HOW TO HIRE · BEAUTY & GROOMING

How to hire a tattoo artist in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Tattooing is licensed by the council in every UK nation. Here is how to check the artist and studio, what to ask, and what to do if it goes wrong.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a tattoo artist in five steps

  1. Find the licence on the wallCouncil registration certificate or licence; in Wales, the artist's own licence or lanyard.
  2. Look at healed workPhotos of the tattoo artist's tattoos months later, not just fresh.
  3. Agree the rate and depositHourly rate, minimum charge, drawing fee and deposit, in writing.
  4. Bring IDTattooing under-18s is an offence in England, Wales and Scotland.
  5. Get aftercare in writingAnd a touch-up policy.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

Council licence or registration

In England, where the council has adopted the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, both the tattoo artist and the premises must be registered for tattooing; in Greater London (not the City of London) the borough issues a Special Treatments Licence instead. In Northern Ireland, councils that have brought in Article 14 of the 1985 Order register the same work.

Look for the registration certificate and the council's byelaws on the wall of the tattoo artist's studio, or ask the council's licensing team. gov.uk →

Special procedure licence (Wales)

Since 29 November 2024 anyone doing tattooing in Wales needs a personal special procedure licence from the local authority under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, and the premises or vehicle needs an approval certificate. A tattoo artist licensed elsewhere in the UK still needs the Welsh licence.

Search the tattoo artist on the national special procedures register, and look for the licence displayed or worn on a lanyard. specialprocedures.co.uk →

Skin piercing and tattooing licence (Scotland)

A business offering skin piercing or tattooing in Scotland needs a council licence (the 2006 Order under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982), whether the tattoo artist works alone or in a studio.

Ask the tattoo artist to show the council licence, or ask the council's licensing team to confirm it. legislation.gov.uk →

Under-18s and the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969

The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it an offence to tattoo anyone under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland, even with a parent's consent, unless a doctor does it for medical reasons. It does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Expect the tattoo artist to ask for photo ID; one who does not is taking a risk with the law. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Tattooing is standard-rated at 20%. A studio over the £90,000 threshold must register and show VAT separately; a tattoo artist renting a station and billing you directly below that figure charges none.

Ask whether you are paying the studio or the tattoo artist, and whose VAT number, if any, goes on the receipt. gov.uk →

“Is your studio registered or licensed with the council, and can I see it?”

A good answer: "It's on the wall." In Wales, the tattoo artist's personal licence too.

“What is your hourly rate, minimum charge and drawing fee?”

A good answer: Figures in writing before the tattoo session.

“How long will my tattoo take?”

A good answer: An estimate in hours or sittings, after the design is agreed.

“Are needles single-use and opened in front of me?”

A good answer: Yes, with new ink caps for each client — the tattoo artist sets up in front of you.

“Can I see healed tattoos in this style?”

A good answer: Photos months on, so you can see how the work settles.

“Is the deposit taken off the final price, and when is it refundable?”

A good answer: Yes, with clear refund terms for the tattoo.

“Do you offer a free touch-up?”

A good answer: A touch-up window, and what it covers.

Getting the quote right

  • The hourly rate or a fixed price for the design
  • Minimum charge, drawing fee and deposit
  • Estimated hours or sittings
  • Touch-up policy
  • Who actually attends: the tattoo artist whose portfolio you chose, or a guest artist, and whether they are employed by the studio or subcontracted
  • The VAT number of whoever bills you, with VAT apart from the hours, the drawing fee and the deposit

Walk away if

  • No council registration or licence on display
  • Needles or ink reused between clients
  • No ID asked of someone who looks young
  • Cash only with no receipt for a deposit
  • Only fresh photos, never healed work
LOW
£60
TYPICAL
£120
HIGH
£250

What a tattoo artist costs: £60–£250 per hour

Tattoo artists charge by the hour, with a minimum charge for small pieces and a day rate for large ones. Tattoo Artist price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Tattoo artists near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Consultation and IDDesign, placement and size agreed; age checked; consent signed.
  2. StencilThe design transferred and checked in a mirror.
  3. Clean set-upGloves, new needles and ink caps, surfaces covered.
  4. TattooingThe work at the agreed rate, with breaks.
  5. Wrap and aftercareThe tattoo cleaned and wrapped, with written aftercare from the tattoo artist.

Stencil
The design transferred to your skin before tattooing.
Minimum charge
The lowest price a studio takes, whatever the size.
Drawing fee
A charge for designing a custom piece.
Touch-up
A follow-up session to fix patches once healed.
Sitting
One tattoo session; large pieces take several.
Special procedure licence
Wales's personal licence for tattooing and piercing.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the receipt and aftercare sheetDate, design, hours and price.
Follow the aftercareClean hands, wash gently, no picking.
Watch for infectionHeat, spreading redness or feeling unwell: get medical advice and tell the tattoo artist.
Leave the reviewOnly a tattoo booked through Locufy can be reviewed there. If the tattoo is not right, use the make-it-right step first so the tattoo artist can put it right before the review goes up.

STEP 1Tell the tattoo artist, in writingKeep it factual: what was agreed, what you got, what you want now. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you a redo first and money back second.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyGive the tattoo under four stars and we ask whether to send it to the tattoo artist first; we follow it through with them, and then you review.
STEP 3Hygiene or an unlicensed studio — the councilThe council that registers or licenses a tattoo artist is who to tell about an unregistered studio, a tattoo done without a licence or poor hygiene; in Wales it also runs the special procedure licence. For a money dispute, Trading Standards is reached through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, Advice Direct Scotland or Consumerline.
STEP 4Small claims, if it comes to moneyIf the tattoo artist will not refund or redo the tattoo, you can claim without a solicitor: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a tattoo artist: questions people ask

Yes, in every UK nation, though the law differs: council registration in England where the 1982 Act is adopted (a Special Treatments Licence in Greater London), a personal special procedure licence in Wales, a council licence for the business in Scotland, and council registration in Northern Ireland where Article 14 is in force.

Not in England, Wales or Scotland: the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it an offence, even with a parent's consent. The Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, where the age is the studio's or the council's rule.

£60–£250 per hour, typically around £120. The artist's experience, the city, the detail in the design and minimum charges for small pieces drive it. What pushes it up or down is set out in the tattoo artist price guide; search your town above to compare tattoo artists.

Whatever the written terms say; ask before you pay. If the tattoo artist cancels, you should get it back.

Yes, an artist may turn down a design or a placement. They must refuse anyone under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland.

Tell the tattoo artist in writing. Work not done with reasonable care and skill can be fixed, or the price reduced, and poor hygiene goes to the council.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in beauty & grooming

How to hire: Cosmetic TattooHow to hire: Permanent MakeupHow to hire: Eyebrow MicrobladingHow to hire: PiercingHow to hire: HD BrowsHow to hire: Eyebrow TintingHow to hire: Henna & Mehndi ArtistHow to hire: Acrylic NailsAll 701 hiring guides →

Tattoo artists near you

Tattoo artists in LondonTattoo artists in ManchesterTattoo artists in BirminghamTattoo artists in GlasgowTattoo artists in BelfastAll tattoo artists on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence (England and Wales), with London's Special Treatments Licence
  2. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, Part VIII
  3. gov.wales — licensing scheme for special procedures
  4. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Order 2006, article 2
  5. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, Part V
  6. Tattooing of Minors Act 1969
  7. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  8. nidirect — small claims process (Northern Ireland)
  9. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  10. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register