Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers for tattoo work come from in Athens
People looking for a tattoo artist in Athens search online - Google Maps, social media, local service platforms like Websta. Others ask friends and colleagues who have had work done. Word of mouth is reliable but takes time to build. You will also get walk-in customers if you work from a studio in a neighborhood where people pass by or know to look.
Athens has many neighborhoods where tourists and locals spend time - central areas, commercial streets, student districts - but customers also travel across the city for an artist they want. Someone in Piraeus might take a train to Syntagma to see you. This means that being findable online matters as much as location. A professional profile with photos of your work, your prices listed, and the ability to book online makes it easier for people to find you and decide to contact you.
Setting your first prices in Athens
You need to set prices that cover your costs and time, and that fit the Athens market. Look at what other tattoo artists in the city charge - check their Instagram, their websites, profiles on platforms like Websta. Prices in Athens vary by artist reputation, design complexity, and studio location, but this research tells you the realistic range.
Your first prices should be honest about your experience level. If you are starting out, you may charge less than established artists, but not so little that you undervalue your work or cannot cover basic costs - supplies, studio space if you rent it, taxes. As you build a portfolio and repeat customers, you can adjust. Talk about money clearly with customers before you start: explain what they are paying for, what the process is, and whether there are extra costs like touch-ups or design changes. This prevents confusion and disputes.
What your first ten customers usually look like
Your first customers in Athens will probably be a mix of people you already know - friends, family, colleagues - and people who find you through online search or recommendation. The people you know may book quickly and help you build a portfolio. People from search take longer to decide; they compare artists and read reviews or see photos before committing.
Do not expect all ten to come at once. In the first weeks and months, bookings are sparse and irregular. Someone books, then you wait. Then two people book in the same week. This is normal. Your first customers are not usually your best customers or your steadiest income - they are the ones who help you get started and give you real work to show the next person. Accept that earning takes time.
Taxes and independent work in Greece
When you work as an independent tattoo artist in Athens, you are responsible for registering with the tax authority and reporting your income. Greece requires self-employed people to register and file tax returns. The specific rules - what counts as income, what expenses you can deduct, what rate you pay - change and depend on your situation. Check with the Greek tax authority (Agengy for Public Revenue) or a local accountant who knows self-employed tattoo artists. This is not optional if you want to work legally.
You will also need to understand VAT rules if you charge customers. Keep records of what you earn and what you spend. When you use Websta or another payment platform, the money goes to your bank account, and you report it as income. Set aside money for taxes rather than spending everything you earn - this protects you later.
Common problems in the first months
Many tattoo artists in Athens struggle in the first months because bookings are slow and they underestimate how long it takes to build trust. You may spend weeks with no customers, then get discouraged. This is typical. Customers in Athens take time to find you and decide you are the right artist for them.
Another common problem is setting prices too low because you are nervous about losing customers. This leaves you exhausted and poor. Customers respect artists who know their value. Pricing low does not automatically bring more bookings - it often brings the wrong customers.
You may also find that managing payments and keeping books feels complicated if you have not done it before. Taking payment through a proper system like Websta - where money goes to your bank account and you have a record - makes this easier than cash. It is also better for taxes.
How a Websta profile helps you earn
A Websta profile is a page that shows your services, prices, photos of your work, and lets customers book online. When someone in Athens searches for a tattoo artist on Websta, they find you if your profile is set up. They see what you offer, what it costs, and your availability. They can book a slot and pay through the platform. The payment goes directly to your bank account through Stripe.
This profile works for you all the time - while you sleep, while you are with another customer, while you are at another job. You can send the link to anyone - friends, people who ask you about your work, other businesses. It looks professional and makes it easy for people to choose you without texting back and forth or calling.
The Websta marketplace also has a task feature where customers post what they want and artists make offers. This is another way to get customers in Athens, especially for custom work or people who are not sure yet and want to compare offers.
Getting started as a tattoo artist in Athens
Start by setting up a professional presence. Get clear photos of your work - your best pieces. Register with the tax authority so you are working legally. Set up a Websta profile or another way for people to find you online. You can work from a studio you rent, from home if local rules allow, or from a larger studio where you pay a chair fee.
Tell people you know that you are doing this work. Ask happy customers for permission to share their photos and tag them. Reply fast when someone contacts you. Show up on time. Do the work well. These habits build your reputation in Athens over time. Earning as a tattoo artist is possible, but it comes from consistency and work, not luck.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I earn as a tattoo artist in Athens?
- Earnings depend on how many customers you book, what you charge per piece, and how many hours you work. There is no standard amount. Your first months will be slow. After that, it depends on your skill, reputation, and how much you market yourself. Many artists in Athens earn this as a side income for years before it becomes their main work.
- Do I need a tattoo license in Greece to work legally?
- You need to register as a self-employed person with the Greek tax authority and comply with local health and safety rules. Check with the relevant authority in your area or a local business advisor to understand all the requirements - these rules change and differ by location in Athens.
- How do I get my first customers as a tattoo artist in Athens?
- Tell friends and family you are doing this work. Post your work on social media. Set up a Websta profile so people can find you in search. Ask for recommendations from people you know. Offer to work on friends first to build your portfolio. Growth is slow at first, but each customer can lead to referrals.
- Should I use Websta or social media to find customers?
- Use both. Social media is where you show work and build an audience. Websta gives you a professional page where people can book and pay directly, and it helps you show up when people search for tattoo artists in Athens. Together they cover more ways people find you.
- What should I charge for a tattoo in Athens?
- Research what other tattoo artists in Athens charge by looking at their profiles and websites. Price based on the size and complexity of the design, not just the time spent. You can charge by the piece or by the hour. Start fair to your market and your experience level. As you get better and busier, you can raise prices.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.