Recruiting Artists for your Tattoo Shop: Everything You Need to Know

Having a successful tattoo shop requires having the right team of talented and skilled artists in place. As the shop owner, you must ensure your shop is staffed with the best artists.

Recruiting artists for your tattoo shop can be daunting, but you can find the ideal candidate for your needs with the right approach and resources. This blog post will discuss the best strategies for finding and recruiting the perfect artists for your tattoo shop.

 

Why is Tattoo Shop Recruiting So Important?

Recruiting tattoo artists is essential to the success of any tattoo shop. A talented and experienced team of artists can help a shop stand out from the competition and attract more customers.

Not only do customers look for quality work from artists, but they also want to know that their artist is knowledgeable, experienced, and reliable.

By recruiting the right tattoo artists, a shop can ensure customers have a great experience and return for more. Furthermore, recruiting tattoo artists also allows a shop to bring in new talent, allowing them to stay ahead of the competition and offer unique and creative designs.

Why is it Hard to Recruit Well for a Tattoo Parlor?

Recruiting the right artists for your tattoo shop is a difficult task. It takes time and effort to find the best fit for the shop. Finding artists with the right skills and attitude ensures the shop runs smoothly and customers get the best service possible.

It is important to find artists with creative and technical abilities and the right personality and attitude to fit in with your shop’s culture and values.

Additionally, the artist must have the proper licensing and insurance and a portfolio that exhibits the quality of their work. All of these elements can make it hard to recruit well for your tattoo shop, but it is worth the effort, in the long run, to ensure that your shop has the best possible artists to serve your customers.

What to Look for When Recruiting for your Tattoo Parlor

When recruiting for your tattoo parlor, several important factors must be considered.

• Check for experience and portfolio

When recruiting artists for your tattoo shop, you should always check for experience in the field and have them present a portfolio of their work. Experience is critical in tattooing, as the right artist will have a history of trying different techniques and styles and a good understanding of the industry.

• Licensing and safety standards

Recruiting artists for a tattoo shop requires a stringent set of licensing and safety standards. All prospective tattoo artists must have a valid license from a reputable tattoo school or apprenticeship program, depending on the state you live in.

Additionally, they must have a valid certification in bloodborne pathogens and safety standards, including sterile technique and cross-contamination prevention. All tattooing equipment must be sterilized, and disposable materials must be used to reduce the risk of infection.

Finally, artists must be willing to abide by the shop’s policies and procedures, including following local laws and regulations.

• Artistic style

When hiring an artist, prioritize experience, creativity, and technical skill. Look for artists with a portfolio of work demonstrating their expertise and understanding of various tattooing styles.

• Personality

Recruiting artists for a tattoo shop requires looking for individuals with the right personality for the job. You want to find people who are passionate about their art and have a positive attitude.

Look for artists who are open to learning new techniques and are willing to work hard. Value artists who are cooperative, motivated, and work well with others.

• Professionalism

Artists should be able to demonstrate their skills professionally, showing a good understanding of the industry and the regulations in place.

They should also be able to work well with clients to ensure the best possible experience. The artists should have a portfolio that shows their work and be able to answer any questions a potential client may have.

• Customer service

Artists should be friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about tattooing. They should be able to provide a comfortable and safe environment and be open to feedback from their clients. They should also be able to create unique and meaningful artwork while understanding the importance of safety and aftercare.

Red Flags to Avoid

• When recruiting artists for your tattoo shop, there are certain red flags you should be aware of.
• Unclear portfolio: Ensure the artist has a portfolio demonstrating their skills and experience.
• Not up to date with health and safety requirements: Ensure the artist is aware of and compliant with all health and safety regulations.
• Not willing to collaborate: Make sure the artist is open to collaboration and has a positive attitude.
• Does not have a good reputation: Be sure to research the artist’s reputation in the tattoo industry.
• Inadequate references: Ask for references and follow up with them to understand the artist’s work style.
• Inadequate training: Ensure the artist has the necessary training and experience to do the job.

 

 

How to Set Up The Hiring Process

Okay, so now you have identified your requirements for a new tattoo artist, let’s look at the hiring process.

