Tattoo Salon

Mainstream tattoo trends, or just short lived fads?
Seems like every time I look online I see another hair salon that is trying to get a tattoo artist to have a "booth". This is kinda' scary because you might have some scratcher off the street representing himself as a professional established artist. All the Salon owner is seeing is the potential for dollar signs.

The overall concept of Studio/Salon integration is not all evil though, in my opinion. It is just difficult for a Salon owner (who probably has a cosmetology license) to understand that people are not just getting a temporary or henna tattoo...these ones are forever. If a tattoo artist messed up a client in your hair salon then you are then known as the horrible tattoo salon in town. Likewise if you have a tattoo artist who has never worked in a professional tattoo studio, then decides to migrate his kitchen tattoo outfit into your upscale hair salon - you might get a bad reputation as well.

There are a lot of similarities between tattoo and hair, as far as the business model goes. From a business aspect of diversification it makes sense. There have been a few who have been able to pull it off. Local laws might actually prohibit such a merger or hair salon and tattoo studio, same goes for the State Board of Cosmetology. There are certain chemicals that can't be around open skin - and that might have to be looked into as well from the tattoo artist aspect. Before you (the salon owner/manager) jump into the concept of full on Tattoo Salon, make sure you do your research, and make sure you know the artist is a professional with at least some years under his belt.

Don't be afraid to ask how long he has been tattooing and who he apprenticed under. Ask to see some of the work he has done, and not just photos - you want to see HEALED tattoos in person.

From the other end of the spectrum, as the tattoo artist looking to join a budding or established hair salon. Do you really want to be known as that tattooer who works at a hair salon? Or are we far enough evolved as tattoo community that it really makes no difference, and is a logical business move?

Check out the salon, and the rep. See if you are the first tattoo artist they are trying out - or if there has been high turnover (find out why). Talk to the stylists about the atmosphere (when the owner/manager is not around) - get the skinny on the whole situation before you quit your station at your current tattoo studio.

If you are an apprentice, and you think this is simple - I should just go open my own studio...but you don’t have the capital to start it up..so renting a booth seems like logical move. Beware: if you end your apprenticeship early you will really hinder your skill set and you ability to grow. You might even burn bridges (not a good thing if you plan to work in the same city or town).

I really don't have an opinion on the whole Tattoo + Salon = Love scenario...just thought I would share a few points of view and thoughts. If you work in a tattoo studio and are thinking of working in a Salon, or if you are a tattoo artist already in a salon, or you work in a salon and want to add tattoo to your line of services offered, or you just like tattoos and salons in general: Please drop a comment on this blog, I would love to hear everyone’s opinions or screaming hatred on this topic!