Another Tattoo Tipping Question

June 6, 2019 7:24 AM

If I'm getting a very small touch-up (like less than 1/4 inch) of some new ink that my skin pushed out of a 6-week old tattoo, and this is a free service, should I tip? If so, about how much?
posted by outfielder to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Best answer: 20$ minimum. The artist is gonna spend some time setting up and tearing down, and money on equipment.
posted by so fucking future at 7:50 AM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]

Normally I would say yes. However, my sole experience with a tattoo - I tipped the artist on the initial visit, and she refused a tip for the scheduled touch up. Maybe she was an outlier, but they may consider the touch up part of the initial service and not requiring a second tip. (If the shop has someone who acts as a receptionist, you could call and ask ahead of time. Maybe there's a shop policy?)
posted by jzb at 8:01 AM on June 6, 2019

In my experience touch-ups are often gratis because the artist wants their work to look good and for you to be happy to to refer others to them. In my case, recently I had requested some small touch-ups from the original artist and they decided they wanted to do more than I did. They likely would have only charged me for the small touch-up I wanted, but I ended up giving them some vinyl LPs so they called it even.

Even if it is gratis, tip using the scale stoneweaver suggested.
posted by terrapin at 10:01 AM on June 6, 2019

Response by poster: Thanks, all!
posted by outfielder at 2:18 PM on June 6, 2019