Tipping, Timing, and Tag-Alongs—Tattoo Etiquette Without the Awkward
Ah, the two topics people avoid at all costs: money and manners. But in tattoo world, it’s way more common (and way less awkward) than you think. Let's break it down with honesty, warmth, and maybe just a little sass. And, at least if it’s still awkward, we’ve got it all out in the open.
Tipping: Should You? How Much?
Short answer: Yes, if you can. Like dining or hair services, tipping is a way to show appreciation for the time, skill, and love your artist poured into your piece. In other words, tips are always appreciated but are never required/anticipated.
Standard Tips (On Average):
15% = Appreciate you!
20% = You’re amazing!
25%+ = Absolute angel baby cake on this planet!
If you’re on a tight budget, remember: kind words, referrals, and sharing on social media also go a long way. We also don’t expect you to drop hundreds on top of a day session rate, unless you are really feeling it. Heck; a fresh carton of eggs, painting, sourdough loaf, hot coffee, etc are also worth their weight in gold because you took your time to think about showing us extra love. We see and value all forms of appreciation. We also understand sometimes the extra time, money, energy, or effort may not be available to you — do not feel shame if you are not in the position to do so. We appreciate you supporting our artwork all the same.
"Is It Okay to Ask for Pricing Before Booking?"
YES. A thousand times yes! Asking about cost is responsible, not rude. Most artists welcome those questions—it helps make sure everyone is on the same page and there are no uncomfortable surprises later. We would rather you be able to prepare financially than be in a pinch the day of the appointment, or even have to cancel due to lack of financial planning. Tattoos are a luxury service, so we appreciate you creating space in your budget for us. (Just please don’t be that guy in the DMs sending pictures of full sleeves and expecting a straightforward price.)
Rescheduling Etiquette
Life happens. Kids get sick. Cars break down. Just try to give as much notice as you can—usually 48-72 hours is appreciated. Repeated last-minute cancellations without reason might raise a brow, but a well-communicated reschedule? Totally understandable. If an emergency happens, we want you to be able to show up for yourself or the people you love that are in need. That is more important than a tattoo. Please be mindful that if reschedules become a habit, you may experienced an increased deposit rate or be denied future bookings. We love what we do, and never feel like we are working a day in our life, but tattooing is how we provide for our family…and our two boys go through a lot of snacks in a week.
"Can I Bring a Friend?"
Ask first! Some studios allow guests, others don’t due to space, licensing, or vibe. If it’s okay, choose someone calming and supportive—not a peanut gallery of critics. As for our studio, it is an intimate environment, so we recommend no more than one support person if that helps you feel more comfortable and confident during your session. Also, sometimes folks are having a sensitive area tattooed or are trying to have a deeply emotional experience during their session, and we hope to respect their space as much as possible. If you are unsure, just chat with us and we can help create a plan for you to feel most supported!
Pay in What Form?
Most artists will let you know upfront what payment methods they accept. Venmo? Cash? Credit? Magic beans? (Okay, probably not that last one.) But it’s always okay to ask. At The Gilded Needle we accept cash, card (although card servicing fees do apply through Square), Venmo, CashApp, Apple Pay, Zelle, and PayPal.
