Private appointment-only tattoo studio

Clients who prefer a private, one-to-one setting for larger or more personal custom tattoos, usually found through your portfolio and referrals.

Hourly or per-piece pricing with booking deposits. You keep all income after rent, supplies, insurance and fees, and may later rent a chair to another artist.

• Experienced, confident tattooing
• Custom design and consultation
• Running bookings, deposits and aftercare
• Basic business admin

• Premises usually need a permit and inspection from the public health authority, check requirements before signing a lease
• Check zoning and your lease allow tattooing, and be wary of tattooing at home as many municipalities do not permit it
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Fixed rent and set-up costs create pressure if bookings are slow
• Strict sterilization, waste disposal and record-keeping duties

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $10,000 to $45,000 CAD, depending on your premises and set-up. Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on bookings. Fixed rent and set-up costs add pressure if bookings are slow.

Check before signing a lease: premises usually need a permit and inspection from the public health authority. Also check zoning, that your lease allows tattooing, and whether your municipality permits it, as many do not allow tattooing at home. Check sterilization and record-keeping duties too.

As an estimate, typically at least around 25 hours a week. You will also need experienced, confident tattooing, custom design and consultation skills, plus bookings, deposits, aftercare and basic business admin.