Touch Ups: Misuse of the Term and Why They Are Not Free

Why touch-ups aren’t touch-ups and why they aren’t free.

It’s all too common for artist’s to be asked if their artwork is guaranteed for life. If their client will receive endless touch ups as long as they keep coming back. While any experienced tattoo artist cares about the way their art will look for years to come, they take that into account while designing and even during the tattooing process. It is one of the many reasons that artist’s will make recommendations for your tattoo long before beginning the process. Such as suggesting a more defined outline, or going with black and grey because it holds up longer than color. These are just simple examples of how an artist will show that they care. Another example is planning on doing a follow up appointment after the tattoo is healed. This allows the artist to go over every aspect of their work and ensure that the tattoo is the best that it can be.

The human skin is the largest organ of the human body, many forget that your skin is just as alive as you are. It heals, it sweats, it moves, it stretches, and bends. One of the biggest factors to healing is client lifestyle. What they eat, drink, and their overall health. All of these things can be a factor during the healing process and how a tattoo might turn out. An artist only has so much control over that tattoo. Once they are finished, they wrap it up and send you home with care instructions. They don’t know if you are going to follow said directions or listen to your friend who “has a lot of tattoos so he must be an expert”!

Depending on the design, artists can spend countless hours and even days designing and preparing your tattoo. They put in this dedication because they are designing a one of a kind, handmade piece of art that you get to take with you wherever you go. Anyone who collects handmade items knows that they aren’t perfect. If they were, they would be manufactured by a machine and massively reproduced. Having a unique custom piece made just for you is the reason why you searched for your artist.

With all of that in mind, a quick “touch-up” doesn’t exist. It costs on average $60.00 just to set up properly for a tattoo, plus the tattoo artist’s time. While we know that no one likes to work for free, tattoo artists are no exception.

Utah State Regulations on Tattoos

Utah State Regulations on Tattoos

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures tattooing a minor without parental consent is against the law. This is the only actual law put into place about who can receive a tattoo. There isn’t any for who can give one.

This offers only a small protection to a vast majority of issues that come with a lack of regulations. Currently anyone can operate a tattoo machine without any specific licensing. The health department only regulates tattoo facilities and requires tattoo artists (operators) to have certifications in blood borne pathogens and CPR/First Aid. While these are good to have, they aren’t exactly difficult to get online. These requirements also can vary from county to county. So, becoming a tattoo artist is relatively easy in the state of Utah. These regulations are also not heavily enforced in Utah, many shops pop up and begin tattooing without even getting a proper permit.

What this means for you as a consumer is that your risks of getting a bad tattoo and an infection along with it are pretty high.

It is crucial to do your research on not only the artist that you are selecting but also the studio. You want a highly established studio or shop, that is clean, friendly, and will allow you to check the place out prior to making any appointment. You’ll want to research your artist. How long have they been tattooing? Where did they come from? Did they have an apprenticeship? Do they have the necessary certifications by the health department?

Important things to look for:

-Cleanliness

-Covering on equipment, while a tattoo is being preformed any surface that an artist could touch during the process is completely covered. This includes trays, machines, bottles, and cords. Also, the surface where the client is being tattooed. This is necessary to avoid cross contamination that can lead to a serious infection.

-Permits displayed where they can be seen by the public.

Giving a tattoo in any location that is not permitted as a Body Art Establishment is a Class B misdemeanor in the state of Utah. So, your friend’s boyfriend who is trying his hand at body art isn’t just a bad idea it’s illegal.

Due to the lack of regulations it is up to the consumer to do their research and make a smart decision. Lucky Bamboo Tattoo’s owner Jared Preslar has acknowledged the danger and is currently seeking to create more regulations in Utah out of concern for the public’s health and safety. Creating awareness is only the first step to change.

-Lucky Bamboo Tattoo

National Average: Costs of Tattoos

Tattoo Pricing: National Averages

The national average for tattoos is $150 per hour. One of the first things many clients ask us is how much their idea is going to cost them. There are many factors that determine time. Such as size, placement, color vs. black and grey, amount of detail. It’s almost like asking how much a house is. Factors like location, size, or if it’s been newly remodeled. At this point in time a reputable artist will charge by the hour.

Averages:

Solo Tattoo Artist (3-5 yrs)      $120-$150 per hour

Established Artist (5-10 yrs)    $150-$180 per hour

Teaching Artist (10+ yrs)         $150-$220 per hour

Popular Artist                           $180+

The rate that an artist charges depends on a number of variables as well. Such as years of experience, time to do a certain style and volume of detail that goes into the tattoo, many artists base their rate on their ability and quality.

It’s important to research your artist. Find out how long they’ve been tattooing and see a large variety of their work to see if their style will fit with your idea. This is a much better way than trying to price shop from one studio to the next.

Often you will get what you pay for. Good tattoos take time and money, and cheap tattoos just aren’t good. Usually if an artist is charging under $150 and can get you in right away it shows inexperience and neediness for clients. Be aware of this as the results could be damaging.

-LBT