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I'm glad to see a thread about money come up on here, and stay on track with reasonable questions and reasonable answers. We have always avoided the topic, but it is a big part of getting tattooed, and new people come here to educate themselves on all aspects of tattooing. I think we have avoided it for so long because we didn't want it to turn into a big gossip thread about what specific tattooers charge. I personally have never asked ahead of time about the price, but I do think it is a good idea. Especially if you are new to getting tattooed. The ones of us that have been getting tattooed for a decade or more usually have some idea of what we might get charged. Even though we don't talk about it on open public forums we do share this type of information privately. When you are travelling across the country or across the world to get tattooed by someone you have never met before it is a huge help to have friends that have been tattooed by them. They let you know what to expect when you get there. Where to get a good pre-tattoo meal and post-tattoo drink, where the closest ATM is, how fast or slow the tattooer is, and what to expect on the money side. If you don't have friends like that as a resource then you need to talk about the price beforehand no matter how uncomfortable it makes you. I honestly believe that most really good tattooers are very fair with their pricing. That has been my experience over the last twelve years, but I also know that there are a few famous tattooers out there that charge ridiculous prices, and a couple of my friends found out the hard way. It sucks when that happens because it can really sour a person on getting tattooed.

a buddy of mine shared this short little documentary with me. pretty good stuff.

Thanks man! When this is all said and done and nicely healed I'm going to try to get some good pictures of it because these iPhone photos don't quite cut it. I love the rocks and waterfall too, though you don't get much of them on a front on (back on?) picture like this. They add a sort of prettiness to the toughness of two fierce animals battling to the death. My favourite tattoos are the ones that are simultaneously tough and beautiful and I think this tattoo achieves that. There are really a lot of super cool things about the tattoo, like how the water ties together with the water on my arm (again not visible when I'm covering my junk in the shop) and how the waves carry over from one leg to the other. I am stoked that this is on me because otherwise I'd have to be jealous of the person with this tattoo.

The backpiece is done (for now at least) and i couldn't be more happy with it. Unfortunately i managed to pick up a chest infection which put a bit of a dampener on my trip to Oslo but there's no taking the smile off my face right now. Pretty much all the colour is fresh as well as a couple of the darker parts of the skull so it'll look a lot different once everything has settled down i'm sure. I don't mind admitting i barely made it through this session, definitely the hardest one i've had (certainly not helped by illness) but i'm so fucking glad we got to the end. By the legendary Marius Meyer. Now we await the healing process.... Also that left arm is looking pretty damn bare isn't it... fuck.

I have a skull with some storm clouds/lightning, by Brian Via:

Or you could go with a big Raijin (God of Thunder) like this one by Kiku (on one of my oldest friends):

Hard to get a good picture of the elbow. Done by Chad Koeplinger last night!

My preference, when it's an option, is to pay with a card, then tip with cash. It seems to work out best for everyone.

This might be a bit early, but.. I just e-mailed Alex Reinke about perhaps getting tattooed in late september. Holding my thumbs hard for this!

September 23rd. Tickets purchased, hotels booked, starting to plan day trips. I'll be there for 6 days!

What about clouds and lightning to represent..... clouds and lightning? :cool: If I were you I'd consult a tattooer and tell him/her that you want a tattoo with a thunderstorm theme. Simple as that. Most important thing is to find the right tattooer for the job if you ask me. Plenty of talent in Austin though, so that shouldn't be a problem for you. Come to think of it, my fellow LSTer @Flo Ania has an awesome tattoo with clouds and lightning. Check it out:

Session 3 done, backpiece done (although we have already talked about adding background - my bank account and body both screamed in unison). Such a cool experience, i've met some awesome people, had some great times and i've come out of it with a tattoo that i have to keep reminding myself is actually mine. To think that 6 months ago there was nothing, it's crazy! Already posted in the latest tattoo thread but i had to bring it to my chums in the backpiece thread! I now looking forward to sitting back and seeing what the rest of you guys are getting, bring em on!

