How to Price Tattoo Cover-Ups

A cover-up is one of the hardest jobs in tattooing. You design around existing ink, go bigger and darker than the client imagined, and often need more than one session. Pricing it like a fresh tattoo usually means working hours for free.

Why cover-ups cost more

• Design time. The new design has to hide the old one: shapes, dark areas and flow all planned around it. That can take hours before the session
• More density. Covering old ink takes more passes and more saturation
• Bigger size. A cover-up is usually two to three times the size of the old tattoo
• More sessions. Large cover-ups often need two or more sittings and healing time between them
• Less predictability. Old ink, scar tissue and past laser work change how the skin takes ink

Price by the hour, with a higher rate

Most artists price cover-ups by the hour, at a higher rate than fresh work, with a minimum block. With sample rates of $350 for the first 2 hours and $175 for each hour after:

• 2 hours: $350
• 3 hours: $525
• 4 hours: $700

Add design time separately, because it happens before the session. Sample add-on: $125 for cover-up design. A 3-hour cover-up with design comes to $650; a 4-hour cover-up with design and color comes to $700 + $125 + $75 = $900.

Small cover-ups

A small old tattoo, like a name on the wrist, can sometimes be covered with a small piece priced by size, plus a cover-up charge. With sample rates, a 3 x 3 inch piece is $220, and the small cover-up add-on is $60, so $280 in black.

Other add-ons that come up

• Color. Many cover-ups go dark and bold, but color work over old ink takes more time. Sample add-on: $75
• Hard spots. Ribs, hands, feet and neck. Sample: $75
• Travel, if you are mobile. Sample: $50 up to 15 miles
• A touch-up session booked in advance, because dense cover-ups often need one. Sample: $75
• An aftercare kit. Sample: $20

List them in your estimate so the client sees where the number comes from.

Be honest at the consultation

Look at the old tattoo in person or in clear photos with good light. Then be straight about what is possible:

• How big the new piece must be
• Which colors and designs will work and which will not
• How many sessions it will likely take
• Whether a few laser lightening sessions first would give a better result

Laser lightening is done by a laser clinic and priced by them, not by you. Some old tattoos are much easier to cover after two or three lightening sessions. Saying so builds trust.

Quote a range in writing

After the consultation, write the estimate down: hours, design time, add-ons and the total range. "About 3 to 4 hours, $650 to $825 with design, final price at the session." Clients with a cover-up are often anxious about the old tattoo; a clear number helps.

Deposits for cover-ups

Because the design work comes first, ask for a larger deposit than for fresh work, and make it go toward the tattoo. Many artists ask for the design fee as the deposit. If the client disappears after you drew it, your time is covered. See the tattoo deposit policy guide.

Multi-session cover-ups

For two or more sessions, give the estimate for the whole piece, take one deposit, apply it to the last session and book the next date at the end of each sitting. Leave enough healing time between sessions.

Show cover-ups on your site

Clients searching "cover up tattoo artist near me" want proof. Put before and after photos on a cover-up page of your tattoo website, with your hourly rate and a link to book a consultation. Let them try the numbers in the tattoo cost calculator, where cover-up is its own option.

When to say no

Some old tattoos cannot be covered well with the design the client wants. Saying no, or suggesting laser first, protects your work and your reviews. A client who gets an honest answer often comes back when the skin is ready.