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What affects the price of a tattoo – the 8 key factors

Peony with leaves and small dots on either side in black shading on the inner arm – tattoo by Ola, SHADY TATTOO Wieluń

By the SHADY TATTOO team · 21 October 2026

In short: the price of a tattoo depends mainly on its size, level of detail, style, placement, the number of sessions, the work on a custom design, whether it’s a cover-up, and materials. An accurate quote is only possible once we know the design.

“How much is a tattoo?” – the honest answer is: it depends. Not because a studio wants to hide anything, but because two tattoos of the same size can need completely different amounts of work. Here’s what goes into the price, so you know what to expect and how to get a reliable quote.

1. Size

The most obvious factor: a bigger area means more working time. But size isn’t everything – a small, very detailed tattoo can take longer than a larger, simple design.

Large realistic black and grey lion tattoo on the arm with lettering underneath

2. Level of detail

Every extra element, texture, highlight or smooth tonal transition takes time. A portrait with visible skin and hair texture is a completely different job from an outline with a few lines.

3. Style

Styles differ in technique and time:

  • Realism – built up in layers, usually the most time-consuming.
  • Black & grey – soft grey transitions take patience and precision.
  • Fine line – less filling, but the lines must be extremely precise.
Tattoo on the arm: a ram in profile with a black brushstroke and the Roman date MCMXCVIII, black ink

4. Placement

Some areas are technically harder: ribs, hands, knees, neck and bony areas. The skin there tends to be thinner, moves more or is more sensitive, and the work is slower – which can affect the session time and therefore the cost.

5. Number of sessions

Large projects – sleeves, backs, detailed compositions – are done in stages. Skin needs time to recover, and sessions have sensible limits. More in how long does a tattoo session take?

6. Custom design

Drawing a design from scratch to fit your anatomy is real work: conversation, sketches, revisions. At SHADY TATTOO we don’t copy other people’s tattoos – we create custom designs, and the design time is part of the service.

7. Cover-ups and working with existing tattoos

Covering an old tattoo is one of the hardest jobs. The new design has to hide the dark areas and is often bigger than the original. Joining new work to existing tattoos also takes extra planning.

8. Materials and hygiene

Single-use needles, sterile tools, a protected workstation and good-quality inks are a fixed cost of every procedure. A studio that cuts corners here is cutting corners on your safety.

What the price shouldn’t include: rushing

A tattoo done “quickly” to hit a low price rarely ages well. Corrections or a cover-up usually cost more than a tattoo done well the first time. That’s why we encourage you not to choose a studio on price alone – read more in how to choose a tattoo studio.

Why a studio won’t quote “blind”

A message like “how much for a rose on my forearm?” doesn’t give enough information. That rose could be a small outline or a realistic flower with dewdrops. A reliable quote needs details – any price given without them is a guess, and guesses end in disappointment on one side or the other.

How to get an accurate quote

At our studio at ul. Głęboka 15/3 in Wieluń, every quote is based on a specific design. Send us:

  1. A description of the design and style – what it should show and in what style.
  2. The placement.
  3. The approximate size in centimetres – measure the area with a ruler or tape measure.
  4. Inspiration – photos that capture the look you want.
  5. A photo of the area – for cover-ups or when joining another tattoo.

Based on that, we’ll give you an approximate range or explain how the work will be charged. The final cost is agreed individually based on the design and working time.

How our deposit works

A booking at SHADY TATTOO is confirmed by a deposit. The amount of the deposit is set individually; you can pay by BLIK or cash.

Full rules are on the prices page and in the FAQ.

Giving a tattoo as a gift

Want to give someone a tattoo but don’t know the design? The studio sells gift vouchers (made of plexiglass) – the recipient plans the design with us. Get in touch for details.

Summary

The price of a tattoo is shaped by size, detail, style, placement, the number of sessions, the design, any cover-up work and materials. The more detail you give in your enquiry, the more accurate the quote.

Frequently asked questions

Can the price change along the way?

The initial quote is based on the information in your enquiry. If the design changes at the consultation – for example it gets bigger or a background is added – the quote may change too. That’s why it pays to give as much detail as possible from the start.

Do you charge for consultations?

No – consultations and quotes at SHADY TATTOO are free.

Does a bigger tattoo always cost more?

Usually, but not always proportionally. A simple, large outline can take less time than a small, detailed portrait.

How do I pay?

We accept BLIK or cash. The deposit is set individually.

Book a consultation

Have an idea, or just a general direction? Message us – describe the design, the placement and the approximate size, and attach any inspiration. We will reply and suggest a consultation date.

SHADY TATTOO, ul. Głęboka 15/3, 98-300 Wieluń, Poland · Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00, weekends by appointment (Ola and Zuzia)

Contact SHADY TATTOO → · Phone: +48 691 351 557 · Instagram: @tattoo.shady · Facebook: tattooshady

ONE LIFE. ONE SKIN. ONE RIGHT CHOICE.