Ok, this might seem such a strange question (well, the second part at least) but I am planning on getting a tattoo in the future and I have no idea how much the tip should be. Also, is it appropriate to hand the cash for the tip directly to the artist them self or should it be given to the person (usually an intern) who rings the total cost up? Advice is greatly appreciated! Much thanks! 
i would say as a general rule never give a tip intended for one person to another person, no matter where you are. this is money is undocumented (no paper trail: ie receipts) so there is no way to prove that you ever gave the tip or for whom the tip was intended. but yes, tip the artist well and give it directly to them.
06.April, 2010 um 4:20 am
Tip is 20% of the bill and you hand them the cash
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06.April, 2010 um 5:04 am
You don’t tip a tattoo artist? But if you did, just hand it to them.
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06.April, 2010 um 5:35 am
well you shouldnt push them over unless they give you the wrong tattoo. have a midget crouch down behind them, and push when they arent expecting it. it cant fail! bwahahahaha
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06.April, 2010 um 6:09 am
i would say as a general rule never give a tip intended for one person to another person, no matter where you are. this is money is undocumented (no paper trail: ie receipts) so there is no way to prove that you ever gave the tip or for whom the tip was intended. but yes, tip the artist well and give it directly to them.
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my best friend is a tattoo artist and is sitting right next to me as i’m typing.
06.April, 2010 um 6:15 am
Don’t feel obligated to tip your artist. If you do decide to tip, a $10 tip, regardless of how high the price is, is appropriate. Tattooing is not like working as a waiter or waitress. Waiters make less than minimum wage, and their tips are claimed so that they can add to their hourly rate. That’s not the case with tattoo artists. If you are being tattooed by the shop owner, they get all the money from your tattoo. If you are being tattooed by a shop artist, they usually get 50-65% of the price of the tattoo. So, if they charge you $100 for the tattoo, and it takes an hour, worse case scenerio, they just made $50 an hour. and if it’s an established shop, they probably stay pretty busy. Do you make $50 an hour? Don’t feel obligated, only tip if you feel it is necessary. Artists don’t expect tips, it is simply a courtesy, a way to say thanks, you did a great job. But Lord, don’t do 20% like you would at a restaurant, what if your tattoo was $300? Would you really want to throw in an extra $60 when you’re already paying $300 for the tattoo?
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Shop owner, in the business 15 years.
06.April, 2010 um 6:55 am
Most tattoo artist don’t expect tips but if he/she did a good job and you want tot tip them then I would say $20 is fine. If the tattoo was $200 than tip $20 but really whatever the amount of the tattoo you don’t have to tip more than $20. Just do whatever you feel is right and remember they make a lot of money on your tattoo alone.
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myself 3 tats
06.April, 2010 um 7:05 am
Honestly, I tip my artist $20 every time. The reason I do this is because he gives me absolutely phenomenal pricing. We have a close relationship so we’re kind of like friends. For me, it’s like spotting your friend twenty for gas
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http://www.checkoutmyink.com/profile/sniperbaby
he does good work, too (: