Working in Tattoo Studios: What the Reality Is Really Like

The world of Tattoo Studios, as depicted in social media and TV shows, often presents a skewed picture, amplifying certain aspects while downplaying others. This distorted image can make it challenging for aspiring tattoo artists to truly grasp what working in a tattoo studio is like before diving into the tattoo industry.

To offer clarity, I’ll share my personal experiences from years spent working in various tattoo studios. This is a genuine look at tattoo studio life – the positives, the challenges, and even the occasionally unpleasant realities you might encounter.

Tattoo Studio Culture: Setting the Tone

Having worked in numerous tattoo studios, I’ve observed a common thread in their physical layouts. You’ll typically find similar equipment setups and arrangements for waiting areas, tattooing zones, and artist spaces (where supplies, autoclaves, stencil machines, and more are housed).

However, the defining factor in any tattoo studio isn’t the equipment or the layout; it’s the people and the relationships forged within those walls. The studio culture, shaped by the personalities and interactions of the artists and staff, significantly impacts the daily experience.

Tattoo Artists: Friends or Rivals in the Studio Environment?

Television often portrays tattoo artists locked in fierce competition, constantly battling for dominance. While a little drama might exist, my experience points to a different reality. I’ve built strong, genuine friendships with many artists I’ve worked alongside, relationships that extend beyond the studio. When you spend your days working closely with a team, a positive and supportive environment is not just preferable, it’s essential. It’s common to see artists in a well-functioning tattoo studio interacting, sharing techniques, and complimenting each other’s work during downtime. This collaborative atmosphere is conducive to growth and a more enjoyable workplace.

Of course, in any group setting, particularly in larger tattoo studios with five or more artists, personality clashes can occur. Occasionally, you might encounter individuals who are overly competitive or thrive on creating drama. However, these personalities are often short-lived in a professional tattoo studio environment. Such individuals tend to either be asked to leave or choose to depart, as their behavior disrupts the studio’s harmony.

Interestingly, ego-driven issues seem to be more prevalent in tattoo studios where the overall skill level is lower. When you assemble a team of highly skilled artists, the focus shifts towards mutual learning and artistic growth. Jealousy and friction are more likely to surface in less experienced studios, particularly if a talented newcomer or apprentice joins the ranks, potentially threatening the established, albeit less proficient, artists. This can lead to internal conflicts, especially in studios struggling to attract clients, where artists might feel they are competing for limited opportunities.

The Tattoo Studio Hierarchy: Understanding the Structure

A clear hierarchy definitely exists within tattoo studios. It’s a structured environment with defined roles and responsibilities.

Shop Owner: The Head of the Tattoo Studio

At the top of the hierarchy is the tattoo studio owner. Ultimately, their decisions are final. The artists operate within the studio to generate revenue for the owner’s business. The approachability of the owner can vary widely. In my experience, tattoo studio owners generally fall into two categories: those who are tattoo artists themselves and those who are primarily business-oriented.

Owners who are also active tattoo artists often occupy the prime booth within the studio and may be perceived as less approachable. There’s sometimes an unspoken dynamic where they feel the need to continually assert their status as the top artist within their own studio, which can create a degree of tension.

On the other hand, owners who are solely business people, without a tattooing background, tend to be more approachable. Their primary focus is on the business’s success and profitability. They often prioritize artist satisfaction because they understand that happy artists are productive artists, contributing directly to the studio’s financial health.

Lead Artists/Veteran Artists: Influential Figures in Tattoo Studios

These are the seasoned artists, the veterans who have established themselves over time. They are typically among the most skilled and highest-earning artists in the tattoo studio, second only to a tattooing owner. They often enjoy preferential treatment and perks. Studio owners recognize their value, as they attract a significant client base and substantially impact the studio’s revenue. Lead artists often have the luxury of choosing the projects they want to undertake and can delegate less desirable walk-in clients or designs to newer artists in the studio.

New Artists: Building a Foundation in Tattoo Studios

Newly licensed tattoo artists find themselves at the lower end of the tattoo studio hierarchy. While they have more seniority than apprentices, their position is still developing. For instance, a new artist might direct an apprentice to perform tasks, but they wouldn’t typically instruct a lead artist or a more experienced tattooer within the studio.

