ELECTRUM'S TATTOO CULTURE BLOG
The Business of Tattooing - How to price your tattoos without undervaluing your art and time
As a tattoo artist, pricing your work can be one of the most challenging aspects of the job. Setting rates that reflect your skill, experience, and time is essential—not just for your income but for establishing your value in the industry. Undervaluing your art can lead to burnout, frustration, and financial instability. Here’s how to price your tattoos confidently and fairly without selling yourself short.
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Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?
Spoiler: Yes. But also no. But mostly... yes. Let’s get this out of the way — tattoos hurt.You’re having a bunch of tiny needles repeatedly pierce your skin to inject ink. Of course it’s not a spa treatment. But pain isn’t the same for everyone, and what hurts like hell for one person might barely register for another. The real question is: how much does it hurt, and what can you do about it?Let’s break it down like an honest tattooer would. The Science Behind the Sting A tattoo needle moves between 50 and 3,000 times per minute, depositing pigment into the second layer of your skin (the dermis).Your brain interprets that as pain, but your body releases endorphins — so after a few minutes, many people actually settle into a weirdly calm groove. Some even find it meditative. Others white-knuckle the table and pray for the sweet release of death. (Both are valid.) 💀 Pain Level by Placement Pain depends on how many nerve endings and how much padding are in the area you’re tattooing. Placement Pain Level Why It Hurts Forearm / Outer Arm 😎 Easy Thicker skin, fewer nerves Thigh / Calf 😌 Mild Fatty tissue = cushion Upper Back / Shoulder 😬 Medium Bony but tolerable Ribs / Spine / Sternum 😭 Extreme Thin skin + nerves + vibration Ankles / Feet / Hands 🫠 High Bones and tendons close to surface Neck / Head / Face ⚡ Severe Sensitive skin + nerve clusters Basically: the bonier and thinner the skin, the worse it feels. What You Can Do to Make It Easier Pain tolerance can vary day to day. Here’s how to make sure your body’s on your side: ✅ Do: Eat a full meal and hydrate beforehand. Get a good night’s sleep. Bring headphones or something to focus on. Take deep breaths and relax your muscles. 🚫 Don’t: Show up hungover or dehydrated. Take painkillers like aspirin (they thin your blood). Skip meals. You’ll crash mid-session and regret life. Move suddenly or flinch without warning your artist. The Tools That Help Modern tattooing has come a long way. Artists today have options that make the process smoother for both of you. Numbing Products: Many artists now use safe, professional numbing sprays and creams — ask yours before booking. High-end Equipment: Needles like Electrum Fire Cartridges glide more smoothly through the skin, reducing trauma and irritation. Clean Prep: Electrum Cleanse keeps skin disinfected and calm before and during tattooing. Aftercare Wraps: Dermor Tattoo Barrier locks out bacteria and friction while your tattoo heals, cutting down post-session irritation. Pain might be part of the process — but suffering doesn’t have to be. The Real Talk Here’s the truth: the pain is temporary, but the art is forever.Most people say the sensation is “annoying but doable.”And when you look at your healed tattoo — healed perfectly because you used the good stuff — you’ll know it was worth every second. So yeah, tattoos hurt.But so does regret. Choose your pain wisely.
What Your Tattoo Style Says About You (According to Science... Kind Of)
Your tattoos don’t define you—but they definitely express you.Whether you’re covered in flash, fine line florals, or biomech beasts, your skin is a living gallery of what you love, fear, and fight for. So what does your tattoo style say about you?Probably more than you’d admit to your therapist.
The Business of Tattooing - From Passion to Profit: Business Essentials for Tattoo Artists
Turning your passion for tattooing into a thriving business involves more than just creating amazing art—it requires a solid foundation in business strategy. Whether you're just starting out or looking to streamline your existing operations, understanding the business essentials is key to sustainable growth and profitability. Here’s how to transform your tattoo artistry into a successful enterprise.
Tattoo Red Flags: What to Watch Out For Before You Book
Because the only thing sketchy at your tattoo appointment should be the drawing. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fiftieth, walking into the wrong shop can turn a dream piece into a permanent regret. The truth is, not every artist—or studio—is created equal.
The Business of Tattooing - Why “Exposure” Isn’t Payment, But Visibility Can Be Currency
Tattoo artists have been hearing it forever: “We can’t pay you, but think of the exposure.” Most of us know that’s BS. You can’t pay rent with exposure, and you can’t buy ink with Instagram likes. But here’s the twist: in the TikTok + IG era, visibility can translate into real bookings—if you treat it strategically. The difference between empty “exposure” and valuable visibility is how you leverage it.
The Business of Tattooing - Digital Portfolios and SEO: Getting Found Online
In today’s digital-first world, having an eye-catching online portfolio isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for tattoo artists who want to showcase their work and attract new clients. But simply posting your art online isn’t enough. To really get noticed, you need to understand and implement Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies.
The Quiet Exit of Burned-Out Artists: Why So Many Mid-Career Tattooers Are Leaving and What It Means for the Next Generation
The quiet exit of burned-out artists should be a wake-up call. Tattooing is more than a hustle—it’s a career that requires sustainability. For the next generation, the lesson is clear: protect your body, your time, and your creativity now, so you don’t have to bow out quietly later.
Why the Best Tattoo Artists I Know All Use the Same Needles
Ask around. The artists with the cleanest linework, softest blends, and most consistent healed pieces? They're usually riding or dying for one specific brand of cartridge—not because they’re loyal, but because it makes their job easier. This isn’t about trends or influencer codes. It’s about what actually works under pressure, in skin, and on healed photos six months later.
The Business of Tattooing - Video Marketing for Tattoo Artists: Show, Don't Just Tell
In a world dominated by visuals, tattoo artists have a unique advantage. Your art is inherently visual, and video marketing is one of the most powerful ways to share your creative process, showcase your skills, and build authentic connections with potential clients. Rather than simply telling people what you do, video allows you to show them the passion, precision, and personality behind every piece of ink. Let’s dive into why video marketing matters and how you can make it work for you.
The Business of Tattooing - Booked Out for 6 Months”: The Hidden Financial & Emotional Risks Behind the Flex
In today’s tattoo industry, being “booked out for months” is the ultimate flex. It signals demand, status, and credibility. But behind the humblebrag? There are hidden costs—financial, emotional, and cultural—that most artists don’t talk about.
How to Get a Tattoo Apprenticeship in 2025 (Without Selling Your Soul or Getting Scammed)
So you want to be a tattoo artist in 2025? That’s amazing.But let’s get one thing straight from the start: There is no official “Apply Here” button.Tattoo apprenticeships aren’t handed out like college acceptances. You can’t just DM your favorite artist and expect to be welcomed with open arms. You have to earn it.With your art. Your attitude. And your ability to show up and shut up (with respect). Here’s exactly how to do it.
💀 Tattoo Myths That Need to Die Already
Tattooing is one of the oldest art forms in the world, but misinformation still spreads faster than ink in a blowout.If you love tattoos, do your research, support professional artists, and trust the tools that keep them (and your skin) safe. Because the only thing that should live forever… is your art. 💚
