# How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in Seattle? (2026 Price Guide)

> Seattle studios that publish prices charge a shop minimum of $100 to $250 (most often $150) and $150 to $300 an hour, usually $175 to $250. Expect about $100 to $500 for a small tattoo, $350 to $900 for a palm-sized piece and $3,500 or more for a full sleeve, plus 10.55% sales tax and a 15–25% tip.

- Published: 2026-10-18 · Updated: 2026-10-18
- Canonical: https://seattle-tattoo.org/tattoo-prices

## Key takeaways

- Seattle studios publish shop minimums from $100 to $250. $150 is the most common.
- Published hourly rates run $150 to $300, mostly $175 to $250. Many single-session tattoos are priced by the piece.
- Deposits are usually $100 to $200 (we found $50 to $500). Every studio that states a policy calls them nonrefundable, and they come off your final price.
- Add Seattle's 10.55% sales tax and a 15–25% tip to any quote. Twenty percent is the most common recommendation.
- Big work is priced by the hour. A full sleeve often takes 20 to 35 hours of tattooing over several months.

Seattle tattoo pricing comes down to three numbers: the studio's **shop minimum**, the artist's **hourly rate**, and **how many hours** your design takes. Use the calculator above for a quick estimate. This guide explains the numbers behind it, using rates Seattle studios publish on their own websites (checked October 18, 2026).

## How much does a tattoo cost in Seattle by size?

| Size | Typical tattoo time | Typical Seattle price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny (under 2 in) | 30 minutes to 1 hour | $100–$250 | Usually just the shop minimum |
| Small (2–3 in) | 1–2 hours | $150–$500 | Flash is often cheaper than custom work |
| Palm-sized (about 4 in) | 2–3.5 hours | $350–$900 | Realism and solid color run toward the top |
| Large (5–10 in) | 4–6 hours | $700–$1,500 | One long session or two shorter ones |
| Half sleeve | 3–4 sessions (10–16 hours) | $1,750–$4,000 | Sessions usually run 4–5 hours |
| Full sleeve | 4–7 sessions (20–35 hours) | $3,500–$8,750 | Spread over several months |
| Back piece | 6–10 sessions (30–50 hours) | $5,250–$12,500 | Often a project of a year or more |

The sizes match the calculator above: tiny is under 2 inches, small 2–3 inches, palm-sized about 4 inches and large 5–10 inches, while sleeves and back pieces are counted in sessions. These ranges multiply typical tattooing time by $175–$250 an hour, the most common rates Seattle studios publish. Prices are before sales tax and tip. A newer artist at $150 an hour will come in lower. An in-demand specialist at $275–$300 an hour will come in higher.

## What do Seattle tattoo artists charge per hour?

Most Seattle studios that publish rates charge **$175 to $250 an hour**, and the full range we found was **$150 to $300**:

- A Capitol Hill studio lists [$175–$250 an hour](https://www.seattle-tattoos.com/). A Fremont studio lists a [$225 shop rate](https://www.hiddenhandtattoo.com/faqs). A Ballard and Wallingford studio uses a [$200 shop rate](https://slavetotheneedle.com/faq/) for multi-session work.
- Lake City studios publish [$150–$250](https://www.whitelotustattooseattle.com/pricing) and [$175–$200](https://www.emeraldcitytattooseattle.com/shop-rates). A West Seattle shop lists [$200–$225 plus tax](https://www.westseattletattoo.com/faq), and a Greenwood shop [$200](https://www.fistfullofmetaltattoo.com/faq-1).
- At the top of the range, a Maple Leaf studio lists [$200–$300 an hour](https://moonlighttattooseattle.com/).

Hourly rates mostly apply to bigger, multi-session work. Many studios price single-session tattoos by the piece, quoting a flat price after seeing your idea, size and placement. Rates vary by artist even within one shop. Apprentices often charge less: one Lake City studio lists an apprentice at $150 an hour and its highest-priced artist at $250.

## What is a tattoo shop minimum?

A shop minimum is the lowest price a studio charges for any tattoo, even one that takes 15 minutes. It covers setup, sterile single-use needles, ink caps, gloves and barrier film (Washington requires all of these to be single-use, see our [tattoo laws guide](https://seattle-tattoo.org/tattoo-laws-washington)), cleanup and the artist's booked time.

Published minimums at Seattle studios run **$100 to $250**, and **$150** is the most common figure. A Downtown studio and a West Seattle shop list [$100](https://www.stormbloomtattoo.com/book). Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard and West Seattle studios list [$150](https://www.kingtideink.com/faq). A Greenwood shop lists [$200](https://www.fistfullofmetaltattoo.com/faq-1), and one Queen Anne artist sets a [$250 minimum](https://www.nightshadeseattle.com/nightshade-tattoo). If you want a tiny tattoo, the minimum is usually the whole price, so getting two small designs in one sitting can be better value. Ask first.

