If you’ve been in the industry for any length of time, you know: January is busy.

New year, new me. Fresh starts. That tattoo they’ve been thinking about all year finally feels like it’s time. Your booking calendar is probably already filling up.

Here’s how to make the most of the January rush while setting your clients up for success.

Why January Brings New Ink

The psychology is simple. People use the new year as a mental reset point. That sleeve they’ve been planning? This is the year. The memorial piece they’ve been putting off? Time to honor that commitment.

You’re also seeing:

  • Holiday gift cards being redeemed (a lot of artists sold gift certificates in December)
  • Bonus money getting spent on something meaningful
  • Cover-up requests from people who want to leave last year’s regrets behind
  • New year resolution tattoos (yes, they’re a thing)

This is good for business. It’s also an opportunity to build long-term client relationships if you handle it right.

Preparing Your Studio for the Rush

Stock Up Now

Don’t get caught short on supplies mid-month. Make sure you have plenty of:

  • Glide/barrier products (you’ll go through more than you think)
  • Aftercare products to recommend (clients asking “what do I use?” is your chance to guide them right)
  • Stencil supplies
  • Cleaning supplies

Running out of glide on a Saturday afternoon with a full book is not where you want to be.

Streamline Your Aftercare Recommendations

January clients include a lot of first-timers and people who haven’t been tattooed in years. They need clear, simple aftercare instructions.

This is where having ONE product you trust makes life easier. When a client asks “what should I use?”, you want a confident answer, not a rambling list of options.

“I’ve been using Tattoo Luv for over a year now, and it’s become an essential part of my process. My clients love how their tattoos heal, and I don’t have to worry about recommending products I haven’t personally tested.”

— Mike Mavretic, Skin Deep Tattoo LLC, Lebanon PA

Book Realistic Appointments

January energy makes people optimistic. They want to book a full sleeve when you’ve got 2 hours available. They want to add “just one more element” to a design that’s already pushing it.

Set yourself up for success:

  • Build in buffer time between appointments
  • Be honest about what can be accomplished in one session
  • Schedule touch-ups proactively (put them on the calendar before they leave)

Rushed work doesn’t heal well. Clients who feel rushed don’t come back.

The Winter Healing Challenge

January tattoos face some unique healing conditions:

Cold, Dry Air

Central PA winters are brutal. The combination of cold outdoor air and heated indoor air creates a moisture desert. Fresh tattoos need consistent moisture to heal properly.

What to tell clients:

  • Keep the tattoo moisturized (not drowning, but consistently hydrated)
  • Avoid direct contact with heating vents
  • Humidifiers help (the whole house, not just their skin)

Layers of Clothing

Nobody’s walking around in tank tops right now. That means fresh tattoos on arms, chests, and backs are covered by multiple layers of fabric.

What to tell clients:

  • Wear soft, breathable fabrics against fresh ink
  • Avoid wool and rough textures directly on the tattoo
  • Change clothes if they’ve been sweating (gym sessions, etc.)

Limited Sun Exposure

This one’s actually a positive. January means less UV exposure, which is good for healing tattoos. Less time fighting sun damage means better color retention.

Client Communication That Builds Loyalty

The January rush is a chance to turn one-time clients into repeat customers. A few things that make a difference:

Before the Appointment

  • Confirm appointments 24-48 hours ahead (reduces no-shows)
  • Send prep instructions (hydrated skin, no alcohol, eat beforehand)
  • Set realistic expectations about session length and healing

During the Session

  • Explain what you’re doing as you work (especially for nervous clients)
  • Talk through your product choices (“I’m using natural glide because it won’t clog my tubes or wipe your stencil”)
  • Check in on comfort level throughout

After the Session

  • Give written aftercare instructions (verbal instructions get forgotten)
  • Recommend specific products by name (not “some kind of lotion”)
  • Schedule a follow-up check-in or touch-up appointment before they leave

That last one is key. If a touch-up is needed, you want them coming back to you, not to the artist down the street.

Products That Work in Winter Conditions

Your glide needs to perform in January conditions: dry air, cold skin, clients who might be slightly dehydrated from holiday excess.

What to look for:

  • Consistency that doesn’t change in cold studio conditions
  • Natural ingredients that work with skin’s healing process
  • Stencil-safe formula that won’t wipe your transfer
  • Tube-friendly performance that doesn’t create buildup

Tattoo Luv is formulated specifically for professional use. Same product during the session, same product for aftercare. That simplicity matters when you’re explaining healing to a nervous first-timer.

Setting Up for a Strong Q1

January is just the beginning. The momentum you build now carries through winter:

  • February: Valentine’s couples tattoos, “love yourself” single clients
  • March: National Tattoo Day (March 21) brings another surge
  • April/May: Spring break tattoos, wedding season prep begins

Build your client list now. Deliver quality work with clear aftercare guidance. Those January clients become your spring referrals.

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Wholesale pricing available for professional studios. Stock up before the rush.

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Tattoo Luv is made by Momma Bears Creations in Enola, PA. Professional-grade, 100% natural, trusted by Central PA artists.