How to become an independent tattoo artist
- Henk Herkink
- How to
- Edited 27 February 2023
- 2 min
- Starting
Starting out as an independent tattoo artist involves more than just designing and tattooing. You have to apply for a licence from the Municipal Health Service GGD and there are strict hygiene rules. This is what you need to pay attention to when becoming an independent tattoo artist.
As a tattoo artist, you convert your customer's wishes into a lasting memory. When starting your own business, you need to arrange all kinds of things. Can you tattoo young people and what ink should you use? This article takes you through all the steps you need to consider if you want to become a tattoo artist.
Competition
An important part of your business plan is the competitor analysis: you examine the strengths and weaknesses of businesses that do the same things as you do. With the KVK Company Counter you can see how much competition there is in your region.
The number of tattoo shops has been growing for years in the Netherlands. On 1 January 2024, there were 3,940 registered with KVK.
Number of tattoo shops in the Netherlands (2020-2024)
| Year | Number of tattoo shops |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.629 |
| 2021 | 2.911 |
| 2022 | 3.263 |
| 2023 | 3.641 |
| 2024 | 3.940 |
Laws and regulations
Licence GGD
For a tattoo shop, you need to apply for a permit from your Municipal Health Service (GGD). The permit is mainly about hygiene. Think about the layout of your space, the hygiene of people present and sterilising materials.
Do you want to tattoo, pierce or apply permanent make-up at a fair or event? Apply for the exemption from permit requirements (in Dutch).
Hygiene guidelines
The National Centre for Hygiene and Safety (LCHV, in Dutch) makes the hygiene rules for tattooing, piercing, and permanent make-up. This centre also advises the GGD. The LCHV is part of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM. Watch these videos. They show how to tattoo hygienically.
Hygiene rules are in the Commodities Act. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWA (in Dutch) checks whether you comply with the rules.
Requirements for tattoo ink
Since 2022, new European rules apply to the use of tattoo ink. Certain dyes will be banned. You can read more about the additional requirements for tattoo dyes on NVWA.nl (in Dutch).
Tattooing of young people
Young people aged sixteen and over can decide whether they want to get a tattoo. Young people between the ages of 12 and 16 should always bring a parent with them when they get a tattoo. Tattooing on the head, neck, wrists, and hands is not allowed. Are youngsters younger than 12? Then you are not allowed to get a tattoo.
AVG
Do you have a customer database for a newsletter or discount card, for example? Then you need to take the GDPR privacy law into account. Think about safe storage of personal data.
Buma/Stemra
If you play music in your tattoo shop, you have to pay music rights. Ask Buma/Stemra what the costs are.
Training
Training in tattooing is not compulsory. Just make sure you have sufficient basic knowledge and experience. You do not want dissatisfied customers or dangerous situations. Hygiene of materials and space is always important.
Sector organisation
The Dutch sector organisation Tattoo  (NBTK, in Dutch)) is for entrepreneurs in the tattoo, piercing and permanent make-up industry. Sector organisations stand up for the interests of their members. The NBTK cooperates with the government. They provide information on working methods, rules in tattooing and consent forms. NBTK considers issues such as training, insurance, incapacity for work and VAT rates important.
General start-up information
Besides the above important topics for starting a tattoo shop, you will also have to deal with:
