Dr. John Martin, a professor at London’s University College, once said, “Life depends on science but the arts make it worth living.” One of the most popular modern forms of expressing ourselves and sharing our love of art is through tattoos. Tattoo artists turn their client’s visions into reality through the process of inserting pigment into the skin’s dermis with needles.
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Start a tattoo parlor by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Tattoo Parlor
- Form your Tattoo Parlor into a Legal Entity
- Register your Tattoo Parlor for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Tattoo Parlor
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Tattoo Parlor
- Get Tattoo Parlor Insurance
- Define your Tattoo Parlor Brand
- Create your Tattoo Parlor Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your tattoo parlor. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Tattoo Parlor Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a tattoo parlor?
First, you’ll need a workspace. Some artists cut down on costs by working out of their home. If you’re thinking about taking this route, consider two things: many states prohibit home studios due to health regulations, and it’s more difficult to establish yourself as a professional without a storefront.
When choosing a location, research the areas you are considering. Are they already saturated with tattoo shops? What’s their reputation and what other services do they offer? Pick a location that has a good deal of foot traffic. You never know who will walk through you door and inquire about a that custom piece they’ve been considering.
Even if you don’t plan on regularly hosting other artists, set your space up with multiple rooms. You never know what direction you could decide to go later and many tattoo artists travel, taking on guest spots as they move about the world.
Here are a few other items you’ll need to invest in before opening your tattoo shop. Many of these items can be purchased used at a reduced rate.
- Website
- Portfolio
- Tattoo equipment
- Massage tables
- Art of the walls
- A sign
- Displays and cabinets for inventory
What are the ongoing expenses for a tattoo parlor?
Aside from the standard overhead expenses incurred from running a storefront, your only ongoing expenses are marketing and supplies. You’ll go through a lot of gloves, ink, and cleaning supplies on a daily basis. When first starting out, artists report spending an estimated $600-$1,000 per year on supplies.
Who is the target market?
This varies from shop to shop. Some studios accept walk-ins and have standard art hung on the wall for clients to choose from. They accept custom jobs, but the bulk of their income is supported by walk-in traffic. Others are looking for more inspiration in their work. They have put in their time in the tattoo business, and reserve the right to turn down any piece that doesn’t represent the brand they’re building for themselves.
How does a tattoo parlor make money?
Owners earn their income by tattooing permanent art on their customers. Generally several artists share studio space. They either pay rent to the owner, or pay the owner a commission on each piece they do in the shop.
How much can you charge customers?
Customers are typically charged an hourly rate, although some projects are inked for a flat fee. Hourly rates range anywhere from $80-$350. The longer you’ve been in business and the more of a name you make for yourself, the more you can charge.
How much profit can a tattoo parlor make?
Successful tattoo artists have reported making less than $15,000 their first year. However, as you make a name for yourself and your shop, the potential is there to make well over $100,000 annually.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Many tattoo shops expand their goods and services to more than just tattooing. To make your business more profitable you could:
- Offer piercings
- Sell jewelry for piercings
- Sell local art
- Carry an inventory of aftercare products
- Work out of your home (if this option is legal in your state)
- Many parlors host special events for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Both parties win: breast cancer survivors can get a custom piece to cover their scars, and you gain exposure to a whole new set of clientele you might not otherwise have met.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your tattoo parlor is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your tattoo parlor were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a tattoo parlor. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Release of Liability
Before tattooing, it is advisable to provide clients with informed consent agreements to decrease legal liability and encourage transparency. An example of a consent agreement can be found here: Waiver, release and consent to tattoo
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your tattoo parlor business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Copyright Registration
Certain tattoo shops and tattoo artists may wish to register the copyright for specific designs. This involves registering with the US copyright office for a small fee.
Certificate of Occupancy
Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a tattoo parlor business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued. .
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your tattoo business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Tattoo Parlor needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Tattoo Parlor.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a tattoo parlor
As a tattoo artist, it’s important to devote a portion of your time to marketing. Word of mouth is the most successful method of attracting new clients. Prospects will often spend hours combing the Internet and social media, looking for an artist whose style best represents them. Maintain a portfolio that can be viewed online and in person, adding to it regularly. Share your work via Instagram and Pinterest, which is the most effective way of reaching those within the community. Many artists join the National Tattoo Association, which hosts conventions across the world. This is a wonderful way to display your work and network within the community.
