We all know the old saying:
You get what you pay for.
That means that yes, you can get a cheap tattoo... and there’s nothing wrong with that.
What is a cheap tattoo?
If you’re looking to get a tattoo in the $100-$400 range, you’re most likely going to get what’s called a flash.
A “flash tattoo” isn’t a bad tattoo - it’s just not a custom piece. When you walk into a tattoo shop, you’ll often see what look like posters on the wall with a lot of different tattoo designs, or binders you can look through with pages of small to medium sized tattoos. These are “flash sheets” - designs that the tattoo artists in the shop have created or purchased and that can be done (usually) in a single walk-in visit.
Tattoo flashes are a hallmark of walk-in shops and you won’t typically see them on display in a custom shop.
If you choose a flash design for your tattoo, keep in mind that your artist will not usually customize the design for you beyond making it larger or smaller, or changing what colors are used for the art. But, if you like a flash tattoo design and want it customized, you can usually put down a deposit with the artist (and give them at least a few days to make the changes to the design you’re wanting) to turn that tattoo flash into a custom piece.
What’s the price difference for a custom piece?
When you get a custom tattoo, you’re paying for a few things.
- A lifelong piece of art uniquely designed for you
- The skill and expertise of an experienced tattoo artists
- The high-quality inks, needles, sterilization, and expert tools used by great tattooers
The process for getting a custom tattoo is going to be longer and more involved than getting a flash.
It’s worth it.
First, you’ll have to find an artist whose work you admire. You can do this the old-fashioned way, visiting local shops and checking out the portfolios of the artists that work there.
Or, you can use social media - custom tattoo artists use Instagram, Facebook and other social media to show off their work. The best ones often have their own websites with a digital portfolio for you to view.
Once you’ve found an artist that you resonate with, you should contact them via appropriate channels (they’ll have a phone number, email, or contact form for appointments) to set up a consultation.
A few reminders on communicating with tattoo artists:
- Be patient. Great tattoo artists are often busy and may take a few days to get back with you.
- Be concise. Don’t overload them with images and descriptions of what you want in your first message. A quick “I love your work and would like to set up a consultation for a custom tattoo.” message is perfect.
- Be ready. You should have an idea of what you want before your consultation.
I have a tattoo consultation appointment: What Now?
At a consultation appointment for a custom tattoo, you’ll meet your artist and see the space where you’ll be getting tattooed - often for the first time. You'll also discuss rates, put down a deposit, and talk about the design for your tattoo. You should expect hourly rates, depending on the placement and colors used, to be between $150 - $300 per hour for an experienced tattoo artist. That hourly rate will include all the drawing and research they do for you 'off the clock' too - meaning you'll only be paying for the time your artist is actually tattooing you, even though they put in hours of additional work to custom design your piece.
What if I don’t like the artist?
You don’t have to be best friends with your tattoo artist, but you should feel comfortable and safe with them. If they do or say something that makes you feel unsafe, we always recommend finding a new artist.
What if I don’t like the space?
There are a lot of different types of tattoo shops out there, and everyone has a different comfort level in terms of style. However, if you feel the space where your tattoo artist works is not a safe space for you - or if you see unsafe tattooing conditions, it’s best to find a different tattoo shop and artist.
Is a custom tattoo better than a flash tattoo?
“Better” is a relative term. If you see a flash that you absolutely love, and get it done by a great tattoo artist, you’ll have the tattoo that you want - and that’s what matters. When you match a skilled artist with a meaningful design - custom or not - you’re going to get the tattoo you’ve been dreaming of.