You know your machine cost $1,200. You probably track your ink, cartridges, and PPE. But there’s a good chance you’re still bleeding money through the little things—and we’re not talking plasma. These hidden costs quietly eat your profits and make it harder to scale, save, or even just breathe as an artist.
Here’s what you’re probably not tracking (but absolutely should be):
1. Your Time (Yes, It’s a Cost)
Designing, drawing, resizing, client back-and-forth, setup, teardown… how many unpaid hours are you working per tattoo?
📌 Try this:
Track all non-tattoo time per client. You might be shocked.
💡 Use: Toggl, Clockify, or just a time-blocking calendar.
2. Sterilization + Sanitation Supplies
You’re probably tracking gloves and barriers—but what about:
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Autoclave maintenance?
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Ultrasonic cleaner solution?
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Studio paper towels, soap, cleaners, garbage bags, spore tests?
It adds up fast.
3. Credit Card & Booking Fees
That 2.9% + $0.30 Stripe or Square fee? If you're charging $300 per client, you’re losing nearly $9 per transaction. Multiply that by 10 clients/week? That’s $90 a week just evaporating.
💡 Solution:
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Track your merchant fees as a % of revenue
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Add a small service fee OR offer a cash discount
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Deduct those fees at tax time
4. Subscriptions + Apps
You forgot about that one $9.99/month Procreate brush set and now you’re spending $150/month on tools you rarely use.
Typical culprits:
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Adobe / Procreate / Canva Pro
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Booking software (Calendly, Square, etc.)
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Music streaming, cloud storage, file-sharing, AI tools
💡 Audit your subscriptions quarterly.
5. Wear & Tear on Furniture + Equipment
Studio chairs, tattoo beds, lamps, stools—all have a lifespan. Are you budgeting for future replacements?
Tip:
Depreciate big-ticket items or set aside 5–10% of each tattoo toward a replacement fund.
6. Client Comfort Extras
You provide snacks, drinks, numbing cream, blankets, or disposable heating pads? Cute—but those aren’t free.
Even things like scented candles, aftercare kits, or Spotify Premium = $$.
7. Health Insurance, Massage, and Physical Maintenance
If you’re self-employed, you probably neglect to factor in:
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Chiropractor / Massage / Physio
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Health insurance premiums
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Ergonomic gear to reduce strain
That’s part of staying able to work—and should be budgeted like any other tool.
8. Lost Time From No-Shows or Late Clients
It’s not just lost income—it’s lost time that you can’t sell to anyone else.
💡 Tighten your deposit policy. Consider a cancellation fee. Your time is a non-renewable resource.
9. Touch-Ups + Fixes
Offering free touch-ups? Cool. But are you accounting for the extra supplies, time, and lost income from that new booking slot?
10. Mental Fatigue & Burnout Costs
If you’re pushing yourself past the limit to “make rent,” you’ll eventually pay the cost in rest time, injuries, or mental health. Budgeting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about sustainability.
You’re not just tattooing—you’re running a small business. The more accurately you track the real cost of doing business, the more power you have to actually make money doing what you love.
Get serious about it now, or stay undercharging forever.
