Thinking of opening a shop

Recently I have been thinking of invensting in opening up a tattoo shop. I will not go into all the details however I have a few quick questions and a basic profile of myself so you get an idea of what kind of place it will be. 1. I don´t have a single tattoo on my body 2. I have 6 small businesses 3. I understand marketing and generating traffic. So bascially I am not the crative tattoo guy that the shop needs, however I have a solid understanding of how to get people into the shop for my artists and the money to open a well funded shop with tv spots in the local area. With that said my main blank is pay for tattoo artists. I hear most of you/them work off a % of what you do. However i personally plan on a more structured approach. I would like to offer my artists solid base pay (salary or hourly depending on just how good the person is) a small % of work done, medical, and dental plan. So bascially give you/them a real job that you know 100% for sure that you will have a paycheck every week no matter how many people walk or do not walk in the door and if you or your family get sick you can go to a good doctor and make sure you get to keep all the nice teeth you have hehe. How much does a tattoo artist make a month on average, what kind of paycheck would they/you be looking for (also state years of experience for a refference point). any info will be greatly appreciated.

Well.. after reading some flames of a fellow poster thinking of the same thing.. let me give a bit more detail. 1. I never watch tv shows so... whatever it is thats great about the two soap´s that are out there about tattoos I have no idea about. The idea of the shop is to provide a place where tattoo artists can do what they do without having to worry so much about how they are going to pay thier bills. It will allow them to relax a bit more and not rush at all because they know that thier paycheck is there. Providing medical and dental insurance would be something very nice for the artists and something that is virtually unheard of from what I understand. Another reason is because I want to get into the market of running a VERY steril doctors office type tattoo shop. I want to open a shop that even the pickiest person would take thier wife to if they would ever get a tattoo. Besides that I think there is a true need in the market for a tattoo shop with this profile. One that inspires confidence, one that prides itself in customer service, one that is run like a business yet harnesses and creates an enviroment for artist that is more stable then your average shop which I would hope would allow them to become more creative and less stressed out.

Good luck in opening your studio! Gabe Ripley who runs this site also owns "off the Map Tattoo" and he is not an artist...however he is heavily tattooed and is probably one of the most knowledgeable people around as far as the tattoo business goes...he had been involved in the tattoo industry for a long long tome before he opened shop.He paid his dues and and did his homework. I have seen a lot of shops open for the express purpose of making money and ,as a general rule, they don't last...you will be hard put to find quality artists to work for you and even fewer to respect you since you admittedly have no tattoos and don't know the first thing about the tattoo business or the art.Personally I would much rather work for a real tattoo artist or at least someone who has a dedication to the art of tattooing even if he/she didn't offer a dental plan or health insurance than a "straight" business man who wouldn't know a flat from a magnum but who pays a guaranteed salary...fuck that!...If that was what was important to me I'd get a job at Hallmark! I think you will find that mindset in most real tattoo artists Good luck anyway in opening a shop in a field so glutted that there are shops on every corner...TAz

"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." In all due respect, that is the message that comes across in this whole thing. Not having any tattoos personally and not understanding one thing about the industry is like entering a Gremlin in a Corvette show. It just doesn't add up let alone make much sense. I think the only possitive that you have in your corner is that you can bank roll your proposed shop's advertising. Granted, that is pivital in the shops ultimate success or failure. But from there you start to lose ground in your thinking. Not all tattoo artists are not the same. How can YOU judge one style from the other an determine who's work is better if you have no experience whatsoever? So how would YOU place an hourly price tag on a PERSON? What you have also managed to get twisted is that the number one source of income for the artist IS the work they do. If an artist busts his/her ass for minutes, hours, days, etc., on a piece then they have EARNED their "paycheck." Apparently YOU also have a misconception that the tattoo industry is not a "real job" just because there is not a steady, "stable", paycheck at the end of the week. What the hell....? This IS VERY MUCH A REAL JOB. Artists spend hours upon hours in their shops', at conventions, in their respective communities, selling one thing, THEMSELVES trying to make an honest Washington. Anyone that tells you differently is full of shit and needs to come out of their kitchen fantasy. This is a make or break industry, plain and simple. Every well respected artist knows this and THAT is what drives them to succeed, not a John Handcocked paycheck on friday. All a paycheck would do to this art is breed complacency. There would be no drive to excell or expand on a personal level because, "Fuck it, I'm still getting paid!" There would be absolutely no sense of quality. Only a "I would like a #2 with tribal and a small blue butterfly." You obviously display your ignorance of a PROFESSIONAL tattoo studio with your belief that there is a need for a "VERY" sterile doctor's office style shop "that even the pickiest person would take thier wife to if they would ever get a tattoo." The Pros in this field have pushed for YEARS for sterile, clean, SAFE enviornments in their shops. Do you honestly think that we are that barbaric in our ways? What stereotype are smoking? Brother, in all due respect, you have a lot of homework to do if you are serious about this. Right now you have too much of a capitolist ideal to your thinking and any tattoo artist who gives a damn will tell you that the art is number one and that money is secondary. All you have created in your thinking is a "Scratchers Utopian Dream."....J