I think being able to pay by credit card makes a lot of sense and I can think of more good reasons for that as a form of payment than cash-only, but I am somewhat attached to the idea of paying cash for tattoos. I guess it's mainly for symbolic reasons that I like cash: I am paying for this tattoo with money that I have worked for and saved. It's not on credit or on a payment plan. I guess a logical extension of this is that tattoos are a status symbol, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that idea personally, but it's a thought to add to the discussion.

I agree with everything @Avery Taylor said above. I often remark that tattooing is the only service where it's (sometimes) awkward for the customer to ask what it will cost.* It's not as much of an issue if an artist accepts credit cards, but the majority I've been to only accept cash. If I'm traveling to a cash-only artist, that means I have to bring a grip of money, just in case. *To clarify: I'm not talking about dudes on Instagram asking "How much for a sleeve?"

That last page was phenomenal, all you guys are killing it! Just getting back up the hill from Lifetime, pictures to come soon. I got some space filled with wings and eyeballs from Mr Von Bartholomaus and the lady got a rose from Matt. Fun times!

Exactly! Not every artist works at the same speed/efficiency/quality. Also cracks me up that people are willing to bargain shop for something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Always really liked this stormy piece by Chad Koeplinger. Not complete yet, and not on me:

Edited post. New tattoo done today, Samurai by H R Giger. This is also The Hermit in the Giger tarot. Back of lower right leg, that's the lower right leg complete. 4&1/2 hrs and, yes I did sleep through most of it. Done by Tommygunn, Belfast City Skinworks, Belfast. Reference pic... Fresh tattoo pic and, you can see how he merged it with the other tattoos...

That is not the nicest thing to say... People have different tastes. One person might be willing to pay $500 for a tattoo that someone else would not want if it was free. One person might place more value in getting any tattoo from one specific artist, while another person wants a specific meaningful tattoo but would be happy to get it from any qualified artist.

Further to what @cltattooing said: It's incredibly important to discuss price beforehand. Many people have a specific budget and cannot afford more at that time, maybe ever. We are professionals, offering a professional service. Payment is one aspect of that service. Part of the consultation for any tattoo, be it a backpiece or a small walk-in design, is to discuss the price. Then you can decide if you will get the tattoo today, or at a later date. If you are not told a price for your tattoo, you should ask. (at my shop we make sure that every client knows the maximum amount they will be expected to pay for their tattoo session, before they book an appointment or agree to get tattooed - sometimes it works out to be less) Yes, we're also in London. Not mentioning the cost of goods and services is certainly not a cultural thing here.

I'm thinking about it. We love visiting San Antonio on weekends anyway...

From Mike Rubendall's youtube page: This video journal was the introduction from Day 1 of the Ed Hardy Lectures, "Pictures of the Gone World" at Kings Avenue Tattoo. It features Ed Hardy's works throughout his career, some of which have never been made available to the public. It also features never before seen clips of Ed's personal journey.

i think social security starts at 65 here in the states. but a quick google search found this link: 50 Is the New 65 for Earning 'Senior' Discounts

@xcom I think it's highly individual when it comes to the feet. For me, the feet were the most painful by far. I didn't think ribs were that bad, or the underpart of the arm all the way up to the armpit, but the feet - oh man. I've had a lot of people say that it was no big deal for them. I've got about 2 hours on each foot, not completely covered but a single large image that takes up the whole foot. And those hours were white knuckled gripping intense. Every part of the foot has a very distinct and different feeling and a long line will go through 2 or 3 of those different parts. I never did get comfortable no matter how hard I tried cause every time the needle hit skin, I was holding my breath. Near the end when I was tired and the pain was starting to get to me, the twitching started. Not too bad, but there were those nerves that it just hits and my foot would jump involuntarily. Good thing the artist was prepared and already had my foot well pinned down. That was my experience at least, and I'm glad that it's over with. Your's might be different. To you guys who can sit for 6-8 hours on a foot - y'all are tough SOBs, I salute you. Don't let the pain dissuade you though, I love my tattoos. And, I think the aesthetic of a pair of tattooed feet are among my favorites.

