Tattoo Pricing Explained: What Affects the Cost of a Custom Tattoo?
One of the most common questions I get is how much a tattoo will cost, and the answer really depends on what you're looking to have done.
Two tattoos might be a similar size but take completely different amounts of time to complete. The style, level of detail, placement and amount of design work involved all make a difference.
Here's how I approach pricing at Alika Tattoo Art and what to consider when planning your next tattoo.
How Tattoo Pricing Works
I offer individual quotes for smaller tattoos and half-day or full-day sessions for larger custom work.
My current prices are:
- Small tattoos: Individually quoted, with a £50 minimum charge per appointment.
- Half-day session: £250 for 3 hours.
- Full-day session: £450 for 6 hours.
For larger projects, such as sleeves or detailed realism pieces, we can plan multiple appointments around the overall design.
I'll discuss the expected cost with you before booking so you have a clear idea of what's involved.
What Affects the Cost of a Tattoo
Size and Placement
Generally, larger tattoos take longer, but size isn't the only consideration.
Some areas of the body are more complicated to tattoo than others. Curves, movement and anatomy all affect how a design needs to be positioned and how comfortably it can be worked on.
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Style and Detail
A simple fine-line design and a highly detailed realism piece may cover the same amount of skin, but require very different amounts of work.
Realism, for example, often involves building up layers of shading, contrast and texture.
Trying to squeeze too much detail into a small tattoo isn't always the best approach either. Sometimes simplifying a design or making it slightly larger will give you a much better result.
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Custom Design Work
When you're booking something original, there's more involved than simply reproducing a reference image.
I consider the composition, placement, proportions and how the different elements work together on your body.
This is particularly important for larger projects, where the artwork needs to flow naturally across an arm, leg or other area.
The aim is to create something that works as a tattoo, not just something that looks good as a drawing.
Half-Day and Full-Day Tattoo Sessions
For larger pieces, booking a half-day or full-day session is often the most practical approach.
- Half-day — £250 (3 hours)
Suitable for medium-sized tattoos, adding to existing work or progressing a larger ongoing project.
- Full day — £450 (6 hours)
Best suited to larger custom pieces, detailed realism and projects that require more time.
These are general examples rather than guarantees of what can be completed in a session. I'll recommend the most suitable option once we've discussed your design.
How Much Will My Tattoo Cost?
The easiest way to get an accurate quote is to send me a few details about what you have in mind.
Ideally, include:
- Your tattoo idea and preferred style.
- Where you'd like it positioned.
- An approximate size in centimetres, if you know it.
- Any reference images you've collected.
- Whether it's part of a larger project, such as a sleeve.
Don't worry if you haven't worked everything out yet. We can discuss the options and figure out what will work best.
If you have a particular budget in mind, you're welcome to mention that too. I can explain what's realistic within it and whether any adjustments to the size or detail might help.
Planning Larger Tattoos and Sleeves
Larger tattoos don't necessarily need to be completed in one appointment.
For sleeves and more involved projects, I prefer to look at the overall composition first, even when we're planning to complete it over several sessions.
That way, we can make sure the individual elements work together rather than ending up with a collection of unrelated designs.
I'll give you an idea of how many sessions may be involved, although this can change depending on the complexity of the work and how the sessions progress.
Getting the Best Result for Your Budget
My priority is always to create a tattoo that looks good, fits the body properly and holds up well over time.
Sometimes that means recommending a different size, adjusting the level of detail or splitting a project into multiple appointments.
It's not about making a tattoo unnecessarily complicated or expensive. It's about finding the best way to achieve the result you're looking for.
Ready to Discuss Your Tattoo?
If you've got an idea in mind, send me an enquiry with a few details and any reference images you'd like me to see.
I'll have a look at what you're planning, discuss any adjustments worth considering and give you a quote or recommend an appropriate session.