Last Updated on June 27, 2016 by Tim
Being a tattoo artist might be right up your alley if you possess a flair for the arts, want to work for yourself and make your own cash. Of course, a start-up tattoo parlor shouldn’t expect to go from rags to riches in the space of a week, but if you’re financially secure, possess to willpower to become very talented and offer excellent customer service, starting your own body art business could prove to become a dream come true.
How To Start A Tattoo Business
So, what exactly does it take to become a master of the needle? At the outset, you’re going to need a high quality tattoo school to teach you the tricks of the trade, but it’s also going to be a big help if you know what to avoid yourself. Subpar tattoos, inferior artists, and amateurs are the least of your worries when compared to unhygienic or ‘dodgy’ methods, and – if we’re honest – a lot of people neglect to research the company they choose. A lot of the time, people just go to where their friend went, regardless of the results they see. So, here’s a few ways you can spot a bad tattoo artist and, hopefully, avoid making the same mistakes yourself.
A good tattoo artist should offer free touch-ups for a few months following a brand new tattoo. Tattoos can fade over time, but an artist should be prepared to make amends shortly after the initial procedure if the art fades too quickly. Body art is for life, and if an artist isn’t prepared to guarantee their work, it’s a good indicator that they’re wholly focused on the cash rather than creating an artistic masterpiece. If you want people to keep returning to your company instead of your competitors, as well as spread the word about your talents, you need to offer some reassurance regarding the quality of your work.
A lack of portfolio is never a good sign, and though we all have to start somewhere to perfect our trade, you need to have an impressive collection of evidenced successful tattoos if you’re going to continue attracting new business. Even after just one month, it’s going to help you increase your customer base if you can proudly boast your fantastic work.
Incredibly low prices might attract some customers, but when it comes to permanent body art, most people are going to be more concerned about the quality of your work than the price. Of course, when you’re just starting out, you’re not going to attract A-list celebrities, but you shouldn’t undervalue yourself given the risk of others undervaluing you, too. Don’t be too harsh on yourself with your prices, but don’t aim for the stars initially either. Make sure your prices reflect your professionalism (and make sure your professionalism is reflected in your price).
Tattoo parlors that never say no are often bad news. There’s an age limit for tattoos in most countries, but we’ve all seen 14-year-old children proudly sporting a half-finished sleeve. Make sure you’re not a tattoo artist that does literally anything anybody requests! At the end of the day, you want your customers to leave your premises feeling proud of their body art rather than happy about the fact they found somebody who was willing to do anything. You don’t want angry parents bashing your door down, and you don’t want maturing citizens to tell their friends how much they regret getting the tattoo you gave them.
Lastly, if you’re a tattoo artist in a major city, the blunt truth is that many of your competitors are going to be at a similar skill level as you. How do you differentiate from them? Offer excellent customer service! Some people just want a tattoo to try something different, and you’ll earn lots of respect by offering honest opinions and advice. Of course, don’t be rude: some people will want art that’s not quite to your taste, but if somebody requests a to-scale pigeon draped across their face, you should be willing to make them think twice about their life-changing decision. With the right high quality tattoo school and a positive attitude, there’s no reason you can’t make a decent living by starting your own body art business.
