Getting into the tattoo business is the dream of many. This really comes as no surprise now that tattoos have become into the mainstream. Especially with hit TV shows like Miami Ink and LA Ink tattoos and tattooists have become much more accepted. If you want to start up your own tattoo parlor these are a few important pieces of equipment you will need to get, all of which are documented in greater detail at the Tattoo Equipment Guide. For now, we will run a short overview of these details for the purposes of this guest article.

The actual tattoo machine is the first and one of the important pieces of equipment you need to get started. Also known as tattoo guns these are the small pieces of machinery you will hold to draw a tattoo onto a client’s body. A tattoo gun is fitted with multiple needs soldered onto a bar and these will simultaneously probe into the skin when in use. They move incredibly fast, anywhere from 100 to 3000 times a minute.

Depending on your budget and how serious you are about your tattoo business you should be willing to spend upwards of $200 per tattoo gun. It is best to have a few tattoo guns in the shop especially if you plan on having other tattooists work at the same time as you. As with other equipment tattoo guns can break so having another on hand is important.

Your next focus should be on the tattoo ink you will be using in your tattoo gun. There are endless colors available these days and some shops offer every color in the rainbow to their clients. If you are just getting started and do not want to go overboard and spend too much money you can just stick with the most basic colors to start with such as black, gray and green. Keep in mind that the more colors you offer the more clients you are likely to pull in.

Other equipment includes everything from lighting to tattoo chairs and beds for your clients to lie on. You always need to ensure not only that your client is comfortable while getting tattooed but also that you are able to put them in the best position for any tattoo. If a client wants a tattoo on their side you will not be able to do the best job if they are sitting straight up in a chair. A tattoo bed would come in handy here because they could lie down while you tattoo them.

These are all the basic pieces of tattoo equipment you would need to start your own parlor. Once you are set up you need to focus on building a loyal clientele and a good reputation for yourself.