1. Introduction
This Agreement sets out how TAG Studio licences workspace to the undersigned Tattoo Artist. It’s designed to create a respectful, creative, and safe environment without unnecessary restrictions. Both parties agree that clear terms help avoid misunderstandings and support a healthy, professional community.
This is not a residential lease, but a licence to use studio facilities. Either party may end this agreement under the notice terms below. No tenancy rights are created.
2. Term, Termination & Conduct
Term: The Agreement starts when signed and continues month-to-month. Either party can end it with 30 days’ written notice, giving both sides flexibility.
Early Termination: Either party may end this Agreement with 7 days’ written notice if there’s a serious breach. TAG Studio may end the Agreement immediately for gross misconduct after a fair discussion and investigation.K If TAG Studio fails to provide a safe or functional workspace, the Artist may end the Agreement with the same notice.
Grounds for Termination (examples):
Substance misuse (drugs, alcohol on premises)
Violence, harassment, or discrimination
Theft, fraud, or damaging studio property
Serious hygiene or health & safety breaches
Repeated no-shows or policy violations
Misuse or sharing of confidential information
Criminal convictions that affect practice or reputation
Confidentiality: Sharing or misusing TAG Studio’s confidential information — such as client details, pricing, finances, marketing plans, or tattoo techniques — is a serious breach of trust. Unauthorised use or disclosure will be treated as gross misconduct and may result in immediate termination.
Shared Communication Access:
Resident Artists with access to TAG Studio’s booking platform, Gmail, social media, or other messaging platforms are expected to handle all client communications professionally and responsibly.
Shared access is provided to help with admin duties (such as bookings, enquiries and client follow-ups) and design work (gathering references and understanding full design briefs).
Artists must:
Treat all messages and client information as confidential;
Avoid deleting or altering messages unless actioned;
Mark messages as “unread” if opened accidentally or if further action is needed, so no enquiry is missed;
Use Studio accounts only for professional communication related to clients and tattoo projects.
Fair Process: All allegations will be communicated in writing, and the artist will have an opportunity to respond before any decision is made. For minor issues, a written warning will be issued before further action.
Strike System :
To keep things transparent and fair, we follow a clear strike system for managing repeated issues or misconduct:
First issue → up to 3 warnings → Meeting to create an improvement plan
Further issue → up to 3 warnings → Meeting to review progress and avoid possible suspension
Further issue → up to 3 warnings → Meeting to discuss suspension details
Further issue → up to 3 warnings → Meeting to discuss and confirm termination
All warnings are recorded in the group chat or internal chat box for accountability and transparency.
Workspace Check & Final Settlement: When the Agreement ends, the workspace must be left clean and undamaged. TAG Studio will reconcile any final payments — such as commissions owed or advertising refunds — at that time.
3. Financial & Advertising Terms
Commission Structure: The Artist’s studio licence fee is based on a fair commission split:
Apprentice Artist (first 2 years): keeps 60%, TAG Studio 40%
Resident Artist (after 3 years): keeps 65%, TAG Studio 35%
Senior Artist with Continuous Studio Involvement Incentive (after 5 years): keeps 70%, TAG Studio 30% (for those who help with weekly/daily cleaning, get involved in client relations, assisting apprentices, and maintenance)
Artists joining with proven experience may start on the resident split (65 % / 35 %).
additional 5% payment for the optional advertising (please read Client Enquiries & Advertising Contributions)
The Artist must transfer TAG Studio’s share within 3–5 days of client payment. No separate rent is charged.
Advertising & Promotion: Artists may opt into a shared advertising fund contributing 5% of their commission. Each artist receives one free 30-day trial promotion, after which participation is optional.
Temporary Adjustments: If the Studio faces low artist numbers or increased costs, commission percentages may be temporarily adjusted with 30 days’ written notice and full transparency. Artists may end the Agreement without penalty if they choose not to accept changes.