@xcom you thought I was male? lol awww cute! no probs and thank you, will get there

Considering the relatively small size, I will have to say the armpit is my least favorite spot so far. Worse than back of the heel, back of the knee, ribs, lower belly, top of the foot and on par with the worst parts of a back piece painwise. The thing that really does it is how the skin is not really meant for tattooing (as opposed to the skin on the rest of the human body that evolved over millenia with the specific goal of getting tattooed...) All the hair follicles, how spongy the skin gets there, and the fact that the artist has to work in a hole that you are trying to strech flat to the best of your ability , makes the process take so much more time than you would have thought. The guy who did the tattoo said he could have made something three times as big in any other spot during the same amount of time. You get _really_ sore while the machine just keeps grinding the same spots. On top of that you are bending and lying in the most uncomfortable position for extended periods of time. Don't do it unless you are stupid. Now I will have to get my other pit done too... (Bonus: I didn't consider it at the time but when talking to my "regular artist" he told me that the armpit is one of those scary places to get tattooed where you have a lot of nerve endings and pretty sensitive biomechanisms lying right under the skin. Basically, if you are not careful, you are jacking ink straight into that and it could cause some problems. The guy who did his foot way back messed up and now he still gets small electric sensations whenever he puts on his socks.)

Nearly 4am here and not fucking slept! Tattoo, fuck it hurts! Calf definitely sorest place got tattooed to date. It is also now red as fuck! Not swollen much yet, but expect that to come. And of course the bruising. Painkillers aren't cutting it. Have stronger ones at home, will be taking them when get back. All part of the fun though... right? lol

@Graeme Dude, The tiger... That tiger rules!

First 5 hours was fine, the last 3.5 hours was horrible lol but manageable :) Good luck with it, I'm sure you will be fine and dandy :)

I always ask, "how much should I plan to bring with me?" which makes me sound like I have way more money than I actually do, but I also feel like it doesn't make it sound like I'm concerned with the price. As a tattooer I try to quote people on their tattoo before they ask to avoid them asking. Currently I over quote people and then when I'm done with the tattoo I charge what I feel is a fair price for the piece (usually less than the quote). I think that it's good to have people prepared to pay more than they actually end up paying, at the worst it makes it seem like you're a nice guy who's hooking them up. In the event that something is really big and/or detailed I'll stick closer to the hourly rate and I tell the client that there's no way to give a real quote on the piece besides "whatever you're comfortable spending that day". - - - Updated - - - I got my full side done in under 14 hours by a very renowned artist somehow. I will absolutely agree that artists that charge more are usually much faster (or at the very least, really good). Sorry for the double post.

And suddenly I want a Raijin tattoo.

Here are one of my favourites with lightning, the background here is more japanese than traditional though. https://instagram.com/p/ychMyfist-/?taken-by=nicholasbluearms

The value of my arguing time is also subjective!! :) But you're probably right.

Guys, this guy isn't worth arguing with.

Couple of progress pictures of the kingfisher on my leg. Wanted to add some color I sure got some! Just quick iphone pictures. I'll be sure to post some good ones after it's finished and healed. Lisa over at Haunted Hands in Tucson AZ. Can't wait to get back in to finish this one.

I feel like you need more than a single line on a big piece of paper...

@Suiren - you need to stop controlling the tattoo process down to every last detail. Knowing or not knowing what type of needle you need to make the tattoo you want will make no difference in the end - except to piss off your tattooer for being an overly controlling customer who has no idea what they are talking about. Either go to a tattoo artist you feel comfortable working with, and trusting said artist, or don't get the tattoo. This boils down to 1. going to a good tattoo artist, and 2. trusting that your good tattoo artist will give you a tattoo. Without either of those things in place, the last piece (your tattoo) will fail.

Really want to book an appointment for more fillers, but I think I should pay my rent LOLZ.

