5 Ways to Support Your Local Tattoo Shop
Quick answer
Five easy ways to support your local tattoo shop: book a session or buy a gift card in the slow weeks after the holidays, leave a review that names your artist, post your healed tattoo and tag the shop and artist, tip your artist if you're happy with the work, and respect their time by showing up on schedule and giving plenty of notice if you need to reschedule.
Most tattoo shops are small businesses: a few artists, a front desk and a lot of regulars. On Small Business Saturday, and every other day, the people who keep them open are their clients.
Here are five easy ways to support the shop that does your ink. None of them cost much, and a couple are free.
1. Book in the slow season
Why it helps: in our experience, the weeks right after the holidays are some of the quietest of the year in a tattoo shop. Bookings in January and February keep chairs full when shops need it most.
Do this: book your next session now, or pick up a gift card for someone else. For gift ideas, see 5 Gifts for the Tattoo Lover on Your List.
2. Leave a review
Why it helps: reviews are how new clients find a shop and decide who to trust.
Do this: if you loved your tattoo, say so in a review, and mention your artist by name. A photo of the healed tattoo helps even more.
3. Tag them
Why it helps: every photo you post with the shop and artist tagged is word of mouth they didn't have to pay for.
Do this: wait until it's healed so the work looks its best, then post it and tag both the shop and your artist.
4. Tip your artist
Why it helps: tipping is common in a lot of tattoo shops, and a tip goes straight to the person who did the work.
Do this: if you're happy with your tattoo, tip. Ask at the front desk whether they take tips on card.
5. Respect their time
Why it helps: a no-show or a last-minute cancellation can cost an artist a whole session, time they set aside and drew for.
Do this: show up on time, follow the shop's deposit and reschedule policy, and give plenty of notice if your plans change. Not sure what the policy is? Ask before you book. See 5 Questions to Ask Before You Book a Tattoo.
Five ways to support your shop
| Do this | Why it helps | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Book in the slow season | Fills the quiet weeks after the holidays | Your next tattoo |
| Leave a review | Helps new clients find them | Free |
| Tag the shop and artist | Word of mouth | Free |
| Tip your artist | Goes straight to the artist | Your call |
| Respect their time | No empty chairs | Free |
For shop owners: make it easy
Clients are happy to help when it takes ten seconds. A few small things make a big difference:
- Put your review link and your handle on the aftercare card that goes home with every client.
- Keep gift cards at the front desk, and mention them through the holidays.
- Send a check-in text around week six asking for a healed photo. See 5 Texts Your Client Will Send You for a template.
- Make your deposit and reschedule policy clear before anyone books.
Your local shop is built one client at a time
Every booking, review and tag helps keep a small shop open. Which local shop would you shout out today?
FAQ
How can I support my local tattoo shop?
Book in the slow season or buy a gift card, leave a review that names your artist, post your healed tattoo and tag the shop, tip your artist if you're happy with the work, and show up on time.
Should you tip your tattoo artist?
Tipping is common in a lot of tattoo shops. If you're happy with the work, a tip goes straight to your artist. Ask the shop whether they take tips on card.
When is the slow season for tattoo shops?
In our experience, the weeks right after the holidays, in January and February, are some of the quietest of the year. It's a good time to book.
When should I post my new tattoo?
After it's healed. Healed photos show the work at its best. Tag both the shop and your artist.