Cash & Payments: Cash payments must be placed in the secure box by the end of day, and all sales should be clearly labelled for correct allocation.
4. Health, Safety & Equipment
Maintaining a safe and hygienic environment protects everyone.
Hygiene & Cleanliness: Artists must follow Cornwall Council hygiene regulations. Clean your workstation, equipment, and surrounding area after every client and at the end of the day. Dispose of waste properly, clean the room sink and leave shared areas tidy.
Licensing: All tattoo artists must hold a valid personal licence registered with Cornwall Council. Licences must be sent to the TAG Studio director by e-mail. Unlicensed tattooing is not permitted under any circumstances.
Equipment Use:
Only use tools you’re trained to operate.
Report defects or damage immediately.
Shared tools must be cleaned and returned after use.
Borrowed equipment must be signed out, returned in good condition, and may not be removed from the premises without permission.
Artists are responsible for replacement or repair costs if equipment is damaged through negligence.
Safety:
Know fire exits and extinguishers.
Avoid overloading sockets or using unsafe adaptors.
Do not block exits or tamper with safety gear.
Report safety concerns immediately.
5. Studio Conduct & Maintenance
Respect & Behaviour: TAG Studio is a drama-free, inclusive environment. Artists must treat colleagues and clients with respect and kindness. Bullying, gossip, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
Noise & Visitors: Keep music and conversations at a respectful volume. Visitors should not interfere with work or use equipment.
Shared Spaces: Keep communal areas (kitchenette, bathrooms, lounge) clean and comfortable for everyone. Dispose of food waste properly.
Maintenance: TAG Studio handles structural and building repairs. Artists are responsible for keeping their space tidy and for any damage caused through misuse. Report issues as soon as they occur.
Working Hours: Artists are expected to work minimum 4 days and maximum 6 per week, with flexibility for scheduling. You may stay later than 5 PM if needed, provided security rules are followed.
6. Insurance, Confidentiality & Data
Insurance: Artists work at their own risk and are encouraged to maintain personal contents insurance and professional liability cover. TAG Studio is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal items unless due to its own negligence.
Data Protection: Both parties must comply with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Each acts as an independent data controller for the information they hold.
Key principles:
Collect only what’s necessary and relevant.
Keep data secure and delete it when no longer needed.
Respect people’s right to access or correct their data.
Report any data breaches immediately to the Studio Director.
Health Information: Only collected when required by law (e.g. infection control or medical fitness). Kept securely and accessed only by authorised staff.
7. Studio Obligations & Promotion
TAG Studio commits to providing a safe, clean, and supportive workspace.
The Studio Will:
Maintain proper licences, permits, and insurance.
Provide sanitary facilities that meet Cornwall Council standards.
Supply essential consumables, equipment and software
Consumables: inks (black and white, mixing solution), protective gloves (nitrile and vinyl),disposable aprons, paper towels, plastic wrap/cling film, razors, disinfectant spray, detergent wipes, alcohol‑free wipes and 70 % alcohol wipes, isopropyl alcohol, biohazard waste bags and spill kits, sharps bins, germicidal solutions, workplace first‑aid kits and trauma kits, antiseptic creams, Vaseline, conforming bandages, non‑adhesive and adhesive dressings, foam cleanser, stencil solution, stencil remover, face masks, tongue depressors, grip tape, microporous tape, ink cups and plastic/paper rinse cups.
Equipment: Tatsoul 370 with full accessories (2 armrests, wheel kit), an ergonomic laboratory chair with silicone wheels, a Seville Classics Ultra HD roller cabinet, and an armrest, supplies and maintains a reference printer Epson ET- 3850, and Epson ET- M1100 stencil printer and their corespondent consumables.
