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Tattoo Artist Job Description Template (and How Tattoo Artists Get Paid)
A good tattoo artist job description tells the right artists four things in the first few lines: the style you need, how they get paid, the license and portfolio you require, and how your studio helps them fill their book. Everything else is detail. Below is a template you can copy, a comparison of the three common pay models, and a 30-day plan to get your new artist booked.
The job descriptions that rank on Google are written by job boards for job seekers. This one is written for studio owners who are hiring, because the hire only pays off once the new artist's calendar is full. For the bigger picture of bringing in clients, see how to get more tattoo clients.
Tattoo artist job description template
[Studio name] is hiring: tattoo artist ([style], [city])
About us
[Studio name] is a [number]-artist studio in [neighbourhood, city],
known for [styles]. We book mostly custom work, with flash days
several times a year.
Who we are looking for
- A licensed tattoo artist in [state] (or able to get licensed before starting)
- A portfolio of healed work in [style], ideally [years]+ years of tattooing
- Someone who answers clients quickly and works cleanly and safely
- Bloodborne pathogens training (current)
What you will do
- Consult with clients and draw custom designs
- Tattoo booked clients and flash day clients
- Keep your station and paperwork to our standards
- Post your work so we can use it in our ads (with credit)
Pay and schedule
- [Commission split / booth rent / hourly], details below
- [Days and hours]
- [What the studio provides: supplies, booking software, front desk]
How we help you fill your book
- Your own ads on Instagram and Facebook, run by the studio
- Booking form, deposits and reminders handled by our system
- Flash days and a shared client list
How to apply
Send your portfolio (Instagram link is fine, with healed photos)
and a few lines about yourself to [email] by [date].
Replace the brackets and keep the "How we help you fill your book" section. It is the part most job ads leave out, and it is what good artists care about most.
How tattoo artists get paid
There are three common models. The right one depends on how much of the client flow the studio provides.
| Model | How it works | Suits artists who | Risk for the studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission split | The artist keeps a percentage of each tattoo; the studio keeps the rest | Want the studio to bring clients and handle the business side | The studio earns only when the artist is busy |
| Booth rent | The artist pays a fixed weekly or monthly fee for a station and keeps what they earn | Already have their own following and clients | Steady income, but less control over how the artist works |
| Hourly or salary | The studio pays a set wage | Are newer, or work in large shops with steady walk-ins | The studio carries the cost in quiet weeks |
Splits and rents vary a lot by city, experience and what the studio provides, so there is no single standard number. If you offer a commission split, be clear about what the studio provides in return: supplies, booking software, front desk, and above all a steady flow of clients. Check with an accountant how each model affects taxes and whether the artist is an employee or a contractor in your state.
Where to post the job
- Your studio's Instagram: a post and a story highlight; artists already follow studios they admire.
- Industry groups and forums: tattoo artist Facebook groups and communities.
- Conventions: talk to artists whose work you like.
- Job boards: fine as a backup; most good artists are found through their work, not a listing.
How to judge a portfolio
- Healed work first. Fresh tattoos all look good. Ask for photos of pieces that are one year old or more.
- Consistency. Ten solid pieces beat one spectacular one and nine average ones.
- Style fit. An artist whose style overlaps with someone already in your studio will compete for the same clients.
- How they talk to clients. Look at comments and replies on their Instagram; clients book people who answer.
The first 30 days: get the new artist booked
A new artist with an empty book leaves within months. Plan their first month before they start:
| Week | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before day one | Announce the artist with their best healed work; add them to the booking form and consent flow |
| Week 1 | Give them their own ad set with their work, so their style reaches the people who want it |
| Week 2 | Run ads from their own Instagram handle with partnership ads |
| Week 3 to 4 | A small flash day to meet local clients fast; see our flash day checklist |
Watch what each new conversation costs for the new artist compared with the others. In one studio we ran, four artists' ad sets produced 127, 78, 19 and 1 leads over the same nine weeks, so give each new artist a short, fixed test before deciding how much budget they get.
Make sure your booking and payment software can handle another artist; see tattoo shop POS and management software.
FAQ
How do you describe a tattoo artist?
A tattoo artist designs and applies permanent tattoos, consults with clients on their ideas, keeps a sterile workstation, and follows health and safety rules. In a job description, also say which styles you need and how the artist gets paid.
How do tattoo artists get paid?
Usually through a commission split with the studio, by renting a booth or station and keeping their earnings, or, less often, through an hourly wage or salary. The model depends on the studio and how much of the client flow it provides.
Is $100 an hour good for a tattoo artist?
It depends on the city, the artist's experience and whether that is the rate charged to clients or what the artist takes home after the studio's share. Compare it with local studios' rates rather than a national number.
Can I be a tattoo artist without a degree?
Yes. Tattoo artists do not need a college degree, but most states require a license, which usually involves bloodborne pathogens training and often an apprenticeship. Check your state health department's requirements.