Apprentices: Learning the Ropes in Tattoo Studios

The treatment of apprentices varies significantly between tattoo studios. In many studios, apprentices traditionally start as the “shop slave,” a role that can involve a year or more of cleaning, sterilizing equipment (like tubes), running errands, and managing the front desk. During this initial period, they might not even handle a tattoo machine.

Apprentices often undertake the least desirable tasks in the studio. While this traditional approach is still prevalent, it’s not universally embraced. A more progressive philosophy recognizes that apprentices are the future of the studio. If apprentices are consistently treated poorly during their formative years, they are likely to leave once they become fully qualified artists. Tattoo studio owners who understand the value of mentorship recognize that investing in an apprentice’s positive development is crucial, as losing a trained artist represents a significant loss of time and resources.

Here’s a quick guide to navigating common issues within tattoo studios:

Client Issues: Generally, artists aim to resolve client issues directly to ensure customer satisfaction. However, for significant problems, informing the studio owner is essential, as it’s their business and they need to be aware. For design-related challenges, seeking input from other artists in the studio can be a valuable resource.
Artist Conflicts: Direct communication with the artist involved is usually the first step. Involving the studio owner in minor artist disagreements can be perceived negatively. If a problem escalates and requires owner intervention, be aware that owners are likely to prioritize the artist who contributes more financially to the studio.
Equipment or Material Issues: Artists are typically responsible for their own equipment maintenance. Equipment malfunctions are usually preceded by warning signs. In urgent situations during a tattoo session, asking a nearby artist for immediate assistance is common practice. Studio owner involvement is generally reserved for building-related issues (e.g., broken AC). Acquiring new tattoo machines or personal equipment is typically the artist’s responsibility.

Note: Apprentices facing uncomfortable or unsafe situations should always report them to the studio owner.

Tattoo Artist Pay and Work Hours in Tattoo Studios

Payment structures and work hours can heavily influence the overall studio culture. While most tattoo studios classify artists as independent contractors, exploitative practices can indicate a toxic environment. A studio that demands excessive hours or unfair financial arrangements can create a negative atmosphere.

Fair Compensation in Tattoo Studios: Commission Splits

New artists, in particular, need to be aware of fair commission structures. Here’s a breakdown of common revenue sharing models:

60/40 (Artist’s Share): This is a standard and artist-favorable split where the artist receives 60% of the revenue, responsible for their own supplies and marketing efforts.
50/50 (Even Split): In a 50/50 arrangement, the studio should ideally contribute by providing some disposable supplies and actively promoting the artists to attract clients. This split is also often applied to apprenticeships.
40/60 (Studio’s Share): A 40/60 split, where the studio takes the majority, is generally unfavorable for the artist, unless it’s a unique situation like apprenticing with a highly renowned artist in specific regions. In most typical tattoo studios, artists should seek studios offering fairer commission structures.

Payment is often in cash, but this can vary between tattoo studios.

Work Hours in Tattoo Studios: Balancing Studio Time and Personal Time

Standard Studio Hours (9-5): Many tattoo studios, especially for newer artists, expect artists to be present during standard business hours, such as 9 am to 5 pm. Flexibility regarding early arrival or late departure, depending on ongoing work, varies from studio to studio. Many artists aim to conclude their studio workday around 6 pm.
Additional Workload: Tattooing extends beyond studio hours. Artists often spend 2-4 hours daily outside of studio time on design work for upcoming appointments.
Administrative Tasks: Managing client communication, scheduling, and inquiries through social media and other channels adds to the workload outside of tattooing hours.
After-Hours Tattooing Policies: Some artists take their tattoo machines home for security, while others leave them at the studio. Studio policies on taking machines home and potential implications regarding tattooing outside the studio (which bypasses studio commission) differ. Artists should understand the studio’s stance on this to avoid potential conflicts. Apprentices are generally advised against taking machines home to prevent unsupervised tattooing, which could violate apprenticeship terms.
Extended Hours for New Artists: Building a client base requires significant effort, especially for new artists. This often translates to longer working hours, including active social media engagement and prompt client communication, sometimes extending into late hours. As a client base grows, the need for constant availability diminishes.

Note: As income increases, consider hiring a virtual assistant to manage administrative tasks.

