what to tip?

I'm gettin ink done on Thursday and thought i would ask: What should i tip my artist? He's great but i'm po'. I can just afford my tattoo. And this is only cause im gonna live off Mr. noodle for a week and give up my starbucks addiction :( Is it polite to pay the fee first and come back 2 weeks later when i get paid and tip him then? - thanx

We don't feel tips are necessary in my shop...the only tip we ask for is that the client shows off their work and tells everyone where they got it...but a lot of tattoo artists do appreciate tips...some even expect them...in your case I'd just be truthful up front and tell the artist that you appreciate hi/her work but just don't have the bucks for an adequate tip but that you will come back and show your appreciation when ya can....Good tattooing and thanks for the post...send me a pic when the tattoo is done!...TAz

kan do taz, i'll send u a pic of my tattoo, and thanx for the advice!

Even if you can't give your artist a tip at the time of the work, simply mentioning it indicates than you're on top of things and have given consideration to tipping etiquette. Some people don't give it a second thought, but this isn't just a food server we're talking about here. This is something you'll hopefully be proud to display for years to come, if not an entire lifetime. Just make sure that you follow up later if you make the commitment. TCE