## Published rates at Seattle studios

These are the numbers studios publish on their own sites. They're a snapshot as of October 18, 2026, not an endorsement, and prices change. Confirm with the studio before booking.

| Neighborhood | Shop minimum | Hourly rate | Deposit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Hill | $150 | $175–$250 | $50+, nonrefundable | [Supergenius Tattoo](https://www.seattle-tattoos.com/) |
| Fremont | $150 | $225 shop rate | Nonrefundable | [Hidden Hand Tattoo](https://www.hiddenhandtattoo.com/faqs) |
| Ballard / Wallingford | $150 | $200 (multi-session) | $50–$200, nonrefundable | [Slave to the Needle](https://slavetotheneedle.com/tattoos/) |
| Lake City | $100 (varies by artist) | $150–$250 | Varies, nonrefundable | [White Lotus Tattoo](https://www.whitelotustattooseattle.com/pricing) |
| Lake City | Not listed | $175–$200 | $100–$200, nonrefundable | [Emerald City Tattoo](https://www.emeraldcitytattooseattle.com/shop-rates) |
| West Seattle | $100 | $200–$225 + tax | $100–$200, nonrefundable | [West Seattle Tattoo](https://www.westseattletattoo.com/faq) |
| West Seattle | $150 + tax | Not listed | Not listed | [Kingtide Ink](https://www.kingtideink.com/faq) |
| Greenwood | $200 | $200 | $100 | [Fist Full of Metal](https://www.fistfullofmetaltattoo.com/faq-1) |
| Maple Leaf | Not listed | $200–$300 | Not listed | [Moonlight Tattoo](https://moonlighttattooseattle.com/) |
| Downtown | $100 | Varies by artist | $100 | [Storm Bloom Tattoo](https://www.stormbloomtattoo.com/book) |
| Queen Anne | $150–$250 by artist | $175–$250 by artist | $100–$250, nonrefundable | [Nightshade Tattoo](https://www.nightshadeseattle.com/nightshade-tattoo) |
| Westlake | Not listed | Not listed | $100–$500 by artist and length | [Finer Things Tattoo](https://finerthingstattoo.com/faq) |
| Belltown | Not listed | Not listed | $100, nonrefundable | [Liberty Tattoo](https://www.libertytattooseattle.com/contact) |

## What drives the price of a tattoo?

| Factor | How it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Artist demand | Apprentices and newer artists charge less. Artists with long waitlists charge more, and some Seattle studios close custom bookings for months at a time. |
| Style | Simple linework and flash are fastest. Shading, color packing, realism and micro-realism take far longer per square inch. See our [style guides](https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles) for time estimates by style. |
| Color | Packing solid color takes more passes than black and grey, which adds time. |
| Size and detail | Bigger and busier designs mean more hours. Shrinking a detailed design doesn't always save money, because detail takes time at any size. |
| Placement | Ribs, hands, feet, neck and stretchy or bony areas are slower to tattoo, and some artists charge more for them. |
| Sessions | Large pieces are billed hourly across several sessions, so the total depends on how many hours the whole project takes. |
| Custom drawing | Some studios include design time. One Ballard artist charges a [separate $50–$100 drawing fee](https://www.sierramargaret.com/booking). |
| Cover-ups | Covering old work takes planning, extra size and extra time (see below). |

## How do tattoo deposits work in Seattle?

Almost every Seattle studio takes a deposit to hold an appointment. Here's what published policies show:

- **Amount:** usually **$100 to $200**. The full range we found was $50 for small pieces to [$500 for long sessions with senior artists](https://finerthingstattoo.com/faq).
- **Refunds:** every studio that states a policy says deposits are **nonrefundable**.
- **It's not an extra fee.** The deposit comes off your final price. On multi-session work it's often applied to the last session.
- **Rescheduling:** most studios let you reschedule with **24 to 72 hours' notice** (48 hours is the most common rule), and some allow only one move. Late cancellations, no-shows and arriving very late usually forfeit the deposit.
- **Payment:** some Seattle studios are cash-only or don't take credit cards, so check before your appointment.

## How much should you tip a tattoo artist?

Tip **15 to 25%** of the tattoo's price. **Twenty percent** is the most common guideline. Seattle studios that publish advice say the same: one Capitol Hill shop calls 20% "a pretty standard tip" ([Supergenius FAQ](https://www.seattle-tattoos.com/faq.html)), and a West Seattle shop calls 20% "the golden rule" ([West Seattle Tattoo](https://www.westseattletattoo.com/faq)). National guides from [Healthline](https://www.healthline.com/health/getting-a-tattoo-guide-what-to-expect), [InStyle](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/much-tip-tattoo-artist-153500810.html) and [Cosmopolitan](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a42025744/how-much-to-tip-a-tattoo-artist/) land in the same 15–25% range.

