Starting A Spray Tan Business
Why Add Spray Tanning to Your List of Services?
Spray tanning is a service in high demand yet still difficult to find. It is a cost effective source of revenue for your tanning salon or spa. For a nominal cost, adding sunless to your current list of services can potentially sky-rocket your sales. Our professional products, equipment and training information give your salon or spa the edge it needs to succeed in the UV free tanning industry.
Depending on the salon or spa, the price for full body airbrush treatment ranges from $35 to $100. Based on our research, the average salon and spa charges between $40 to $60 for a treatment.
| Daily Airbrushes |
Price Per Airbrush |
Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Quarterly | Annual | ||
| 5 | $40 | $4,000 | $12,000 | $48,000 |
| 7 | $40 | $5,600 | $16,800 | $67,200 |
| 9 | $40 | $7,200 | $21,600 | $86,400 |
| 13 | $40 | $10,400 | $31,200 | $124,800 |
| 15 | $40 | $12,000 | $43,200 | $144,000 |
| 5 | $50 | $5,000 | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| 7 | $50 | $7,000 | $21,000 | $84,000 |
| 9 | $50 | $9,000 | $27,000 | $108,000 |
| 13 | $50 | $13,000 | $39,000 | $156,000 |
| 15 | $50 | $15,000 | $45,000 | $180,000 |
| 5 | $60 | $6,000 | $18,000 | $72,000 |
| 7 | $60 | $8,400 | $25,200 | $100,800 |
| 9 | $60 | $10,800 | $32,400 | $129,600 |
| 13 | $60 | $15,600 | $46,800 | $187,200 |
| 15 | $60 | $18,000 | $54,000 | $216,000 |
The projected sales in this table are based upon a 5-day work week. These are average numbers for established airbrush operations.
The Sunless Business
Airbrush tanning is potentially the most profitable service a salon or spa can offer. The start-up costs are minimal and are recouped quickly. Plus, the service is fast and easy to perform.
Airbrush Sales
Offering a service that is in high demand can drive new business through the doors. In addition to new business, existing clients may want to add airbrush tanning to the other services they already receive, thereby creating additional revenue.
- The service is fast. An application takes approximately five minutes with an additional five-minute dry time. This allows for several appointments in a single day.
- For tanning salons sunless can add to their client base. Since tanning salons are typically seasonal, spray tan clients can sustain business throughout the slow season.
- Hair & makeup salons as well as day spas & medi-spas that add airbrush treatments to their list of services can increase repeat business as well as potentially add new clientele to your existing base.
- Mobile airbrush businesses allow you to work flexible hours and make a fantastic profit.
Airbrush Profits
The profit margin from airbrushing can far exceed any other service the business currently offers. Electricity used in a regular tanning salon can sometimes cost more than the charge for the service. Salon and spa services take time (sometimes over an hour), leaving the room and technician unavailable during the service.
With spray tanning your business can make a $40 sale in just 5 minutes. The solution cost for full-body applications is as low as $1.56.
- One ounce of solution costs approximately $0.77. The cost per ounce does vary depending on solution used.
- The average mark-up for an airbrush session is over 1000%, based on $40 cost to the customer.
Two to three ounces of solution is enough for a full-body airbrush. Each gallon of solution can airbrush up to 50 bodies.
Getting Started
- Start up costs can run as low as $620.00 for a unit, tent and solution. Sixteen airbrushes (based on $40 per session) will pay off your initial investment.
- Anyone can start a spray tan business. There are no special class or certification requirements. Airbrush services can be offered through a storefront or as mobile business.
- Requires minimal space. A 6 foot by 6 foot space is big enough to airbrush.
Don’t have a room? Don’t panic! Get creative with the space you have. Many tanning salons and spas have been able to create a space using a variety of options.
- The Sol Potion Airbrush Stage is perfect for any room, even those designated for other services, storage or supplies. The Airbrush Stage can act as a room divider or as a backdrop to prevent overspray from direct contact with stationary walls. This unit is lightweight, portable and easy to store when not in use.
- If your establishment is unable to provide privacy for this service due to a lack of enclosed rooms, the Sol Potion Create-A-Room airbrush backdrop is your answer. This unit helps you maximize the use of your facility’s space by creating a private environment anywhere! No construction, no dust and no waiting for contractors to erect a room. The Create-A-Room arrives completely assembled and ready to use.
GO MOBILE! Clients feel comfortable in their own homes. Offering a service that goes to the client is very appealing. However conducting a sunless treatment in a shower/tub may not be the perfect setting as it may difficult to airbrush the calves and feet. Plus you don’t want to leave a mess for your client to have to clean. Our airbrush tent is the perfect containment for an application in your clients home. The open top allows for plenty of light and ventilation. The spacious inside makes application and clean up easy.