Tattoo artistry is one of many forms of self-expression, and it takes a tremendous amount of skill and vision to make it a lasting career. Etching permanent ink into someone’s body is not a job for the less confident, but if you believe your skills will take you far, then it’s possible you can make a living from it. We believe in you too! 

This article will cover the many ways tattoo artists earn their income, plus some of the common costs of pursuing a career as a tattoo artist, ways to earn extra income, and tips on managing your expenses. 

How Tattoo Artists Get Paid: 4 Ways

So how do tattoo artists get paid? The answer is that there is no one way – and that’s a good thing. Here, we cover a few different payment methods for tattoo artists: 

1. Hourly

Hourly payment for tattoo artists means you get paid per hour for your services, regardless of the complexity of the tattoo or how much ink you use. For instance, if your rate is $100 an hour, you’ll earn that whether you do a small butterfly or a large portrait. It can be beneficial if you do a lot of small, simple tattoos, but may be more challenging if you do a lot of ink-heavy, complicated designs. 

2. Per-tattoo

Per-tattoo pricing means you get paid for every tattoo you design, regardless of how much time it takes. While the studio may calculate the tattoo cost based on body part, complexity, and time, you’ll only receive a flat-fee for your work. For example, if you earn $100 for every tattoo you do and a client requests a tattoo that the studio charges $250 for, you’ll still only receive $100. 

3. Commission

Commission-based payments are one of the most common forms of payment for tattoo artists. With commission, you earn a set percentage of the total tattoo cost (which is up to the discretion of the tattoo studio). Typical ranges often fall between 40% and 60%, so if the tattoo cost is $500 and your rate is 40%, you would get $200, while the studio keeps the other 60% ($300). If your rate is 50%, you and the studio would evenly split the total profit. 

4. Hybrid

If you’re a tattoo shop owner, you get to keep all of your income – minus expenses. Plus, when you’re the one running things, you can customize your tattoo charges and thus, how you get paid. For example, you can choose to only charge $150 for small tattoos on certain body parts, but switch to an hourly rate for larger tattoo designs. 

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What Are the Costs of Being a Tattoo Artist?

If you’re an employee at a tattoo studio, chances are your costs will be much lower than renting a booth or running your own shop. However, once you’re ready to start your own tattoo business, there are a few costs you should be cognizant of: 

Equipment

Running your own tattoo shop business means you’re responsible for stocking your studio with tattoo machines and chairs. Coil and rotary tattoo machines can cost hundreds of dollars, whereas chairs can cost a few hundred to thousands of dollars. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of sanitizing equipment and needles, which can vary widely in price depending on how much you need and where you purchase from. 

Supplies

Part of your tattoo studio expenses will also include supply materials such as inks, gloves, masks, and towels. Tattoo ink cost depends on how many color varieties you need and the amount you need of each one, which can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Keeping a steady stock of gloves, masks, and towels can also be costly unless you’re able to buy in bulk at a discount. 

Rent and utilities

If you own a studio, you’ll be responsible for paying the building rent, plus the cost of your utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi. You may also need to consider the cost of storage if you’re operating out of a small space, or employee salaries if you’re managing a staff. If you’re a freelance tattoo artist working out of a studio, you’ll also need to factor in studio commission and booth rental, which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the location and brand name popularity. 

Marketing

To draw clients to your business, you’ll need to invest in marketing and advertising strategies, such as your website, email blasts, traditional mailers, or promoted social media spots. Marketing costs can add up, so it’s important to budget wisely and ensure you’re effectively reaching your target demographics. 

Try GlossGenius today and get access to our Marketing features to help you grow your business

How to Manage Your Expenses As a Tattoo Artist in 3 Ways

As a tattoo studio owner, it can be a challenge to manage all of your expenses, especially if you’re a solo operation. Below, we detail a few ways to help you control your costs while still turning a profit. 

1. Stick to your budget

Create a realistic budget for your tattoo business. Outline your income ranges plus expenses, and stick with it to avoid any bottom line surprises later. Always refer back to your budget before making a purchase to ensure you have (or will have) the funds to cover it. 

2. Use software

Software apps that can track your expenses, measure your progress, and project profits can give you better insight into your business performance. The right software will allow you to identify the elements of your business costing you the most with the least return, which can help you restrategize your investments

GlossGenius’ Finances makes it simple to manage payments and keep receipts of your transactions.

3. Avoid impulse purchases

That shiny new tattoo machine may be just the thing your business needs, but that doesn’t mean you should buy it from the first website you see. Always do your research when it comes to purchasing equipment, inventory, and other tools for your studio. Shop around, compare prices, or try to find discounts to help mitigate the cost of must-haves. 

3 Extra Ways Tattoo Artists Can Get Paid

While it’s entirely possible to make a living as a tattoo artist, there are a few extra ways to make money if you’re feeling particularly ambitious. How much you get paid and how much you’ll spend on expenses can vary widely. Your earnings will also depend on the familiarity of your brand, strength of your marketing, reputation, skill, and experience level. 

1. Teaching workshops

You can supplement your income by holding workshops for aspiring tattoo artists. Your topics can center around a variety of topics like tattoo techniques, designing, aftercare, and business tips. You can charge per class or for a bundle of sessions, and depending on the complexity of your curriculum, this can add up to hundreds of dollars per student. 

2. Making custom art or designs

Whether on paper or through digital channels, if you can harness your illustrating talent through other forms of media, you can use that to make custom artwork for clients. Paintings, decor, abstract designs, concept art – let clients commission your talents for all their design needs. You can charge per hour for your services, or base the cost on the complexity and size of the design. 

3. Creating online content

If you’re focused on building a decent social media following, you can create podcasts, videos, blogs, and other content geared toward engaging your viewers. You can make tutorials about topics like cleaning equipment, refilling tattoo ink, dealing with dissatisfied customers, approaching complex designs, and different techniques you can try when illustrating with inks. 

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Maximize Your Earnings With GlossGenius

Before you pursue your tattooing career, it’s important to learn just how tattoo artists are paid, along with the costs of becoming one. Managing your expenses is key to keeping your business out of the red and maintaining a profit, but there are always ways to earn extra cash if you’re savvy. 

GlossGenius is the perfect all-in-one partner for tattoo artists to manage their business and expenses. Genius Loans provides up to $250,000 in funding for all your tattoo shop needs so you can cover your expenses and keep business flowing. Our Reports & Analytics features make it simple to view key metrics and gain insights about your success, while Payroll can simplify staff payments. 

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