How to Start Your Tattoo Business?
In the present day, tattoos and body art have become a fashion statement. If you have an artistic inclination and are in search of a new career option, then tattoo business is just for you. However, like any other business venture, this endeavor is also associated with a lot of troubles, tribulations and concerns. Here are a few things that you should keep mind while setting up your own tattoo parlor.
Get proper training – Tattooing needs specialized skills and for this reason, before starting out, it is essential to get proper training. With the help of books, art classes, fellow artists and the Internet, brush up your artistic skills. Thereafter, prepare a portfolio of your work and send it to established tattoo artists and get an apprenticeship. This will allow you to work under a specialist and learn the essentials of tattooing.
Select an ideal location – Once you have acquired the prerequisite skill set, it’s time to look out for ideal locations for setting up a tattoo shop. Some issues that you should take into consideration are the cost or rent of the building, position and setting of the property, and types of businesses in the neighborhood. Choose the location very carefully because it will affect the number and types of customers you get.
Get your hands on the right set of tattoo equipment – Tattoo artwork kits or tattoo equipment kits are the nerve center of your tattoo business. So purchase it cautiously from a reputable supplier. Apart from basic gear like the tattoo gun, needles, ink and tubs, the kit should also contain rubber bands, gloves, flash sheets and so forth. Besides the tattoo kit, you will also require sterilization and sanitation supplies, chairs, tables, photo books, posters, magazines, and so on.
Find proficient tattoo artists – With time, your tattoo business is bound to grow. Hence, you’ll need to search for competent tattoo artists. Ask your friends, relatives, colleagues, fellow artists and studio owners for recommendations. Advertise in newspapers and fashion magazines. The Internet is also a good place to find talented tattoo artists. On average, an experienced artist would expect $40,000 per year. If you cannot afford to pay this amount initially, and provide an option for internship.
Obtain requisite licenses – Unlike other businesses that do not require any kind of licenses, tattoo business needs a number of permits and licenses (this varies from state to state). When applying for business licenses, you may need to present special training certificates and other credentials. The application forms can be downloaded from your state government websites. Fill out the form carefully, attach all the important documents and after that submit the form. Along with licenses, health permits will also be required. You will receive a health permit only after the health department verifies that you are employing proper sanitation and sterilization methods.
Advertise your business properly – Your tattoo business is new; therefore, you’ll have a shoe-string budget for marketing your business. A good way of using your budget effectively is by advertising in local newspapers and magazines. You can also create flyers and distribute them far and wide. Radio and internet are also cost-effective means of marketing your business venture. Word-of-mouth is an inexpensive way to get more clients. For this, work hard, provide superior services and leave no stone unturned to make your clients happy.