Definetly yes to charging for artwork, preach the good stuff guys! We see so many people undercharge and starve themselves of what they are worth because low self esteem, imposter syndrome etc. But in the end of day it all depends if we can communicate what we do to our clients or not, and most of the time we feel like the client is price-shopping and just nodding their head at what we are explaining hahah Explain too much about your process, what and why you are charging for and you come off as apologetic, explain too little and they see you as smug people whom are trying to rip them off, its a thin ice we tatttooers walk on. Most of the time the average client cant even compare a badly done tattoo with a proper one, so professional tattooers have to explain why they are charging 10 times more than the scracther who does "ignorant style" tattoos in their bedroom. We as an industry still have a long, rocky path to walk. When you find a client that understands your process, actually interested in your artwork and style, and is at least emphatetic to your workflow, everything falls in to place and it becomes a joy to tattoo. It is because of these clients we do what we do and strive to be better at it everyday!

I got ordained to perform the ceremony for my sister’s wedding online. Websites like this are still active 🙂

Just watched, I totally agree. If I have a painting I really want to tattoo on someone I will either throw the painting into the deal. If I’m drawing something for a client for a custom tattoo, a lot of the time I will take into account some of the following factors. Is this a regular client? Can it be done in one session or multiple sessions? If I charge the client and they don’t agree on price as set, am I willing to let this piece go or do I want to keep it? I will usually tell a client ahead of time especially if it’s multiple sessions: sleeves, back pieces etc. once I’ve factored in all these things and the client has agreed on design and price. Once the tattoo is on the client I give them the original design and let them know I will only replicate the design with their permission and they must accompany the person getting it at least durning initial visit. Of course these are all things that I did before the explosion of social media because if you post it on fb or instagram anyone can snag the design. I suppose the possibility that it can get ripped if posted would have to be made clear with client beforehand. Can’t get enough of this show. Thanks for doing this guys!!

Hi Gents. I've just turned 38 and just started tattooing whilst still working a 40hr call centre Job. Paul finding out you started at the same age was awesome. I remember working with Chris when he first started 19years or more ago. How and when do I make the moves to reduce the hours in the call centre and put those hours into the studio. I've been an artist for over 2 decades in a number of media. Customer drawing, digital artwork, painting and sculpture. I'm still learning/apprenticing right now taking any and all advice and trying to develop my skills and make sure I'm giving people the art work they deserve. Thanks for dedicating the time to this show is amazing 🤩

Paul, chris, thankyou so much for answering my email. Ive only just found time to catch up on the episodes! Thankyou again, some useful advice given and some grreat commemts to read through too !

@ThatTattooShow

5 ай бұрын

No worries!

Do architects get paid? Yep!

Have you guys thought about making another video about “cheep machines vs expensive”? It seems a lot of people were interested. Even struck a nerve. Maybe this time you could talk more in depth. Also when you charge for art work it makes sense to give the drawing and the tattoo. That way customer feels like the got $ worth.

My council lady said there fine for 2 weeks but then have to apply for a license

Merci! Art has value in every other field to my knowledge. Why not in tattooing? I never understood the stubbornness to not charge. This said I am going to be implementing a way of charging for custom work and changes because I've had "that" client. The one that has a "bright" idea that needs to be incorporated in an already finished design.... the kind that makes you go "wtf" and knocking your head in a table trying to make your brain find a way to satisfy that client.... I guess you have to get fed up of wasting time to understand the value of your free time... As always awesome video thanks guys!

@ThatTattooShow

7 ай бұрын

I knew you’d get it Elaine! 🙏

Hey guys, I've a question if you have the time, I was going to aim this more at Paul but Chris is getting on in the years as well so yeah, or to anyone watching the channel who tattoos, Excuse the slightly lengthy preamble : So I've approached tattooing from a bit of a strange angle, been body piercing for just over 24 years, started my own body piercing studio in 2007, I had the privilege of starting my first steps down the tattoo journey overseeen by a long time friend and tattooer who's now unfortunately moved away, broke my hand damaged my tendons, had to relearn to draw and write, had the whole lock down had to move my studio, picking up tattooing again now. So.. I'm having a lot of Vibration in my eyes when pulling some lines, it's not constant for every line but constant enough to be very annoying, I thought coils might cause more vibration so I tried a pen machine and have the same problem, now this is with a pretty good 3 way stretch, I've spoken to my friend and mentor who reckons it's age (I alternate between 3 different types of glasses) but I've spoken to some youngsters who've started tattooing and they complain about the same issue. Any insights? The next thing I was thinking is distance, maybe get as far away from the body part and see if that helps, it's annoying because you have to kind of predict where the Needle is settling which I manage to do but would really prefer not to. Really enjoying the show guys brilliant stuff, did you guys print those "love tattooing hate tattoos shirts" ? "Love piercing, hate piercings" would be a great acommpaniment 👉

