How to Start a Tattoo Business: A Step-by-Step Plan for Success
Last Updated on 27 August, 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of opening your own studio, you’ve probably wondered exactly how to start a tattoo business without missing a crucial step. Between health codes, licensing, finding the right artists, and filling your chairs with clients, it can feel overwhelming.
The good news? With a clear plan (and the right systems in place), you can move from dream to thriving shop owner without losing your sanity.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about how to start a tattoo business, from vision and compliance to marketing and expansion.
Key Takeaways: How to Start a Tattoo Business
- Define your niche, research competitors, and choose the right location for your studio.
- Stay compliant with state licensing, health codes, and insurance requirements.
- Invest in pro-grade equipment and software to manage bookings, payments, and consent forms.
- Grow your business with strong marketing, loyalty programs, and expanded services like piercings or retail.
1. Define Your Vision & Market Position
Before you buy machines or scout locations, you need clarity on what kind of tattoo business you’re building and who you’re serving.
Pick Your Niche: Tattoo Shop, Piercing Studio, Cosmetic Tattooing, or Removal Services
Not all tattoo businesses look the same. Some focus on custom or flash art, while others branch into piercings, permanent makeup, or even tattoo removal.
Defining your niche is the first step in learning how to start a tattoo business that stands out in your area.
Research Local Demand & Competitors
Look at your city’s tattoo scene: How many shops already exist? Which styles are oversaturated? Where are the gaps?
If your area has plenty of walk-in flash shops but no cosmetic tattooing, positioning yourself there could give you an instant edge.
And according to this 2025 industry forecast, the global tattoo market is projected to nearly double in size by 2032—so finding the right niche now can set you up for long-term growth.
2. Handle Licenses, Health Codes, and Insurance
Compliance is non-negotiable when it comes to learning how to start a tattoo business. Clients trust you with their skin, and regulators will expect strict standards.
State & County Permits for Owning a Tattoo Shop
Each state (and often each county) sets its own rules for tattoo establishments. That can include facility permits, artist licenses, and annual inspections.
Research requirements early so your grand opening doesn’t get delayed.
Bloodborne Pathogen Training, Autoclave Logs, and Waste Disposal
Most states require documented bloodborne pathogen training. You’ll also need systems for sterilization logs, autoclaves, and safe sharps disposal.
These processes not only keep you compliant, they reassure clients you’re running a professional operation.
For more information, see this post on Tattoo Waste Disposal
Business Insurance: Liability, Property, and Workers’ Comp
At minimum, you’ll need liability and property coverage. If you have employees, workers’ comp is mandatory.
Protecting your team and your shop is a crucial part of knowing how to start a tattoo business safely.
3. Choose the Right Location & Studio Layout
Where you open your tattoo shop will shape your brand and your clientele.
High-Foot-Traffic Retail vs. Private Tattoo Studio
A retail storefront gets you walk-ins and casual clients. A private studio often attracts higher-paying clients who want a more intimate experience. Both can work—it depends on the type of business you’re building.
HVAC, Lighting, and Separate Sterilization Zones
Good airflow, bright adjustable lighting, and a dedicated sterilization space are essential. These elements not only check compliance boxes, they also directly impact client comfort and satisfaction.
4. Invest in Equipment & Supplies
When figuring out how to start a tattoo business, budgeting for tools and supplies is one of your biggest expenses.
Tattoo Machines, Power Supplies, and Medical-Grade Consumables
When you’re mapping out how to start a tattoo business, equipment and supplies will be one of your biggest investments.
At minimum, budget for:
- Professional-grade tattoo machines
- Reliable power supplies
- Sterile, single-use needles
- Disposable tubes and ink caps
- Medical-grade gloves and barrier wraps
- Hospital-strength disinfectants and cleaning supplies
Cutting corners here not only risks compliance issues, it can also damage your reputation before your business even gets off the ground.
Software for Inventory Tracking & Automatic Re-Order Alerts
Running out of gloves or ink mid-session is a disaster. Tattoo software can track your inventory and remind you to reorder before supplies run dry.
WellnessLiving’s inventory tracking features
5. Build a Rockstar Team & Culture
Your artists and piercers are the heart of your business.