...Sorry. Forgot my disclaimer statement...."Only my opinion."

yup what they said, you have no fucking what the hell you are doing i bust my ass for 12 hours a day 6 days a week for my art not money. you can not put and hourly wage on art because no 2 artist are equal, have the same style, and attitude about the art. it would piss me off if we were both making $25 an hour and i was putting out killer work and the other artist was doing shit. see my point. and what about those $700-$1500 days how is an hourly wage going to compete with those. we earn those days by selling our selves. sounds to me like you need to take your george bush loving ass and open up a starb*ucks. get rid of that brand new harley davidson, and those boots because you do not belong. you're a poser and that's all you'll ever be in this industry.

"a real job"......"worry about making the bills"..........you silly bastard

I can understand how a few things I said came across the wrong way. Let me make something clear. When I say real job I meant in refference to a more typical 9-5 something with a paycheck instead of pure commission based. And anything that you do that makes your ends meet is a real job and a good one if your paying you bills fine. It was a poor choice of words, please don´t get hung up on my poor choice of words and read into what I was really trying to say. I am not saying that all tattoo shops don´t look sterile, any type of generalization of that nature would show ignorance. Also generalizing that they are sterile is just about as ignorant. However there is a very large market out there who think tattoo shops are not sterile and in general most tattoo shops do not inspire any kind of confidence. Mainly because they are owned by creative people that are very artistic and do an awsome job of making the tattoo shop look very atistic but not nessesarily sanitary. In response to the 700-1500 dollar days. How often do you make those? How much do you tend to make every single month. And in general how much does a tattoo artist tend to make every month? I know alot of this depends on how good a studio you work for but in general how much does a tattoo artist make in a month? Now the question I had was never really answered and honestly I don´t mind the flames however I took the time to post this, i am taking the time to clarify a few things, and I am not getting all pissy about the flames. I would like to ask that if you could give me a general idea... it would be nice. Besides all this, fact is. Before I would move forward with something like this I would have to find a right hand man. Someone who has been around for a while, that has a family, and is looking to settle down and run a shop. That would be the person recruting not me because as I stated and some of you were eager to point out again, I do not know much about tattoo´s. and yes, a benefit of having someone like myself run the business aspect of the shop is bank roll and business know how. However as you guys have stated and I agree with 100% that is only part of the business. If you don´t have a quality product/service you are a lame duck. So the idea is to offer a pay scale that is good enough to attract the good talent to the studio, offer them 100% private workplaces (as in the wall goes all the way up and it is a private room). Bascially if/when I open the shop there will be atleast 4-5 tv spots a day, prominant placement it any and all expos that would be around town, marketing of the tattoo artists themselves, radio, newspaper, and considering my background I could actually place a studio in a pretty nice spot without much land lord problems. As you guys who own a shop or might have had to deal with opening one, land lords in general don´t jump for joy when you walk up to them and say you would like to put your tattoo shop in a strip mall that houses a high traffic business (like a grocery store). So you add it up, 1. Good advertizing. 2. A studio that on tv/radio/print/shows and will look very sanitary (you guys know people worry about that, and more so if it is thier first tattoo) To add to that, don´t forget that looks make a big difference. When is the last time you took a cross eyed fat chick with no teeth home with you? 3. Good talent, now this is where I need help at. First starting off with an idea of payscales because I need to write up a plan and salaries would be a key part of my break even point.

