Starting a Tattoo Shop: Where should you begin?

For many years, tattoo arts remain a trendy fashion statement around the globe. It just never goes out of style. Many people are acquiring tattoos and the tattoo industry is steadily on the rise. By doing some researches here and there, opening a tattoo parlour can be a bearable job. Here are some steps to follow in creating a tattoo shop of your own. 

Preparation 

• Familiarise yourself with the business and acquire proper training. Being a tattoo artist is not really necessary for you to open a tattoo shop. But, a wide understanding about the business is very crucial. If you are a novice tattooist, complete an apprenticeship to ensure that you are properly trained. As a non-practicing shop owner, complete a significant amount of comprehensive research regarding the profession or partner up with an experienced tattooist.

• Go to the nearest local health, city, or municipal department and find out about tattoo business regulations in your area. You should know the laws relating to tattooing and sanitation, although it may vary depending on your location. Your local governing divisions can also direct you to the proper agencies to obtain more information about applying for any required permits and licenses. 

• Create a start- up business plan and explore tattoo business software. Your business plan is an important tool and serves as a vision for outlining how much capital is needed to start your tattoo shop, as well as calculating future projections and profit. There are a lot of programs and applications that you can download from the internet to help you create a business plan or you can get assistance from a professional accountant. 

• Choose a location that has high traffic. Depending on the type of building you choose, you may have to make some improvements or alterations to accommodate your artists and properly equip the facilities, such as plumbing or electrical outlets.  

• Establish an advertising campaign promoting your shop. A strategic marketing is very much needed, especially if you are a beginner, to ensure steady flow of clients. Advertisements such as flyers, social media, TV and radio ads, or even an old-fashioned word of mouth, are great examples of marketing. Plan all of this at least 30 days before opening your shop. 

Opening the Tattoo Shop 

• Finish and decorate certain areas of the shop. Purchase and install necessary furnishings to accommodate your artists and clients. Work areas need reclining chairs, just like a dentist’s. Lighted tracing tables, supply carts, and large mirrors are also needed. Reception areas, on the other hand, need a counter or desk, chairs, couches, and shelves for display. 
• Purchase all required equipment and supplies. Before opening the shop, make sure you are well stocked with all the supplies, materials and equipment needed to properly and efficiently function. Tattooing equipment and supplies typically include an autoclave for sanitising instruments, tattooing machines, needles, ink, paper towels, plastic spray bottles and plastic or latex gloves. Office equipment might include a computer, adding machine, telephones and printers. 
• Lastly, hire professional artists to sufficiently staff your studio. The number of artists needed depends on how big your shop is and how much clientele you expect to generate. Prior to opening the shop, evaluate your target clients, prepare hiring staff, and enough professionally trained tattoo artists.