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How to Start a Tattoo Parlor

Starting a Tattoo Parlor Business


Summary: 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.

  • 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.

24 Responses to "How to Start a Tattoo Parlor".

1. Tino on 5/1/2009 3:49:19 AM

What if I just want to be the owner and hire experience tattoo artist to do the artwork and I run the shop?

2. Zaza on 5/19/2009 4:38:29 AM

I have the same question as tino, I want to run the business and hire tattoo artists??

3. Larry on 6/14/2009 7:12:34 PM

I also have the same question as Tino

4. Julie on 6/17/2009 8:23:30 PM

I also have the same question as Tino! I just want to run/own my own tattoo parlor. And hire my own artists or piercers.

5. jimmy on 6/20/2009 10:22:32 AM

some friends and i do parties. i'm on here now trying to get all the info for opening a shop here in baltimore where i live. i know there is a pathogen cert i need to get but where do i go to see exactly what the regulations are for opening a shop?

6. mard henderson on 6/29/2009 4:07:43 PM

I have a guy that owns a shop and has all the permits I am going to spend the money and have an artist. My artist is going to work under the others permits. Is that legal? After a couple months we are going to get our own permits. The guy that owns it is selling it to us kind of under the table. I am kind of skeptical about this any advice.

7. will on 7/1/2009 2:17:18 AM

tattoo shop

8. ashley on 7/14/2009 9:13:57 AM

Hey sorry to go off subject but does anyone know any body piercers willing to do an apprenticeship in baltimore or close? Please respond.

9. wyatt on 7/29/2009 12:12:09 PM

Same Question as everyone, Can I open a shop with out being a tattoo artist? Thanks

10. Gina on 8/6/2009 6:15:26 PM

Same question as well.. Open a shop w/o being an artist? I would have a manager who has been a licensed artist for 4 years..

11. villain on 8/30/2009 7:53:19 AM

you need to take a phlebotomy course and its about $1000 or more now days... to do piercing you all will need insurance unless you wanna get wacked by a lawyer & judge... the health dept..has a one day course most the time its free to attend and you get certified or a paper to hang on the wall(lol) and you will need to pay a permit fee around 25 dollars from your city tax dept to do business ... the insurance is about $80 a month for 350,000 public liability.. but you will also need malpractice insurance in-case you mess up or some one thinks you cause there infection, remember the world we live in .. and lawyers are free for victims ....??

12. villain on 8/30/2009 7:56:44 AM

also most artists will NOT work for a skimmer ''' so you guys that don't shoot ink. looking to slave you up some talent '' nice try .. that don't work anywhere i've ever been. seen or heard of... with good work.. maybe get into property ...if you wanna be a land lord...

13. TommyT on 9/3/2009 8:42:33 PM

Want to open a tattoo shop in Houston, Texas, and dont know how, or need an artist for this business? Send me an email, maybe we can work it out.... asylum_tattoo@yahoo.com not everyone has the cash at hand to start up one, like me, so if you got the money, I got the experience

14. AlexiaS. on 9/18/2009 9:14:46 PM

Hello, I agree with Villain No one wants to work for someone that doesn't either pierce or tattoo. I know because I work for someone that has a total different job and just comes to pick up the drop once a week. Its annoying. Everyday you do your job and he is never here and comes in just to get the drop and complains about every little thing and then leaves. And for advice going through an apprenticeship its best to go find someone that has a really good portfolio and ask them how to begin an apprenticeship because every county and state is different.

15. paulo on 9/24/2009 3:41:49 AM

i would like to run the business and have some artist work for me, is possible? thank you

16. Jeremie Miller on 10/1/2009 3:30:00 AM

You can be the owner, but if you don't know how to tattoo you will never attract experienced professionals. There are just too many things that put you at a disadvantage when you are ignorant of the trade. Tattooing has come a long way until recently and that is because of the flood of non tattooist owners. It hurts me whenever someone comes in my studio and is only looking for a bong, dong, or anything other than a tattoo/piercing. Please leave ownership to those who live it.

17. Tat2Diva on 10/12/2009 1:36:16 AM

Oh, ya'll don't have to worry! Those who don't live it and love it, won't have a true gem of a shop! It's an insult that they think its so easy. They are no better than these scratchers out here smearing the business. We work hard to be respected in the game. So do what you do, and leave the tattoo business to the tattoo ARTISTS!

18. Crash on 10/12/2009 2:12:33 PM

I disagree with those who believe only an artist should own a shop, I think a collector, a person with knowledge of the skill and training it takes for the artist to do good work could take the burden off the artist to do what they do best, the art. Not to worry about the business. I have been collecting tats for 20 years and know the dedication it takes for the tattooist, I'm going to open my shop soon and cant draw a lick...but I'm going to provide the ARTIST a great environment to work in, and let them do what they do best, the ART.

19. bidyot jyoti hazarika on 10/21/2009 4:17:50 AM

is it necessary to take authorization or i can start this tattooing without any authorization?

20. prettypunkey on 10/28/2009 11:22:50 AM

i think that 2 diva is rude as hell and i do think people should be aloud to open their own tattoo studio just because you don't have experience doesn't mean you don't want to learn, it is extremely hard to actually find even apprentice work let alone actual work and most tattoo studios don't even want women working for them. personally myself would love to have a studio and have a pro working for me. teach me

21. T on 10/31/2009 9:28:29 PM

I love the bullsh*t that 'artists' give wanna-bes about years of training and how hard it is. Little egos need defending. Now great art isn't easy, but tattooing someone with a butterfly or flower, any monkey can do that. I started my shop with nothing but a months practice on pig ears and I am already one of the most in demand artists in the area.

Don't be scared people. Think of all the morons who are tattoo artists. Are they smarter than you?

22. Tattoo_chickypoo on 11/4/2009 4:13:13 PM

frankly i think thats a load of b.s. wut pretty punkey said, It doesn't matter what f*ckin private part you have, its sexist for someone to not hire you just b/c of what sex you are. If you are a true artist and have a skill for it, doesn't matter if you are a guy or girl...and if they don't hire a skilled female its their loss. I just got into tattooing a few months back and have designed tattoos for people since i was 16 years old. (now 25) ...I think it helps to have a female in the shop, some ppl feel more comfortable with an skilled female tattooist.

23. corey on 11/8/2009 7:26:17 PM

i have the same question as most, can i open a shop and just hire artist?

24. Candie on 11/11/2009 5:02:38 PM

I'm looking into opening a small shop just room for myself and another artist here in Dallas, Texas need all the advice i can get. So if you got any I'm all ears.

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