“How much will my tattoo cost?” is one of the first questions people ask, and it is a sensible one. The honest answer is that the price depends on the design, size, placement, level of detail, artist and time needed to complete the work properly.
This guide explains the tattoo prices currently shown on The Viper Pit’s online booking menu, what each appointment is designed for, and how to get an accurate quote before you book. Our studio is at 84 Liverpool Road, Irlam, Manchester M44 6FN, within easy reach of Salford, Eccles, Urmston and the Trafford Centre.
Prices below were checked against our live booking menu on 13 October 2026. Services and prices can change, so please confirm the current option when booking.
Current tattoo prices at The Viper Pit
| Appointment | Current price | What it may suit |
|---|---|---|
| Small tattoo – minimum charge | £50 | Simple small symbols, short lettering or uncomplicated linework, subject to approval |
| One-hour tattoo session | £60 | Smaller tattoos and straightforward additions that fit within the time |
| Two-hour tattoo session | £120 | Small-to-medium custom work, detailed linework or progress on an existing piece |
| Half-day sitting with Chris | £210 | A three-hour sitting for medium custom work, portraits, black-and-grey work or cover-up progress |
| Full-day sitting with Chris | £400 | Larger custom pieces, detailed portraits, cover-ups, sleeves or back-piece progress |
| Half-day sitting with Chelsea | £200 | Artist-specific half-day booking |
| Full-day sitting with Chelsea | £370 | Artist-specific full-day booking |
| Dog portrait with Chris | £250 | A realistic dog portrait planned from a suitable reference photograph |
| Face-to-face or video consultation | £10 refundable booking deposit | Planning a custom, larger, portrait, cover-up or multi-session tattoo |
View the live booking menu to see current availability and service details.
What does the £50 tattoo minimum mean?
The studio minimum is the lowest price for an eligible tattoo appointment. It does not mean that every small design automatically costs £50. A simple symbol, short piece of lettering or uncomplicated linework may fit the minimum-charge appointment, but the artist still needs to consider the design, physical size, placement and detail.
A very small tattoo can still require more time if it has fine detail, sits in a difficult area, includes colour, covers an older tattoo or needs substantial drawing and placement work. Send the idea before booking so the studio can confirm whether the minimum appointment is appropriate.
Which tattoo session should you choose?
Minimum or one-hour appointment
This is often the right starting point for a simple small tattoo or a straightforward addition. The design still needs to be checked in advance. If it cannot be completed comfortably in the appointment, the studio will recommend a longer session.
Two-hour appointment
A two-hour booking can suit a small-to-medium custom tattoo, more detailed linework, black-and-grey work or another stage of an existing project. Complexity matters as much as the measurements, so photographs and a clear size estimate are useful when asking.
Half-day appointment
A half day gives the artist more time for medium-sized custom work, detailed shading, portrait work, cover-up progress or part of a larger tattoo. Chris’s half-day booking is a three-hour sitting. Other artist-specific bookings may differ, so select the named service that matches the artist you have discussed the project with.
Full-day appointment
A full day is intended for larger or more detailed projects. It can be useful for realistic work, substantial black-and-grey tattoos, cover-ups and progress on a sleeve or back piece. A full-day booking does not guarantee that a large tattoo will be finished in one visit; some designs need several sessions.
If you are considering a larger piece, read our guide to planning a sleeve tattoo in Manchester.
Why tattoo quotes vary
Two designs with similar measurements can require very different amounts of work. Your quote may be affected by:
- Detail: realistic textures, intricate linework and smooth shading take time.
- Placement: some areas require slower positioning, stencilling or tattooing.
- Colour and coverage: the amount of saturation and the number of colours can change the session needed.
- Existing tattoos or scars: a cover-up or rework needs individual assessment.
- Artist and style: artist-specific half-day and full-day services have their own prices.
- Number of sessions: sleeves, back pieces and complex cover-ups may need staged appointments.
This is why sending only “How much for a tattoo?” rarely gives the artist enough information for a useful answer.
How to get an accurate tattoo quote
When you contact the studio, include:
- a clear description of the idea;
- the body placement;
- the approximate size in centimetres;
- reference images showing the style or subject;
- a clear photograph of the area if it is a cover-up or addition;
- your preferred artist, if you have one;
- any dates or availability that matter.
For a dog portrait, use a clear, well-lit photograph that shows the face and important features. Photo quality, size and placement all affect how much detail can be translated into the tattoo.
A face-to-face or video consultation is useful when the design is a portrait, cover-up, sleeve or another large custom piece. The current consultation booking uses a £10 refundable deposit, and gives the artist time to discuss the concept, placement, likely session length and expected price.
Deposits and booking
All tattoo appointments require a deposit to secure the slot. The correct booking and deposit will depend on the service and project, so confirm the details with the studio before paying. If the size, placement or design changes after the quote, tell the artist because the time and price may also need to change.
Before your tattoo appointment
Once your session is arranged, arriving rested, fed and prepared makes a longer sitting much easier. Our tattoo appointment preparation checklist covers what to do before the day and what to bring.
Ask The Viper Pit for a tattoo quote
Ready to discuss your idea? Send the design, placement, approximate size and reference images through our tattoo enquiry form, or book a consultation online.
The Viper Pit Tattoo & Piercing Studio is at 84 Liverpool Road, Irlam, Manchester M44 6FN, serving clients from Irlam, Salford, Eccles, Urmston, the Trafford Centre and across Greater Manchester.