The Tattoo Questions That Make Artists Cringe (and What We Really Mean When We Answer Them)

If you’ve ever asked a tattoo artist a question and felt like the answer was a little… carefully worded, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Tattoo artists hear the same handful of questions over and over, and while we’re always happy to educate, some questions make us internally cringe. Not because you’re annoying, but because they usually come from misunderstandings about how tattooing actually works.

So let’s talk about them honestly.

This isn’t a call-out. It’s a behind-the-scenes explanation of what tattoo artists are really thinking when these questions come up.

“How much for a sleeve?”

This one is probably the most common.

A sleeve isn’t a single tattoo, it’s a collection of tattoos that have to flow together, fit your body, heal well, and often evolve over time. The price depends on style, size, color, placement, skin, and how much designing is involved. Asking for a flat price is kind of like asking, “How much does a house cost?” without mentioning the size, location, or materials.

What we really mean when we answer:
“I need to see the idea and talk through the plan before I can give you an honest price.”

“This won’t take more than 10 minutes, right?”

Even small tattoos take time. Setup, stencil placement, linework, cleaning, bandaging. None of that disappears just because the design is tiny.

When artists hear this, it usually signals that the client doesn’t realize how much care goes into even the simplest tattoo.

What we really mean when we answer:
“I’m not rushing something permanent on your body.”

“Can you copy this exactly?”

This one is big and important.

Tattoo artists aren’t copy machines. We’re artists, and most of us take pride in creating original work. Exact copies can raise ethical issues, and honestly, it just doesn’t allow us to give you our best work.

What we really mean when we answer:
“I’d love to create something inspired by this, but I want it to be unique to you.”

“Why is it so expensive?”

Tattooing isn’t just the time you’re in the chair. You’re paying for years of experience, design time, high-quality supplies, sterile equipment, licensing, and the ability to do it safely and beautifully.

You’re not buying ink, you’re investing in skill.

What we really mean when we answer:
“This price reflects the quality, safety, and experience behind the tattoo.”

“Does it hurt?”

Yes, but not in the way people imagine.

Pain depends on placement, your pain tolerance, and how well you’re rested, hydrated, and fed. The good news is that tattoos are temporary discomfort for permanent art, and most people are surprised by how manageable it is.

What we really mean when we answer:
“You’ll be okay and I’ll guide you through it.”