Archive for Tattoo Guidelines
How Much Does a Tattoo Cost?
Posted by: | CommentsAs you can imagine, most tattoos aren’t free. Sure, if a close friend of yours is a tattoo artist you might get him or her to give you a freebie or even a discount, but for the most part you’ll have to pay like everyone else. Also, remember the saying “you get what you pay for.”
Statistics show that most single tattoos cost somewhere in the $75 - $200 price range. Many different factors affect the final cost of a tattoo:
- the size of the tattoo
- the complexity of the design
- whether you’ve selected tattoo flash from the tattoo studio or request a custom design
- the reputation or fame of the tattoo artist
- the location of the tattoo shop
The cheapest tattoos are English lettered names or small hearts. The more expensive tattoos are custom designs that cover a large part of the body and take many hours and many sessions to complete. If a world famous tattoo artist provides your tattoo you could end up paying well over $500 for a single small tattoo. Imagine what a famous tattoo artist like Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoos in Vegas charges. He’s the guy that performed the first ever tattoo in the air (he tattooed Tommy Lee on a flight from Burbank, CA to Miami, FL). He’s tattoed people like Lenny Kravitz, Nikki Six, and Ja Rule.
Of course there are lots of talented local tattoo artists in your state.
Tattoo Prices
On average you’ll pay $80 - $200 dollars an hour depending on the factors listed above. Most tattoo shops have a minimum charge for a tattoo, regardless of the size and the time it takes to complete the tattoo. Additionally, in some shops the amount charged per hours depends on the experience of the tattoo artist. For example, apprentice artists will have a lower price range than more experienced or senior artists. This is not to say that you shouldn’t get a tattoo from someone just starting out. Quite the contrary, they have to start someplace. Just be sure to take a look at the portfolio of the artist, regardless of their experience.
Also, the cost of a tattoo will vary depending on the location, i.e., urban vs. rural. In large urban cities you may be able to get a small tatto for $80 - $100 while the same tattoo may cost several dollars less in more rural areas where the cost of living is lower.
If you provide the artwork for the tattoo or use a flash design provided by the tattoo shop you may simply pay a lump sum price for the tattoo. If you’re looking for custom work or a design that’s large or complex, the tattoo artist will probably charge by the hour. Here’s what you SHOULD NOT do: don’t haggle with the tattoo artist over the price, especially if they quote you a flat rate (which should be posted in the shop). In some shops you may see the sign “the price depends on your attitude.” That’s sometimes true. Also, think about this might affect the quality of the work they do. Don’t ever try to cheat the artist out of what he/she deserves or try to talk them down from their normal prices. This is a business for them; treat it with the respect it deserves.
Shop Around for Tattoo Prices
As with most things it’s important to do some comparison shopping. Not only should you visit more than one tattoo shop to get a feel for tattoo pricing in your local area and to look through portfolios, you should also visit shops to get a feel for their procedures, cleanliness of the tattoo shop, and their customer service attitude. If you find one shop whose prices are considerably lower than others in the area, beware. The shop may be cutting costs by skimping on safety and health issues, like reusing items that should be thrown away after being used, or hiring artists that, for whatever reason, are willing to work at reduced rates. You want to proceed with caution if you come upon a shop like this.
Also, when you’ve selected the shop you’ll use, be sure to get a price estimate UP FRONT. Don’t leave it up in the air. You should come to your appointment with a set cost in mind based on your conversation with either the tattoo artist himself or the person working behind the desk at the shop.
Should You Tip a Tattoo Artist?
In a word YES. Tattoo shops and artists provide a service, just like a hair stylist. If you get a haircut or a hair coloring done you usually tip the stylist. They take pride in their work and want to do a good job. They also want to make sure the customer is happy and that they leave the shop with good looking hair. Tattoo shops and artists are no different. If customers aren’t happy they don’t come back. They also tell their friends about the experience (both good and bad). Equally important is the fact that the tattoo wearer (if the tattoo is located in a visible place) is actually a walking advertisement for the artist. The artist wants others to look at their work and think “Wow, that’s a great looking tattoo. Where’d you get it from?” Therefore, if you’re pleased with the work that the artist does and you feel they treated you well as a customer, you should tip them. Don’t base your tip on whether you experience any pain during the application process. You’ll experience some discomfort during the process. Instead, base your tip on whether the design is well done, whether you actually got the design you asked for, and if you were treated well as a customer.
You should tip between 10% - 20%, based on the factors described above.
So, to summarize:
- Visit different tattoo shops and do some comparison pricing
- Don’t try to cheat the tattoo artist or persuade them to lower their prices
- Beware of very cheap tattoo pricing
- Tip your tattoo artist if you’re pleased with their work
Glow In The Dark and Backlight UV Tattoos
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NOTE: Since this article was first written we’ve received several requests for clarification on the content of the piece. We’ve re-written the article and included additional information in the hopes of presenting an unbiased overview of this subject. Please feel free to submit comments. (Dated: Sept. 12, 2009)
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What Are Glow In The Dark Tattoos?
To answer that question we must first look at the two distinctly different “glow-in-the-dark” tattoo categories:
-Glow-in-the-Dark Tattoos That Require No Light Source
-UV Reactive Tattoos That Require Back Lighting
Glow-in-the-Dark Tattoos That Require No Light Source
These tattoos do just what the title says: they glow in the dark without the use of a light source. Tattoos that fall into this category use what’s called “self-phosphoring” or “everglow” tattoo ink. Tattoo ink containing phosphors should be avoided because phosphor is a known carcinogen (Fishbein: Potential Industrial Carcinogens and Mutagens). Additionally in order to make the phosphors more visible radioactive substances are added to the ink.
