hey, so I'm seventeen right now, and at the end of the year, I think i want a tattoo ......If you've seen "Reign Of Fire", that dragon movie with Matthew Mchonnahey ,or whatever, he has a really sweet dragon tattoo that goes around his arm, shoulder, and entire body, I just want it on my arm, shoulder, then out on my chest. I've been thinking about it for a really long time.....


Here's a site that shows them,

http://www.bellaonline.us/~bodyart/movie/reign_fire/index.html

Remember, i just want a small one, black and gray, upperarm, shoulder, and peck.......I'm just wondering what you guys think, and if anyone is an expert, how much it might cost at a pretty high end shop (I want to go somewhere with a lot of good credit, like high voltage in LA "LA Ink", or somewhere in SoCal....Any Suggestions?)

I would say in the mid to high hundreds at most. Because that design is fairly clean, no shading, large shades. You might have to pay a little extra because it will have to be custom drawn, but who would want something everyone else has right? It depends on the artist and the cost of living around the shop, other things come into play, but scope out the best tat shops, see some of their work for yourself [ dont just look at their portfolios as these can be misleading as most of them only have freshly inked tat pics, not healed pics] Well that was a scramble of info anyway...

so, you're saying like $500? i kind of just want a ballpark estimate.......also, do tattoo shops ever do like financing, or is it pay up front kind of stuff??? i'm just wondering, cuz im going to need to save up and stuff


Thanks for the replies guys!

Tucker-

             Price will depend on the shop. No financing... it's pay as you go. A custom tattoo like that will be charged by the hour. Rates at a good shop can range from about $125 per hour to over $200 per hour (maybe more in California).

             Go online and look up shops that you may be interested in. Check with past clients if possible. Go to the shop and look around. Look in the corners of the floors and ceilings for dirt, dust bunnies, spider webs. If the place is dirty go somewhere else. Ask to see the up to date certificate for the autoclave (sterilization machine). Good shops will usually have it displayed. Talk to the artist that will actuall do YOUR tattoo. Make sure you are comfortable with them and have a good vibe going.

             Never choose an artist based solely on price....... you may get what you pay for.

             Choose something you will still love in twenty or so years...... it's forever.


                             Mike

X-man, long time no see. Too comfy in that leather chair to get to the computer and post?

All you guys are right in some way. But you missed a very important factor when it comes to getting a tattoo, that's being familiar with his/her work.
Try to see the work up close and in the flesh!
You don't want to pay big bucks or any money for that matter for inferior work.

Hey BaldBen.  Touché ...

I have been buried at work and had to put my forum activities on hold for a couple months.   Hopefully, the worst is over and I can resume my forum reading and posting. 

Nice to see your bald mug again X!

As the others have said a good tattoo artist will charge 100-200 per hour.

Depending on the complexity and size it can take 10+ hours for a big piece but it is rarely done in one sitting.

I had to go for a series of 2-3 hour appointments (one every month or 3 weeks). Your work has to heal between appointments so its not like you walk in with 800 bucks and walk out with a big tatt.

What I would advise is;

1. Find an artist. Ask people that have nice tatt work where they go or surf the net for recomendations. Make an appointment for a consultation and talk to the guy and see samples etc.

2. save up enough for your initial appointment (the outline).

3. Schedule the next appointment as you leave and know that wou will need X ammount of cash before that time.

Getting a big piece dont is a commitment of time and money so be sure you are prepared to take this on.

If you are looking for a good artist in the LA area, I know of a guy that is very good. I interviewed him as a follow up to an article I wrote. He has traveled the world studying tattoing and has done all kinds of celebs (Montel Williams, Christina Agulara, Deborah Wilson from Mad TV). His name is Zulu and is easily as good as anyone on L.A. Ink.

He can be found here - http://www.zulutattoo.com/

His partner Lantz is very good as well.

As the others have said a good tattoo artist will charge 100-200 per hour.

Depending on the complexity and size it can take 10+ hours for a big piece but it is rarely done in one sitting.

I had to go for a series of 2-3 hour appointments (one every month or 3 weeks). Your work has to heal between appointments so its not like you walk in with 800 bucks and walk out with a big tatt.

What I would advise is;

1. Find an artist. Ask people that have nice tatt work where they go or surf the net for recomendations. Make an appointment for a consultation and talk to the guy and see samples etc.

2. save up enough for your initial appointment (the outline).

3. Schedule the next appointment as you leave and know that wou will need X ammount of cash before that time.

Getting a big piece dont is a commitment of time and money so be sure you are prepared to take this on.

If you are looking for a good artist in the LA area, I know of a guy that is very good. I interviewed him as a follow up to an article I wrote. He has traveled the world studying tattoing and has done all kinds of celebs (Montel Williams, Christina Agulara, Deborah Wilson from Mad TV). His name is Zulu and is easily as good as anyone on L.A. Ink.

He can be found here - http://www.zulutattoo.com/

His partner Lantz is very good as well.

All good points.  I also have a 10+ hour piece and it was done over 3 sittings as well.  The only exception are large backpieces where the art covers large areas of the body.  You could go 8-10 hours on something like that if the body area is big enough to warrant it.  The one this guy seems to be going for doesn't look too intricate and looks somewhat tribal-like and large.  That may be able to be done in one long sitting...  Depends a lot on the artist really.

Speaking of LA, my tattoo artist is setting up shop in LA this summer, so I've got to find me a new one since I don't plan to travel cross country ever time I want a session.