How to keep customers coming back
Your artistic style is what will attract customers the most. There are a number of different styles and every customer likes something different. It’s important to understand the most popular trends in your area, but it’s also a good idea to master a style that no one else in the area has the monopoly on. This sets you apart from the rest and will attract customers from hundreds of miles away.
Part of building a name for yourself also means being choosy about what jobs you take on. If you know that watercolor tattoos don’t stand up well over time, don’t do them. Your client will walk around with your work on their body for the rest of their life – make your time in the studio count.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Tattoo shop owners who have found the most success are fully engulfed in the art community. They value free expression and recognize that art comes in many different forms. Tattoo artists with an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to take their career to the next level should consider opening their own studio.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a tattoo parlor?
Tattoo shop owners spend a majority of their day with clients. Before starting a project, the artist and client will meet for a consultation. This is to ensure they are both on the same page regarding the vision of the piece. The customer will either arrive with an idea and let the artist draw the plans, or they will come with a drawing in hand. Once the specifics are ironed out, the artist can start on the tattoo. Some pieces can be completed in a couple hours, while others are an ongoing project to be completed in multiple sessions.
Your work will require a lot of tools, all of which must be sterile. Some shops use an autoclave to sterilize needles and equipment, while others have shifted to using disposable equipment. Whichever route you choose, part of your day will be spent ensuring you have all the ink and supplies necessary to maintain a safe and sterile tattoo shop.
Downtime can spent drawing, painting, and dreaming up new ideas for custom tattoos. This offers you additional work to add to your portfolio, pieces to decorate your studio or sell on the side, and could also be put on display online to attract new customers to your business.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful tattoo parlor?
The ability to draw will be your most valued skill. Tattooing, however, entails more than just artistic talent. It requires a steady hand, an amicable personality and a specific attention to detail. This helps not only when it comes to inking tattoos, but also successfully running your business.
Unlike many artists, who often work in solitude, tattoo artists spend their days with other people. It takes good communication skills and a certain amount of finesse to offer suggestions to clients who are prepared to permanently decorate their body with your design. Depending upon the size of the piece, you also might be spending tens of hours with any given client, so good people skills are a must.
Most aspiring tattoo artists spend time apprenticing before ever picking up an ink gun. This is a great way to learn important skills such as how heavy of a hand you need, how to transfer the art from paper onto a human body, understanding of skin types, placement, and color schemes. Apprenticing is the most valuable training you’ll ever receive. Once you’ve gained success, this is something you can pass on to other aspiring artists. Additionally, there are a number of groups, such as the Tattoo Artists Guild and the Alliance of Professional Tattoos, Inc, that educate members on safety, the latest trends in the tattoo world, and offer advice on how to grow your client base.
In the tattoo industry, it’s critical that you maintain a high level of professionalism and cleanliness at all times. Excellent management and organizational skills, as well as high standards of hygiene will be part of what defines the long-term success of your business.
What is the growth potential for a tattoo parlor?
The tattoo industry yields an average of $2.3 billion annually and nearly 40% of 18-39 year olds now have a tattoo. While many owners choose to keep their business small and intimate, there are some, such as Inksmith & Rogers who’ve found success opening multiple locations. The key to long-term growth is hiring only stellar artists to represent your brand.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
How and when to build a team
Most artists answer their own phone calls, emails, and walk-ins, so you don’t need a staff for that. However, many studios have multiple artists. Each artist has their own workspace and either pay rent for use of the space or pay a portion of their commission to the owner. This is a great way to cut down on your overhead costs and integrate yourself further within the community.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- National Tattoo Association
- Alliance of Professional Tatooists
- Tattoo Artists Guild
- Directory of tattoo artists
Real World Examples
- Independent – Name Brand Tattoo
- Independent – Lucky Monkey Tattoo
- Independent – Daredevil Tattoo
- Tattoo franchise – Club Tattoo