Why You Don’t Usually See Prices on Tattoos

We get this question all the time — especially in the comments: “Why don’t you guys just say the price outright?”

It’s a fair question. But the truth is, there’s no simple answer.

Every Tattoo Is Different

You might see two tattoos online that look about the same size and think they’d cost the same. But that’s not how it works. Things like placement, skin type, level of detail, and even how still a person can sit all change how long a tattoo takes to finish.

Some shops work with flash designs — pre-drawn tattoos that people can pick from and get done right away. That’s totally fine, and it’s actually one of the foundations of tattoo history. Flash helped make tattoos more accessible, spontaneous, and fun.

But at Thousand Oaks Tattoos, everything we do is custom. Every tattoo is drawn specifically for one person, built around their idea, their story, and their body. We also sometimes post artist-original designs — pieces our artists create on their own that clients can choose from — but even those usually get adjusted once someone books them. Maybe the client wants it to flow differently, fit a certain area better, or change the tone a bit.

Some designs can be done in a single day; others take multiple sessions to finish. There’s just no “this one costs $X” that fits all that.

The Difference Between Then and Now

A lot of people still compare tattoo pricing to what they remember from back in the day — and honestly, that makes total sense. Tattoos in the 80s and 90s were usually smaller, simpler, and often pulled from flash. Artists worked quickly, and people collected tattoos one piece at a time, almost like souvenirs. Those tattoos still carry a ton of value. They’re snapshots of a time in someone’s life — and they helped shape tattoo culture into what it is now. We wouldn’t be here without that generation of artists and clients.

Over the years, tattooing has evolved into something more layered and art-driven.Many artists now design full compositions that flow with the body — large, detailed, fine-art-style pieces that can take hours or even days to complete. Pricing naturally evolved with that shift. It’s not that today’s tattoos are “better” — they’re just different. There’s more time, design work, and planning involved.

So when people compare prices now to what tattoos used to cost, it’s not about one being right or wrong — it’s just a reflection of how far the craft has come.

How Our Booking Works

If you’ve looked at our Booking & Info page, you’ve seen that every artist at our shop books and prices a little differently. Each of them sets their own rates, has their own process, and runs their own schedule.

Here are a few things to know upfront:

• Minimum rate: Tattoos start at $200.

• Booking: Every artist handles their own booking. You can reach them through our website or send a detailed inquiry with your idea, references, and placement.

• Consults: Some artists might schedule a consult first to go over your idea before giving a quote.

• Walk-ins: You’re always welcome to stop by and say hi, but most of our artists are by appointment only and usually booked in advance.
  

We want to make sure you end up with the right artist for your idea — not just the first one available.

Why We Don’t Post Prices Under Each Tattoo

Even when someone points at a tattoo and asks, “Okay, but how much was that one?” — it’s hard to give a straight number that actually means anything.

Every tattoo has its own timing, pace, and level of detail. Some artists work faster, others take more time layering, blending, and texturing. Even two tattoos of the same subject can take very different amounts of time depending on where they’re placed or the client’s skin type.

So when we leave prices off, it’s not because we’re being vague — it’s because we want to make sure what we tell you is accurate and fair for you.

What You’re Paying For

When you book a tattoo with one of our artists, you’re paying for more than just time in the chair.

You’re paying for:

• The design process — sketching, revising, and planning your piece

• The artist’s skill, experience, and creative vision

• Quality materials and professional-grade equipment

• A clean, safe, and comfortable environment

• A tattoo that’s one of one, not something off a wall
  

We want your tattoo to feel personal, not just purchased.

How to Get a Real Estimate

If you’re curious about how much your idea might cost, here’s the best way to find out:

1. Submit an inquiry on our booking page.

2. Include your reference photos, ideal size, placement, and whether you want color or black and grey.

3. Choose an artist (or let us help match you with one whose style fits your vision).

4. Expect a quick conversation — your artist may ask follow-up questions before giving a quote.
   

That back-and-forth helps make sure your quote actually fits your idea and expectations.

The Bottom Line

We don’t leave prices out because we’re trying to be secretive — we just don’t believe in throwing out numbers that don’t mean much.

Every tattoo we do is custom, every artist works differently, and every client brings something unique to the table. So if you ever wonder, “Why don’t they just say the price?” — the answer is simple: Because your tattoo deserves more thought than a one-size-fits-all number.

At Thousand Oaks Tattoos, your tattoo isn’t something you just buy —it’s something we build.

Together.

— The Thousand Oaks Tattoos Team