Tattoo Artist BooksRenting a tattoo chair is one of the most flexible ways to work for artists without their own studio or who want to tattoo in another city. For studios, it is the simplest way to turn an empty chair into income. But if questions like "how is the rent set, who pays for supplies, whose client is it?" are not settled up front, things can go sour quickly. This guide covers the types of chair rental, what both sides should agree on and how to find the right chair.
What is tattoo chair rental?
Chair rental means an artist uses a workspace in an existing studio for a set period and pays the studio rent for it. The difference from commission work: on commission the studio takes a share of every job, while on chair rental the artist pays a fixed fee and keeps the rest. If you want to compare with commission, see our guide to the tattoo artist commission split.
Types of chair rental
| Type | How it works | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | A fee per hour for a single session or short jobs | Artists with the occasional client or small pieces |
| Daily | Use of a chair and shared areas for a full day | Travelling artists in town for a few days |
| Weekly / monthly | Longer, regular use | Artists who want a fixed base before opening their own studio |
Why artists rent chairs
- Low start-up cost: no lease, fit-out or licensing of your own studio.
- Freedom to move: follow your clients to other cities.
- You keep more: with a fixed rent, a busy day raises your share of the income.
- New network: working in other studios puts your portfolio in front of new people.
Why studios rent out chairs
- Empty chairs earn: quiet weekdays or a resident artist's holiday no longer cost you.
- Exposure: a guest artist's followers get to know your studio.
- Recruiting: a short rental is a good way to get to know a future team member.
What the agreement should cover
- Dates and hours, plus the studio's opening rules.
- Rent and when it is paid: up front, end of day, with a deposit?
- Supplies: needles, ink, gloves, film, sterilisation and disposables. Is equipment extra?
- Hygiene: following the studio's sterilisation and waste routine.
- Clients and bookings: who brings the clients, and whose is a walk-in?
- Social media: posting and tagging rules.
- Cancellation: what happens to rent and deposits if either side cancels.
How to set the rent
There is no single right number: location, season, equipment and services all matter. As a studio, ask what a chair costs you per day, whether you provide supplies and whether you offer reception and booking help. As an artist, compare the rent with what you will earn that day. Once travel and accommodation are added, a rent that eats too much of the day stops making sense. Our guide on how to price tattoos helps you work out your own numbers.
Finding the right studio and chair
Chair hunting used to run on word of mouth and Instagram DMs. Today you can see studios that rent out chairs in one place. In TattooVerseCo chair rental, studios list free chairs by the hour, day or week, and you can filter by city and dates and contact the studio directly. You can also check a studio's services, number of chairs and whether it accepts guest artists in the tattoo studio directory.
When choosing, look at:
- the studio's hygiene routine and sterilisation equipment
- whether the chair and lighting suit how you work
- whether the studio's style and clientele match your work
- transport and distance to where you are staying
- feedback from artists who have worked there
Listing your studio's chairs
If you run a studio, the fastest way to fill a free chair is to put it where artists are already looking. Sign up to TattooVerseCo for free, list your studio and publish your chairs with prices and available dates. Spell out your rules (supplies, hours, hygiene) in the listing and the requests you get will be better.
Keep records as you travel
Working in different studios makes it harder to track what each client paid and what rent you paid where. Keeping bookings, deposits and studio fees in one place saves a lot at month end. In Tattoo Artist Books you can record bookings, payments and the studio split together and see your income and expenses on one screen.
Conclusion
Set up well, tattoo chair rental works for both artist and studio. Agree the dates, rent, supplies and client rules in writing, never compromise on hygiene and keep records. Whether you are looking for a chair or want to rent one out, you can start on TattooVerseCo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between chair rental and commission?
With chair rental the artist pays the studio a fixed rent and keeps the rest of the income. On commission the studio takes an agreed share of every job.
Who pays for supplies when renting a tattoo chair?
It depends on the studio. Some include supplies in the rent, others charge for equipment separately. Put it in writing in the agreement.
Where can I find a tattoo chair to rent?
In TattooVerseCo's chair rental section studios list chairs by the hour, day or week; you can search by city and dates and contact the studio.