What's better: hourly rate or day rate for tattoos?

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Accepted Answer

Day rates ($1,000-1,800 for 6-8 hours) usually save money on large projects versus hourly ($150-250/hour). Hourly works better for smaller pieces or when project scope is uncertain. Ask your artist which they recommend for your specific project. The better option depends on your project. Hourly rates ($150-250/hour in Vancouver) work best for smaller pieces, touch-ups, or when the scope is unclear. You pay for exactly the time used—no overpaying if the work finishes early. Day rates ($1,000-1,800 for a full day, typically 6-8 hours) provide better value for large projects. At $200/hour, an 8-hour day would cost $1,600—but a day rate might be $1,400 for the same time. Over a multi-session sleeve, savings add up significantly. Day rates also shift the artist's mindset: they're not watching the clock, and there's less pressure to rush. Some artists prefer day rates for complex work because they can focus on quality without time anxiety. The main day rate drawback: if you can't sit for the full session, you've paid for time you can't use. Build up your sitting stamina on shorter sessions before committing to full days. Most artists are transparent about which pricing structure benefits you for your specific project. Ask during consultation.