Recruiting artists for your tattoo shop can be time-consuming and complex, but it is necessary to create a successful business. To ensure a smooth and successful artist hiring process, follow these steps:

• Establish a job description and qualifications for the position

First, you should create a clear job description and qualifications for the position. The job description should include the artist’s duties, such as designing tattoos for clients, executing tattoos, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

You should also include a list of qualifications the artist must meet to be considered for the position. These may include a minimum number of years of experience, certifications, or education in the field, a portfolio of their artwork, and any other relevant skills or qualifications.

• Create a recruitment plan

You need a comprehensive recruitment plan to recruit the best artists for my tattoo shop. Create an attractive job posting that outlines the job requirements, what skill sets are desired, and what benefits the artist will receive.

Use job boards, social media, and other online platforms to get the word out about the open positions. Then, review all applications and resumes to ensure you are selecting the best applicants for the positions.

 

• Develop a recruitment budget and timeline

When recruiting artists for a tattoo shop, it is important to have a clear budget and timeline in place. This will help to ensure that the recruitment process runs smoothly and that the shop can hire the best possible talent. The budget should include the cost of advertising, any travel expenses, and any other costs associated with the recruitment process. The timeline should include the initial job postings, the time necessary to review applications, the length of the interview process, and any other steps needed before an artist is hired.

• Advertise the position through multiple job boards and social media

You’ll want to advertise the position through multiple job boards and social media outlets. You can use websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster to post the job opening and various Facebook and Instagram groups specializing in the art industry. Ensure to provide an accurate job description and list the skills and qualifications you’re looking for in a prospective artist.

• Review potential candidates’ portfolios and resumes

This will give you an idea of the artist’s experience and skill level. Reviewing portfolios and resumes allows you to decide who is the best fit for the shop. A portfolio and resume will help the artist stand out from the competition and show they are committed and professional.

• Conduct interviews

It is also essential to consider the artist’s personality and how they will fit into the shop’s culture. 

During the interview, you should ask questions about their qualifications, experience in the field, and any additional skills they may have. Make sure to ask each candidate how they would handle demanding clients and how they would handle situations where a customer is not completely satisfied with their tattoo.

 

 

Additionally, you should ask questions about their art style, how they prefer to work, and whether they are willing to work with a team.

• Negotiate terms of employment and complete background checks

Once you have decided on a candidate, you should negotiate terms of employment and complete background checks. This will help ensure that the artist is reliable, trustworthy, and experienced.

Additionally, consider offering incentives such as flexible hours, vacation days, and commission bonuses to attract top talent.

• Orient the artist to the shop and provide training

Orientation for your artist should include an introduction to the shop, a tour of the facility, and an overview of the policies and procedures. Training should include safety procedures, design techniques, and best customer service practices.

Ensure the artist has the resources they need to succeed, such as access to the latest equipment and adequate supplies.

 

Final Thoughts on Recruiting Artists for Your Tattoo Shop

When it comes to recruiting artists for your tattoo shop, it is essential to make sure that you take the time to research the artist’s skill and experience thoroughly. Consider the type of style they specialize in and the quality of their work.

Unfortunately, recruiting artists requires a lot of time. Time you might not have available!

However, you can significantly increase your available time using DaySmart Body Art. Ditch the pen and paper and embrace tech to manage more of your business. DaySmart Body Art will keep your schedule straight, track inventory and manage payroll, clients, campaigns, and payments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoo Shop Recruiting

 

What qualifications do you need to become a tattoo artist?

Generally, tattoo artists must have a valid health and safety certification, a portfolio of their work, and experience in tattooing. Depending on the shop, additional certifications or qualifications may be required.

How much does a tattoo artist make?

The amount a tattoo artist makes varies greatly depending on the shop and location, as well as experience and skill.

What is the hiring process like for a tattoo artist?

The hiring process for a tattoo artist typically involves submitting a portfolio, resume, and cover letter and completing an interview. Additionally, some shops may require additional certifications or qualifications, as well as proof of experience.

What qualities should I look for in potential artists?

1. Good artistic talent.
2. Reliable work ethic.
3. A professional demeanor.
4. Work well with clients.
5. Maintain a clean and safe work environment.

How do I advertise for tattoo artists?

Advertising for tattoo artists can be done in various ways, such as through word of mouth, the posting of flyers, and online advertising. Additionally, you may find potential artists by attending local tattoo conventions and trade shows.

What should I look for in an artist’s portfolio?

When looking at an artist’s portfolio, you should look for consistent quality work, a wide array of styles, and various designs. You should also look for clean lines, smooth color transitions, and a professional look.