Do you need to tip your tattoo artist? The answer’s simple: if you’re happy with the artist’s work, tip them. If not, don’t tip them.

Keep in mind that most artists work on commission, so they only get a portion of what they charge you. So “if you feel they’ve done a good job, show them. If you don’t have the money, explain it to them,” says Oafenhammer. The fact that you even thought to do it can mean just as much. However, “if your artist had a terrible attitude or if the work was shoddy, those are valid reasons not to tip your tattooer,” he says.