Forearm Tattoo Cost: How Much Is It?

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So you’re looking to get a forearm tattoo? Stellar! Arm tattoos really are a great form of self-expression and a great way to show off your love of tattoos.

After all, you can literally wear your heart on your sleeve when you get a forearm tattoo!

However, if you’re reading this, you probably already know how cool forearm tattoos are and instead, you’re probably wondering how much does a forearm tattoo cost.

So what exactly are average tattoo prices for forearm pieces? How do artists price their work? And just what can influence the total cost of your next tattoo?

Well, in the following guide, we’re breaking that down all that and more to help give you a better idea of how much you’ll need to dish out for your new ink.

How Much Will A Forearm Piece Cost?

The total cost of a forearm tattoo can be anywhere from $40-$50 to as much as $500 or more. But unfortunately, there’s really no simple answer as to how much an arm piece costs. It really all depends on the size, style, and complexity of your tattoo, as well as the artist’s experience, the artist’s expertise and how much they charge per hour.

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So, for instance, a small tattoo on your forearm or wrist tattoos that’s roughly few square inches in size can cost as little as $50-$100. Many tattoo artists have a minimum cost they’ll charge for smaller tattoos, which they can usually do in about an hour or so.

This minimum cost is usually around the $50 to $100 mark.

On the other hand, the total cost of larger pieces that wrap around your forearm, or half sleeve tattoos can be anywhere from $500-$1500, or more.

That said, let’s take a closer look at several factors that can influence the overall cost of your forearm tattoo.

• Artist’s skill level and expertise – Probably the biggest factor that influences the cost of a forearm tattoo is how much your artist charges. And how much they charge depends largely on the artist’s experience, their skill level, studio location, and expertise. Skilled tattoo artists that specialize in certain tattoo styles often charge more for their work.
• Tattoo design and style – The desired style, line work and fine details involved also play a big role in the cost of a tattoo. Intricate design complexity, lots of shading, tons of colors… All of those design factors lead to a more expensive forearm tattoo.
• Size – Obviously, you’re thinking about getting a forearm tattoo. But will your tattoo wrap all the way around your forearm or do you want it to cover just the inside or outside of your arm? Generally, larger tattoos that cover more skin will cost more. Whereas tiny tattoos on your forearm will cost much less.
• Ink colors – Another important cost involved is the type of ink you want your artist to use. Black and grey tattoos are generally much less expensive than colored tattoos. Colored tattoo inks cost more for you artist, so they’re likely going to charge more to use those ink pigments.
• How many sessions – Depending on the style, colors and details involved, your artist might recommend multiple sessions to complete the piece. Naturally, the more visits required, the more you’ll end up paying for your piece.

So there are a number of factors that influence the cost of a forearm tattoo, making it practically impossible to give you a quote without knowing these details.

In the end, the best way to know how much your new forearm tattoo will cost is to visit a tattoo shop and talk to an artist. Bring in whatever references photos you might have and tell them about the size, colors, and style you want.

Only then, will they be able to give you an accurate idea of what your tattoo will cost.

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How Much Will A Small Tattoo Cost On My Forearm?

Small tattoos on the forearm can cost anywhere between $50 to $100 depending on your design and your artist’s hourly rate.

But when it comes down to it, there’s really no such thing as average tattoo prices. And this is why it’s important to talk to a tattoo artist about your custom design ideas to get a better idea of how much they’ll charge.

On another note, you can often get small or medium tattoos on your forearm for less if you choose your design from an artist’s flash album, rather than having them draw something from scratch.

Flash tattoos are pre-drawn designs, that the artist simply has to copy onto a stencil and then tattoo onto your skin.

The only downside to flash tattoos is that they are generally less unique than custom designs. But you can save yourself some money, and your artist some time, by going this route.

How Much Do Tattoo Artists Charge For Their Work?

Most tattoo artists typically charge between $50 and $300 per hour.

