Do you tip tattoo artists in Australia?

It's not expected the way it is in the US, but it's genuinely appreciated for a good experience, particularly on a longer or more involved piece. Cash is the simplest way to do it. There's no fixed rate, whatever feels right for the work and the time involved.

Can I bring a friend to my tattoo appointment?

Ask the studio first. Plenty are fine with one support person for a first tattoo, especially for something small, but studio space is often limited, and some artists prefer a quiet, focused environment. Don't assume, just check when you book.

What should I bring to a tattoo appointment?

Payment for any remaining balance, ID if the studio requires it, water and a snack for anything longer than an hour or two, and something to keep you occupied during a long session, headphones or a book. Wear something that gives easy access to the area.

Is it rude to ask my tattoo artist to take a break?

No, and any decent artist would rather you say something than push through and end up tense, faint, or moving involuntarily. Speaking up when you need a moment is normal, not an inconvenience.

Getting tattooed

Studio etiquette: how to be a good client

None of this is complicated, but nobody actually tells you the unwritten rules of being in the chair. Here's what makes you an easy, low-stress client to work with.

Last updated July 2026

Published by Penguin Tattoo Co, an Australian tattoo aftercare studio.

The short version

Turn up on time, sober, fed and hydrated. Bring what you need for the length of the session. Ask before bringing a guest. Speak up if something's wrong rather than pushing through silently. Pay what you owe, tip if you can, and follow the aftercare instructions properly, that last one is how you actually thank a good artist.

Before you arrive

Sleep and eat properly. A long session on no sleep or an empty stomach is how people faint in the chair, and it's an avoidable problem.
Skip the alcohol, the night before included. It thins your blood, which means more bleeding and a worse result, and most artists will refuse to work on you if you turn up drunk or visibly hungover.
Turn up on time, or message ahead if you're genuinely going to be late. Sessions are booked back to back, and running late eats into someone else's appointment, not just your own.
Wear something that gives easy access to the area being worked on, and that you don't mind getting a bit of ink or wiped-away stencil on.

What to bring

Payment for whatever's left after your deposit, and check in advance whether the studio takes card, cash, or both.
ID, if the studio requires it, worth confirming when you book.
Water and a snack for anything longer than an hour or two. Blood sugar dropping mid-session helps nobody.
Headphones, a book, or a podcast queued up for longer sessions. Some studios have music or a TV going, plenty of people still like their own.
A jumper or layer if you run cold, studios are often cool for hygiene reasons, and you may be sitting still for a while.

Bringing a guest

Ask the studio before assuming you can bring someone. Plenty are fine with one support person, especially for a first tattoo or something a bit nerve-wracking, but studio space is often tight, and some artists prefer a quiet, focused room without extra people milling around. A quick message when you book sorts this out and avoids an awkward conversation on the day.

If a guest does come along, they're there to support you, not to direct the design, hover over the artist's shoulder, or offer a running commentary on the linework. Let the artist and the client actually work together.

During the session

Speak up. If you need a break, feel faint, or something genuinely doesn't feel right, say so. A good artist would rather stop for a minute than push through a problem.
Try to stay still. Obvious, but worth saying, unexpected movement mid-line is how mistakes happen. If you need to shift position, say so first rather than just moving.
Keep the second-guessing to the consultation stage. Small adjustments are normal to ask about, but a full change of heart on the design mid-session puts the artist in a difficult spot. Sort the big decisions beforehand.
Photos are usually fine, but ask first, particularly if other clients or artists are in shot. Most studios are happy to let you photograph your own work in progress.

Tipping

Tipping isn't the built-in expectation in Australia that it is in the US, but it's genuinely appreciated for a good experience, especially on a longer or more involved piece. There's no fixed rate or rule here, cash is the simplest way to do it if you choose to, and it's entirely optional rather than something you'll be judged for skipping.

After the session

The most meaningful way to respect the work an artist just did is to actually follow the aftercare instructions they give you. Our complete aftercare guide covers the full routine if you want the detail, but the short version is: listen to what your specific artist tells you first, since they know their own work and how it tends to heal.

If you're happy with the result, a review, a tag on social media, or simply coming back for the next piece all go a long way. Good artists remember clients who were easy and respectful to work with, and that goodwill tends to come back around.

Tattoo Standard is published by Penguin Tattoo Co, an Australian tattoo aftercare brand. This guide is general information. Individual studios and artists may have their own specific policies, always follow what they tell you directly.