Grey prices her work based on complexity of the design, size, and placement. As a general guide:

Shop Minimum: The shop minimum is $200, irrespective of how small or simple a tattoo may seem (e.g. simple black/grey script in an easy-to-tattoo area).

Small Tattoos: Palm-sized or smaller tattoos start at around $400. Micro-realism will be more expensive due to the level of complexity involved. In this case, the small sizing increases the difficulty to add details that will last over time.

Medium Tattoos: Hand-sized tattoos start at around $700.

Large tattoos: Tattoos larger than hand-size start at around $,1000.

Multi-Session Projects: For multi-session pieces (e.g. back pieces, sleeves), Grey charges per session, with a day rate of $1,200.

Please note: Pricing is subject to change depending on the complexity of the design or placement. Placements such as neck, ribs, hands or tattoos that wrap around joints/the body will increase the cost.

We are happy to provide a quote on request.

Non-Refundable Deposit: To secure an appointment, a non-refundable deposit is required. This deposit goes towards the overall cost of the tattoo.

The deposit amount will vary depending on the appointment:

• small tattoos: $200

• medium-large tattoos: $250

• day sessions: $300

Please note that any proposed appointment times are not guaranteed (and may become unavailable) unless this deposit is paid within 48 hours of receipt of the invoice.

Forfeiting Your Deposit: If you fail to show up to your appointment, or if you do not give at least 48 hours’ notice of your intent to reschedule, you will automatically forfeit your deposit.

Being late by over 15 minutes (unless otherwise agreed upon by Grey) will constitute a no-show, and a new deposit will be required to reschedule.

Purpose of the Deposit: Please understand that a deposit for any service is to help shield the service provider from unexpected changes. When there are last-minute reschedules or cancellations, service providers are unable to fill the vacancy, thus losing out on work for the day.

There are many considerations that go into pricing tattoo, many of which are intuitive, such as size. It makes sense that, the larger a tattoo gets, the more it will cost.

There are, however, many other considerations for how tattoo artists price.

Complexity: The amount of detail in even small tattoos will affect the price of the tattoo. For example, micro-realism and realism tattoos are a specialty that require a very specific skillset in order to execute them and have them heal well over time without blurring together into an illegible blob.

Artist Experience: Similar to other careers, as you gain experience and expertise, the value of your work increases. This is reflected in the corporate world through raises reflected in the company’s set pay scale and bonuses.

For artists, the more experience they acquire, the more refined their tattooing becomes. Seasoned artists have the benefit of seeing healed tattoos over the years, which is the best way for any artist to learn and grow.

So what may seem like a simple script piece that took 15 minutes by someone who specializes in script, is really a tattoo that will not only withstand the test of time but actually took the length of their career + those 15 minutes that you see.

Operation Costs: The overhead costs of tattooing are expensive. Most booth fees are essentially the cost of renting an additional apartment in Chicago. Along with this, the cost of supplies and rent increase with inflation (just like all things), so every year it becomes more expensive to continue the art.

Additionally, as freelancers, tattoo artists pay 30% of all profits in taxes at the end of each year. So what you pay an artist the day of your appointment is not their actual take-home.

For example, if a tattoo costs $300:

• $100 is reserved for taxes

• $100-150 is used towards paying for supplies, rent, insurance, etc.

• $50-100 is the take home

Finally, independent contracts are not afforded the luxuries of insurance benefits, paid time off/vacation time, parental leave, FMLA leave, etc.

If an artist is not physically in the studio tattooing, they are not making money. Thus, any need to take off work (whether it be voluntarily or not) comes at a great cost to every tattoo artist.

Payment Method: Grey prefers cash, but she also accepts Zelle and credit/debit card.

Tipping Etiquette: Tips are always appreciated but never expected (seriously)!