Tattoos price by the hour above a shop minimum. Hours times the hourly rate, floored at the minimum, gives the quote — with a deposit applied to the balance.
The example
3 hrs at $150, $100 minimum.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 3 × 150 | $450 |
| 3 | vs $100 min | → $450 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Estimate hours and multiply by the hourly rate.
- MAX(…, shop minimum) so small pieces still cover setup and sterilization.
- Subtract the deposit for the balance due at the session.
- For a flat-piece quote, price the design directly and skip the hourly math.
The shop minimum pays for the overhead a tiny tattoo still incurs. Setup, a fresh needle and ink caps, sterilization, and the booth time cost the same whether the piece takes 20 minutes or two hours — so a minimum (often $80–$150) keeps small work from losing money. MAX(hours×rate, minimum) charges the hourly estimate when it’s higher and the floor when it isn’t.
Try it: interactive demo
Hours, hourly rate, shop minimum, deposit.
Variations
Balance after deposit
Due at session:
Multi-session total
Big pieces:
Effective hourly
On a flat quote:
Pitfalls & errors
Floor at the minimum. Small pieces still cost setup and sterilization.
Deposit off balance. Subtract the deposit from the price, don’t add it.
Estimate honestly. Quote a realistic hour range for big work.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I price a tattoo by the hour in Excel?
How does the deposit work?
Why have a shop minimum?
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