Do I tip a tattoo artist when they own the studio?

November 13, 2015 5:16 AM

Hi MeFi! I'm going to get another tattoo in a week or so and I chose an artist I absolutely adore. My question is about tipping the artist when the studio is owned by them. In the past, I have always tipped but I've always heard the tipping is for when the person performing the service is not the owner. In this situation, I'm not sure what to do since the price is set by the hour, not the piece, and it's the owner doing it. So, to tip or not to tip? Thanks!
posted by whitetigereyes to Shopping (12 answers total)

It might be different for tattoo artists, but I always tip my barber, who is the owner/sole proprietor, and he never complains. Throwing someone a few bucks over their "market rate" should always be appreciated. If he refuses, don't insist, just say that you're really happy with the result and ask if he has a card you can give anyone who admires it.
posted by Etrigan at 5:48 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

In general, you don't tip the owner of an establishment, who is charging you the amount s/he thinks the work being done is worth. The owner gets to keep what s/he charges; an employee gets only part of the fee. Disclosure: I think tipping on the whole has gotten out of control.
posted by Dolley at 6:03 AM on November 13, 2015 [3 favorites]

Where I get my work done, it appears based on the way the place is run that the three people who've been there forever all jointly own/run the place, and I always tip my artist. The rate is hourly, but also depends on the work (color is more expensive). I realize that doesn't sound like it makes sense but it's like, no less than X per hour with y variance for difficulty and z for color. Anyway, whatever, I tip.

That being said: where I get my hair done, the ladies own the salon and have done away with tipping. It's clear that at the tattoo shop this isn't the case.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:03 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

Always, always tip when it comes to tattoos, owner or not - especially if you plan on getting tattooed by that person again.
posted by srrh at 6:30 AM on November 13, 2015 [2 favorites]

Do you tip? Yes. I'd adjust the tip down a little with the owner, especially if it's a quick piece. Something like $10/hour worked is probably good, whereas I'd tip 15-20/hr for a non-owner.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:01 AM on November 13, 2015

For heaven's sake. This is art you will be wearing on your body permanently and worth the investment of a tip, regardless of who owns the shop. Especially if you think you will get more work done.
posted by mochapickle at 7:02 AM on November 13, 2015

Your tattoo at someplace reasonable will include a free touchup within the year after it "settles," in the event of any ink fallout, etc. This will still cost the artist the sterile supplies, ink, and time necessary to do this, so I'd consider the tip the payment towards that. (For those who make the valid argument that this cost should already have been rolled into the initial pricing of the tattoo--wouldn't you want to be remembered as well and fondly as possible by the person you've trusted to carve permanent images into your top layer of skin, if you have to call or visit again for followup?)
posted by blue suede stockings at 7:24 AM on November 13, 2015

For heaven's sake. This is art you will be wearing on your body permanently and worth the investment of a tip, regardless of who owns the shop. Especially if you think you will get more work done.

That's not a tip, it's a hedged bet against someone being an ass in the future. If you're thinking a tip or its magnitude will keep your next piece from being shitty, you might need to reevaluate your fondness for that person's work.

I always tip, regardless of ownership status, but the tip is certainly in proportion to the quality of the work, "bedside manner" of the artist, and any other details I know about them. The woman who I go to now owns her shop, but her shop is two people (including her) and she doesn't live high on the hog. So, yes, I still tip her better than I would, say, a Mark Mahoney or some other celebrity who I know is rolling in it, relatively speaking.

My last piece a couple years ago was $400, took about five hours with a couple pauses, and I tipped her $80. She knows how to make the process engaging. The $10/hr figure someone mentioned above is a pretty decent guideline if you can afford it. And I also have no problem telling an artist that I'd be tipping them much more if I had the cash to spare. Just because you aren't crazy rich doesn't mean that you can't express your gratitude in ways other than dollars.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:40 AM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

I would definitely tip the owner. The tip is based on the service provided and whether or not the experience was professional and the end result desirable, which is separate from whether they own the company or not.
posted by futureisunwritten at 11:14 AM on November 13, 2015

Always tip. One of my artists owned his shop and had a sign specifically about tipping in his booth. Always always tip the artist.
posted by Crystalinne at 11:57 AM on November 13, 2015

Oh and I always tip for free touch ups too.
posted by Crystalinne at 11:58 AM on November 13, 2015

In general, you don't tip the owner of an establishment, who is charging you the amount s/he thinks the work being done is worth.

Presumably if the owner receives tips for most of their work, they have considered that in their prices.

If there is a receptionist, call them and ask about tipping.
posted by yohko at 1:57 PM on November 13, 2015