Tipping culture in the UK varies widely across industries, and tattooing represents one of the areas where etiquette often confuses clients. Unlike hospitality or personal care services where tipping holds a clearer social expectation, tattooing operates on a model where artists set prices that already include the full value of their time, materials, and expertise. Understanding how tipping fits into this structure helps clients express appreciation appropriately without feeling pressured.
In this article, we will discuss whether tipping a tattoo artist in the UK is expected, how much to offer if they choose to tip, and when gratuities may or may not be appropriate for small tattoos and for apprentices.
No, it is not expected to tip your tattoo artist in the UK. Tipping your tattoo artist in the UK represents a voluntary gesture of appreciation for good service and craftsmanship. This differs to the US where tips are expected as it forms a substantial portion of service workers’ income. In the UK, tattoo artists typically set their prices to reflect the full value of their work, meaning clients are not expected to add a gratuity.
Tipping your tattoo artist remains a personal choice that acknowledges skill, attention to detail, or the artist’s dedication to creating a custom design. Customers should consider their own budget constraints before paying voluntary tips to tattoo artists. Gratuity in tattoo studios typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the total cost when offered.
Non-monetary ways to show appreciation include leaving detailed positive reviews on Google or social media platforms, referring friends and family to the artist, and sharing photographs of the healed tattoo with proper credit. Cash tips remain the preferred method in UK tattoo studios, with some studios providing a tipping option when completing the payment.
Tipping your tattoo artist ultimately remains a personal choice influenced by satisfaction with the final result and budget constraints. Clients should never feel pressured to tip beyond their financial means, as verbal gratitude and respectful behaviour throughout the appointment are also valued forms of appreciation within the UK tattoo community.
No, it is not rude to not tip a tattoo artist in the UK, as tipping remains entirely optional within British service culture. UK tattoo artists set their pricing to reflect the complete value of their work. Not tipping a tattoo artist does not signify dissatisfaction or disrespect when the agreed price has been paid in full. Many tattoo artists appreciate tips but do not consider the lack of tip disrespectful, particularly when clients express verbal gratitude or provide positive reviews.
No, in the UK it is not expected to tip your tattoo artist for a touch up session, as this appointment forms part of the original service agreement and purchase. A touch up session is an appointment where a tattoo artist makes corrections, enhancements, or repairs to an existing tattoo after the initial healing process. This session addresses issues such as colour fading, ink loss in certain areas, patchy sections, or lines that did not retain ink properly.
Touch up sessions are typically offered free of charge by reputable UK tattoo artists within 2 to 3 months of the original tattoo. This session functions as a quality guarantee to ensure the final result meets the agreed design. Tipping your tattoo artist during the touch up session is not expected as it represents a completion of the initial service rather than a new transaction, particularly when a gratuity was already provided at the original appointment.
Clients who did not tip during the original session may choose to provide a gratuity at the touch up appointment to show appreciation for the complete service and overall experience. A tip at the touch up session remains entirely optional and should be offered when the artist has delivered exceptional service, gone beyond basic corrections, or provided a particularly positive experience throughout both appointments.
Yes, you should tip a tattoo apprentice when they perform tattooing work on you, as the tattoo is typically free or at a reduced price for apprentices to hone their skills. A tip between £20 to £50 for a tattoo apprentice is typically given as an appreciation for their time and effort. Tattoo apprentices are typically unpaid or on minimum wage in the UK and use their own supplies to provide tattoos. Tattoo apprentices are learning professionals who typically work under the supervision of experienced artists whilst developing their technical skills, artistic abilities, and understanding of hygiene protocols. Tipping a tattoo apprentice acknowledges their effort, time, and the care they invest in creating your tattoo. Many clients choose to tip apprentices generously because these gratuities provide meaningful financial support during a training period when income is typically limited.
