How to Start a Tattoo Parlor
The tattoo parlor business is a good way to earn money. Do you want to open your own tattoo parlor business? This article gives you an overview of the business.
First things first, before you can make tattoos (or own a tattoo parlor for that matter) you need to submit yourself to an apprenticeship program.
This will take between one to two years and may cost roughly around $5,000 per year. You need to learn the trade hands on and this is the best way to do it. Be prepared to do menial tasks such as moping the floors, cleaning tubes etc while still in training. That comes with the territory. Eventually, the day will come when you get to finally hold that iron and make a tattoo.
Before you can start your tattoo parlor business, read this collection of useful tips that may help as establish your business.
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- Aside from your tattoo kit and equipment, you also need to get furniture and office equipment for your studio such as cabinets, cash register, copier, counters, fax machine, flash, flash racks, waiting chairs etc.
- Being limited to a “cash only” establishment is not good for your business. Make arrangements with credit card companies so your shop can accept credit cards.
- Drop by your local health department, there you can find most of the information you will need in order to open a tattoo parlor. No two state, city, or county have the same rules and regulation about tattoo making and starting a tattoo store. Some even necessitated the health department to inspect your tattoo studio before you can open it. It is your job to find out what the rules and regulations are in your area.
- If your funding is limited, save advertising money by exploring less expensive ways to promote your business. Have a prominent display sign made. Hand out flyers and posters where pertinent information such as your tattoo studio’s name, location, and the services you offer is delineated. And do be sure you showcase samples of your handiwork in your tattoo parlor.
- In choosing a location for your tattoo shop, choose a place that is in a commercial area that is high in pedestrian and vehicular traffic. There is a higher likelihood to get walk in customers this way. Promoting your studio would also be easier if most people are familiar with the general area in which your studio is located.
- Naturally, you will need money in order to start a tattoo studio. On average, you need to have around 15,000 dollars give or take for startup capital. That is, if you want to buy all the tattoo equipment you will need all at once. If your funding is limited, you may buy the equipment you most need first and then get the rest during the course of the next few months.
- See to it that you explain to your customers the importance of caring for a new tattoo. If they are not careful, their tattoos may get infected. Have an information leaflet made enumerating the things they should and should not do.
- You don’t have to get your tattoo supplies and the rest of the stuff you need “brand new”. You can save money by going to auctions or scouring the classified section of your local newspaper.
- Variety is the cream of a business, the more you have to offer your customer increases your chance to be the leader in your tattoo business. You can always show your customers a catalog having butterfly tattoo, celtic tattoo, chinese tattoo, cross tattoo designs, dragon tattoo, flower tattoo, foot tattoo, girl tattoos, heart tattoos, japanese tattoo so that they can have a glance before they pick one. Give them the facility to customize their tattoo as well.
- You need to have the right training and education so you can meet the demands of your job effectively. Training is a must if you want to acquire the mandatory license and permits you need.
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Don't be scared people. Think of all the morons who are tattoo artists. Are they smarter than you?
Nothing is ever as easy as it may appear or seem to be! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
If opening a tattoo shop is so easy, then why are so many closing these days!? Just because you have the initial opening cost of at least $15,000 - don't forget the cost of maintaining it and staying in business if you have zero customers for a year.
The best way to open a business is alone - no partners or investors - PERIOD! Someone, somehow will eventually take more from the cookie jar and things will go sour within partnerships - if you actually survive the first year or make any money at all.
If you're not a tattoo artist or a piercer - you really have no business owning a tattoo shop. It's like owning a bakery and not knowing how to bake. What if your employee calls in sick or quits? Who's gonna be working now? And if the artist is there and you're not - someone's gonna short change YOU! Or worst - quit and open their own shop with YOUR customers! These are only a few things to keep in mind.
It doesn't matter what you name your tattoo shop or how you decorate it - if you don't have customers, you're gonna lose money! And if you don't have workers that are happy, they'll leave. Simple as that. It's a gamble like stocks. Don't put your money into company stocks that you don't know or understand. Play it smart, save your money, time, and headache and go into business doing whatever it is you do best rather than trying to find an easy way of making money or worst - thinking you can do it fast! The best investments in life are in yourself - literally! Good luck!
Tattoo artist vs. Not a tattoo artist...The difference is an artist who owns a shop is bettering him/herself for him/her and his/her family, using his/her talent to pay the bills, and then some. No artist is ever gonna truely feel successful lining someone elses pockets. Most people think artists are "ballers", but people don't take into account the 50-60% commission. There's nothing wrong with loving tattoos, and trying to help out family by giving them a place to make their mark, but for the folks looking to make a buck, but got jack when it comes to putting it to the skin.... who's the one making the bank? Being an artist, with hopes of starting my own shop, and pursuing a dream..... I'd rather not compete with a bunch of folks who are only in it for the cash, and on top of that artists, of any media, feed off of each other (in an inspirational sense), so I would hope that any aspiring artist would rather work in the vicinity of someone who understands the skill. Everyday is a learning experience, in this industry, in all aspects art, medical, and business - and business should always fall last for anyone passionate about what they do..........
Let me rewind... I have been tattooing for a year now. I am self taught. I started as everyone does... on myself and friends. I dedicated myself to it. I drew everyday... I would offer PORTFOLIO PIECES for free on myspace.... and would you believe that with in 6 months I got hired at a shop. Yes - I was very honest about my experience level as there were certain styles I wouldn't be comfortable doing (realism).
