{"id":2547,"date":"2019-04-09T17:46:43","date_gmt":"2019-04-09T21:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/?p=2547"},"modified":"2025-08-07T15:12:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T19:12:50","slug":"how-to-start-a-tattoo-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/how-to-start-a-tattoo-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Tattoo Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a highly creative and artistic person, tattooing may be something you\u2019ve taken an interest in. It can be a beautiful art form and wonderful way to express your talents. Honing your skills in this trade can take some time and may require apprenticeship training, but once you\u2019re ready to branch off and open your own tattoo business, there are a few things you should keep in mind.<\/p>\n<h3>Understanding the Tattoo Industry<\/h3>\n<p>Tattooing can be an amazing industry to become involved in. But, it\u2019s important to learn about the industry overall before you undertake your business <span lang=\"en-CA\">endeavour<\/span>. There are certain laws and permits that you may require in order to run your business. Each Province and city has specific regulations and by-laws you\u2019ll want to make yourself aware of, to ensure you\u2019re operating within those regulations.<\/p>\n<p>You can start by contacting&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Canada<\/a>, who may be able to direct you to the Provincial and municipal bodies for information specific to your area.<\/p>\n<h3>Create Your Business Model<\/h3>\n<p>If you want to get somewhere, it\u2019s important to know how you\u2019re getting there. Your business model will help you create that plan for the future of your business. You will want to take into account future projections for revenue and concerns you may have with liability. Take the time to think through all of these things to create a solid business model before moving forward.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/forms\/business-registration.php\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/start-a-business.jpg\" alt=\"start a business\" width=\"1240\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/start-a-business.jpg 1240w, https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/start-a-business-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/start-a-business-1024x537.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/start-a-business-768x403.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1240px) 100vw, 1240px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Types of Business Registrations<\/h3>\n<p>There are two different types of business registrations you can complete to get your business up and running. Depending on how you want your business structured, you can choose to register as a small business with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/master-business-licence-registration-in-ontario\/\">Master Business Licence<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/where-to-incorporate\/\">Incorporate<\/a>. There are several differences between each type, so depending on what your needs are, you can decide which is best for you and your tattoo business.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fees are lower than incorporating, but the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/renew-your-ontario-master-business-licence-to-keep-it-active\/\">licence needs to be renewed<\/a> every 5 years to stay active<\/li>\n<li>Personal liability for any personal or property loss that happens because of your business<\/li>\n<li>No name protection, so another business can use the same name<\/li>\n<li>Taxed at a personal level<\/li>\n<li>Limited number of changes that can be made to the registration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you would like to have us complete a Master Business Licence, click on the button below to get started.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ctabig-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/forms\/business-registration.php\">Get Your Master Business Licence<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/incorporation-online.php\">Corporation<\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Fees are higher to incorporate, but no renewals are required to stay active<\/li>\n<li>Limited personal liability protection<\/li>\n<li>Name protection within your jurisdiction<\/li>\n<li>Taxes are done separately, and there may be possible tax savings and advantages<\/li>\n<li>Any changes needed can be made through Notices of Change or Amendments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you would like to have us Incorporate in Ontario on your behalf, click on the button below to start today!<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ctabig-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/incorporation-online.php\">Incorporate in Ontario Today<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Figure Out Your Target Market<\/h3>\n<p>Knowing who you\u2019re targeting as potential customers will help you direct your marketing efforts more effectively. You won\u2019t want to waste time, effort and money marketing to the wrong audience, so getting to understand the specific needs of your prospective clients can help streamline those efforts.<\/p>\n<h3>Obtaining Capital<\/h3>\n<p>Depending on the size of your business, location, equipment you\u2019re going to need and a number of other factors, the amount of money you\u2019ll need to get started will fluctuate. You\u2019ll also want to take into account any permits or licences specific to tattooing you may need to acquire or renew.<\/p>\n<p>Determining your business model and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/writing-a-business-plan-for-success\/\">business plan<\/a> can help give you a better picture of how much money you\u2019ll need to get started, and the amount you\u2019ll need to generate to keep things moving in the direction you want.<\/p>\n<h3>Market Your Business<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s much easier to target your potential clients when you know exactly who you\u2019re aiming to attract. Create a comprehensive marketing strategy that branches out through a broad spectrum of sources to get maximum results. You can start by tapping into your existing network of family and friends to help with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/social-media-business\/\">marketing your business<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You can also pair with like-minded business and those targeting the same market, whether it\u2019s a clothing business, hair salon or any other type of business where the same audience would be sought after. Joining forces can help you increase your marketing power, especially if you\u2019re pairing with an established brand.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, in the tattoo business, the actual artwork you\u2019re doing is your best form of advertising. The work you do speaks for itself, so be sure to get as much of it out there in front of people\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the different aspects of the tattoo industry can help you create an effective marketing strategy and business plan, to pave the way for the long-term success of your business.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re ready to register your tattoo business, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\">Ontario Business Central<\/a> can help you in obtaining your&nbsp;Master Business Licence&nbsp;or&nbsp;Articles of Incorporation&nbsp;on the same day.<span style=\"color: #333333;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 50%; float: left;\"><a class=\"ctabig-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/incorporation-online.php\">Incorporate in Ontario<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 50%; float: left;\"><a class=\"ctabig-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/forms\/business-registration.php\">Register Your Ontario Small Business<\/a><\/div>\n<p>Should you have any questions, please feel free to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/contactus.php\">reach out to our staff<\/a> for additional information and assistance.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"&#x6d;&#97;i&#x6c;&#116;o&#x3a;&#x69;&#110;&#x71;&#x75;&#105;r&#x69;&#101;s&#x40;&#x6f;&#110;&#x74;&#x61;&#114;i&#x6f;&#98;u&#x73;&#x69;&#110;&#x65;&#x73;&#115;c&#x65;&#110;t&#x72;&#x61;&#108;&#x2e;&#x63;&#97;\">&#x69;&#x6e;&#113;u&#x69;&#x72;&#x69;&#101;s&#x40;&#x6f;&#x6e;&#116;a&#x72;&#x69;&#x6f;&#98;u&#x73;&#x69;&#x6e;&#101;s&#x73;&#x63;&#x65;&#110;t&#x72;&#x61;&#x6c;&#46;c&#x61;<\/a><br \/>\nToll-Free: 1-877-306-9458<br \/>\nLocal: 1-416-599-9009<br \/>\nFax: 1-866-294-4363<br \/>\nOffice Hours: 9:00am \u2013 5:00pm<br \/>\nMonday \u2013 Friday E.S.T.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of registration within the chosen jurisdiction. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions that you speak to a qualified professional.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a highly creative and artistic person, tattooing may be something you\u2019ve taken an&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2548,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[125],"tags":[180,174,179,177],"class_list":["post-2547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-ideas","tag-business-planning","tag-industry-specific","tag-new-business-owners","tag-service-based-business"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"obc-archive-card":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"obc-archive-card-2x":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"obc-archive":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"obc-archive-2x":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false],"rt_custom":["https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/tatoo-artist.jpg",600,400,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Lisa Shaw","author_link":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/author\/lisa-shaw\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/category\/starting-a-business\/business-ideas\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Business Ideas<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"If you\u2019re a highly creative and artistic person, tattooing may be something you\u2019ve taken an...","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2547"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9853,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547\/revisions\/9853"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ontariobusinesscentral.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}