How tattoo pricing works with Chris

What decides the price of a tattoo?

Five things: size, placement, level of detail, color versus black and grey, and how many sessions the piece needs. Size and detail move the number most. A palm-sized single subject and a full upper arm with a background are different days of work, even in the same style, and the quote reflects the hours.

Size

The biggest lever. More skin, more hours.

Placement

Ribs, hands, necks and feet are slower going than a forearm or calf; awkward spots add time.

Detail

Fine line work, backgrounds and smooth shading take longer than bold, simple shapes.

Color

Full color usually means more passes than black and grey; a limited palette sits in between.

Sessions

Large pieces are built over more than one sitting. How sessions are priced is explained at your consultation.

Style matters less than you might think. A neo-traditional piece and an illustrative piece of the same size and density take similar time; what changes the day is how much of the skin gets worked and how carefully.

How do I get a quote?

Send a booking request with the idea, placement, rough size, your budget range and reference images. Chris replies by email; once the design is settled, usually at a consultation, you get the quote. The budget range on the form is not a price list; it lets the design be scaled to what you want to spend.

Cover-ups and large pieces need an in-person look before anyone can quote them honestly, so expect a consultation first. Small, simple pieces can often be quoted from the email exchange.

Is a deposit required?

Yes, a deposit holds your appointment date, and the amount is confirmed when you book, not here. A deposit generally protects the drawing time that happens before you ever sit in the chair. Ask about the reschedule terms when you confirm your date, and give as much notice as you can if plans change.

The deposit and how it applies to the final cost are explained when you book. If you need to move a date, the sooner you say so, the better for everyone.

Is there a minimum, or an hourly rate?

Both are confirmed when you book. Most shops have a minimum charge that covers setup and single-use supplies for even the smallest piece, and rates by the hour or by the piece for larger work. Which applies to your tattoo, and the numbers, come from Chris at your consultation, not from this page.

No dollar figures appear on this site on purpose. A quote is only honest once the design exists, and a number pulled from a page would be either wrong or padded.

How can I keep the cost down?

Simplify the design rather than shrinking it: fewer elements, a limited palette, or black and grey. Choose an easy placement like the forearm or calf. Come with clear references so the drawing lands in fewer rounds. Give your budget range up front; the form asks for it so the design can be scaled to fit.

What not to do: shrink a detailed design until it will not age well. A simpler piece at the right size beats a busy one squeezed down, and Chris will say so if a size is not going to work.