Tattoo or piercing artist renting a studio chair

Clients booking tattoos, cover-ups or piercings, often found through Instagram, word of mouth and the studio's walk-in traffic.

Price per piece, per hour or per piercing, plus jewellery sales. You keep what is left after chair rent, supplies and insurance.

• Strong drawing or design ability
• Steady hands and attention to detail
• Strict hygiene habits
• Client communication and consultation

• Check your provincial and local public health rules for personal service settings and artist registration
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether the studio's cover includes you
• Age limits and consent rules for minors, which vary by province
• Chair rent is due even in slow months, so budget for winter dips
• Check your tax setup as self-employed, including GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on your equipment, supplies, insurance and the studio's chair rent or session share. Chair rent is due even in slow months.

Things to check: your provincial and local public health rules for personal service settings, any artist registration, age limits and consent rules for minors, and whether the studio's insurance covers you. Also check your self-employed tax setup, including GST/HST.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your client book, pricing and hours. Budget for winter dips, since rent still needs paying when bookings are quiet.