How Much do Angel Wing Tattoos Cost?

Last Updated on March 11, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Angel wing tattoos have become an increasingly popular tattoo choice, providing a meaningful and aesthetically pleasing way to honor loved ones, symbolize faith, or decorate your body with beautiful artwork.

But with their intricate designs and detailing, you may be wondering—how much do angel wing tattoos cost? In this guide, we’ll break down the average cost and pricing factors to consider for these stunning tattoos.

How Much do Angel Wing Tattoos Cost?

The cost of an angel wing tattoo can vary quite a bit based on the design complexity, size, amount of detail, and other factors. Generally speaking, small simple angel wing tattoos can cost as little as $50 to $200.

For a medium-sized design with moderate detailing, expect to pay $200 to $500. Large, highly detailed or full back pieces can range from $500 to $1,000+, while complex custom designs with special effects and elements may cost $1,000 to $2,000+.

A Quora discussion revealed that a lot of people are quoted prices between $300 and $600 per hour, easily reaching final prices of $1,500 to $4,500 in Portland.

Factors That Determine Angel Wing Tattoo Cost

Several key factors come into play when determining the pricing for angel wing tattoos:

Tattoo Size

Larger, more expansive angel wing tattoos covering the upper back, full back, sleeves, or chest will cost more than a small design on the wrist, shoulder, or ankle. For example, a full back design may cost $800 to $1200, while a wrist tattoo may only be $100 to $200.

Amount of Detail and Realism

Angel wing tattoos can range from simple outlines to highly detailed, realistic designs with gradient shading and feathers. The more intricate the detailing, the higher the cost. Simple black line drawings are the most affordable, while full color realism tattoos with shading can cost two to three times as much.

Custom Design vs. Flash Art

Custom-designed angel wings created just for you by the artist will cost more than choosing standard flash art wings from the studio. Expect to pay $50 to $100+ more for a custom drawn design.

Placement on the Body

Tattoo placement also affects cost. Areas like the back, chest, and arms provide larger canvases ideal for angel wings, but also tend to be more painful. Expect to pay a premium of $50 to $100+ for placement on these sensitive body areas.

Tattoo Artist Skill and Experience

Renowned tattoo artists with years of experience and specialized skills in realism, coloring, shading, and detail work can charge hourly rates of $100 to $200+. Less experienced artists may charge closer to $50 to $100 per hour. Make sure you review portfolios!

Tattoo Studio Location

Studios located in major metro areas like New York City and Los Angeles often have higher hourly rates and minimums. The same design might cost 20% to 50% more than at a studio in a smaller city.

Choosing the Right Tattoo Artist and Studio

Selecting the right tattoo artist and studio for your angel wings is key to achieving a beautiful, meaningful design within your budget. Here are some tips:

• Review portfolios and instagrams to find an artist experienced in the style you want—realism, black & white, traditional, etc.
• Ask to see healed photos of the artist’s work, to judge line quality and longevity.
• Confirm the studio is licensed, clean, and has solid reviews regarding professionalism and safety standards. This is crucial.
• Schedule a consultation to discuss the design and pricing. Never feel rushed to put down a deposit.
• Ask questions and voice any concerns. You should feel comfortable with your artist.
• Compare shop minimums and hourly rates. Remember, skill and experience often come at a premium.
• Consider less expensive studios in nearby smaller cities, if on a tight budget. But always review portfolios first!

The Tattoo Process: From Consultation to Aftercare

Once you’ve selected a tattoo artist and studio, here’s an overview of the typical process for getting your angel wing tattoo from start to finish:

Consultation: This is your chance to discuss the design, placement, anticipated cost, number of sessions needed, and prep work. Don’t feel rushed!

Custom Design: Your artist will work with you to create a custom design or refine your vision. There is often a separate charge for this.

Deposit: You’ll place a deposit of $50 to $200 to secure your appointment once the design is complete.

Prep Work: Be well rested, hydrated, and have a solid meal before your session. Avoid alcohol beforehand.

The Tattoo Session: Sessions average 2-6 hours. Your artist will apply the stencil then ink your design. There will likely be breaks.

Payment: You’ll pay the balance owed after each session. Be sure to tip your artist 15-20% if you’re happy with the work!

Aftercare: Caring properly for your new tattoo is essential! Expect costs of $40 to $60 for aftercare supplies. Follow your artist’s instructions.

Touch Ups: You may need a touch up session 2-3 months later to refresh any uneven spots, at an additional cost.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a knuckle tattoo, armband tattoo, and word tattoo.

Cost Breakdown

To give you a better idea of the costs associated with getting an angel wing tattoo, let’s break it down by each part of the process:

• Consultation: Free to $50
• Custom Design Fee: $50 to $200+
• Non-Refundable Deposit: $50 to $200
• Tattoo Artist Hourly Rate: $50 to $200+ per hour
• Length of Each Session: 2 to 6+ hours
• Number of Sessions Needed: 1 to 3 sessions
• Tattoo Aftercare Products: $40 to $60
• Tipping Your Artist: 15% to 20% of total cost
• Touch Up Session(s): Optional, $100 to $300+

As you can see, it adds up! For a large, custom angel wing tattoo requiring two 4-hour sessions plus a touch up, you could easily spend $1000 or more.

Saving Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Here are some tips for keeping down the costs of your angel wings tattoo, while still getting a high quality piece:

• Go with a smaller or simpler design to require fewer hours and sessions.
• Choose flash art instead of a custom design.
• Stick to black ink only rather than color.
• Consider getting it done in stages over time, spreading out costs.
• Seek out tattoo specials and events for discounted rates.
• Stay local and avoid overpriced big cities if possible.
• Negotiate package deals if getting multiple tattoos.
• Properly care for your tattoo to avoid expensive touch ups!

Conclusion

In the end, your angel wing tattoo will be a permanent work of art on your body. While you should certainly look for ways to save on costs, it’s not wise to sacrifice safety or quality solely to save money.

Take your time researching the right artist and studio for your vision. Communicate clearly about pricing to avoid any surprise charges. With the right artist and careful planning, you can achieve gorgeous, meaningful angel wings body art that you’ll cherish for a lifetime!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a 1 inch tattoo?

A simple 1 inch tattoo in basic black ink with minimal detailing will generally cost in the range of $60 to $150, depending on the location on your body and tattoo artist rates. Simple 1 inch tattoos for areas like the wrist, finger, or behind the ear using basic script or geometric shapes won’t take long to complete.

Thus, they typically fall on the lower end of the standard shop minimum charge of about $60 to $120. However, some artists may charge by the hour instead, bringing the cost of even a small 1 inch tattoo closer to $100 to $150 or more when you factor in setup, materials, and time.

For reference, most tattoo artists charge between $100 to $200 per hour. Overall, make sure to get a clear estimate of the cost from your artist ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect. The exact price will depend on the specific shop and artist you choose.

What does 1 angel wing mean?

Getting a single angel wing tattoo typically carries a symbolic meaning of protection and safety, as the wings represent a guardian angel watching over you.

It can signify having an angel guide you through challenging times, taking on the role of your caretaker and voice of reason. Single angel wings are also often tattooed as a memorial for someone who has passed away, with that person becoming your guardian angel. The wings represent lifting up their soul to heaven.

Other meanings include overcoming adversity, finding inner strength to keep going through hardships, maintaining your faith, and generally representing a spiritual or religious outlook on life.

Ultimately the exact meaning behind your single angel wing tattoo is deeply personal. Many choose this tattoo design to remind themselves they are never alone, even in their darkest moments.