Recruiting Licensed Artists and Piercers
Hire licensed professionals with strong portfolios and great client communication skills. They represent your brand every time they pick up a machine.
Apprenticeship Programs and Continuing Education
Apprenticeships not only build your reputation but also ensure a steady pipeline of talent. Continuing education helps your team keep up with new styles, safety protocols, and technology.
Setting Commission Structures and Incentives
Fair compensation and clear commission models keep your team motivated. Consider performance incentives for rebooking and referrals.
6. Set Up Business Systems & Software
A huge part of how to start a tattoo business is choosing the right technology. A simple calendar won’t cut it when you’re dealing with deposits, consent forms, and multi-hour sessions.
Why Massage-Style Calendars Don’t Work for Tattoo Booking
Unlike spas, tattoo shops deal with long sessions, multiple touch-ups, and variable scheduling needs. You need a system designed for the tattoo industry.
Must-Have Features in Tattoo Business Software
Look for:
- Online booking with deposits
- Digital consent forms
- Automated reminders
- Integrated tipping and POS
- Artist availability management
How to Run a Tattoo Shop With All-In-One Scheduling, POS, and CRM
WellnessLiving covers booking, deposits, payments, and client management. For example, tattoo shops using WellnessLiving reduce no-shows with automated reminders, keep consent forms securely stored, and track artist availability… all in one platform.
WellnessLiving’s multi-booking feature
“Before WellnessLiving, we were handling forms, messages, and booking through three different apps. Now, it’s all in one place. Clients fill out waivers online, book with their artist, and we can breathe between sessions.” — Maya Lane, Inkspire Studio
7. Market Your Brand & Fill the Calendar
Once you’ve covered compliance and systems, the next step in how to start a tattoo business is marketing.
Instagram & TikTok Funnels for Flash Days
Social platforms are perfect for showcasing time-lapse tattoos, healed pieces, or promoting flash sales.
Google Business Profile & Local SEO for “Tattoo Near Me” Searches
Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Keep it updated with photos, reviews, and accurate hours to capture local search traffic.
Loyalty, Reviews, and Referral Programs That Drive Repeat Work
Encourage reviews, incentivize referrals, and use a loyalty program to turn one-time clients into regulars. Some tattoo software like WellnessLiving have these types of features built in.
8. Expand Services & Revenue Streams
As your tattoo shop grows, consider new ways to bring in revenue.
Adding Piercing or Permanent Makeup to Boost Ticket Size
Offering services like:
- Body piercing (quick sessions, low material costs)
- Permanent makeup (brows, eyeliner, lip blush)
These attract new audiences and increase your average ticket size without adding major overhead.
Retailing Aftercare, Apparel, and Prints
Retail keeps clients connected to your brand even after they leave. Branded aftercare kits help clients heal properly, while shop apparel and artist prints give fans an easy way to support your studio and spread the word.
Pop-Up Events, Guest Artists, and Conventions
Special events raise visibility and bring in fresh business. A flash-day pop-up creates buzz, guest artists attract new clientele, and conventions put your shop on the map with a larger community.
For more strategies on long-term growth, check out our guide on How to Scale Your Tattoo Business in 2025
Ready to Ink Your Success? See WellnessLiving in Action
WellnessLiving unites online booking, deposits, consent forms, marketing automation, inventory, and POS—giving new tattoo entrepreneurs everything they need to run a profitable studio from day one.
Book a free demo and discover how our all-in-one platform powers studios just like yours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a Tattoo Business
Most small studios start around $20,000–$40,000, depending on location and equipment.
Plan for $100–$300 per month, depending on features and staff size.
Online scheduling, deposits, consent forms, automated reminders, and POS are the must-haves.
Automated reminders, waitlists, and flexible rescheduling are proven to cut down on no-shows.
Yes—WellnessLiving can store license renewals and compliance documents directly in the system.
With integrated POS and reporting, you’ll see revenue by artist and adjust prices to cover rent, supplies, and payroll.
Liability, property, and workers’ comp (if you have employees) are typically required.
On average, most studios break even within 6–18 months. To estimate your break-even point, figure out how many tattoo sessions your shop can realistically handle each week. Then, divide the total number of sessions needed to cover your startup costs by that weekly number. The result tells you how many weeks it’ll take to break even (convert to months if you want a clearer timeline).