UV Reactive Tattoos That Require Back Lighting
There are now UV inks available that are made from fluorescent ink that do not contain phosphors.
These inks have had fluorescent pigment added to colorless tattoo ink. This in turn leads to glow-in-the-dark tattoos that are only visible under a blacklight.
So How Does a UV Reactive Tattoo Work?
Let’s examine the concept of a blacklight. If you turn on a blacklight bulb in a dark room, what you see from the bulb is a purplish glow. What you cannot see is the ultraviolet light that the bulb is also producing. Our eyes can only see visible light in the spectrum ranging from red through orange, yellow, green, blue and up to violet. Above violet is ultraviolet light, which we cannot see. A blacklight bulb produces UVA light. What you see glowing under a blacklight, whether it’s a fluorescent ink tattoo or an invisible hand stamp, are substances emitting visible light in response to the UVA radiation given off by a blacklight.
Are UV Reactive Tattoos Safe?
Since no studies have been performed on the long term effects of UV tattoos it’s unclear whether they’ll cause problems for the wearer. People that get UV reactive tattoos have been known to suffer from frequent itching, dermatitis, and puffiness. Some of these symptoms don’t show up until the tattoo is exposed to sunlight or until the tattoo is a few months or years old. However some people never experience adverse side effects.
When thinking about getting any kind of tattoo, it is important to know that the FDA has not approved any ink for use on humans. Like regular tattoo inks, phosphorescent and fluorescent tattoo pigments are not regulated or approved for use. Paul Howard, Ph.D, of the FDA’s Arkansas-based National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) says that “There have been no systematic studies of the safety of tattoo inks”. He and his team are just now beginning research on how body cells treat tattoo inks. When cells discover foreign matter, they send in a cellular version of a clean-up crew to try and destroy (metabolize) the foreign material. So cells may try to destroy the ink, just as they rid the body of bacteria and other foreign matter as a defense against infection. How this immune response affects the individual is an important question that needs to be researched. (FDA US Food and Drug Administration, 2009)
Are UV Reactive Tattoos Carcinogenic?
No studies have been done to determine whether there’s a link between UV reactive tattoo ink and cancer. Without knowing the chemical makeup of a particular UV reactive ink it’s hard to determine if it is carcinogenic.
Inks are usually a mixture of metallic salts, dyes and other additives, even though some manufacturers have switched to organic dyes. With sun exposure and scarring added as potential carcinoma risks, no one has been able to definitively say that any tattoo ink causes cancer. (Kluger, 2009)
Should I Get a UV Reactive Tattoo?
When deciding whether or not to get a UV reactive ink tattoo, one of the the most important factors to remember is that FDA has not approved any tattoo pigments for injection into the skin. Also, you should know that UV tattoos are more difficult and require greater skill to apply. Constant use of a blacklight to visualize the tattoo is required. Getting a UV tattoo may take longer than a standard tattoo because UV ink is usually thinner and more challenging to apply. With all that said, the overall application procedure is performed the same way as other tattoos.
Before getting a UV reactive tattoo you should consult with a qualified and trusted tattoo artist who has experience administering this type of tattoo. Ask him/her outright if the tattoo ink contains phosphors or “everglow”. Ask to see the list of ingredients contained in the UV ink so you can make sure it doesn’t contain phosphors. Also, ask the artist for references from people that have received UV reactive tattoos from him/her.
Rule of thumb: do your research so you know the risks and can make an informed decision.
Think Before Getting Those Tattos!
Posted by: | CommentsWhatever tattoo pattern or design you choose, be sure to select something you love. All too often people get a tatoo that either doesn’t suit them or that they end up regretting the day after. Don’t have a few drinks (thinking it will help dull the pain) and stumble into a tattoe parlor. Alcohol thins the blood and can lead to more bleeding during the application process. Most reputable tattoo parlors won’t even service someone that’s intoxicated.
Don’t give in to peer pressure when selecting a tatoo design. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Tattoes are meant to be unique; there’s nothing special about getting the same tattoo as a friend.
Also, try to avoid getting a tattoo of a romantic interest. Even if you’re married and get a dedication tattoo of your spouse you’re taking a chance that you might not always be together. Yes, it’s hard to think about but the divorce rate in the United States is around 50%. Think of the celebrities that have gotten tattoos of their loved ones only to later regret it. Some of them end up getting them either removed or covered up with some other design.
Think about the location for the tattoo. The most painful areas for getting tattoos are the sides of the lower back, the inner thigh area, the rib area, the inside of the upper arm, the center of the upper back. The area near joints tend to hurt a lot because of the amount of nerve endings in those areas. Also the skin above bones like the anklebone or the collarbone tend to be more painful for getting tattoos.
Tattoes are permanent markings that will probably be with you for the rest of your life. Choose wisely. Select a design that means something to you and that says something about you and your beliefs, goals, and/or values as a person. Select a design that complements your skin tone. Select a location that showcases a part of your body that you’re proud of or select a location that only you and special loved ones can see. You’ve got tons of choices out there so do your homework and get a design that you’ll be proud of for years to come.
For more information see also:
The Popularity of Lower Back Tattoos
