How Much Does a Cover Up Tattoo Cost?
This guide explains typical cover up tattoo rates, what changes the quote, and how to compare artists before booking.
Common jobs and what they cost
| Job | What it involves | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Small cover up | wrist, ankle, or small symbol | $150 - $350 |
| Medium cover up | forearm, shoulder, or lettering | $350 - $800 |
| Large cover up | thigh, calf, or upper arm | $800 - $1,500 |
| Complex multi-session cover up | large, dense, or heavily colored ink | $1,500 - $3,500 |
Ranges are typical, not quotes - the price for your job depends on scope and location, so always confirm with the provider.
What moves the price
Size, darkness, color saturation, and the age of the existing tattoo affect the design work and time required. A skilled cover up artist may need heavier shading, layered color, or a larger design to hide the original ink. Scar tissue and poor placement can add difficulty.
Artists may charge by the hour, by session, or at a flat project rate. Rates are often higher in major cities and for specialists with strong cover up portfolios. Laser fading before tattooing can add a separate cost and may require several treatments.
How to keep the cost down
Bring clear photos and describe the old tattoo honestly when requesting estimates. Ask what design size, number of sessions, touch-ups, and deposits are included, then compare portfolios for similar cover ups rather than choosing on hourly rate alone.
A flexible appointment date, a simpler design, or partial laser fading may reduce the tattooing work. Collecting quotes through Reedleys means every number comes from a real, checked listing.
Price questions, answered
Usually, yes. Deposits reserve design and appointment time and may be applied to the final balance, but cancellation and rescheduling rules vary.
Artists estimate the size, density, colors, skin condition, and design needed to conceal the old tattoo differently. Experience with difficult cover ups can also affect the rate.
No. Very dark, dense, or poorly placed ink may need laser fading first, and some cover ups require multiple tattoo sessions for clean coverage.
Recognized Cover Up Tattoos businesses
Chicago tattoo shop on North Western Avenue.
Chicago tattoo artist offering illustrative, bio-organic, black-and-gray, and color tattoos.
Chicago tattoo studio offering black and gray realism, colorful tattoos, piercings, and mobile sessions.
Chicago tattoo artist offering tattoos, coverups, reworks, and scar-focused tattooing.
Tattoo and piercing services, including black and gray realism, portraits, colorful tattoos, and multiple piercing options.
Chicago tattoo shop offering walk-ins, consultations, custom designs, and many tattoo styles.
Chicago tattoo and body piercing studio offering tattoos, cosmetic tattooing, and piercing services.
Chicago tattoo studio offering tattoos, cover-ups, and piercing.
Chicago tattoo studio offering tattooing, cover-ups, and piercing.
Custom tattoos, body piercing, and cosmetic tattoo services in Chicago.