You've sat through the line work for your new tattoo. The outline is sharp, perfect, and the foundation is set. But right now, it's just a skeleton. The real magic—the depth, the dimension, and the vibrancy—is about to happen with the shading and color.
As you brace for this next stage, you’re probably wondering, "Exactly how long is this part going to take?"
Unlike getting a haircut, there's no standard appointment time in the tattoo world. The time it takes to shade and color a tattoo can range from thirty minutes for a simple piece to dozens of hours for a full sleeve. It all comes down to a few key factors. This guide will break down what determines how long you'll be in the chair, with some general estimates to help you plan.
It's More Than Just Size: The 5 Factors of Tattoo Time
1. Size and Complexity
This is the most obvious factor. A larger tattoo naturally takes more time. But complexity is just as important. A simple, palm-sized traditional heart will be much faster to color than a photorealistic portrait of the exact same size, which requires meticulous layering of tones.
2. Tattoo Style
Every artistic style has a different workflow and speed.
-
Faster Styles: American Traditional often uses simple, smooth shading and large, solid blocks of color, which can be applied relatively quickly.
-
Slower Styles: Photorealism is one of the most time-consuming styles, as it requires the artist to slowly build up layers of subtle grey wash to create realistic depth and texture. Intricate Fine Line work also demands a slow, precise hand.
3. Color vs. Black and Grey
As a general rule, a full-color tattoo will take longer than a black and grey tattoo of the same size. "Color packing" requires the artist to be incredibly methodical, often going over areas multiple times with different needles to ensure the ink is fully saturated and the colors are blended smoothly without any holidays (missed spots).
4. Placement on the Body
Where you get your tattoo matters. An artist can work much faster on a flat, stable canvas like the outer forearm or calf. Stretchy or bony areas like the ribs, stomach, neck, or elbow ditch are more difficult to work on and require the artist to slow down to ensure the lines and shading are applied perfectly.
5. Your Artist’s Pace and Your Endurance
Every artist has their own natural speed. But equally important is your ability to sit still. If a client is squirming, wincing, or needs to take a break every 20 minutes, the session will take significantly longer.
General Time Estimates (Lining vs. Shading/Coloring)
While it's impossible to be exact, here are some ballpark figures. A good rule of thumb is that the shading and coloring will take at least as long as the linework, and often two to three times longer.
-
Palm-Sized Tattoo (approx. 4x4 inches):
-
Linework: 45 minutes - 1.5 hours
-
Shading/Coloring: 1.5 - 3 hours
-
-
Hand-Sized Tattoo (approx. 6x6 inches):
-
Linework: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
-
Shading/Coloring: 3 - 5+ hours (often a full session)
-
-
Full Forearm Piece:
-
Linework: Often a full 4-6 hour session.
-
Shading/Coloring: Can take anywhere from 8 to 20+ hours, broken up over multiple full-day sessions.
-
How to Prepare for a Long Shading or Coloring Session
Shading and coloring is a marathon. The artist is repeatedly working over tender skin, and after a couple of hours, the sensitivity skyrockets. How well you manage this discomfort directly impacts how long you and your artist can work effectively.
This is where preparation is key.
-
Pre-Session Numbing: For any session you expect to last more than a couple of hours, our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Cream is your best friend. Applying it 60-90 minutes before your appointment deeply numbs the skin, allowing you to sit comfortably through the most intense parts of the process.
-
Mid-Session Relief: For those all-day sessions on a sleeve or back piece, you need a plan for when the initial numbness wears off. Our No Pain Tattoo Final Mile Gel™ is specifically formulated to be used on broken skin. It can be applied mid-session to re-numb the area, helping you push through those final, crucial hours.
If you're starting a large color or black and grey project, invest in your comfort with our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Products Bundle (Comfort Bundle). It's the perfect toolkit for any multi-session tattoo.
Ultimately, the answer to "how long does it take?" is always "as long as it needs to for the art to be perfect." While you can't rush your artist, you can control your own preparation. By understanding the factors, communicating with your artist, and planning for your comfort, you can make the process smoother for everyone involved.