~Sliding Scale Info~
1) $0-100 - Community Supported
+You’ll be supported by those in community to pay for your tattoo
+Suggested for those who are unable or struggle to meet basic needs
+Generally reserved for Black, Indigenous, and historically oppressed groups of people affected by racism, colonialism/imperialism, & gender/sexuality violence
2) $175 - Artist Value
+You will be adequately compensating me for my time and contributing to my ability to pay my own bills
+Suggested if you’re able to meet your basic needs and have some expendable income, especially for tattoos
3) $225 - Supporter
+A portion will be for supporting someone else who can’t quite afford their tattoo
+Suggested if you can meet your basic needs comfortably and have ample expendable income
Pay on this end of the scale if you:
receive public assistance
your earning power has been limited due to your race, living with disability, lack of access to education/community, gender, sexuality, etc.
have dependents (children, parents, or anyone relying on your income)
don’t have savings
are formerly incarcerated
do illegal work for survival
have significant debt that prevents you from being able to meet your basic needs
have less money because of abuse
have immigration related expenses
are an elder with limited financial support
unable to access healthcare/don’t have insurance
Pay on this end of the scale if you:
have little to no dependents, or if you do you don’t have trouble supporting their needs
have savings, investments, inherited money, and/or retirement account
have access to family money and resources in times of need
own the home you live in or any commercial/rental properties
travel recreationally every year
have more possible earning power from being: able bodied, having a college degree, social networks, family connections, gender, race, etc. (even if you aren’t using it right now)
work part time by choice
able to access healthcare/have health insurance
have a joint household income that allows financial comfort
able to afford a large tattoo at least once a year or multiple tattoos in a year
Why community tattoos?
While tattoos are generally viewed as a non-basic need thing and art as a luxury item, I want to challenge these views and push back against capitalist ideas that we don’t need art. I strongly believe art and aesthetics and even luxury to an extent is a human right. It improves our quality of life to have access to beautiful and pleasing things and unfortunately the arts often gets cut out when the budget is not there for it.
How does it work?
When you book your appt, you’ll need to state which bracket you want to pay (1, 2, or 3). This is honor system based. You won’t be asked to prove your financial standing nor will you be judged or treated differently for whichever bracket you decide to pay. You also won’t be judged if you could afford a tattoo before but can’t in the future due to financial changes, or vice versa.
If you are asking for a Community Supported tattoo, spots are limited so scheduling may be several months out but please reach out regardless to be added to the waitlist. Again, you DO NOT have to explain anything, just ask.
Pricing/wording may be adjusted in the future :) feedback welcome - ajunkysock@gmail.com
Want to support this but don’t need a tattoo? Venmo @ajunkysock as friends/family - use emoji in notes!
