How To Raise Tattoo Prices Without Losing Clients [Tips + Scripts]

If you haven’t updated prices at your tattoo studio in over a year, there’s a good chance you’re making less money than you should — especially once you factor in rising supply costs, unpaid design time, and inflation.

This article breaks down how to raise your tattoo prices fairly, with practical tips and copy-paste scripts so you know exactly what to say when clients ask about the change. 

11 Tips for Increasing Prices at Your Tattoo Shop the Right Way

Below are practical tips that’ll help when you have to roll out a tattoo price increase but don’t want to risk turning off your regulars. 

Some are about timing and prep, others are about how you communicate the change, and a few are about what you do after the new rates kick in.

1. Recognize the signs that it’s time to raise your rates

Before anything else, make sure a price increase actually makes sense for your tattoo business right now. The clearest signs include:

You’re booked out weeks or months in advance with little to no open slots.
Your skills have noticeably leveled up since the last time you set your rates.
Supply, rent, or other shop overhead costs have gone up.
You’re doing significantly more work per tattoo (e.g., design time, consultations) than before, so you’re effectively making less per hour now.
You regularly turn away clients because your schedule is full, but despite that demand, your income isn’t where it should be.

Raising rates too early or without a clear reason can lead to your regular clients looking elsewhere — and in an already saturated tattoo market, you might not get a second chance to bring them back.

2. Look at how much similar tattoo artists in your area are charging

Don’t pull new rates out of thin air. Spend a bit of time researching the tattoo prices of other local artists with a similar experience level and style as yours. That includes their hourly rates, shop minimums, and flat-rate flash pricing.

This step is important in making sure your updated prices still land somewhere fair within your local market. You don’t have to be the cheapest, but you probably shouldn’t be the most expensive either (unless the demand and your skills really warrant it).

Of course, keep in mind that pricing varies a lot by region. A rate that’s standard in a big city can feel steep in a smaller town, and vice versa. So, focus on those in your actual area, not Instagram-famous artists in a totally different market.

3. Decide how you’ll structure the price increase

There are a few ways to roll out a price change, and the right one depends on how you currently price your work. You can either raise your hourly rate, your flat-rate or piece pricing, your shop minimum, or some combination of these. 

You may also want to adjust your deposit amounts so they still match your new pricing. For example, if your minimum jumps from $150 to $200, your deposit should probably go up, too.

Also read: 10 Tips for Starting a Tattoo Business the Smart Way

4. Give your clients a heads-up before the new rates take effect

One of the fastest ways to upset clients is to surprise them with new prices at checkout. That’s why it’s best to notify your clients (especially the long-time ones) at least 30 days in advance so they’re not caught off guard.

You should also clarify how the transition works. Does a client still get the old rates if they scheduled their appointment before the cutoff date, or does the new rate apply to all appointments after a certain date, regardless of when they booked? 

Either approach is fine, but make sure you spell it out in your announcement to prevent any misunderstanding or possible pushback. 

Lastly, use multiple channels to spread the word: an email or text to your client list, a social media post or two, an update on your website, and even a small printed sign in your shop. 

5. Don’t apologize for charging what your work is worth

The way you talk about a price increase matters just as much as the increase itself. If you sound apologetic or you over-explain, clients will likely pick up on it and assume the price increase isn’t justified.

The truth is, if your costs have gone up, your skills have improved, or your demand has grown significantly, you have nothing to apologize for since you’re simply charging what the work is actually worth now.

So, lean into what’s changed on your end. Have you taken a course or learned a new technique? Invested in better needles, inks, or aftercare products? Started offering longer consultations? Mention those things briefly when you announce the change.

6. Update your prices everywhere they’re listed

Make sure you don’t forget this step; otherwise, you’ll likely endure awkward money-related conversations with some clients. 

Before your new rates take effect, make a checklist of every platform and printed material where your tattoo prices show up. Then, update them all on the same day.

This includes your booking page, website, Instagram bio and Story highlights, Google Business Profile, intake forms, business cards, and any printed price lists in the shop. 

Also read: 15 Ways To Get More Tattoo Clients

7. Consider raising prices gradually instead of all at once

If you have the choice, make smaller and more frequent price increases as these are usually easier for clients to accept than one big jump. More often than not, a 5–10% bump every year barely raises an eyebrow. 

On the other hand, a 30–40% increase after four years of holding the same rate can catch people off guard — even if the new rate is completely fair.

Increasing your tattoo shop prices yearly (or around every 18 months) keeps your rates current with rising costs and your growing skill level. Also, this prevents you from ever needing to make a huge adjustment down the line.

However, if you’ve already gone several years without raising rates, a small bump might not be enough to get you where you need to be. In that case, consider phasing it in (say, half the increase now and the rest in six months). 

