Every tattoo parlor not owned directly by the artists are basically staffed by contractors. They pay the studio for their space and equipment, which means the cost of the tattoo has to somewhat cover these expenses.

They may be paid better overall, but their working conditions are pretty lousy. McDonald’s might fire a worker trying to unionize, but they do at least have the right to organize. Tattoo artists are completely excluded from the NLRA, they have no labor protections at all.