Flexible Scheduling for Experienced Artists: Veteran artists typically have more scheduling flexibility due to their established value to the studio. Studio owners are more likely to accommodate their needs. Owners, of course, have complete control over their schedules. Apprentices, however, are generally expected to adhere to the strictest schedules, often being the first to arrive and last to leave.

Vacation, Sick Leave, and Benefits in Tattoo Studios

Tattoo artists are typically classified as contractors, not employees, within tattoo studios. This contractor status means they generally do not receive employee benefits like paid vacation time, sick leave, or retirement plans. Time off directly impacts an artist’s income, as well as the studio’s revenue, so extended absences might not be favored by studio owners. However, the flexibility to travel and work simultaneously through guest spots in different studios is a unique advantage of the tattoo industry, allowing artists to generate income while traveling.

While formal sick leave isn’t provided, common sense prevails. Artists who are genuinely ill cannot and should not work, especially in a hygiene-sensitive environment like a tattoo studio. A studio owner who pressures a genuinely sick artist to work should raise red flags about the studio’s overall work environment.

Retirement plans (like 401Ks) and health insurance are not typically offered by tattoo studios to their artists, based on my experience. Artists are responsible for managing their own taxes, as their income is commission-based, without a base salary or hourly wage.

The Casual Yet Professional Tattoo Studio Workspace

Tattoo studios often have a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Formal business attire is rare. However, despite the casual vibe, it’s crucial to remember that a tattoo studio is a business and should be treated professionally.

Closed-toe shoes are usually the only mandatory dress code item, primarily for hygiene and safety reasons, protecting against potential exposure to ink or bloodborne pathogens. Beyond this, artists generally dress casually and comfortably, often in jeans and t-shirts or trendy streetwear. Many artists, including myself, prefer darker clothing to minimize visible ink stains. It’s advisable to change clothes promptly upon returning home, especially for those with families, to minimize potential contamination and maintain home hygiene.

Language and Professionalism: While tattoo studios often have a relaxed approach to language, including casual swearing, professionalism is still expected. Swearing is usually lighthearted and commonplace among artists, but abusive or hateful language is unacceptable and unprofessional, particularly towards clients or fellow artists.

Clients: The Core of Tattoo Studios – Both Rewarding and Challenging

Client interactions are central to working in tattoo studios. Many artists find client relationships incredibly rewarding, building strong connections and having meaningful conversations. However, client experiences can be variable, especially in studios with high walk-in traffic. Finding strategies to attract and work with preferred clients is a key aspect of career development for tattoo artists.

Client Reactions: Addressing Common Misconceptions

Fainting and Vomiting: Contrary to popular belief fueled by viral videos, clients fainting during tattoos is not a frequent occurrence. In my extensive experience, it’s relatively rare. However, being prepared for such situations is important. Prevention involves advising clients to eat beforehand and monitoring their well-being throughout the session, offering sugary drinks if they feel lightheaded. Vomiting is even less common. Client hygiene, however, can sometimes be a more significant challenge for artists. Poor hygiene, strong odors, or tattooing sensitive areas can be physically unpleasant for the artist.

Managing Client Comfort and Expectations in Tattoo Studios

Pain Management and Breaks: Clients’ pain tolerance varies. While tattoos are inherently painful, excessive breaks can paradoxically increase discomfort by allowing the area to become more sensitive. Regular breaks for the artist’s well-being (every couple of hours) are advisable. For clients requesting frequent pain breaks, explaining that fewer, well-timed breaks are often more effective can be helpful. Topical solutions like Bactine spray, while offering minimal physical numbing, can provide psychological comfort to clients.

Studio Policies: Maintaining a Professional Tattooing Environment

Friends and Family in Tattoo Area: Allowing friends or family members in the tattooing area is a matter of artist preference. Personally, I discourage it for several reasons: Clients may exaggerate their pain response for attention; movement from laughter disrupts the tattooing process; companions may interfere with design decisions; extra people create distractions and increase booth temperature; onlookers can create discomfort and impede movement; and children pose safety hazards and distractions.

