I had another hoooman ask me to be flexible with my shop minimum.
So I'm going to break it down for those of you who want to understand better in why their are shop minimums in place in many tattoo shops....
OK, let's say a young lady comes in and she wants a small infinity symbol with a date on her wrist...
I respond "$65."
....Can you be flexible with the price?
" No. "
...... But it's only a line and a date.....
No matter how small the tattoo is. It costs me supplies to set up a clean and safe tattoo experience. Like, sterile tube and needle. Green soap. Ink. Papertowels, gloves. Ink caps. Barriers, tattoo machine, stencil stuff. Transfer paper. ect ect....
So the tattoo for a date and infinity symbol is considered a shop minimum tattoo.... The shop minimum here is $65.
Now depending where you work. You may be doing booth rental instead of a percentage but those who do percentages already know that you're not getting that whole $65.
That's why you always should tip your artist!
But anyways, Half of that $65. "or whatever your percentage ratio is" goes to the shop owner who has to pay rent and utilities To keep the shop running.
And The set up for your tattoo can costs about $20 or more.....
So in the end the artist is only making a few bucks in profit after all in accounted for.
I hope that this kinda opens your eyes. And is helpful to you the next time you try to haggle that shop minimum rate.
that's the reason why Their are shop minimums. And some vary in price due to location. Rent. And the cost for their supplies to set up. Here where I work. My shop minimum is $65....
Love you guys!