How to Hire Tattoo Artists for Your Studio (Without Getting Burned)

My first hire was a disaster. Great portfolio, terrible everything else. Late every day, station always messy, argued with clients about design changes, and spent more time on his phone than tattooing. I kept him for six months because firing someone felt awful and I didn’t know how to have that conversation.

Meanwhile, clients were complaining, my other artist was frustrated, and my shop’s reputation was taking hits. When I finally let him go, the relief was immediate — and the remaining team became happier and more productive overnight.

Hiring the wrong artist costs you revenue, reputation, and sanity. Here’s how to hire the right ones.

When to Hire Your First (or Next) Artist

Hire when:

• Your books are consistently full 3+ weeks out
• You’re turning away client inquiries regularly
• You have demand for a style you don’t offer
• Your revenue can support the overhead of another station
• You want to grow beyond solo income

Don’t hire when:

• Your own books aren’t full (focus on marketing first)
• You’re hiring to make the shop feel busy (expensive way to decorate)
• You can’t afford 3 months of that station’s overhead if the artist doesn’t bring in clients
• You haven’t worked out your commission structure and agreements

Where to Find Artists

Instagram (Best Source)

Search local hashtags: #[yourcity]tattoo, #[yourcity]tattooartist, #[yourstate]tattoo

Look for artists whose work you genuinely admire, who have a decent following (2,000+ for local artists), and who engage with their audience. Their Instagram IS their resume.

DM approach: Keep it direct and respectful.

“Hey [name], I run [shop name] in [city]. Really impressed by your work, especially your [specific style/piece]. We’re looking for an artist who does [style] and I think you’d be a great fit. Would you be open to chatting about a potential spot at our studio? No pressure either way.”

Conventions

Tattoo conventions are networking goldmines. Talk to artists, see their work in person, watch how they interact with clients. Exchange info and follow up after the convention.

Artist Referrals

Ask your current artists: “Know anyone good who might be looking for a new home?” Artists know artists. The best referrals come from within the community.

Online Communities

• Reddit: r/TattooArtists, r/TattooBusiness
• Facebook: Tattoo artist networking groups (many are private — request access)
• Tattoodo and similar platforms

What NOT to Do

• Don’t poach artists from competitor shops by bad-mouthing the competition
• Don’t hire someone you haven’t met in person (or at minimum video-called)
• Don’t hire based solely on Instagram — curated feeds can hide inconsistency
• Don’t hire friends just because they’re friends (see my disaster story above)

The Evaluation Process

Step 1: Portfolio Review

Look beyond the highlights:

• Consistency: Are ALL their pieces good, or do they have 10 great pieces and 50 mediocre ones?
• Healed work: Fresh tattoos always look great. Healed work shows real skill. Ask to see healed photos.
• Variety within their style: Can they execute different compositions and sizes, or do they only do one thing?
• Clean lines: Zoom in. Are lines smooth and consistent? Shading even? Colors saturated?
• Skin handling: Look for signs of overworking — scarring, raised lines, blowouts.

Step 2: In-Person Meeting

Meet them at your shop or a neutral location:

• Punctuality: Are they on time? This tells you a lot.
• Professionalism: How do they present themselves? How do they talk about their work?
• Why they’re looking: Why are they leaving their current situation? Red flags: “My last shop sucked,” “Nobody appreciates my work,” “I got screwed on commission.” Everyone’s-fault-but-mine attitude = trouble.
• What they’re looking for: Understand their goals. Do they want stability? Creative freedom? Income? Growth?
• Cultural fit: Would they vibe with your existing team and clients?

Step 3: Guest Spot (Critical)

Before offering a permanent position, have them guest spot at your shop for 1-2 weeks.

What you’re evaluating during the guest spot:

• How they set up and maintain their station
• How they interact with clients
• Their actual tattooing quality on the spot (not just curated portfolio pieces)
• Their reliability (on time every day?)
• How they fit with your team
• Whether they attract their own bookings

Pay them fairly for the guest spot — standard guest artist rate (60-70% or a flat daily fee). This isn’t a free trial; it’s a paid working interview.

Step 4: Reference Check

Ask for references from previous shop owners or mentors. Call them.

Questions to ask:

• How reliable were they? (Attendance, punctuality)
• How was their client communication?
• Did they maintain their station properly?
• Were there any issues during their time there?
• Would you hire them again?

The Offer and Agreement

Once you’ve found the right artist, present a written agreement covering:

Commission structure:

• Split percentage and what it applies to
• Tip policy (typically 100% to artist)
• Payment frequency and method

Schedule:

• Expected days and hours
• How shift changes and time off work
• Minimum hours/sessions per week (if any)

What the shop provides:

• Station, shared supplies, booking software, marketing support, insurance coverage

What the artist provides:

• Their own machines, personal supplies, professional behavior

Client ownership:

• What happens with client relationships if they leave?
• Non-compete terms (if applicable and enforceable)

Termination:

• Notice period (30-60 days is standard)
• Conditions for immediate termination (theft, harassment, health violations)

Have an attorney draft or review this agreement. It protects both you and the artist.

Onboarding a New Artist

Week 1: Setup and Orientation

• Station setup and equipment check
• Tour of sterilization area, protocols, and procedures
• Review of shop policies (deposit, consent, cleaning, hours)
• Introduction to booking software (show them how to manage their calendar)
• Social media: connect their work to the shop’s accounts, agree on tagging and promotion
• Introduce them to your existing clients through Instagram and email

Week 2-4: Ramp-Up

• Help fill their initial bookings through shop walk-ins and social media promotion
• “Now booking [new artist] — specializing in [style]” posts on all channels
• Monitor their work quality and client interactions
• Weekly check-in: “How’s it going? What do you need?”

Month 2-3: Independence

• They should be managing their own booking calendar
• Building their own client base through personal marketing
• Integrated into the shop’s regular workflow and rhythms
• Commission tracking running smoothly

Managing Artist Relationships

The shop owner-artist relationship is unique. They’re not employees in the traditional sense (usually independent contractors), but they work in your space under your brand. The relationship requires mutual respect.

What artists want from shop owners:

• Fair compensation
• Creative freedom
• Reliable infrastructure (working equipment, clean space, functioning booking system)
• Marketing support
• Respectful communication
• Prompt, accurate pay

What shop owners need from artists:

• Reliable attendance
• Professional behavior and clean stations
• Quality work that upholds the shop’s reputation
• Contribution to the shop’s culture and community
• Honest communication about issues

When it’s not working: Address problems early and directly. “Hey, I’ve noticed [specific issue]. Can we talk about it?” Most issues resolve with a direct conversation. If they don’t improve after 2-3 conversations, it’s time to part ways.

How to let an artist go: In person, private, direct. “This isn’t working out for [specific reasons]. I’d like us to transition over the next [30 days]. I wish you the best.” Give them the agreed notice period to wrap up with existing clients and find a new spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find tattoo artists to hire?

Instagram (search local hashtags), conventions, artist referrals, and online communities. Instagram is the most effective — search for local artists whose work you admire and reach out directly.

What should I look for when hiring a tattoo artist?

Beyond artistic skill: consistency of work quality, professionalism, existing client base, social media presence, reliability, cultural fit, and willingness to sign a written agreement covering commission and expectations.