Becoming a tattoo artist can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. You have the ability to provide customers with meaningful, aesthetically pleasing body art that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. You can also determine your own schedule, particularly if you open your own tattoo shop. Depending on your marketing efforts and the quality of your work, you can also determine your own income.
Before you start a tattoo business, though, you will need to purchase essential tattoo supplies to provide tattoos to your customers. Having the right equipment and supplies gives you the appearance of being a professional, which makes potential customers more comfortable with working with you.
You will need at least two tattoo guns. One gun should be for outlining, and the other should be for shading. Having at least two tattoo guns expedites the tattooing process, because you won’t have to worry about changing needles or sterilizing equipment as you complete a tattoo. As your business builds, you will need more tattoo guns, so you do not have to wait for sterilization between appointments.
Tattoo gun parts, particularly the barrels, should be constructed of non-corrosive material. Aluminum barrels are most common; however, you have to sterilize the barrels between each use. You can also opt for disposable barrels when you are starting out to save sterilization time. If you choose disposable barrels, make sure they come in sealed blister packs, so you can be sure they are sterile.
Single use needles are also essential for tattoo artists. Because these needles are inexpensive, there is little need to choose needles that you have to clean and sterilize between appointments. At a minimum, you should have a ready supply of 1, 4, and 6 needle bars for lining and shading. Like disposable barrels, these bars should come in sealed individual blister packs.
Purchase extra springs for your tattoo guns. Few things are more frustrating for a tattoo customer than having to come back later to finish a tattoo because you have broken a spring.
Quality inks are a must for any tattoo artist. Cheap inks tend to fade and discolor quickly, which does little to encourage word of mouth advertising. Buy the highest quality inks you can afford, so your customers can enjoy bright, vivid colors for years to come.
You will need an autoclave to sterilize your equipment. An autoclave is a relatively expensive piece of equipment; however, with proper care, it will last for several years. Larger autoclaves can sterilize several pieces of tattoo equipment at once, so you won’t have to use it as often to keep your equipment sterile.
Transfer paper and ink is essential for tattoo artists. This allows you to trace and apply your designs before you start tattooing, so you can avoid mistakes.
You will also need miscellaneous supplies, such as razors for shaving hairy areas, disposable gloves, ink caps for holding ink during tattoo sessions, and cotton balls for wiping excess tattoo ink from your work area. You may also want to purchase flash art for customers who do not want custom designs.
Starting out with the right tattoo supplies involves a larger upfront expense, but it can help you build a profitable business quickly.
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