Hey, Ricochet, I know this may be rude, but can I ask about how much your scrollwork cost? The tattoo I'm seriously considering would involve a Victorian decorative pattern going down my upper back, and I'd love to know what sort of price tag to expect...

@Toast...

Well i get helladeals (because i work at the same place) basically i pay 150$ a session. If i had to pay the normal it would be 150$ and hour. And depending on how big yours actually is you are probably looking at an hourly rate as compared to just a flat rate of so much.

The best solution i can tell you is find an artist you like, and see how much they would charge you for the design you are looking to do, but please don't just go with the lowest price you fine.

Look around find a couple of artist you really like their work (take a look at their portfolio, see if they have clean lines, it doesn't matter if they have done the same type of thing you are looking for just look to make sure they can do nice clean smooth lines) and see who can work with you if you have a budget.

Thanks for your advice. I would never dream of skimping on something like this, though! It'll be with me forever, so I know to go for quality over price!

Good...

I'm gonna rant for a moment, so forgive me.

[rant]
What annoys the hell out of me are the people who try to bargain over the price of a tattoo, its like are you serious, you can't walk into a restaurant and bargain over how much you are going to pay for the food you want to eat, why in the hell do they think that they can bargain over something that is going to be permanent.

And people who don't bloody tip, the artist doesn't make the fully amount of what is paid for the tattoo, generally they only get 40 to 60%, and they still have to pay taxes on that amount (not saying that they always do). But most artist are independent contractors, so while yes they get some money from the tattoo cost, tips help to make up the difference that is lost, Plus its a bloody service, you tip waitress and thing (at least in the states) why the hell wouldn't they tip the person who spent god know how long tattooing you.
[/rant]

I totally understand the tipping thing. I get a lot of services done (hair coloring, waxing, you name it), and I always make sure that I'm pretty generous with my tipping, since I know these people don't get a whole lot of the actual price, and a lot of what they do is really an art, so they deserve it.

I DO have another question, though...is there a tipping etiquette for tattoo artists? I mean, I just imagine it being sort of awkward. Do you just hand the tip over at the same time you pay like you would at a hair salon?

You can hand the tip directly if you want, or if the shop has a counter person you can just ask them to give it to them... either way works...

Tipping is not something that is often culturally done in Australia. I can't think of anywhere I have been and tipping.