Design Considerations and Ethical Boundaries in Tattoo Studios

Design Refusals: While some experienced artists may decline certain designs simply due to repetition, I generally avoid turning down work based on design preference, as tattooing is my livelihood. However, refusing to tattoo offensive or hateful designs is a firm ethical stance. While less experienced artists might be assigned simpler or less desirable designs, no artist should be forced to create tattoos that violate their personal values or exceed their skill level.

Identifying Ideal Clients in Tattoo Studios

Desired Client Attributes: While aiming to provide excellent service to all clients, certain client types are more desirable. Ideal clients value the artist’s skill and time, are financially willing to invest in quality tattoos, return for multiple pieces, and are interested in larger, more complex tattoos. Clients with healthy, well-maintained skin, particularly younger clients, are often easier to tattoo due to better skin elasticity and hydration. However, client relationships are not solely transactional. Many artists deeply value the connections they make with clients of all ages and backgrounds.
Less Desirable Client Behaviors: Clients who bring young children create safety and distraction concerns. Haggling excessively over prices indicates a lack of appreciation for the artist’s work. Poor hygiene or significant health issues can create challenging and uncomfortable tattooing experiences. Clients under the influence of drugs impair communication and judgment, increase movement during tattooing, and are more likely to regret their tattoos. Constant phone use and social media updates during sessions disrupt the tattooing process due to client movement.

Strategies for Attracting Preferred Clients to Your Tattoo Studio

Defining Your Tattoo Style: Specializing in specific tattoo styles naturally attracts clients interested in those styles. For example, artists specializing in bold, tribal designs may attract a predominantly male clientele, while artists known for delicate, fine-line work may attract more female clients. Staying aware of current tattoo trends within different demographics can also influence client attraction.
Studio Location: The geographic location of a tattoo studio significantly impacts its clientele. Studios in urban centers often attract more affluent and sophisticated clients, while studios in less affluent or rural areas may attract a different demographic with varying expectations and budgets.
Experience Level and Portfolio: Building a strong portfolio and gaining experience are crucial for attracting preferred clients. Initially, artists may need to take on a wide range of projects to build their skills and clientele. However, as an artist’s portfolio develops and showcases their preferred styles, they will naturally attract clients seeking those specific aesthetics. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients who appreciate an artist’s style are invaluable in attracting like-minded clientele.

Inside Tattoo Studio Life: Unspoken Realities

Desirable Tattoo Studio Amenities: Over time, I’ve developed a checklist of studio features that significantly enhance the working experience: A dedicated front desk staff frees artists from administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on tattooing. Air conditioning is essential for artist and client comfort. Private booths offer focused workspaces. Stencil machines save considerable time and effort in design preparation. Studio-provided advertising and marketing support are particularly beneficial for new artists, helping them build their client base.
The Balancing Act: Pros and Cons of Tattoo Studio Work: One of the major downsides of tattoo studio life can be encountering studios primarily focused on maximizing profit at the expense of artist well-being. Restrictive studio policies that hinder artists’ professional growth or income potential are red flags. Another often-unmentioned challenge is physical strain, particularly back pain, from prolonged hours of tattooing in hunched positions. Prioritizing posture, taking breaks, and incorporating exercises like deadlifts can help mitigate these physical challenges.
The Rewarding Aspects of Tattoo Studio Careers: Despite the challenges, the rewarding aspects of working in tattoo studios often outweigh the negatives. Tattooing offers the opportunity to pursue a passion daily. Being in a supportive and creatively stimulating studio environment is invaluable. The ability to travel and work globally is a unique perk of the tattoo profession. Tattooing provides a fulfilling career path with creative freedom and the chance to connect with diverse individuals worldwide.

Ready to Embark on a Career in Tattoo Studios?

Historically, entering the tattoo industry meant enduring a lengthy, unpaid apprenticeship, often lasting 2-4 years. Aspiring artists spent years performing menial tasks to earn the opportunity to learn tattooing skills.

Now, resources like Tattooing 101’s Artist Accelerator Program offer a more accelerated path. This program provides comprehensive training, condensing the traditional apprenticeship model into a structured, video-based curriculum. It allows aspiring artists to gain the necessary skills to pursue their tattoo studio career goals, potentially shortening the traditional apprenticeship pathway and enabling them to work in their dream studios or even establish their own businesses, all at a flexible pace.

Click here to explore the Artist Accelerator Program further.