A few practical points:

- Tip on the **pre-tax price**, and tip at each session of a multi-session piece.
- **Cash** is easiest, and it's essential at cash-only shops.
- Don't assume tax or tip is included. One Greenwood shop states that "sales tax and tips are not included" in its rates and quotes.

## Are tattoo touch-ups free?

Often, within a set window. Policies we found include free touch-ups within six months, excluding hands, fingers and feet ([Slave to the Needle](https://slavetotheneedle.com/faq/)), and free touch-ups for a year, then $40–$60 ([Sierra Margaret](https://www.sierramargaret.com/booking)). Hands, fingers and feet are sometimes excluded because they heal unpredictably. Ask about the touch-up policy before you book, and follow aftercare closely, since poor healing is the usual reason for a touch-up. Our [aftercare guide](https://seattle-tattoo.org/blog/complete-guide-tattoo-aftercare) covers the healing steps.

## How much do cover-ups and laser removal cost?

**Cover-ups** cost more than fresh work of the same size because the new design usually has to be larger and darker than the old one, and planning takes longer. Covering a small old tattoo with a palm-sized piece typically runs about **$450 to $1,000** in Seattle. Large or very dark tattoos may need laser fading first. Our [cover-up guide](https://seattle-tattoo.org/blog/cover-up-tattoos-transformation-guide) explains the process.

**Laser removal and fading** are priced per session, and you'll need several. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that a laser [can't safely break down all the ink in one session](https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-tattoo-removal). Published Seattle prices start at [$99 per area](https://www.seattleplasticsurgery.com/laser-tattoo-removal-in-seattle/) at a First Hill practice and [$249 per treatment for small tattoos](https://wellmedicalarts.com/seattle-tattoo-removal/) at a West Seattle clinic. Larger tattoos cost more. For national context, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported an [average physician fee of $423](http://web.archive.org/web/20260603022833/https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/cosmetic-procedures-average-cost-2020.pdf) for laser tattoo removal in 2020, not counting related expenses. In Washington, laser treatment is a medical procedure that must be done under a physician's authority.

## What hidden costs should you budget for?

- **Sales tax: 10.55% in Seattle.** Washington classifies tattoo parlor services as [retail sales](https://dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/tattooing-piercing-and-other-skin-modifications/tattooing-services), and Seattle's combined rate is 10.55% from October 1 to December 31, 2026 ([DOR rate table](https://dor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/Q426_LSU-flyer-by-county.pdf)). It rose from 10.35% on January 1, 2026. Several studios quote prices "plus tax."
- **Tip:** 15–25% of the pre-tax price.
- **Aftercare supplies:** a fragrance-free soap and an unscented moisturizer, usually a modest drugstore purchase.
- **Design fees:** most studios include drawing time, but a few charge separately for custom drawings or redesigns.
- **Parking or transit:** a four-hour session can outlast many street parking limits in busy neighborhoods. Check our [neighborhood guides](https://seattle-tattoo.org/seattle/capitol-hill) for transit and parking tips.
- **Touch-ups** outside the free window.

## How should you budget for a tattoo in Seattle?

Here's what a $500 palm-sized quote actually costs:

| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quoted price | $500.00 |
| Deposit paid at booking (comes off the price) | ($100.00 already paid) |
| Sales tax at 10.55% | $52.75 |
| Tip at 20% of the pre-tax price | $100.00 |
| Aftercare supplies (estimate) | about $15 |
| **Total cost** | **about $668** |

For large projects, budget per session. A full sleeve at 25 hours and $200 an hour is $5,000. With tax ($527.50) and a 20% tip ($1,000), the true total is about $6,530, or roughly $1,090 per session over six sessions. Saving per session is easier than finding $6,500 at once, and many artists will space sessions to fit your budget.

## Is a cheap tattoo worth it?

A low price from a licensed artist working in a licensed shop can be a good deal, especially for flash. A low price from someone tattooing out of a home is a different story. Unlicensed tattooing skips the sterilization standards, insurance and inspections Washington requires, which raises the risk of infection and of bad work that costs more to cover up later. Before you pay a deposit, check the artist and shop on the [Department of Licensing License Lookup](https://professions.dol.wa.gov/s/license-lookup). It takes a minute and our [laws guide](https://seattle-tattoo.org/tattoo-laws-washington) shows how.

## FAQ

**How much is a small tattoo in Seattle?**
A tiny tattoo under 2 inches usually costs the shop minimum, which Seattle studios publish at $100 to $250, most often $150. Small pieces of 2 to 3 inches typically run $150 to $500 depending on detail, color and the artist, and a palm-sized piece of about 4 inches $350 to $900. Add 10.55% sales tax and a 15–25% tip.

