways to think about it. Start from time, skill, and local market, then layer in style, complexity, and your own boundaries.

If you’re an artist, don’t be afraid to value your time realistically while still staying fair to your clients. If you’re a client, don’t be afraid to pay properly for clean, safe, long‑lasting work—it’s literally going into your skin.

Disclaimer: All prices and ranges in this article are rough estimates based on general market trends and personal experience, not fixed rules. Tattoo costs vary widely by many factors. This is not financial, business, or legal advice, just one’s opinion and research, shared in the hope that it’s helpful, and fun.