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

If you can tattoo well and want to earn on the side or make this your main work, the reality in Slovenia is straightforward but requires consistent effort. This article explains where paying customers come from, how to set a first price and speak about money, what the first ten clients often look like, what to check with authorities when you take payment, common early problems, and how a Websta profile can help.

Updated October 21, 2026

Where paying customers come from in Slovenia

Clients in Slovenia arrive through a mix of local contacts and online search. Expect people from your neighbourhood, friends and family networks, workplaces where colleagues want similar pieces, students at schools or universities, and local word of mouth from satisfied clients. In tourist seasons you may meet visitors in coastal towns and mountain resorts, but that income is often irregular.

Online discovery is now common. People search for tattoos by style and place, and social media or local marketplace listings matter. Small towns and rural areas can give steady work from repeat clients, while larger towns and regional centres bring more one-off customers.

  • - neighbours and friends
  • - colleagues and workplaces
  • - students and young people from schools and universities
  • - online search and social media
  • - word of mouth and repeat clients
  • - seasonal tourists in some regions

How to set a first price and talk about money

Your first price should reflect your skill, time, materials and hygiene costs rather than aiming to undercut everyone. Start by estimating the material cost per tattoo, the time you need, and an hourly or per-piece rate that covers those plus preparation and follow-up. Be explicit about what is included - design time, stencil changes, aftercare advice.

When discussing money with clients, be clear and professional. Present a price range for common sizes or a starting price for custom work. If a deposit is required, state the amount and the cancellation policy. Use simple language: explain why a price is what it is and what the client gets for that fee.

  • - calculate materials and time first
  • - set an hourly or per-piece rate that covers costs
  • - state what is included and your cancellation policy
  • - ask for a deposit for custom work or large bookings

What the first ten customers usually look like

The typical first ten customers are often people you already know or people found through local word of mouth. Expect friends, friends-of-friends, colleagues and a few local walk-ins who heard about you. Many early clients book smaller pieces or touch-ups rather than large custom sleeves.

These clients are important for building a photo portfolio and honest feedback. Be transparent about your experience level when appropriate, take good aftercare photos, and ask politely for permission to use healed images for promotion.

  • - mainly local and personal-network clients
  • - small to medium tattoos and simple flash work
  • - people willing to accept slightly longer sessions while you build speed
  • - opportunities to collect portfolio photos and testimonials

What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Slovenia

There are administrative and health-related checks to make. For taxes and business registration, contact the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) to ask whether you must register as a sole proprietor (s.p.), how to issue invoices, and if you need to register for VAT. For registering a business or checking the public register, contact AJPES and ask about entries for a sole trader.

For hygiene, premises and waste rules, check with the local health inspectorate or the National Institute of Public Health. Ask what documentation, sterilisation procedures, client consent records and medical waste disposal methods are required. For rules about premises or local permits, ask your municipal authority what inspections or licences are needed.

  • - ask FURS about tax registration, invoicing and VAT
  • - ask AJPES about business registration and public listings
  • - ask the local health inspectorate or National Institute of Public Health about hygiene and waste rules
  • - ask your municipality about premises permits and inspections

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common problems are undercharging, inconsistent booking and no-shows, poor documentation of consent and aftercare, and not tracking expenses. Underpricing makes it hard to sustain the work once you include time spent on design, cleaning and admin. No-shows and last-minute cancellations can leave gaps in your schedule and lost income.

Other early issues include inconsistent photo quality for your portfolio, unclear cancellation policies, and hygiene mistakes if procedures are not documented. Plan how you will handle refunds, touch-ups and disputes before they happen and keep clear records.

  • - undercharging and not accounting for all costs
  • - no-shows and last-minute cancellations
  • - weak record-keeping for consent and aftercare
  • - inconsistent portfolio photos and unclear policies

How a Websta profile fits into working independently

A Websta profile provides a single page you can send to anyone and that can be found by people nearby. The profile looks like a small website with services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. In the marketplace people can post tasks and providers can respond.

Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set the prices. Use the profile as a professional landing page for portfolio photos, clear service descriptions, starting prices and your booking conditions. It is one tool among social media, local networking and in-person referrals.

  • - a sharable page with services, prices, photos and booking
  • - online booking linked to your schedule
  • - card payments paid out to your bank account through Stripe
  • - you set the prices

First steps and a simple checklist

Start small and organised. Build a clear price list for common sizes, decide your deposit and cancellation terms, take good before-and-after photos, and ask new clients for permission to use healed photos. Contact FURS and AJPES about registration and tax duties, and check hygiene rules with the health inspectorate. Use a Websta profile as your public page for bookings and payments.

Be patient and track everything - bookings, expenses, materials and time. Earning reliably takes time, consistent quality and steady promotion through both online and local channels.

  • - make a basic price list and booking policy
  • - take portfolio photos and collect client permission
  • - check tax and registration requirements with FURS and AJPES
  • - check hygiene and premises rules with the health inspectorate
  • - set up a Websta profile for bookings and card payouts

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register as a business to tattoo clients in Slovenia?
Check with the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) about whether your activity requires registration and how to report income. Also ask AJPES about registering as a sole proprietor (s.p.) if you plan regular work.
How should I ask for a deposit or payment?
State your deposit amount and cancellation policy clearly before booking. You can use online booking and card payments on a Websta profile, with payouts sent to your bank account through Stripe. Keep written records of agreements.
What hygiene rules apply to tattooing?
Contact your local health inspectorate or the National Institute of Public Health to ask what sterilisation, client consent records and medical waste disposal rules apply to tattoo studios or home-based work.
Can I find clients across Slovenia or only locally?
Many clients are local, but people travel for specific artists and styles. Use online search, social media and a clear Websta profile so people across Slovenia can find your services and book.
How do I build a portfolio with first clients?
Offer smaller, affordable pieces to early clients, take high-quality healed photos with permission, and ask for honest feedback. Use those images on your Websta profile and social channels to attract more bookings.

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.

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