O.K. man first off i make enough to pay my bills and live comfortably. second no true artist will tell you what make. the reason you "pay check" plan sucks is, i will not tattoo someone that pisses me off, stinks, has a bad attitude, or if i think what they want is stupid and they'll regret it. also the're are some tattoos i don't like to do and the only reason i do them is the money, if i got paid no matter what i wouldn't do them, why would I. don't forget, if i was working and you came into YOUR shop bitching about something, not having any knolage about tattoos, or any tattoos i'd probally blast you in the mouth, cus you wouldn't have any RESPECT from me. see dude no true artist will ever respect you, you're like one of those guys that has a new harley davidson that rides on weekends, and knows shit about the life. you can not be a poser and do this. sorry if you get offended. go ahead and open a starbucks.

We have those days often enough actually.........will you gauranty at least a $60,000 to $70,000 yearly salary? . If you think im exaggerating ....ask around.

Snuff I respect your business accumen and I do wish you good luck in your venture...but just from some of your statements I think you are gonna have a hard row to hoe! How many professional tattoo studios have you been in?...I think you have the wrong idea about shops today...most professional shops are CLEANER than most doctors offices...and most of todays artists are better educated about things like infection control, cross contamination and bloodborne pathogens than are many of the members of the medical field...in a recent hospital stay I saw so many cross contaminations committed by nurses and doctors alike that I was flabberghasted!...and these are people who are TRAINED to be medical professionals...if I had caught any of my people doing the same dangerous proceedures they would be fired on the spot!!.. I say you need to do a lot more homework before you enter into this venture....all the money in your bank accounts won't buy you a REAL tattoo artist...I suggest that you start frequenting tattoo studios and getting some tattoos...go to conventions and talk to artists....and your idea of how much tattoo artists make is way off base...a competent artist in a busy shop does very well indeed!! Again I wish you luck and if I can help just e-mail me ( click on my name above for my address!)...We can at least have a good argument or two!...TAz, Painted Angel Studios

By the way SNuff..I reported over $250,000 last year and that my profit on PERSONAL shop income!..TAz

Just let me point something out. Not ONCE in any of the posts this person has put up have they mentioned RESPECT/APPRECIATION FOR THE ART! Has anyone else caught that!!!! He/She have openly admitted to knowing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about who we are and what we do. All he/she seems to be interested in is how much MONEY our shops typically pull in on a daily basis and how much MONEY we think our art is worth....It is PRICELESS period! I don't care if you compare a Boris back piece to the chicken I fucking slattered! Everyone of us have poured everything that we are into our art(s). i have said this before and I will say it again, WE bust our asses day in and day out for OUR art! NOT for some commercialized pipe dream.

Christ, I was so peeved I couldn't even spell "slaughtered" right! Geeez!

Settle down there JJ! It'll be ok...We won't let the bad ol investor guy get ya! Unless he offers enough...then your ass is HIS!!!!

Oh, well shit! How silly of me! I can't wait to wake up in the morning, hop in my car and enjoy the early morning breeze through my hair as I drive down the highway listening to NPR. OH! And then my favorite part! Arriving at Wal-Mart with my blue vest adorned with yellow smiley faces and other random trinkets of "quailty customer service" in hand I would stroll proudly through the front automated doors past the racked shopping carts, Sam's Club soda machines, 25-cent gumball machines, with a hardy, "Top of the day!", to the elderly door greeter. Stride along with head held high past the flower display, the optomistrist shop, photo center, salon, local bank satilite, public restrooms. Finally standing infront of my finacially secure, well benefited, 9-5, kids get a free sucker, bring your wife in for a free cartilage piercing with purchase of any tattoo of at least $50, studio.... FUCK THAT SHIT!

