How Much Does a Small Tattoo Cost?

The price of a small tattoo starts at the shop minimum: the least a studio charges for any tattoo, however small. At three US studios that publish their prices, the minimum is $60, $80 and $150. A small, simple piece may cost just that. A bigger or more detailed one costs more, because above the minimum you pay for the work the tattoo takes.

What the shop minimum is

A shop minimum is the floor price for any tattoo at that studio. You pay the minimum or the price of the work, whichever is higher. Here is what three studios say on their own pages:

• Black Lace Ink in Grayslake, Illinois: a $60 minimum, and hourly rates between $100 and $200. The studio says its pricing is based on location, size, complexity and style.
• Austin Tattoo Company: an $80 minimum for areas like arms and legs. Its prices vary with size, location and the detail of the design.
• Mantle Tattoo in downtown Los Angeles: a $150 minimum. The studio says this may be slightly higher than other shops in the area, and asks you to consider its touch-up policy and its disposable, one-time-use equipment.

That's why a tiny name on your wrist may cost the same as a slightly bigger one: the minimum covers the setup, like the single-use equipment Mantle Tattoo mentions, whatever the size.

What makes a small tattoo cost more

The studios point to a few things:

• Size. Both Black Lace Ink and Austin Tattoo Company price by size.
• Detail. Austin Tattoo Company names the detail of the design; Black Lace Ink names complexity.
• Where it goes. Austin Tattoo Company's $80 minimum is for areas like arms and legs, so other spots may be priced differently.
• Style. Black Lace Ink lists style among the things that set its rate.

Deposits, quotes and touch-ups

Some artists ask for a deposit to book your appointment. At Austin Tattoo Company, the deposit is paid to the artist and comes off the final price of your tattoo.

For an exact price, ask the artist. Austin Tattoo Company suggests reaching out to an artist directly or visiting the shop. Black Lace Ink shows you a design concept three to five days before your appointment, which is the time to ask for changes.

Before you book, it is also worth asking whether touch-ups are included. Mantle Tattoo explains part of its higher minimum by its touch-up policy.

Where your design fits in

The prices above are what you pay the studio to tattoo you. If you already know what you want, a finished design shows the artist the size and the detail that set the price. You can bring your own design to many studios; our guide on bringing your own design to a tattoo artist says what artists expect.

If you'd like a design ready before you ask for a quote, LastingLine draws one. You get three versions to choose from, names spelled as you type them, and the files an artist uses: the full design, a stencil outline, the design on a clear background and a sheet you print at real size. If your artist can't work from it, you can ask for a refund within 14 days.

When you're ready, you can make your design and take it to your artist.