Newer artists generally charge less. Whereas more experienced artists, artists who specialize in specific tattoo styles, and those who tattoo in popular areas or those who work with celebrities will charge significantly higher rates, even if it’s just for a forearm tattoo.

So for example, a tattoo artist in Los Angeles or San Francisco will likely charge a premium price for their work.

Whereas getting tattooed by an artist in rural Nebraska will probably cost significantly less.

When quoting a tattoo, most tattoo shops quote you the total expected cost of the piece. This is usually a flat fee. But the figure is typically based on how much the artist charges per hour and how long they think it’ll take them to complete the tattoo.

So, for example, if they think it’ll take them 2 hours to do your forearm tattoo, and they charge $100 per hour, you’re looking at a $200 tattoo.

Lastly, when talking to an artist for a tattoo quote, it’s a good idea to ask if they offer free touch ups or not. After all, this is another cost that can influence the overall price of your forearm tattoo.

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How To Find The Best Price For A Forearm Tattoo

Now, we don’t suggest cheaping out on your next tattoo by any means. But we do recommend you carefully research tattoo artists in your area and visit different shops before booking an appointment and getting your forearm inked.

Many tattoo artists have their own tattoo styles and rates, which is why you shouldn’t book the first artist you come across. Some artists might charge a bit more, where others might charge a bit less for the same tattoo design.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember the age-old adage: “Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good.”

Yes, there are a number of factors that play into how much your body art will cost.

But it’s important to understand that it’s often worth paying a little bit more, knowing that your tattoo artist will do a much better job.

Tattoos are for life, unless you undergo laser tattoo removal or want a tattoo cover up. Trust us, you really don’t want to cheap out and wind up with a tattoo horror story!

Paying a bit more is really a small price to ensure you get a piece you really like. Rather than savings yourself some money, getting a cheap tattoo, and regretting it the moment the artist is done their work.

Frequently Asked Questions – Forearm Tattoo Costs

Now, just in case we’ve missed anything, let’s take one last look at a few frequently asked questions we’ve heard from our users.

What are some good design ideas for a forearm tattoo?

There are a ton of designs that look awesome on a forearm and it really depends on how big or small you want your tattoo to be. Designs that wrap all the way around the forearm can look really cool. Which is why you’ll often see people with tribal tattoos, bracelet tattoos, or barbed wire tattoos, just to name a few basic designs, on their forearms.

How much should I expect to pay for a half sleeve tattoo?

As mentioned, tattoo prices depend largely on style, color, and design complexity. So your half sleep might cost significantly more or less than someone else’s design. But a half sleeve tattoo, which covers either your entire bicep or your entire forearm, generally costs between $1000-$1500 on average.

How much does a full sleeve tattoo cost?

A full sleeve can cost any from $1500 to $3000 depending on the specific design you’re getting done, color vs black ink, and your artist’s hourly rate. But you really do need to talk to a tattoo artist to get a better idea of what your specific full sleeve tattoo will cost.

What does an average tattoo cost?

An average tattoo costs anywhere between $75-$150. However, there’s really no such thing as average tattoo costs because there are some many factors that influence the final price, including size, details, image complexity and your individual artist’s skill level and hourly rate.

Does body placement impact how much I should expect to pay?

No. In general, tattoo placement doesn’t have much of an impact of the cost of a tattoo. Instead, it’s the size, color, design complexity, artist’s experience, and other costs involved that will influence the total cost of your new tattoo. Just remember that no matter where you get your tattoo, proper aftercare is essential if you want your new ink to heal properly and look its best!

Do forearm tattoos cost more or less than other tattoos?

No. Ultimately, tiny tattoos, like finger tattoos, wrist tattoos, or smaller forearm tattoos cost less. Whereas larger pieces, like half sleeves, full sleeves, shoulder tattoos, or chest tattoos cost more. Body placement really doesn’t play much of a role in the total cost of your tattoo.

Looking to design a completely unique and totally awesome forearm tattoo? Check out our innovative AI Tattoo Generator to experiment with different styles and design complexities today!