Tipping your tattoo artist in the UK is not customary, unlike in the US, as tattoo artists set their own price for the service and do not expect tips. For voluntary tips for good service you should tip your tattoo artist between 10% to 20% of the total tattoo cost. Customers should base their tipping decision on multiple factors, including the quality of the design, the artist’s attention to detail, the length of the session, and the overall customer service experience provided throughout the appointment.
For exceptional design work, intricate artistry, and extended session times of 4 to 8 hours customers can consider tipping more than 20%. Great customer service, a comfortable studio environment, thorough aftercare advice, and follow-up support also contribute to the decision to tip generously, as these aspects enhance the overall experience. The pricing set by tattoo artists already covers the artist’s time, equipment, ink, studio rental fees, and business overheads. A voluntary tip functions as an additional reward for service that exceeds standard professional expectations.
Customers should tip tattoo artists between £5 to £15 for a small tattoo in appreciation of good service. It is not expected to tip a tattoo artist for a small tattoo in the UK but it is appreciated as a voluntary gesture. A small tattoo is a tattoo that is typically less than 2.5×2.5 inches (or 6.35cm by 6.35cm). Small tattoos are typically simple and minimalistic in design such as a word, symbol, shape or a minimalistic image. These tattoos typically heal within a few weeks and take approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. Due to the simpler design and shorter tattoo session required some small tattoos cost less than £50. Applying the standard 10% to 20% voluntary tip may result in negligible sums to tip. A rounded figure between £5 to £15 as a voluntary tip will be appreciated by the tattoo artist.
It is not expected to tip a tattoo artist for a free touch up in the UK as this appointment forms part of the original service agreement and purchase. A tip for a free touch up is appreciated as a voluntary gesture. For customers who did not tip during the original session may choose to tip 10% to 20% of the total cost after completion. This delayed tip acknowledges the full scope of work across both appointments and demonstrates gratitude for the artist’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. The decision to tip at a free touch up session remains entirely optional and should reflect genuine satisfaction with the artist’s professionalism, the healed tattoo outcome, and any additional effort made to enhance or perfect the design beyond basic corrections.
To tip your tattoo artist follow the four steps below:
1. Determine the Amount: Calculate the appropriate tip amount after your tattoo session is complete and you have assessed the final tattoo. Tip your tattoo artist between 10% to 20% of the total tattoo cost. For smaller tattoos tip between £15 to £15. Base your tip amount on factors such as the quality of the design, the artist’s professionalism, the length and complexity of the session, and the overall customer service experience provided throughout the appointment.
2. Check Payment Method: Bring cash to the tattoo studio to pay a cash tip to your tattoo artist. Tattoo studios typically accept card payments for the cost of the tattoo but may not have the ability to accept tips with the same system. For tattoo studios with the cashless tipping feature added at the point of payment simply select the tip amount you wish to pay and complete the payment with your chosen card.
3. The Presentation and Timing: Present the tip directly to your tattoo artist after the main payment for the service has been processed and the tattoo is complete, wrapping, and aftercare instructions have been provided.
4. Alternative Tipping Methods: Offer non-monetary appreciation when cash is unavailable or budget constraints limit financial gratuities, including purchasing the artist a quality coffee, lunch, or refreshments during longer sessions that span multiple hours. Leave detailed five-star reviews on Google, Trustpilot, or social media platforms that specifically highlight the artist’s strengths and the positive aspects of your experience, as these reviews provide valuable marketing exposure.
The best tipping app for tattoo artists is URocked’s tipping app which enables tattoo artists to receive digital tips from clients instantly. The interface is easy to use and easy to prompt when requesting tips from customers. Tattoo artists can monitor their tip earnings in real-time through the mobile app, view individual transactions, and track both personal tips and pooled distributions across different studio departments including tattoo artists, piercers, and reception staff. Tattoo artists receive automatic tip payouts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with complete transparency of all transactions.
Below are the features which makes URocked the best tipping app for tattoo artists:
Welcome to the URocked movement
Where cashless tipping meets legal ease and transparency!
