🧐 Why you can’t make a sleeve in one session

Why you can’t get a full photorealism tattoo sleeve in one session understanding the process, pain, and patience needed

Getting a full photorealism tattooed sleeve in one session is generally not feasible for several reasons:

1.Time and Detail: Photorealism tattoos are highly detailed and require a significant amount of time to complete. The intricate details, shading, and layering needed to achieve a realistic look can take many hours, often much longer than a single session allows. Completing a full sleeve can take anywhere from 36 to 70 hours or more, typically spread across multiple sessions to ensure quality and precision.

2. Pain and Endurance: Sitting for an extended period can be extremely painful and exhausting for both the client and the tattoo artist. Areas such as the wrist, elbow, and inner bicep can be particularly painful. Extended sessions can lead to increased discomfort and make it difficult for the client to remain still, which is crucial for detailed work. These days, a session can last between 5 to 8 hours or even longer.

3. Healing Process: Tattooing causes trauma to the skin, and the body needs time to heal between sessions. Pushing the skin too hard in one session can lead to excessive bleeding, swelling, and poor healing, which can negatively affect the final outcome of the tattoo. Allowing time for the skin to recover ensures better ink retention and overall quality.

4. Artist’s Fatigue: Tattoo artists need to maintain high levels of concentration and precision, which can be challenging over long periods. Fatigue can lead to mistakes, impacting the quality of the tattoo. Multiple shorter sessions allow the artist to work more efficiently and produce better results.

👉 Why You Can’t Get a Full Photorealism Tattoo Sleeve in One Session Understanding the Process, Pain, and Patience Needed

The price range per session when starting a full sleeve tattoo project can vary significantly based on several factors, including the artist’s experience, location, and the complexity of the design. On average, you can expect the following: 

1. Hourly Rate: Most tattoo artists charge an hourly rate, which can range from $200 to $400 per hour. Highly experienced or well-known artists may charge even more.

2. Session Length: A typical session can last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. Therefore, the cost per session can range from $1000 to $2,400 or more, depending on the hourly rate and session length. For average size, a person needs 8-10 sessions/5-8 hours for each session. 

3. Total Cost: The total cost of a full sleeve can range from $12,000 to $24,000, depending on the detail and time required to complete the project. This cost is usually spread across multiple sessions to allow for proper healing and detailed work.​​

👉 Process and Placement Methods for Photorealism Tattoos on Different Areas of the Arm

When getting a tattoo, it’s important not to overcrowd specific areas, such as the inside or outside forearm. It’s better to opt for a single larger and clearer character or motif per placement, as overcrowding can result in a lack of clear composition and details. For instance, if you overcrowd the inside forearm with details or the outside forearm with multiple characters, the final sleeve tattoo might not present a clear image. Having a single character or motif per area allows the artist to create a larger, clearer design.

Tattoos located on the inside or outside of the forearm typically require 1 to 2 sessions for completion. The number of sessions may vary depending on the size of the person’s arm and the complexity of the final design.

When getting a tattoo that covers the area from the elbow to the shoulder, it typically requires a minimum of two sessions. The number of sessions needed may vary based on the size of the person’s arm and the final design.

The inner biceps area typically requires 1 to 2 tattoo sessions, depending
on the size of the person and the final design.

Please remember that there are some areas with gaps between designs and empty spaces that need to be filled, sometimes requiring extra time. These areas are commonly found around the wrist, elbow, and triceps.

🔥 Given these factors, it’s essential to consult with your chosen tattoo artist to get a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific design and requirements.

This full-sleeve tattoo was designed for an average-sized person and took 10-11 sessions.

Please pay attention to the fact that there is a single character per area on both the inside and outside of the forearm. The design is clean and not overly crowded with details.

It’s important to understand the differences between a high-quality tattoo and a low-quality one when you’re thinking about getting inked. Choosing a high-quality  tattoo ensures that the design will be done with precision, attention to detail, and  adherence to proper hygiene standards. On the other hand, opting for a low-quality tattoo could result in a design that lacks clarity, fades quickly, or is not applied safely and hygienically. What type of tattoo are you considering?

💰$3000~ and a $150 tattoo?

$3000~ | 2-3 sessions

$150

ohh the Last thing…

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