@ThatTattooShow

7 ай бұрын

We answered this in ep 142 for you 👍 out Sunday 10 Dec

@felixyeld

7 ай бұрын

@@ThatTattooShow Cheers Guys 😬

Where's the petition for Paul to change his name......lol

Regarding licences i think part of the issue is every local authority does it slightly differently, so far in my career I've registered with 4 different local authorities and the first one i registered didn't specify a single location but allowed my to tattoo anywhere within their area of authority, and one time i was sent a certificate of registration to tattoo at a studio just because i sent an email enquiry about it, with no physical check made at all (to be fair i think that was probably due to the location in question having a reputation of a bit of a revolving door when it comes to artists so the council is probably fed of going down every couple of months to register a new artist so just send them out ) i think if you are doing a guest spot for a limited time (a week or two say) you should be allowed to have a grace period to do so as long as you are registered somewhere but if you plan on being there often or for longer then get registered for that area too, however the issue if your insurance and if you are covered is a whole different matter and would depend on the details of your policy and whoever you are insured with as to whether your policy covers you when working at either a convention or a guest spot away from the area you are registered with.

If a roofer charges for fitting slates on a roof, should they charge the client for the time it takes to carry 3000 slates up the ladder and position them on the roof ready to be fitted?

@muskokaheritagestonecraft8233

7 ай бұрын

Does the cost of installing the Slates cover the cost of fuel in the roofer’s vehicle? Or is that extra?

@chrissajdik

7 ай бұрын

What about the coffee that’s needed to get the boys up the ladder? Gonna have to add that into the charge, bean fee always

@ThatTattooShow

7 ай бұрын

All valid questions but, as I’m sure you’re aware, this is how ALL businesses arrive at their pricing structures. They factor in every element of the job. And yes, coffee is included in that calculation. So why should tattooing be any different? Why do we have to draw for free?

@thecre8ors

7 ай бұрын

@@ThatTattooShow exactly my point. The client doesn’t carry the slates up and they don’t draw their own designs, so they need to pay someone to do it for them. It seems like common sense but common sense isn’t common practice

@chrissajdik

7 ай бұрын

@@ThatTattooShow me no like drawing for free

This is so backwards. They can't copy the tattoo and print it on a t-shirt, but most Tattoo artist are allowed to copy everybody's else tattoo and put in on someone's skin...

@ThatTattooShow

7 ай бұрын

Tattooing is an industry that was built on purchasing and ‘copying’ those designs onto skin. Somewhere in the ‘digital revolution’, like a lot of other art forms, the ideas of ownership, licensing and copying have become lost or vague to most. It’s a tricky subject to discuss with many tattooists as we all would seem to have very different opinions. FYI, tattooists aren’t actually allowed, they just do. Whilst usually complaining that there latest tattoo ‘design’ has just been stolen. 🤷‍♂️

@The_Volken

7 ай бұрын

In the industry it’s frowned upon for someone to copy another artist original design. Flash can be copied because that is what it’s for, and it’s not that backwards when you consider a person who worked on a design for someone and it’s taken for that person to make multiple copies and get paid for said multiple copies, as to where the tattoo is most of the time a one and done deal.

@Camera728

7 ай бұрын

@@The_Volken Before the advent of AI, nearly everyone sported the same realistic tiger tattoo. Indeed, tattoo artists didn't embark on journeys to Thailand, mastering the art of scouting and photographing a tiger in its natural jungle habitat with perfect lighting. Instead, tattoo artists have been borrowing and stealing for years. Consider, for instance, the intellectual property of superheroes-those iconic designs and characters weren't even the original creations of tattoo artists. It becomes perplexing for someone to express discontent when they copy Jim Lee's Batman and add a bat signal to their tattoo design, while simultaneously feeling aggrieved if their own design is copied, given that they originally stole it from Jim Lee and DC.

@mrchristian87

6 ай бұрын

@@Camera728I think it’s a matter of degrees. Like how original or how much work did that artist put into that design vs just using their skill of tattooing.

@mrchristian87

6 ай бұрын

@@Camera728regardless if the design is original or not you’re still paying for the actual skilled labor of tattooing.