i want to have a tattoo done i have the pic but i went to a local tattooist and why why are they so expensive pls can someone explain when i get time i suppose going round a few with the pic will get me costs any suggestions or anyone want to do it for me !!!

Remember... a cheap tattoo is not good and a good tattoo is not cheap. You really do get what you pay for... its for life after all.                                                                                                                                                                              

P.M     Leathernlace on this site she,s a tattoo artist in Glos area                                                                                                                                                                             

i slightly disagree that the more you pay the betterit is ?                                                                                                                                                                             

I must also disagree with that statement about cheaper Tatts   The tattoo artist I used was far cheaper than anyone but I asked around and checked him out before I went and looked at others too. I chose him because his artwork was superb. The place was always full and clean and he didnt try and get me to have any tattoo, he was helpful in my choosing and made suggestions when I took him the artwork in. I have had my Tattoo 15 years and it still looks good maybe will need an outline redoing in a couple of years.   He was surprisingly the cheapest quote for this fine art tattoo I have. He is in Redditch though Good luck in your hunt. Lin                                                                                                                                                                             

Not always the case, the more you pay etc.  But you should be going to a tattooist who is familiar with the style of work you want done.  Check that they are licensed, and also any decent tattooist should have pictures of the work they have done, when it is fresh and also totally healed.    A good reputation is hard to earn but easy to lose, so find someone who has a tattoo you like, in the style you want done, and ask them where they got it.  Most people are happy to discuss their tats and recommend the artist.    Dont forget aftercare of a tattoo is very important as well.  Take your time, and get something you will be happy with for the rest of your life, remember tattoos fade and "smudge" slightly over the years.                                                                                                                                                                               

and why why are they so expensive

Because a tattooist is a skilled artist?

You wouldn't expect to find a half decent oil painting for a tenner, for example, so why would you expect a tattoo artist to undersell him/herself?

Even aside from the fact that you're paying someone to create a permanent work of art and therefore recognising their skill, the equipment is pricey, the hygiene/H&S regulations are also expensive to keep pace with (continued assessment of premises & your hygiene certificates/H&S/First Aid knowledge & whatnot), and the studio overheads and business rates are astronomic, as are insurance premiums.

I could go on

                                                                                                                                                                             

You normally do Lou                                                                                                                                                                              

*whistles innocently*                                                                                                                                                                              

*hides for eternity*                                                                                                                                                                             

*points at old red crouching behind the sofa*                                                                                                                                                                              

just check out previous art work that the said tattooist has carried out, that should give you a indication of what there work is like, dear or cheap...........                                                                                                                                                                             

  *TeeCee gets sent to his room without supper*    lol                                                                                                                                                                                 

Twas better than glass top table, or so I thought! I can hide somewhere in Yorkshire for the w/end you,ll never find me there!!                                                                                                                                                                             

    old red is that cos of the crud weather, not much visibility?                                                                                                                                                                              

You think that's long enough Red? 

Out of interest LHH... what sort of design is it? i.e. size and intricacy and how much is "expensive"?

It is a bit of a bugbear of mine... I've often been questioned as to why something I've created is so "expensive"... it's usually on pieces that have taken me 40 hours or so to create and holding a price tag of around 20 quid. Would THEY work for 50p an hour? Less the cost of the materials of course!



                                                                                                                                                                             

I have designed a few tattoos in my time for friends and family and i agree you should find one that is more specilaised in the type of artwork you want.  Ask around people you know who have tats, word of mouth is always a better way to go than price in my opinion

Gotta agree with Wannabe n BJ, I wouldn't haggle with someone I'm asking to ink me and would be happier knowing I was getting a quality piece of artwork, and feel more confident in the tattooist doing a proper job, cause I'm paying their asking price. We've 4 studios up in Aberdeen and they each specialise and if they can't do it, they'll tell you who can... or like BJ says ask someone... word of mouth is definately the way to go                                                                                                                                                                              

I was in my tattoists yesterday, and while me and my Sister were getting tatts done, the shop filled up with girls and boys who looked about 10 years old. They asked the usual question, "does it hurt?" (erm... you are about to have a machine with a needle on it dragging across and digging into your skin... what do you think?) and set about choosing their tatts. When mine was done, I walked out, and in a very loud voice said "That's it, I am NEVER having a tattoo done here again!!" They all looked at me aghast (including the staff).... then I said, "only joking!!".... hehe     Agree with WB (again!) and BJ.... tattoists are artists. Even a small tatt takes a lot of time, as they have to get the needles/colours sorted before they even start the tatt. Do your research in terms of asking other people where they go, look at the tatts they have done etc. The one I use is so good that my Sister came to Fleet from Swindon to have a tatt sorted out. They are not the cheapest, but not the most expensive I have been to either, but I trust them to do an excellent job everytime.                                                                                                                                                                             

i was told about 1 and half hours work to a grimreaper to fit bottom half of my arem [forearm]