Well I stayed there for a few months but the business was slow and even though I was hired as an Artist / Apprentice I wasn't taught sh*t! So, I pack up and head out scouting more shops... I find another one and they hired me on the spot. I gave them the same run down... I have been doing it x amount of time - some things I might not do because I wouldn't be confident in my exp. level as of yet... OH NO PROBLEM... We think you will do well. Ok cool...
Next thing I know they are pushing me into my room with people wanting exactly what I wasn't really cool with doing (FOR THE MONEY). Now... I pulled it off because I study styles and what not on a daily... I study all kinds of artists out there and watch their videos (Nikko Hurtado, Joshua C., Mike Devries, Brandon Bond, etc). Here's the kicker - they hired another artist who was always asking me if I wanted to do his work? Seemed like once a day - You wanna do this one man? WTF... and he wouldn't touch anything other than cartoony sh*t... So, he is off one day... a guy comes in wanting realism... I am starting to get a little comfy with this but I see what he is wanting to do and I tell the owner I am not the guy for that piece. He gets mad and I hear a door slam - some sh*t gets thrown around and I think to myself ---
Oh here's another fun fact... he always wants to design our tattoos for us to do... HE DOESN'T Tattoo!!!! We do... so chill with that sh*t... So, the guy is still in the shop (the shop was super nice too... they dropped like 60 grand for something they rent lol) So I tell the guy as he was in my room - you know the other guy does great designs... even though he doesn't tattoo I think he's eager to help you design this tattoo... (He just pulls sh*t off of google images like most do) - Tell you what - go back out front and see if you see him and let him design it for you... the minute he walked out of my room - I packed my sh*t and bounced...
What's funny about this? Well being that I have been eager to work with someone that is really good so I can finally have that mentor kind of relationship - I am working with a guy who has been tattooing for 5.5 years and I can't learn jack off of him... I am working for a spoiled a** daddy's girl who is never at the shop but owns it... she treats her boyfriend (the tattoo designer but doesn't tattoo) like a b**ch and he is there all the time. She won't even let him take a day off... how sad...
So, when I left this place I have made a promise to myself... either work at a shop with a quality artist that I can actually learn something that I haven't already taught myself or better myself where I lack OR - Open my own shop... Cause see... you can hate on me for being self taught but guess what I did before I ever tattooed the first person... I got a business license... I got health dept. permitted and started a HOME Business as my studio was a divide part of the house. So, shops couldn't shut me down... and everything was legit... why did I do this? I couldn't get an apprenticeship anywhere because they already have apprentices... so I do sh*t on my own... I just hate that I moved out of that state or I would re-open that home business... man I was doing good there lol...
I can now tell you that I have now worked with people that have years in the business and look like kitchen magicians to me... but they still have that big head ego thing going on... like they are a tattoo god or guru - just makes me laugh... why am I ranting... I don't know just because I have to let this sh*t out....NOT EVERYTHING IS WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE!!! If you want to who*e people out and make good money start an esco*t business... leave the art form to the artists... you will never be respected because you are a money hungry p*mp with no talent... JUST NOT COOL! That what I was trying to say...
What Artist, if any, would ever foolishly say that only until someone explained what a paint brush should paint, did they learn to paint? Please. Let's face it, and be honest (talking to you "pros") an artist isn't born with the knowledge and skill to craft a masterpiece the very first time he uses any of his "tools", i.e.: pencils, crayons, paints, clay, carving tools, a camera,... and, yes, even tattooing Irons,... Airbrushes... The list goes on and on and as an artist are you seriously going to tell me, (an artist and realist) that art comes naturally to an artist... Thus the title, and "abilities". Tools, to make what we see inside of us, they are what takes some getting used to. BY USING THEM!!! So, take myself for example. I have been tattooing for nearly five years now. Why? Not because I want my own TV show,... Because I have been an artist my entire life, and I was constantly seeking new outlets for my creativity to manifest itself into. I've done, and still do, most every medium. Some better than others, because I USED THOSE TOOLS more and then I was given my first tattoo gun. I researched, I tinkered with fake skin. Hitshare up every shop in search of anyone willing to drop bullshit long enough to see that I only wish to share, and honor a timeless and honorable craft. Not, take away business, or criticize the artwork that they have given the world.
BOTTOM LINE IS THIS:
Artists are born. Master Artists achieve such status with or with out help, because they try and they learn, and they develop and they love what they do.
The first time I put needles into skin I felt an amazing and overwhelming sense of happiness that I had never experienced before. Sounds silly, but I knew, FINALLY, what I wanted to be when I grew up!.. I was 32. NOBODY can tell me I wasn't devoted to learning, practicing, devoting myself to the safest practices, and I am good. Not the best. I don't claim to be better than anyone else, but, I have a growing, and loyal client base that has been built on the quality of my work and the ethics I hold so true to.... (All but one,.. Pay you, before I play... Any other trade and you'd be tatting from prison for doing that to innocent and unknowing honest people that foolishly buy into the fact that YOU GUYS HOLD THE KEYS TO THEIR TATTOOING DESTINY!!! ps... get over yourselves, and relearn what you loved about the art form. Stop building it up to be what any artist can tell you it is not.