Getting a tattoo might hurt a lot. In places where the skin is thinner, near the bone, and has more nerve endings, it can hurt even more than a usual tattoo. The spine is considered to be one of the most sensitive places to get a tattoo. Getting a spine tattoo shows the strength of the person for getting a tattoo in one of the most difficult places.
But how much is a spine tattoo? Tattoos in general can be pretty expensive. It depends on several factors, varying from artists, the design and size of the tattoo, and the ink that is used. It will also cost a bit more than usual to get a spine tattoo as it is one of the most difficult places to do a tattoo. It can range anywhere from 150$ to upwards of 2000$! The uniqueness of a spine tattoo makes the price unique as well!
Key Takeaways
- The size, design, tattoo artist, and ink used can all determine the price of a spine tattoo. This can vary a lot!
- The type of spine tattoo will also make the price of spine tattoo vary, with full spine tattoos and dragon spine tattoos having completely different costs.
- To prepare for a spine tattoo, make sure that you have comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and avoid alcohol for up to 24 hours before your appointment.
What Determines the Cost of Spine Tattoo?
Many factors determine the cost of a spine tattoo. The cost will vary from parlor to parlor, state to state, and country to country. Depending on the following factors, the cost of a tattoo will vary.
Size
A spine tattoo is considered to be a tattoo that is etched along the spine. The size of it can vary, where people might only get an upper spine tattoo or get a full spine tattoo. In general, a rule of thumb for spine tattoos and any tattoos, in general, is that the bigger they are the more they will cost. The bigger the size means the more time it will take to do the tattoo, the ink that has to be used, and the more breaks you will have to take, all determining the price of the tattoo.
Design
The design is also essential for tattoos. A simple design such as lines along the spine would cost less than a more intricate design with complex lines along the spine. More lines will mean that the tattoo artist will have to take their time to ensure that the lines are perfect and not smudged into other lines. And on the spine, the more complex the lines, the more time it will take to carefully make them because of the sensitivity of the spine.
Artist rates
Different artists will have different rates. This depends on their experience, certification, additional skills, and how used they are to doing the tattoo in particular areas. For example, I will normally charge somewhere around 125$ to 150$ for a small spine tattoo, about 250$ to 350$ for medium pieces, and about 500$ for large pieces. It is all relative to the tattoo artists themselves and how much they will be charging.
A tattoo artist will always tell you the charge for the tattoo before doing them, and it might take some additional time depending on the customer. Some customers will take longer to work on than others, so that also factors in for the artist’s rates as well. While it may not be mandatory, a tip of 25% is always appreciated so expect to add that to the final price of the tattoo.
Ink used
The ink matters a lot for tattooing. A colored piece would cost more than a simple line design in black ink. This is because the cost of ink is different and added to the final cost of the tattoo. And how much ink will be used also factors into that as well. A fully blacked-out spine tattoo would cost more than a colorful line design tattoo. However much ink is used, the tattoo artist should and will consider that in the price of the spine tattoo.
Types of Spine Tattoos and Their Cost
There are different types of spine tattoos that you can get. They will all vary in cost as well because of their color and design, specifically the type that you are getting.
Full spine tattoo
A full spine tattoo will run along the full length of the spine. As you could expect, a full spine tattoo will cost more than half a spine tattoo. It will also depend on the size and design of the tattoo as well! Typically, a full spine tattoo for a simple design would cost about 150$ to 200$. A medium piece with a complex design would cost somewhere between 500$ to 700$ and a large piece will cost upwards of 1200$ at most!
Colored spine tattoo
A colored spine tattoo is special because it means there will be a variation of color that will affect the cost of the tattoo. One or two color spine tattoos might cost around 200$ for a small piece. If there are many shades to the tattoo will hike up the price to 300$ for a small piece. This also not mentioning about the design of the tattoo itself, which will also determine the price too! A colored-filled spine tattoo might cost upwards of 700$ while a large colored design spine tattoo might cost as much as 1000$ if it is a large piece.
Black spine tattoo
A black spine tattoo that has a simple design might not take more than an hour, which could see you only have to pay about 150$ to 200$. However, if you want a completely blacked-out full spine tattoo, that will cost about 700$ to 1000$. This is because of how much ink that to be packed in the spine, which will not only hurt but will also take longer. This type of spine tattoo might be done over multiple sessions as tattoo artists don’t want to exceed 5 hours in one session or it risks putting the skin under tremendous trauma.
Dragon spine tattoo
A Japanese-inspired dragon spine tattoo might be the costliest of them all! Even a small piece could be up to 500$ depending on the size and design. A full spine dragon tattoo might be double all other spine tattoos, which could exceed 2000$ at least! Dragon tattoos are very expressive but they will also be costly because of their design and color and size of the tattoo.
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How to Prepare for a Spine Tattoo?
For a spine tattoo, the preparation is much like any other tattoo that you get. You will have to bear the pain of the tattoo itself, which is all about the mental preparation that you have to undergo.
Clothes
For clothing, anything that is loose-fitting will be ideal for your spine tattoo. You will have to expose your back so having a loose-fitting shirt you can take off completely would be the best. Otherwise, a tank top with a back cutout could be a good alternative. A backless dress might sound like a good idea, but you would have to lay down on your dress for hours which might become comfortable after a while. So always prioritize comfort over anything when choosing your clothing.
Time
When getting a spine tattoo, you will have to consider the time. It could take just under an hour for a small simple piece but it could also take more than 3 hours to get it done. It might also be done in multiple sessions! For spine tattoos, you should always take your time and get it done stress-free. So free up some time when getting a spine tattoo, especially if it is a large piece with a complex design.
Drinking water
Drink plenty of water from the night before getting a tattoo. Avoid alcohol as it will thin your blood vessels and make it harder for your tattooist to get the tattoo done as you will be constantly bleeding during the session.
Caution with ibuprofen and numbing cream
Don’t apply any numbing cream or take ibuprofen before the tattoo session. The numbing cream will be applied by the tattoo artist if they think it is necessary for you. And ibuprofen has blood thinning properties so you should definitely avoid them before getting a tattoo.
FAQs
Does a spine tattoo hurt a lot?
A spine tattoo will hurt a lot in sensitive places, while in other parts of the spine, you might not feel that much pain. Overall, it will range from a 4 to 8 out of 10 in terms of pain.
Do you tip your tattoo artist?
While it may not be mandatory to tip your artist, a tip of 25% will be appreciated by your tattoo artist.
Can I wear a bra after a spine tattoo?
If the bra is directly on the spine tattoo, then you should wait till after the tattoo is healed in a month to wear a bra. And if it does not interfere with your tattoo, then you can wear a bra with no problem.
Can I sleep on my spine tattoo?
Sleeping on a spine tattoo is tricky. For the first couple of weeks, you should not sleep on your tattoo as it will restrict blood flow and hinder the healing process of the tattoo. Consider sleeping on your side or your stomach after getting a spine tattoo.
Final Thoughts
Overall, a spine tattoo will cost somewhere between 200$ to 1200$, and even more for a dragon spine tattoo (up to 2000$!). It will depend on the tattoo artist and the size and design of the spine tattoo, not to mention what type of spine tattoo you will be getting. For the tattoo itself, be sure to prepare well and free up loads of time because spine tattoos are tricky and might not be something you are expecting either. As with any tattoo, always make sure you are healthy and willing to care for the tattoo so that it heals and sets properly on your skin.
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