How to make money as a tattoo artist in Latvia - practical guide

Where paying customers come from

Paying customers in Latvia arrive through a mix of local relationships and online search. Common sources are neighbours and friends, colleagues from work, people from hobby groups or schools, walk-ins if you work in a visible studio or market, and people who find you via Google or social media.

Word of mouth is strong - a single good healed tattoo and clear photos can bring bookings from people in the same town or the surrounding region. Online visibility matters for customers who are not in your immediate circle. Local marketplaces and service directories help people search by service and place.

• Neighbours, friends and family referrals
• Colleagues and workplace networks
• People from schools, sports clubs or hobby groups
• Walk-ins at a visible studio or pop-up
• Search engines, social media and marketplaces

Setting a first price and talking about money

As a beginner, set a price that covers your materials, expected time, and a margin for your growing skill. Think of pricing in two parts - a time/complexity element and a materials/consumables element. Be explicit about what the price includes - stencils, single-session work, touch-ups and aftercare advice.

When you talk about money, be direct and clear. State the price or a clear pricing range before you start work. Use a deposit to hold bookings and write a short cancellation policy. If a customer asks for changes to size or detail on the day, state how that affects time and price.

• Price = materials + time + skill adjustment
• Offer clear estimates before booking
• Take a deposit to reduce no-shows
• Explain how changes affect price

What your first ten customers usually look like

The first ten paying clients are usually people who already know you or come from local networks: friends, friends of friends, colleagues and local walk-ins. Expect simpler jobs - small motifs, lettering, touch-ups or cover-ups - rather than large sleeves or complex colour work.

These early customers are valuable for building your portfolio. Ask permission to take clear healed photos and to post them online. Honest before-and-after documentation and straightforward aftercare instructions reduce misunderstandings and help you get referrals.

• Mostly acquaintances and local referrals
• Smaller, quicker pieces are typical
• Early clients are portfolio builders - ask for photos
• Provide clear aftercare to protect your reputation

Taking payments and legal basics in Latvia

If you accept payments as an independent person in Latvia, check the formal requirements with Valsts ieņēmumu dienests (VID) and the Register of Enterprises. Ask VID whether you should register as a self-employed person or a company, what invoicing and receipt rules apply, the VAT registration threshold, and your social security obligations.

Also check with your local public health authority about hygiene standards, permitted premises for tattooing, and any certifications needed. Keep all receipts and records of sales and expenses; ask VID how to issue valid invoices or simplified receipts for private clients.

On Websta, card payments from customers are processed through Stripe and are paid out to your own bank account. You set your own prices. Confirm with your bank and with Stripe what identity documents and bank details they require for payouts and whether any fees apply.

• Ask VID about registration, invoicing, VAT threshold and social security
• Ask local health authority about hygiene rules and permitted premises
• Keep records of income and expenses; get clear receipts or invoices
• Websta uses Stripe - payouts go to your bank account; check KYC requirements

Common early mistakes and how to avoid them

New independent tattoo artists often undercharge, underestimate time, skip deposits, or fail to document client agreements. These lead to lost income, scheduling conflicts, or disputes. Be conservative when estimating time and protect your schedule with deposits.

Another frequent issue is weak photo documentation - poor lighting or early-stage photos that don’t show healed results. Take time to photograph healed tattoos and to standardise before-and-after shots. Finally, neglecting hygiene and local rules can cause serious problems. Confirm requirements with the local health authority before offering services to clients.

• Avoid undercharging - factor time and consumables
• Use deposits and clear booking terms
• Document healed results with good photos
• Confirm hygiene and legal requirements early

How a Websta profile fits into running solo

A Websta profile acts as a single page you can send to clients and a place where people nearby can find you by service and location. The profile includes services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. It also connects you to a marketplace where people can post tasks and request offers.

Card payments taken through Websta are processed by Stripe and paid out to your own bank account. You set your prices on the profile. Use the page as a professional reference you can share in messages and on social media - it reduces back-and-forth and lets clients book online if you enable booking.

• A single sharable page with services, prices and photos
• Contact form and online booking reduce messages
• Marketplace helps people nearby find you by service and place
• Payments processed by Stripe and paid to your bank account

Simple checklist to get started

Start local, keep records and protect bookings. Before taking paying customers make these basic checks and steps.

Keep your first focus on safe, well-documented work and steady visibility rather than fast growth.

• Decide pricing method - time, complexity, materials
• Set a deposit and cancellation policy
• Check registration, invoicing and taxes with VID
• Confirm hygiene and premises rules with local health authority
• Create clear healed-photo portfolio items
• Set up a Websta profile and link it on social media
• Confirm Stripe and bank payout requirements