You my freind stand for everything tattooing is against(except the sterility and hygiene aspects).Tattooing is about sticking it to the man,it's about doing what you want, how you want, on who you want,on your own time,in your own way.It's not about a steady paycheck and health insurance or tv spots.Next thing you know you'll be offering numbing agents and soothing massages or how about half price Wednesday's or 50% off lower back tattoos with this coupon,or how about $20.00 baby's momma name day that should pack em in for you.You have no clue about tattooing it's not just a job it's an adventure,it's a lifestlye it will consume you,your every thought will be tattoos,you will eat,drink,and sleep tattoos.What are you going to do when your tattooers quit on you becuase your an asshole and move on to the next bigger better thing.You will never get anybody worthwhile to work for you.Sounds like you have been watching to much TLC,haven't you heard their is no reality in reality TV.FUCK THE MAN

Tha's right FUCK THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah and his tattoo shop too............

See?... I told ya!!

snuff sounds like a troll for the man. the tax man that is!!!!

see dude like i said above, you'd get blasted in the mouth the first time you opened it. you'll never earn an artist's respect because you don't have a clue about OUR industry. i think you're a fucking idiot, just by reading your post. imaging what the people you interview and try to offer a job are going to think. take my advice and open a starbucks, that way you'll be around other douchebags like yourself.

I hope to be a tattooist one day, hopefully to eventually be called a Tattoo 'Artist' by my 'peers'. I do have my own plan for opening a shop and though I don't know shit about tattooing yet, even I can clearly see what is wrong with your scenario. But don't dispare, you can still skim "your share" out of the industry as a non-tattooist if you want...You'd have much better luck figuring out where a tattoo shop is "needed" and buying a building there, and simply collecting rent from that new artist owned shop you've facilitated. "passive income" my entrepreneurial friend...rent and capital gains...Provide the space and take a cut for what you actually provide. As for the tattoo business..."Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's."

^ ) ( ) ( NICE

You can't fuck with Caesar....That's all I'm sayin'. Respect. Walk.

SNUFF-milk my donkey- what the HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If the original poster is still reading this: I understand where you are coming from, and if you had all of those plans and beliefs about the business, as well as being involved in the tattoo community, it might work. Myself having a family, would not mind giving up my random pay and having to deal with it, in exchange for salary, com, and benifits. But I would not work for someone who was not involved in the betterment of the industry, and without being an active (and willing) participant, that's not possible. As far as pay goes, it's not the way you think. Often times, the "better" shops make alot less than a prime-location street shop. Or in a town where 1 far surpasses all others. There are alot of variables. Money making is DEFINATLY not what defines a good tattoo shop. All that being said, in all honestly there would be no way I would ever agree to a package like that unless I recieved a minimum of 40k per year, full benefits, 15% and tips of course. If that seems more than you thought than you truly do not value our worth. Currently I would be in line for about 70k this year, had I not decided to steal my soul back and step very slowly away from the evil cash cow streetshop. My advice to you, before thinking about opening a tattoo shop... ...get a tattoo! And don't try to negotiate the price! And don't forget to tip!

Traditional whore...may we ask where you work and can we see some of your work?

From a clients view: I love walking into a shop with personality. I would think if you did open a shop and you did get some artists, they would only be there for a paycheck. You wouldnt be able to walk in and think, "Oh JP has control over the stereo today with all that pirate noise shit!", or over hearing the conversation about the meter maids and how they are going to be on hover boards here soon. It would be a job. They wouldnt love what they were doing, which to me would mean that their work would suffer. Their 'personality' would disappear... but hey they would have dental. I wouldn't go to a shop like this, and I dont know anyone that would. Good luck though, wouldn't get my hard earned dollar. Sin-

As far as where I work, as I indicated I am currently in the process of moving to a new shop. I won't implicate the place I'm leaving after calling them the soul stealing cash cow, that's only my opinion and no need to hurt their business. You can see some of my work @ www.myspace.com/jacqsun. I've been tattooing for 5 years.

Cool Beans Trad whore...I understand completely and respect your not bashing your old shop!...Good luck in the new place and if I haven't welcomed you to the forum yet...WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!....TAz,Painted Angel

Trad whore ...went to your myspace and reqested an add!...TAz

Done and done.

HOW MANY TIMES YOU GONNA POST THIS SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OPEN IT ALREADY AND TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MAYBE YOU CAN RENT SOME SPACE IN WAL-MART!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ill run your shop for you. 100k a year, and all the free tattoos i want. im heavily tattood. HAHA no.. acually i start an apprenticeship soon, after buckling down i found one, asked my tattoo artist, came on here thoight of getting online videos and such, but people talked sence into me.