8. Give your regulars a grace period before the new rates apply to them

One way to soften the transition is to apply the new rates to new clients right away while giving your regulars a grace period (typically three to six months) before they need to pay the updated prices, too.

To be clear, this isn’t a permanent two-tier system. Everyone pays the same rates eventually; you’re simply rewarding clients who’ve been loyal to your shop by giving a bit of breathing room. 

This approach also gives you a low-stakes way to test how the market responds to your new pricing. If new clients are still booking at the higher rates without hesitation, that’s a good sign you’ve priced things right.

When you do eventually move your regulars to the new rate, give them the same advance notice you’d give anyone else. They’ll probably appreciate that you held off as long as you could.

9. Back up the price increase with a better overall experience

If clients are paying more, their experience at your tattoo studio should feel more premium, too. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to do a full studio renovation.

Even a few small touches go a long way in showing clients they’re getting more for the higher amount they’re paying. 

Some easy upgrades to consider include longer or more thorough consultations, branded aftercare kits handed out at the end of each session, and a more polished waiting area with refreshments, snacks, and maybe even chargers.

These small details signal that you take your work and your clients’ time seriously.

Also read: 8 Effective Ways To Keep Your Clients Coming Back

10. Set up deposits and policies to protect your new rates

When your prices go up, every no-show and last-minute cancellation costs you more. That makes deposits and solid policies more important than ever.

If you don’t already require deposits, now’s the time to start. A non-refundable deposit (or one that’s only refundable with enough notice) ensures you’re at least partially compensated when a client bails, and it filters out people who weren’t fully committed to begin with.

It’s also worth tightening up your cancellation and reschedule policies. Write them out in plain language and make sure clients see these at every step: your booking page, confirmation messages, reminders, and perhaps even a sign at the shop’s front desk.

11. Expect some pushback, but don’t let it shake you

A few clients will push back when you raise your prices. Some will complain, some will try to negotiate, and a small number may not book again. That’s all completely normal — and possibly even a sign you were undercharging in the first place.

The clients who genuinely value your work will stick around. Many won’t even bring up the change. Plus, the higher rates will start attracting clients who care more about quality than finding the cheapest tattoo, which is exactly the kind of clientele you want.

When pushback does come up, having a few prepared responses makes a huge difference. We’ve included some scripts in the next section, so you’re not scrambling for the right words in the moment.

Scripts for Communicating a Tattoo Price Increase

Below are short, copy-paste-ready scripts for the most common situations you’ll run into when you raise prices at your tattoo studio. 

Although the structure of each one is designed to be confident, clear, and free of unnecessary apologies, you can always adjust the tone and details as you see fit.

Script 1: The advanced announcement (Instagram post or email)

Hey everyone. A quick update on pricing at [shop name].

Starting [date], my rates will be increasing to [amount per hour or new minimum]. This update reflects [brief reason/s — e.g., rising supply costs, continued investment in better equipment, and growth in the quality and detail of my work].

If you’ve been thinking about booking, you can still lock in current pricing for any appointment booked before [cutoff date]. After that, the new rates will apply.

Book here: [booking link]

Thanks for your continued support! I genuinely appreciate every one of you who trusts me with your tattoos.

Script 2: For in-person conversations with your regulars

“Yeah, I’m updating my rates starting [date]. It’s been [X months/years] since my last increase, and between supply costs going up and how much my work has evolved, it was time. 

You’ll still get the current rate for this session and anything you book before [cutoff date] — just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Script 3: If a client questions the increase or tries to negotiate

“I totally get it — price changes are never fun. My rates have been the same for [number of years or months], and with how much my costs and my work have grown since then, it was time to update them. 

The new rate is $[X], and it applies to all clients starting [date]. I’d love to keep working with you, and I’m happy to talk through options that fit your budget — like a smaller piece or a flash design.”

Script 4: If a loyal client tells you the new rate is out of their budget

“I really appreciate you being honest with me, and I completely get it — everyone’s working with a budget.

If you ever want to do something smaller or grab a piece from one of my flash drops, those are a great way to get tattooed without a big price tag. 

I can also recommend a couple of solid artists in the area if you’d like other options. Either way, you’re always welcome here.”

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Make Pricing Updates Easier With Bookedin

Raising your tattoo prices doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. As long as you time it right, communicate clearly, and back it up with solid work and great client experience, most clients will stick around.

Also, remember that you don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Even one small rate adjustment puts you in a better position than staying stuck at a price that no longer reflects your work.

And when you’re ready to make these changes in your tattoo service prices, Bookedin can help you handle the admin side without the headache.

Update your prices once, and anyone who clicks your booking link will always see the current rates. You can also collect deposits, enforce cancellation policies, and send automatic confirmations and reminders to clients.

Sounds good? You can try Bookedin free for 14 days and see how it fits into your shop’s workflow.

FAQ About How To Raise Tattoo Shop Prices