How to make money as a tattoo artist in Belgium - practical steps

Where paying customers in Belgium actually come from

Paying customers rarely appear out of nowhere. In Belgium you will get most of your early work from people who already know you or are easy to reach: neighbours, friends and family, colleagues at workplaces, classmates or former classmates from school or art training, and people you meet at local events.

Online search and social media are important too. People look up tattoo artists when they want a particular style, when they travel, or when they move town. Word of mouth amplifies every booking you make: a good or bad experience travels between people in the same networks.

Consider local clusters - small towns, college areas, and neighbourhoods near nightlife can produce steady demand, while rural areas may have fewer walk-in customers and rely more on referrals.

• Neighbours, friends, family and colleagues
• People at workplaces or schools
• Online search and social media portfolios
• Word of mouth and local events

Setting a first price and talking about money

Your first price should cover your time, materials, setup and risks, and be something you can explain to a client. Start by estimating how long a piece takes, add material costs like needles, ink and single-use supplies, and add your hourly or per-piece labour rate.

When you talk about money, be clear and direct. Quote a price or a price range and explain what it includes - consultation, design time, touch-ups, and hygiene. If you prefer deposits, state the deposit amount and whether it is refundable.

Avoid undercutting yourself to get customers; too-low prices make it hard to raise rates later and can attract clients who focus only on cost rather than quality or aftercare.

• Estimate time + materials + labour to set a price
• Quote a clear price or price range and what it includes
• State your deposit and cancellation terms up front

What the first ten customers usually look like

Your first ten customers will most likely be a mixed group: friends or acquaintances who trust you, people who found you on social media, small local clients who want small, quick pieces, and a few trial clients willing to pay a modest fee to test your skill.

Expect a range of requests - simple lines, small script tattoos, cover-ups, or custom flash. Many early customers are tolerant of a developing portfolio if you are transparent about experience and aftercare.

Treat each of these early clients as part of your reputation building - proper communication, hygiene and straightforward billing matter as much as the final artwork.

• Friends and acquaintances
• Social media or online search contacts
• Local quick-piece clients and portfolio builders

What to sort out when taking money as an independent in Belgium

You must handle tax, registration and social security. If you are not certain how to proceed, check with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE) about registering as a sole trader - ask what registration steps you need and whether your activity should be listed under tattooing.

Ask the Belgian tax authority (FPS Finance) about VAT obligations and income tax for self-employed work. Ask your social insurance fund for the self-employed about social contributions and when they start applying.

For hygiene and public health requirements, contact your municipal health department or regional public health authority to ask about compulsory rules for tattooing locations, waste disposal, and infection control.

Keep written records of income and invoices, and issue receipts or invoices for work. If you accept card payments one common route is to use Stripe so payments can be paid out to your own bank account - check Stripe's requirements for identity verification and bank details.

• Register with KBO/BCE if needed - ask what steps to take
• Ask FPS Finance about VAT and income tax rules
• Ask your social insurance fund about contributions
• Check municipal public health rules for tattooing hygiene
• Use a payments provider like Stripe to pay out to your bank account

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common early problems are underpricing, unclear cancellation or deposit policies, weak aftercare communication, and failing to document income properly. All of these make operations stressful and expose you to disputes.

Operational issues also appear: inconsistent booking, no clear workspace rules, running out of supplies, or inadequate infection-control practices. These create delays and reputation damage.

Plan for slow periods and avoid relying on a single source of clients. Keep simple systems for booking, invoicing and record keeping from day one to reduce administrative headaches.

• Underpricing work or changing prices without notice
• No deposit or cancellation policy
• Poor aftercare instructions and follow-up
• Insufficient record keeping and supply planning

How a Websta profile fits into this

A Websta profile acts like a simple business page you can send to anyone and that people can find. On Websta the category is "tattoo artists" for Belgium (countryCode BE) and the marketplace path is /marketplace/tattoo. You can list services, show photos, state prices and enable online booking.

Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe; you set your own prices and control availability. Use the profile link on social media, in messages, and on prints so potential customers see the same information about services, prices and booking.

The profile does not replace legal registration or hygiene obligations. Use it as a public, consistent page for offers and bookings while you sort out the administrative and legal steps mentioned above.

• A single page you can share for services, photos and booking
• Category: "tattoo artists" - countryCode BE - path /marketplace/tattoo
• Card payments routed to your bank account through Stripe
• Complementary tool, not a substitute for official registration