A guide for new tattoo shop owners using an LED sign to attract more foot traffic, gain trust, and grow visibility.
Summer's heating up, and so is foot traffic. For new tattoo shop owners, this season can be the perfect time to draw in curious passersby looking for spontaneous ink or planning their next piece. But how do you grab their attention? A scrolling LED sign might be the most budget-friendly and effective way to make your shop stand out, especially when you're competing with more established names on the block.
Outdoor LED signs work by displaying text messages and simple graphics that move in eye-catching ways. Think flashing, falling, shooting stars, and other animations that get noticed even when folks are just walking by. If you're just starting out, using one of these signs outside your shop can help you turn your location into a head-turner, and that’s exactly what you want in this business.
Ready to make your presence known? Here’s how new tattoo shops can use programmable LED signs to grab attention and build walk-in trust this summer.
#1 Choose Messages That Speak to the Tattoo Crowd
Don’t just display your shop name. Use an LED sign to show off your vibe. Keep your messages short, direct, and catchy. You can display specials like:
“Walk-ins Welcome”
“Flash Sale This Weekend”
“New Artist in the Chair”
“$20 Piercings Today Only”
This works best if your messaging sounds like something your audience would say or read online. Think Instagram captions, not business memos.
Pro Tip: Keep your message under 20 characters per line to stay readable. Some programmable LED signs have a 7-inch high display, which fits up to 8 characters per line clearly.
#2 Use Animated Text to Catch the Eye
Scrolling signs are all about motion. Choose from animation effects like:
Falling (text drops from the top)
Pacman (text is revealed by chomping)
Shooting (text shoots in from the sides)
Flashing (text blinks to grab attention)
Animation modes can turn a simple message into something you can’t miss. Use these effects to highlight promos or time-limited offers. Movement draws the eye naturally, especially when placed near a busy sidewalk or road.
#3 Place It Where People Actually Look
Don’t just mount your LED sign anywhere. Location matters. Place your LED-powered sign:
Above your door, slightly angled toward foot traffic
On the front window, especially if you’re in a shared strip
At street level, if your entrance is tucked away or not directly facing traffic
If you’re located near a main road, a programmable outdoor LED sign can help attract drivers, too. Make sure it's bright enough to be seen during the day (look for at least 2,000 nits of brightness).
#4 Show Social Proof Without Needing Reviews
New tattoo shops may not have hundreds of Google reviews yet. But that doesn't mean you can't build trust.
Use your scrolling LED sign to show short, glowing feedback like:
“Clean & chill vibe – Maya L.”
“Love my ink! – Estella Z.”
“Friendly, fast, and sharp – Pedro B.”
It doesn’t need to be long. Short reviews or direct quotes build confidence, especially for walk-ins who haven’t heard of your shop before.
#5 Announce Flash Sales and First-Timer Deals
Impulse visits happen. Use your sign to trigger them. Programmable LED signs are perfect for last-minute promos like:
“$50 Tattoo Fridays”
“Half Off Second Piercing Today”
“Sun’s Out, Tats Out – 15% Off”
You can update your LED sign daily from your shop’s computer. Most signs come with easy-to-use software, so even non-techy shop owners can switch things up without stress.
#6 Show Your Summer Schedule
Got a guest artist coming in? Special hours for walk-ins? Extended weekends? Show it.
Something like:
“Now Open ‘Til 10 PM Fridays”
“Guest Artist @InkPrincess – August 9-10”
People appreciate knowing what to expect. Plus, it tells them your shop is active and busy—even if it’s your first summer in business.
#7 Highlight Safety and Cleanliness
This isn’t flashy, but it works. For first-timers walking by, cleanliness matters. Use your LED sign to reassure them:
“Certified + Sterile Setup”
“Single-Use Needles Only”
“Licensed & Inspected”
It’s a small touch, but it builds trust fast. According to Salesforce, 80% of consumers say the customer experience is as important as the products or services offered by a company. Letting them know about your shop’s cleanliness and safety gives them confidence, even before they've seen inside your shop.
#8 Promote Your Socials, Even in 8 Characters
You can’t show QR codes or links, but you can tease your socials. Try:
“Insta: @Inkhaus”
“TikTok: @8080Tatts”
“See Our Work Online”
This lets people know where to find your portfolio. Many tattoo decisions are made after checking your posts. Your LED sign can be the nudge that sends them looking.
#9 Speak the Language of the Season
Match your messaging to what’s happening now. In summer, think:
“Sun-Inked Specials Inside”
“Beat the Heat, Get Inked”
“Tat Before You Tan”
Using seasonal language keeps your messages fresh and timely. You can even swap messages for local events, like “Open Late After Friday Night Market.”
#10 Let Your LED Sign Reflect Your Shop’s Personality
If your shop has a chill, edgy, or funny vibe, show that personality in your sign. Avoid corporate-sounding lines. Try something like:
“Cool Ink, Zero Attitude”
“Your Next Tattoo is Waiting”
“Vibes. Ink. Repeat.”
Your LED sign doesn’t have to sell hard; it just needs to feel real. That authenticity is what brings walk-ins through your door.
Final Thoughts
Starting a tattoo shop comes with a long to-do list, but visibility should always be near the top. A scrolling LED sign offers a low-maintenance, high-impact solution that works 24/7. It costs far less than a billboard, but keeps your name out there for everyone passing by.
You don’t need to be flashy, just smart, timely, and authentic. Use your sign to talk directly to the people you want to walk in. Make them feel welcome, informed, and curious.
And when they stop in, you’ll know your LED sign did its job.
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Need help choosing the right scrolling LED sign? Check out Affordable LED’s outdoor programmable LED signs for weatherproof options built for storefronts. They're perfect for new tattoo shop owners looking to stand out all summer long.
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