How much does a tattoo cost in Perth? A studio's honest guide

"How much will my tattoo cost?" is the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is that it depends on the piece. Here's how tattoo pricing works at our Fremantle studio, so you can budget before you enquire.

Our rates at The Black Swan

• Studio minimum: $200. This covers small pieces and the setup every tattoo needs: a fresh needle setup, inks, barrier protection and sterilisation, however small the design.
• Half day: $650. Good for medium pieces such as a forearm piece or a calf piece, depending on detail.
• Full day: $1,200. For larger work like sleeves, back pieces and big leg pieces, usually done over several sessions.

Every tattoo is quoted before you book, so there are no surprises on the day.

What a small tattoo costs

Small tattoos, like a simple script word, a fine line symbol or a small flash design, usually fall under our $200 minimum. If you're after a few small pieces, ask about doing them in the same sitting. Several small tattoos in one session often work out better value than booking each one separately.

Why we use day rates for big pieces

For sleeves, back pieces and other big projects, a half-day or full-day rate is fairer than an hourly price. You know exactly what each session costs, your artist can focus on the work instead of the clock, and you can plan your budget session by session.

What affects the price of a tattoo

1. Size: bigger pieces take longer. Simple as that.
2. Detail: fine shading, realism and dense colour take far more time than bold, open designs of the same size.
3. Placement: tricky spots like ribs, hands and feet can take longer to tattoo well.
4. Colour vs black and grey: colour packing often adds time.
5. Custom design work: every design is drawn for you, and that time is part of what you're paying for.
6. The artist: experience, style and demand all play a part.

Deposits

To lock in your date we take a $200 deposit, which comes off the final price of your tattoo. It also covers the time your artist spends drawing your design before the appointment.

Budgeting for a bigger piece

Sleeves and back pieces are usually done over several sessions spread across weeks or months, so you pay per session rather than all at once. That's also why our Black Swan membership exists: your monthly payment is turned into tattoo credit you can put toward each session, plus member perks.

Tipping and touch-ups

Tipping isn't expected in Australia, but it's always appreciated. If your tattoo needs a small touch-up after it heals, talk to us. It's part of making sure the finished piece is right.

Get an exact quote

The fastest way to an exact price is to send us your idea with the placement, rough size and a few reference pictures. We'll match you with the right artist and come back with a clear quote.