MTC is moving to a Rental Model
We are switching to a rental model, but with great freedom comes Transparency at Montana Tattoo Company
At Montana Tattoo Company (MTC), we prioritize clarity in how we operate. Our studio serves as both a rental space and a marketing platform, offering opportunities for professional tattoo artists without unnecessary interference.
Artists are free to choose their level of involvement, but we don’t support “risk-free” participation. To maintain high standards, we require transparency and accountability from all artists who work with us.
Here’s how it works:
Flexible Rental Options: Artists can rent a fully stocked tattoo station by the day or week at a flat rate. Make and take what you like, book your entire month into a week, book full days whatever makes it worth it for you. This rental includes no additional benefits—no website representation, marketing, or walk-ins. However, rental clients have access to up to three pieces of content (e.g., photos or social media assets) per visit if they need it, helping them promote their work.
Independent Contractors: All artists at MTC are independent contractors responsible for their own policies, forms, and communications. If a client finds their artist independently of MTC, we are not responsible for their experience, though we welcome any relevant feedback to help us maintain high standards.
Trial Opportunities: Short-term rentals allow us to observe and evaluate an artist’s practices and habits before making any long-term commitments. This is great for the artist too as we want to prioritize the connections we all have with each other.
Defining Responsibility
At MTC, we represent a curated group of experienced and independent artists. Each may represent their own tattoo brand. Our goal is to empower these professionals to thrive in their craft while maintaining their autonomy.
Clear Roles: Artists working at MTC are independent businesses. Guests or short-term renters are not included in our marketing or website listings, nor do they benefit from our point-of-sale systems
or insurance.
Transparency: When we connect clients with artists outside of our direct representation, we clearly communicate that these artists operate independently. In such cases, we also encourage clients to leave reviews to maintain accountability.
Follow-Up Responsibility: If a client books directly with a private artist, all follow-ups, including touch-ups, are handled solely between the client and the artist.
Our goal is to ensure every client is matched with the right artist, with transparency at every step.
The Future Plan
As we transition further into a rental and agency model, adaptability is key. Connecting people effectively in today’s world requires flexibility and clarity.
Grandfathered Artists: Current artists will retain their existing arrangements as we implement this new model.
New Rental Structure: For new artists, rentals are available at $150 per day or $500 per week. Representation through our website and access to walk-ins will remain exclusive to shop members. Rental clients can also request up to three pieces of content per visit to help showcase their work.
Independent Contractors: Every artist at MTC must already function as an independent business before being considered for professional representation.
This system allows us to focus on cultivating meaningful collaborations while maintaining high standards across the board.
Building Relationships
At the heart of MTC is a desire to foster authentic connections. As an artist myself, I value the deep relationships I’ve built with my clients—friendships that go beyond tattoos.
However, running the studio for everyone else has made it challenging to maintain those relationships. Shifting the responsibility for daily operations to the artists themselves frees up my time and energy to focus on my own clients and personal connections.
This new structure benefits everyone: artists have the autonomy they seek, and I have the bandwidth to deepen my relationships with my own clientele.
Conclusion
At Montana Tattoo Company, we’re committed to building a motivated team of artists while offering flexible space for guest and short-term rentals. By establishing clear boundaries and responsibilities, we ensure a smooth, transparent experience for both clients and artists.
My energy is now reserved for my clients and friends, and our new model allows every artist to work in a way that suits them best. Clear communication is key—so clients always know where our responsibility begins and ends.
