What does a tattoo cost in Amsterdam?

One of the first practical questions when considering a tattoo is also one of the most understandable:

How much will my tattoo cost?

At Elmar Tattoo in Amsterdam, every tattoo is approached individually. I specialise in custom fine line, single needle and tiny tattoos, which means the price depends on more than simply the size of the finished tattoo.

The design, complexity, placement, preparation and time required all play a role.

Below you’ll find a clear explanation of how my tattoo pricing works and what you can expect before booking.

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Tattoo price overview

Here is a general indication of my pricing. Based on 1 day. Max dayrate is €900,-

Minimum tattoo price
From €80,-

Tiny tattoos
From €80,- to €120,-

Fine line tattoos
From €80,- to €900,-

Single needle tattoos
From €80,- to €900,-

Small custom tattoos
From €110,- to €900,-

Multiple tiny tattoos during one appointment
Price on request

Larger or more detailed custom work
Price on request

These prices are intended as a general guide.

The final price depends on the individual tattoo.

Send me your idea, approximate size, placement and reference images and I can give you a much more useful indication.

Get a price estimate

Why isn’t every tattoo priced by size?

Two tattoos can both measure five centimetres and require completely different amounts of work.

A simple five-centimetre symbol may require relatively little tattooing time.

A detailed five-centimetre animal illustration may require significantly more preparation and precision. That’s why centimetres alone don’t determine the price.

I consider the complete piece. That includes the design before your appointment as well as the actual tattooing.

What determines the price of a tattoo?

Several factors can influence the final price.

Design complexity

A simple minimalist symbol and a highly detailed single needle illustration require different amounts of preparation and tattooing time.

More detail generally means more work.

Size

Size matters, but not always in the way people expect.

A larger simple tattoo can sometimes be less technically demanding than a tiny design containing many intricate details.

Placement

Some areas of the body are easier to tattoo than others.

The position you’re considering can affect the way a design needs to be prepared and how the tattooing process itself works.

Custom design work

Custom tattoos require preparation before the needle ever touches your skin.

Your references and ideas need to be translated into a design that works specifically for the chosen size and placement.

Tattooing time

Naturally, the amount of time required to complete the tattoo also plays a role.

But time isn’t the only factor.

The value of a tattoo isn’t simply calculated by counting minutes with a needle in the skin.

Why is there a minimum tattoo price?

This is a common question, especially with tiny tattoos. A tattoo may take only a short amount of time to physically tattoo, but every professional tattoo appointment involves much more than those few minutes. Before tattooing can begin, there is preparation.

The design needs to be checked and prepared.

The workstation and equipment need to be set up.

Single-use materials are required.

The placement needs to be prepared.

The stencil needs to be positioned.

And the same professional hygiene procedures apply whether your tattoo is two centimetres or twenty.

That’s why there is a minimum price of: €80,-

Small tattoo doesn’t mean small standards.

Tiny tattoo prices

How much does a tiny tattoo cost?

Tiny tattoos start: €80,-

The exact price depends on the design.

A tiny heart consisting of a few clean lines isn’t the same project as a miniature botanical illustration containing multiple details. That’s also why I don’t recommend choosing a tiny tattoo based purely on price. The design still needs enough room and attention to work properly on skin.

Explore Tiny Tattoos

Fine line tattoo prices

How much does a fine line tattoo cost in Amsterdam?

Fine line tattoos start from: €80,-

Fine line is a broad style. A small minimalist design may be relatively straightforward, while a detailed botanical or illustrative fine line tattoo can require considerably more preparation and tattooing time.

Send me:

• Your idea
• Approximate size
• Placement
• Reference images

and I can give you a more accurate indication.

Explore Fine Line Tattoos

Single needle tattoo prices

Single needle tattoos start from: €80,-

Single needle work can involve extremely delicate details and precise execution. The final price depends on the complexity of the design, size, placement and time involved.

A tattoo being small doesn’t necessarily mean it’s technically simple. Sometimes the opposite is true.

Explore Single Needle Tattoos

Multiple small tattoos in one appointment

Want several tiny tattoos?

Let me know when you make your enquiry. In many cases, it may make sense to create several small pieces during the same appointment.

For example:

Three tiny symbols.

Several small botanical designs.

A collection of miniature tattoos.