Responsible Use of Supplies – TAG Studio provides high-quality consumables for all artists while there are enough resident artists to sustain the cost and premium quality. Supplies must be used reasonably and in proportion to each tattoo’s size and complexity to minimise waste. Responsible use keeps materials available for everyone and supports sustainability. If costs rise or artist numbers drop, the Studio may adjust supply levels or request fair cost contributions with reasonable notice. Artists who require excessive quantities or specialist products beyond normal studio use are expected to provide those items themselves.
Artists remain responsible for purchasing colour inks and needles or any specialty consumables and equipment beyond this kit. Because the Studio does not operate an autoclave, it relies primarily on sterile single‑use equipment; any reusable equipment (such as machine frames) will be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant and either sent to a certified sterilisation service or replaced, in line with local council guidance.
Administrative Support and Shared Duties – Taboo Art Gallery Ltd will fund a dedicated manager to handle calendars, client messages, and social media posts, provided there are enough resident artists to sustain this cost. If the Studio cannot support this role (for example, due to a temporary reduction in artist numbers), all resident and apprentice artists agree to assist with these tasks. Shared duties include responding to client messages, managing calendars, and scheduling social media posts. Tasks will be rotated fairly among artists. Once the Studio regains sufficient numbers to reinstate a manager, artists will no longer be required to perform these duties.
Discounts and Promotional Offers - Any discounts or free work offered to clients are shared responsibilities between the Artist and TAG Studio.The Studio recommends discounts of 10–15 % as a standard range. If a larger discount (or free session) is offered, the other party must be informed in advance so both sides are aware and in agreement.
Licences, Software, Booking Platform, Website and Social Media Profiles – The studio will obtain and maintain all necessary business licences, premises permits and insurance policies required under Cornwall Council and UK law, and will pay any annual fees associated with these.The studio will cover the costs of hosting and maintaining the website.
Offer optional training, conventions, and workshops to help artists grow.
Studio‑Funded Touch‑Ups and Laser Removal Packages – The Studio will fund up to five touch‑ups per year for tattoos done by apprentices and up to five touch‑ups per year for tattoos done by resident artists. The Studio will also fund a laser‑removal “cover‑up pack” for up to five tattoos per year (per artist) when correction is needed, with each covered tattoo no larger than two business cards and a maximum of four laser sessions per tattoo. If more than three sessions are required to completely remove the tattoo, the artist must pay the extra costs. These benefits reset annually. However, these allowances do not apply during the last 30 days of a tattoo artist's engagement (whether they resign or the studio terminates the collaboration) or after the artist has left the studio; during that period and thereafter, the artist is responsible for all touch‑ups and laser removal costs.
Client Enquiries & Advertising Contributions – TAG Studio manages all client enquiries from online, phone, email and walk-ins. Artists who take part in the 5% advertising fund benefit from priority visibility in paid promotions and first access to new enquiries generated through those campaigns. Enquiries without a specific artist request are distributed fairly, taking into account each client’s style preference, artist availability and workload balance. Artists who prefer not to join the advertising fund will continue to appear in general studio promotions and receive clients who ask for them directly, while managing and growing their own client base independently.
Promotion & Public Image: TAG Studio may use an artist’s image, biography, and artwork for promotional purposes on its website, social media, or advertising platforms. By signing, the artist grants permission for this use.
8. Departing Artist Responsibilities
When leaving the studio, the Artist agrees to maintain professionalism and client care.
Client Deposits: Deposits are paid directly to the artist. Before leaving, provide a list of clients with outstanding deposits and their contact details.
Client Communication: Together, the Artist and Studio will contact clients to offer fair options:
Refunds & Transfers: Refunds should be processed within a reasonable time (typically 7 days).
Touch-Ups & Corrective Work: Artists must provide one free touch-up for tattoos done during their time at the studio. If they leave before completing it, the Studio may arrange another artist to finish the work, and the departing artist may reimburse that cost.
Laser Removal: If a tattoo is unsatisfactory due to negligence, and the client reasonably chooses laser removal, the artist will cover the reasonable cost.