**How much does a full sleeve tattoo cost in Seattle?**
Plan on roughly $3,500 to $8,750 before tax and tip for a full sleeve from an established Seattle artist. That's based on 20 to 35 hours of tattooing at the $175 to $250 hourly rates most studios publish. Detailed realism or an in-demand artist can push it higher. The cost is spread across several sessions.

**How much should you tip a tattoo artist in Seattle?**
Tip 15 to 25% of the tattoo's price, with 20% the most common guideline. Seattle studios that publish tipping advice suggest 20% or 10 to 20%, and national guides land in the same range. Tip on the pre-tax price, and bring cash, since some Seattle shops are cash-only.

**Are tattoo deposits refundable in Seattle?**
Almost never. Every Seattle studio we checked that states a policy calls its deposit nonrefundable. Deposits, usually $100 to $200, come off the final price, and most studios let you move your appointment once with 24 to 72 hours' notice. Missing that window or no-showing usually forfeits the deposit.

**Do you pay sales tax on a tattoo in Seattle?**
Yes. Washington treats tattooing as a retail sale, so studios must collect sales tax. Seattle's combined rate is 10.55% for October through December 2026, up from 10.35% before January 1, 2026. Several Seattle studios quote prices plus tax, so ask whether a quote includes it.

## Sources

- [Supergenius Tattoo: shop minimum, hourly rates and deposits](https://www.seattle-tattoos.com/) — Supergenius Tattoo (Capitol Hill)
- [Supergenius Tattoo FAQ (tipping)](https://www.seattle-tattoos.com/faq.html) — Supergenius Tattoo (Capitol Hill)
- [Hidden Hand Tattoo FAQs](https://www.hiddenhandtattoo.com/faqs) — Hidden Hand Tattoo (Fremont)
- [Slave to the Needle FAQ](https://slavetotheneedle.com/faq/) — Slave to the Needle (Ballard and Wallingford)
- [Slave to the Needle tattoo policies](https://slavetotheneedle.com/tattoos/) — Slave to the Needle (Ballard and Wallingford)
- [White Lotus Tattoo pricing](https://www.whitelotustattooseattle.com/pricing) — White Lotus Tattoo (Lake City)
- [Emerald City Tattoo shop rates](https://www.emeraldcitytattooseattle.com/shop-rates) — Emerald City Tattoo (Lake City)
- [West Seattle Tattoo FAQ](https://www.westseattletattoo.com/faq) — West Seattle Tattoo (Alaska Junction)
- [Fist Full of Metal Tattoo FAQ](https://www.fistfullofmetaltattoo.com/faq-1) — Fist Full of Metal Tattoo (Greenwood)
- [Moonlight Tattoo](https://moonlighttattooseattle.com/) — Moonlight Tattoo (Maple Leaf)
- [Storm Bloom Tattoo booking](https://www.stormbloomtattoo.com/book) — Storm Bloom Tattoo (Downtown)
- [Kingtide Ink FAQ](https://www.kingtideink.com/faq) — Kingtide Ink (West Seattle)
- [Nightshade Tattoo artist policies](https://www.nightshadeseattle.com/nightshade-tattoo) — Nightshade Tattoo (Queen Anne)
- [Finer Things Tattoo FAQ (deposits)](https://finerthingstattoo.com/faq) — Finer Things Tattoo (Westlake)
- [Liberty Tattoo contact and deposit policy](https://www.libertytattooseattle.com/contact) — Liberty Tattoo (Belltown)
- [Sierra Margaret booking and touch-up policy](https://www.sierramargaret.com/booking) — Sierra Margaret (independent artist, Ballard)
- [What You Need to Know Before Getting a Tattoo](https://www.healthline.com/health/getting-a-tattoo-guide-what-to-expect) — Healthline
- [How Much to Tip a Tattoo Artist](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/much-tip-tattoo-artist-153500810.html) — InStyle (syndicated by Yahoo)
- [How much to tip a tattoo artist](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a42025744/how-much-to-tip-a-tattoo-artist/) — Cosmopolitan
- [Tattooing services (industry guide)](https://dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/tattooing-piercing-and-other-skin-modifications/tattooing-services) — Washington State Department of Revenue
- [Local sales and use tax rates, effective October 1 to December 31, 2026](https://dor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/Q426_LSU-flyer-by-county.pdf) — Washington State Department of Revenue
- [2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics: average cost of cosmetic procedures (archived)](http://web.archive.org/web/20260603022833/https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/cosmetic-procedures-average-cost-2020.pdf) — American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- [Laser tattoo removal](https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-tattoo-removal) — American Academy of Dermatology
- [Seattle tattoo removal pricing](https://wellmedicalarts.com/seattle-tattoo-removal/) — Well Medical Arts (West Seattle)
- [Laser tattoo removal in Seattle](https://www.seattleplasticsurgery.com/laser-tattoo-removal-in-seattle/) — Seattle Plastic Surgery Center (First Hill)