Or several ideas you’ve been saving for a while.

Send all of the designs together so I can estimate the total time and give you an appropriate price indication.

Multiple tattoo pricing: €120,- / Price on request

Matching tattoo prices

Planning matching tattoos with a partner, friend or family member?

Send me:

• The design idea
• Number of people
• Approximate size
• Placement for each person
• Reference images

Matching tattoos don’t necessarily need to be identical. We can also create complementary designs that share the same idea while remaining individual.

Matching tattoos from:
€70,- per person / Price on request]

Custom design is included

One important distinction when comparing tattoo prices is whether you’re looking at something pre-designed or something created specifically for you.

My work focuses primarily on custom tattoos. That means your idea, references, placement and proportions become part of the design process.

You’re not simply paying for the moment the tattoo is applied. You’re commissioning a piece of work that has to be considered before the appointment begins.

For me, that preparation is part of tattooing.

Why a tiny tattoo isn’t necessarily a cheap tattoo

This catches some people by surprise.

“But it’s only two centimetres.”

True.

But tiny tattoos can require an enormous amount of precision. As the available space becomes smaller, every fraction of that space matters more.

The tattoo still requires:

• Design preparation
• Professional equipment
• Single-use materials
• Workstation preparation
• Stencil placement
• Hygiene procedures
• Tattooing
• Aftercare guidance

A tiny tattoo uses less ink. It doesn’t require less professionalism.

Can you give me an exact tattoo price beforehand?

For many tattoos, I can give you a useful estimate once I’ve seen enough information about your idea.

The more information you send, the better.

Include:

• What you want tattooed
• Approximate dimensions in centimetres
• Placement
• Reference images
• Number of tattoos
• Number of people, if relevant

If something about the tattoo may affect the price, I’ll explain that during the booking process. No one enjoys mysterious pricing. I’d rather make things clear before you arrive.

Is a more expensive tattoo automatically better?

No.

Price alone doesn’t tell you whether an artist is right for you. When choosing a tattoo artist, look at the work.

Look at healed tattoos where available.

Read about their approach.

Make sure their style actually matches what you want. And pay attention to whether you feel comfortable trusting that person with something permanent. A tattoo is one of those purchases where choosing solely based on the lowest price can miss the point entirely.

You aren’t buying ink by the millilitre. You’re choosing who puts something permanent on your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a small tattoo in Amsterdam?

At Elmar Tattoo, small tattoos start from €80,-

The final price depends on the design, size, placement and complexity.

Send me your idea for a more accurate estimate.

How much is a tiny tattoo?

Tiny tattoos start from €80,-

Very detailed tiny tattoos may require more work than simple designs of the same size, so the exact price can vary.

How much does a fine line tattoo cost?

Fine line tattoos start from €80,-

Because fine line tattoos can range from very small minimalist pieces to larger detailed designs, I need to see your idea before giving you a useful final estimate.

Do you charge by the hour?

mostly I work on a project base.

For many  pieces, a project price's are more useful than an hourly rate. And no surprises afterwards.

Why does such a small tattoo cost that much?

Because the physical tattooing time is only one part of the appointment.

Design preparation, equipment, disposable materials, hygiene procedures, setup, stencil placement and aftercare are required regardless of whether a tattoo is tiny or large.

Is the design included in the tattoo price?

This depends on the complexity of the tattoo

For custom work, design preparation forms an important part of the overall process.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Depends on size & complexity.

Can I pay in cash?

 

Yes.

Are touch-ups free?

All relatively small tattoo touch-ups are free of charge.

Whether a touch-up is needed depends on the tattoo and how it heals.

Can I get a price before booking?

Yes.

Send me your idea, approximate size, placement and reference images.

Once I understand what you’re considering, I can give you a much more useful indication.

Is it cheaper if I get several tiny tattoos at once?

Yes! Minimum price for 2 small tattoos is: €120,-

If you’re considering several tattoos, send all of your ideas together. I can then estimate the appointment as a whole rather than treating each idea in isolation.

Do matching tattoos cost the same for each person?

That depends on the designs.

If everyone receives the same tattoo at the same size and placement complexity, pricing may be straightforward. If the tattoos differ, I’ll price them accordingly.

 

Want to know what your tattoo will cost?