tattoo parlor project

HI my name is Evan Myrick. I am currently attending Collins High. I was writing to you to see if you would like to give me information that i would need on starting my own tattoo shop. I am asking you because i am doing a project on starting your own business and the tattooing business was the most interesting topic i could think of. It relates to me because of my artistic skills and my respect for people who are great with what I am also so interested in. What I would like to know is, what steps would I have to take to start a successful tattoo parlor. Also the supplies I would need,and anything you feel I would need to know.Perhaps a few tips or some steps that 'you' have taken to become a tattoo artist would help me. I am having a hard time locating a supply house via the internet to look up prices Thank you for your time and consideration.

Are you sure this is for school? hmmmm....well, I don't know why you can't find a tattoo equipment supplier online. Just search "tattoo supplies" and there's about 500 of 'em.

"TRANSLATION" HI my name is Evan Myrick. I am currently attending Collins High. I was watching TV the other day and happened to see one of those tattoo reality shows. I thought all the tattooists looked really cool and they have really hot girlfriends. They also get to party and talk shit alot. I am writing to you to see if you would like to give me information so that I can be that cool to. I am asking you because i tryed to find the number to call the show so I could ask them if they would let me learn to tattoo on TV as well, but they weren't listed in the phone book. I read some of the other threads here and saw that I should find a local shop and see about getting an apprentiship, but that sounds like hard work, and besides non of the local shops are on TV. It relates to me because of my artistic skills, and that fact that I have always wanted to be on TV and have a hot girl friend. What I would like to know is, what steps would I have to take to start getting on TV so I can be cool. I tried to find a cheap kit on the internet, but none of those supplyers showed me pictures of hot girls, or told me how to get on TV so I figured they were all a bunch of hacks. Please help me become a tattoo rock star. "END OF TRANSLATION"

And the winner of the Acadamey Award goes to.....Evan

You know, folks, many kids are in high school and like tattoos and dont know how "super secret" this industry is. Hell, they may have even seen the TV shows and thought "I think that lifestyle is for me". Their teacher says "go make a business plan" and so they deceide to make a plan for the thing that intrests them most (at that moment), tattoos. Now we all know that the art of tattooing takes years of learning and patientce to do it right (and you all did it the right way, right???) but the poor high school kids dont. So, instead of being an presumptous jerk, you could try helping them.... To all kids trying to do reports like this: The art of tattooing is a pretty heavy art, these artists are marking people for life. This isnt something that should be taken lightly, and new people getting into the industry is pretty much frowned apon unless you are a kick ass artist or really have something to offer. So, its not that we dont want to help you with your report, its that the details of owning and running a studio arnt something anyone who cares about the industy wants spread around. There are so many hack out there already, we dont need any more. The idea being, the barrie3rs to entry in this business should be set so that only the best are permenently marking the public. In other words, to properly answer your question you really newed to have more time to dedicate to learning about the art of tattooing before you will get answers. I would suggest guestimating and making things up, or finding another business for you report. Maybe a freelance art/animation business. If you really want to learn about tattooing, read through this messageboard, check out the tattoo galleries, and spend a few years learning about the art of tattooing. And remember, if you get into the tattoo world there will be plenty of people who think they are cooler than you.

If it is a legitimate high school project, have one of your parents bring you to Ground Zero on Main Street in your town and discuss this project with the owner. Who knows? You might build a good relationship with the owner and some of the people in the shop. There's nothing wrong with having a good relationship with tattoo artists. We get students coming into our shop all the time looking to do photo essays and photography related projects on us and we don't have a problem with it. I can't speak for the guys at Ground Zero, but it's worth a shot.

Hey bud~ yea i have the exact same project for business management and found it to be really interesting.I really don't like the class but i'm glad I get to do this at least. It really made me want to create my own business. I go to Conant High. Good luck with everything yours Lilly

Me again... yea I have great admiration for tattoo artists and their talent. I have always been an artistic person... I know that teens are usually spontaneous and impulsive but as one I think that I am seriously underestimated. I was just wondering if i could ask a few questions to quite a few places and i was shut down with every phone call, i would drive all the way to the city to get some answers but gas is killing my bills. I guess the only way to get the scoop is to acctually get a tattoo... yours Lilly

hey man my kid's just did a high school report on tattoo's and how the bussniess start's and supplies needed and techiques WERE NOT in the report we discussed one of the most important if not the most concern of tattooing in this modern day.sterilaziton and cross contam. also diase control other matter's discussed was comparison of home tattooing versus pro tattooing. also appertainceship was discussed in no way would i or my kid's would talk about some of the technical aspects that you are asking in your post. thank you don

Do you people realize how dumb you sound? What dya think its a conspiracy where this kid is trying to infiltrate our "secret society? Just fuckin ridiculous...now if this kid is (was?) legit..what kind of opinion is he gonna have about us as artists when he gets slammed and made fun of for aking some simple questions....lets think these kind of responses over before we put them on a public forum huh!...TAz

hi my name is jeff i have been tattooing for over half my life i started research at 13 yrs old started tattooing at 16 you will get craped on alot you wont get taken seriously all you can do is get the book tattooing a-z fr spaulding and start reading talk to shops

best way to open a shop is to send me 50grand.

Ok, im in highschool yes, just like that evan kid, but he sounds like a douche bag to begin with. I got my tatoo done by a friend, who is serious in the tattoo business, but hasnt done apprenticeships, just does tattoo parties with friends , but surprisingly he does amazing work.Ive talked to owners of shops and they say , its a good business to get into , if your serious about it. Pays well, is fun, youll love what you do. Im fairly well with managing my band , and im good with people , alot of people trust me, and i think you need trust, in someone to trust them with your body. But every shop ive gone to, doesnt offer it. Which i think is my guy's problem as well. I have shown artists my tattoos and they are really surprised at how well they turned out, my latest one needs help on a couple small lines that werent deep enough , but it seems every tattoo needs a little touch up work. But the shading is flawless. It looks legit. I want to own a tattoo parlor, I want to tattoo, no one will apprentice me, I am going to community college for business courses and art courses as well to help me get better at drawing and learn different aspects of drawing. After i get degree in art and business, would artists take me a little more seriously?

Give me a break bitches...it was a question.....ya'll stop buying those tattoos out of vending machines....BITCHES!!