Just my 2c, I always wait for the question "What is your budget" and my answer is the same "none... I am open to get this piece done" which is 98% of the time followed by the artist hourly rate.. I want the best art been performed with no restriction and definitely I don't want to be the cause of what I want to be restricted by myself... After that I than proceed to budget the hours I can afford at the time. BUT When in doubt, I ask :)

I don't think it's awkward to ask that at all. Definitely good to just straight up ask the hourly and the amount of time expected, which imo is a bit more graceful than asking for a $ amount. If someone can't answer that for you, they are probably extremely stuck up or shady. The "if you have to ask then you can't afford me" attitude is bullshit, tattooers need to understand that tattoos are a luxury and there are lots of other expenses in life that take priority to getting tattooed. Also how are you supposed to build a returning clientele if your clients leave feeling like their business wasn't handled with full transparency?

So I guess I didnt learned my lesson last session I did... LOL I walked in to the shop and told my artist that I wanted my ankle blasted like a boss... He chuckle and proceeded to tell me the pros and cons about that area. At the end we went above of the ankle bone rather than on the ankle it self for better placement and flow. Holly mother shit batman! It is painful to no end. I took the pain and was able to deal with it but shit man the ankle just hurt. Next stop the foot. /face palm... :eek:

@UglyButProud = trust this is your sad part of the story - but - how special is it that you got to actually MEET all these folks . . . - - - Updated - - - this would fit into the "regret" part of the thread - back around 1976 - while living on a serviceman's wage, somehow actually saved the funds, made the arrangements took the subway (+ more) from Manhattan to White Plains and got a piece on my back from Spider Web. Given the pre-internet age combined with me being a post-hippie (fill-in-the-blank) sun-worshiper - I gave the artwork hell, and over the years it suffered accordingly. To make matters worse I THEN let some hack tattooist convince me he could bring it back to life. Needless to say the mistake was made - and I permitted destroying what was left of an eclectic piece of history. Embarrassing and a crushing shame, to say the least. I've since covered up the resulting abomination. I love the educational properties of the internet . . .

Just a head's up, there are a bunch of work-appropriate (unless your workplace is very formal) cap-sleeve dresses at Uniqlo right now. (No white leggings, though...guess everyone else had the same summer leg-covering idea.) As for the Megan Jean Morris tattoo above, not my style at all but who really cares. It seems to imply rape to me, though the other one with the air vent reminds me of tentacle hentai. Insert long and tedious conversation about fantasy and BDSM and feminism here.

Everybody's doing awesome stuff! Congrats to all you guys. I was just trucking along until a week ago. My job is basically a floater style position, but I heard a spot may open up at one of my favorite sites to work and that they had plans to put me in. It also pays way better than what I make currently, so that's a plus! My girlfriend also found a little guy in need of a new home, so last weekend we went out to meet him - a ten month old english bulldog/pitbull. As soon as he saw us he came wiggling up to give us some of those bulldog specialty kisses, and we knew he was coming home. Was rough with the established home dog until we started picking up toys and treats to avoid fights, but so far things have been better each day! On top of that, another appointment of calf sleeve work on Saturday with Nathan at Exile 2! Hopefully we will finish it out, but no guarantees. We still have about a quarter to shade and then all of the color to do. Fingers crossed!

I did not get the job on St. Kitts, but that is likely for the best. Interviewing for a gig in Chicago that would be a much better fit. Going to see a live performance of Welcome to Nightvale on Saturday. Going to see Marina and the Diamonds a few weeks from now. Ah, the joy of having a teenage daughter. I did not go see The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion but I am going to Marina and it will be fun. She has given me an appreciation for pop music that I did not know could exist.

Great Flying Spaghetti Monster, Jondix's stuff is out of control.

Here is my dome by Jesse Roberts - whether or not this is a face tattoo I don't know. I'm the farthest thing from hardcore and would say nothing has changed since getting it. No big deal! I really liked the cover of the finger wave book so that's why I went to Jesse, as he painted it. I fully endorse people getting their head and face tattooed.

It's infinitely better than it was but the hairline is wrong and now that's all I can see when I look at it. It slopes down across her face but it should be more of a square-ish shape. That area was clear in the original so it's not like the coverup artist had to cover anything with it. Not the best portrait in the world though I suppose he had to work with what was already there.