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YouTubeTrying to get a tattoo done on my birthday, and I priced a couple places in town. It's a decent size tattoo from my shoulder to my elbow, and it's going to be 2 colors with some shading. I got prices from $300 to $1200. Is that the normal around here, I don't know much about tats, I got one paid a $120 for it one color, and it took about 45 mins. I want to get it done for around $300 but I don't want to go some place, thats going to make it look like a amature did it to.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A
Best place to get a tattoo that won't break the bank?
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Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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I'm not sure that something that is going to be a permanent part of your body for the rest of your life is really where you want to be trying to pinch pennies. If it's worth doing it's probably worth paying the price to get it done by someone you can trust will do it *perfectly*.
Posted 1 year ago # -
columbusfoodie
West Side
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
I'm not sure that something that is going to be a permanent part of your body for the rest of your life is really where you want to be trying to pinch pennies. If it's worth doing it's probably worth paying the price to get it done by someone you can trust will do it *perfectly*.
+1 to everything he said. Really, with tattoos you get what you pay for. I didn't pay much for mine and hate, hate, hate it - even after having it fixed it still looks like crap.
And word of advice - think about placement. I got mine on my left forearm, which makes it a bitch to cover up when necessary.
My sister had some really good work done by D. Willy at Sweet Baby Octane, and their prices were very reasonable for the quality of work they do: http://www.sweetbabyoctane.com/
Posted 1 year ago # -
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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yes, a friend had some really nice work done at sweet baby octane too. They have a good rep.
Also, Kat Moya did some stunningly good ink for another friend of mine several years ago. And by stunning, I mean absolutely friggin' amazing. I am not sure where she does her work nowadays, but she has contact info on Junctionview's web page: http://www.junctionviewstudios.com/members/moya.html
Posted 1 year ago # -
desecration
Harrison West
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I have work done by D. Willy at Sweet Baby Octane.
Another person I would suggest is J. Brett Prince at Short North Tattoo.
http://shortnorthtattoo.com/Posted 1 year ago # -
teamtim
Columbus
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Totally agree on trying to get work done on the cheap. Unless you're getting a piece of flash art off the wall, you should plan to spend time on the artist design and implementation.
$1200 is steep. How many hours should the piece take?
May I also throw in Lars at Evolved as a suggestion. He's fantastic.
Posted 1 year ago # -
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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This is not a choice where I'd be digging through the bargain bin of service providers. It's kind of like going for the bottom-line haircut or choosing a back alley doctor over a board-certified physician. If the price range doesn't meet the desire, you could always get a small part of the tat now (for less $) on your birthday and complete it when it's more financially feasible.
Of course, if you're a committed bottom-liner, I've heard tattoo parties are a trend here. $20 per person for groups of 10 or more. Can't go wrong.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Patch
Schumacher Place
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
yes, a friend had some really nice work done at sweet baby octane too. They have a good rep.
Also, Kat Moya did some stunningly good ink for another friend of mine several years ago. And by stunning, I mean absolutely friggin' amazing. I am not sure where she does her work nowadays, but she has contact info on Junctionview's web page: http://www.junctionviewstudios.com/members/moya.htmlWow. Her work is unbelievable.
Posted 1 year ago # -
jarsloth
west side
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
yes, a friend had some really nice work done at sweet baby octane too. They have a good rep.
Also, Kat Moya did some stunningly good ink for another friend of mine several years ago. And by stunning, I mean absolutely friggin' amazing. I am not sure where she does her work nowadays, but she has contact info on Junctionview's web page: http://www.junctionviewstudios.com/members/moya.htmlShe did an underwater scene on my wife's arm that's unbelievable.
Also more of her work here: http://the-artful-dodger.com/
Posted 1 year ago # -
enigmaco
weinland park
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
I'm not sure that something that is going to be a permanent part of your body for the rest of your life is really where you want to be trying to pinch pennies. If it's worth doing it's probably worth paying the price to get it done by someone you can trust will do it *perfectly*.
It's not about pinching pennies, it's about not getting taken adavantage of. I asked people about my last tattoo from people who have had a couple. Some said I got a good price, and some have said I paid too much, I got it done at skin fx on campus. Just trying to be smarter about it this time around. I'm starting to notice it won't be cheap though, I'm a big guy and I am getting the tat from my shoulder to my elbow. My bicep is about 17 in. so there's alot of area to cover.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeliberty
Here
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try sweet baby octane, Evolved, or Mike Kerin for good work and reasonable pricing. Kat's work is really great, but too pricey for what i wanted done when i talked to her last.
for really excellent work check out Scott Santee at short North Tattoo http://www.scottsantee.com (website not working for me, but might for you-I'm at work) not sure on pricing yet, but hopefully will find out soon as sitting in the chair again is coming up soon.Posted 1 year ago # -
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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lifeliberty wrote >>
try sweet baby octane, Evolved, or Mike Kerin for good work and reasonable pricing. Kat's work is really great, but too pricey for what i wanted done when i talked to her last.
for really excellent work check out Scott Santee at short North Tattoo http://www.scottsantee.com not sure on pricing yet, but hopefully will find out soon as sitting in the chair again is coming up soon.I just emailed Scott about something I want done in the near future...about 3in by 5in, one color, and from a pre-existing design. He quoted about $150ish which I thought was super reasonable given the quality of work I've seen from him.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeliberty
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it really depends on how intricate the design is, but $150 is nothing anymore for good work. next thing for me unfortunately is gona cost at least $500+, I have the ideas, but it's not drawn up yet either.
Posted 1 year ago # -
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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lifeliberty wrote >>
it really depends on how intricate the design is, but $150 is nothing anymore for good work. next thing for me unfortunately is gona cost at least $500+, I have the ideas, but it's not drawn up yet either.Yeah that's what I'm sayin. The design isn't terribly intricate, and I'm sure I could find someone to make it look like shit for half as much. His stuff all looks so great, I was shocked it wasn't more than $150 even for a relatively small piece.
Posted 1 year ago # -
myliftkk
Columbus, OH
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@enigmaco - Since you obviously feel most artists are fungible, you're probably approaching this ass-backwards from the start. You need to find an artist you like, want to work with, and is experienced in the type/style of tattoo you are trying to get.
In terms of years of experience though, overall fairness, and a generally nice guy, D. Willy is probably one of the best representatives of tattooing in columbus.
Posted 1 year ago # -
pixiecrinkle
Old North Columbus
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TaraK wrote >>
I've heard tattoo parties are a trend here. $20 per person for groups of 10 or more. Can't go wrong.Eeek. Hepatitis! I would not advise anyone to go this route.
Tattoos have a price affixed to them because it takes skill to get them right, good sterilization procedures aren't free, and it's going to be with you for the rest of your life.
That said, I feel like Evolved's prices are excellent, especially for the quality of their artists. I especially recommend Anna Banana.
Posted 1 year ago # -
enigmaco
weinland park
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myliftkk wrote >>
@enigmaco - Since you obviously feel most artists are fungible, you're probably approaching this ass-backwards from the start. You need to find an artist you like, want to work with, and is experienced in the type/style of tattoo you are trying to get.
In terms of years of experience though, overall fairness, and a generally nice guy, D. Willy is probably one of the best representatives of tattooing in columbus.Think you read into that a little much, all I said is I wanted work done by someone whose work didn't look like he/she is doing it for the first time. I had some friends try to set me up with people, and I saw some of their work and I just didn't like it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
enigmaco
weinland park
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lifeliberty wrote >>
try sweet baby octane, Evolved, or Mike Kerin for good work and reasonable pricing. Kat's work is really great, but too pricey for what i wanted done when i talked to her last.
for really excellent work check out Scott Santee at short North Tattoo http://www.scottsantee.com (website not working for me, but might for you-I'm at work) not sure on pricing yet, but hopefully will find out soon as sitting in the chair again is coming up soon.Thanks for the advice, I checked out their sites and got a good feeling about them, think I might check out evolved. I remember talking to a couple of them at comfest seemed pretty cool.
Posted 1 year ago # -
lifeliberty
Here
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Mike used to be at evolved, he is now on his own http://www.evolvedbodyart.com/index.php?P=37
Posted 1 year ago #
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