Build Your Dream Career with Spray Tanning: The Ultimate Guide
- Just Me Time null
- Nov 10, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Hey, I'm James Thomas, founder of Just Me Time Wellness.
Let me guess. You're here because you're tired of your 9-to-5 grind. You're creative, you love the beauty industry, and you're dreaming of a career that gives you freedom, flexibility, and financial control. You're watching other people on Instagram build their dream life, and you're thinking... "Why not me?"
I was in the exact same spot. I built my own wellness and tanning business from the ground up. I can tell you that the spray tanning industry isn't just a "side hustle"—it's a golden opportunity. It’s a field where you can have low startup costs, high-profit margins, and a schedule that revolves around your life, not a corporate clock.
The sunless tanning industry is projected to be a multi-billion dollar market. Professional spray tanning is a huge part of that growth. Clients want a healthy-looking glow without the risks of UV damage, and they are willing to pay a premium for a professional, flawless result.
In this epic, 3,000-word guide, I'm giving you the entire A-Z blueprint for starting your own profitable spray tan business. I'm pulling back the curtain on the industry secrets, from the science of DHA to the art of marketing.
Want to skip the learning curve and get the exact plug-and-play system I use, including all my client forms, business plans, and marketing scripts? Then you need my Advanced Airbrush Artistry Master Certification Ebook
. It's your entire business in a box. But for now, let's build your foundation.
Why Start a Spray Tan Business? The 6-Figure Opportunity
Before we get into the "how," let's talk about the "why." Why this business?
Low Startup Costs: You don't need a $100,000 business loan. You can start a professional mobile business or a small in-home studio for a few thousand dollars (or less!).
High Profit Margins: Let's talk numbers. The average cost of solution and disposables for a single tan can be $4-$8. At my own spa, a basic tan starts at $34.95 and a luxury tan is $64.95. The profit on each 20-minute appointment is massive.
Strong Repeat Business: A spray tan lasts 5-7 days. Your clients who want to stay glowing—brides, professionals, fitness enthusiasts—will be back every 1-2 weeks. This builds an incredibly stable, predictable recurring income.
Flexibility: You can be a mobile artist working weekends, a studio owner, or add it to an existing salon. You build the business that fits your life.
How Much Can a Spray Tan Artist Really Make?
This is the question everyone asks! Let's break down the real earning potential based on data right from my certification course:
The Part-Time Starter: Just 3 clients a day, 3 days a week, at $40/tan? That's over $1,000/month on the side.
The Growing Technician: See 6 clients a day, 5 days a week, at $45/tan? That's over $5,000/month.
The Established Solo Pro: See 10 clients a day, 5 days a week, at $50/tan? That's $10,000/month, or $120,000 per year.
You're not just selling tans; you're selling confidence. And that's a business that never goes out of style.
Step 1: The Essentials (Your "Glow Boss" Starter Kit)
Okay, you're in. Let's go shopping. One of the biggest mistakes new artists make is wasting money on the wrong gear. Here's what you actually need.
Your 1 Investment: The HVLP System
This is your money-maker. You'll see terms like HVLP and LVLP. Here's the deal:
HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure): This is the industry standard. It uses a high volume of air at a soft, low pressure to apply the solution in a fine, even mist. It means less overspray, better coverage, and a more professional result. This is what you'll find in most professional setups.
LVLP (Low Volume, Low Pressure): These are often lighter and quieter, making them popular for mobile artists, but they can be less forgiving for a beginner.
My advice? Start with a quality HVLP system from a reputable brand. My ebook includes a full vendors list with my top recommendations and discount codes.
Building Your Starter Kit (The Must-Haves)
Besides your machine, you'll need a "starter kit." Here's a quick checklist based on Chapter 3 of my course:
A Pop-Up Tent: Essential for mobile tanning or protecting your room at home.
Professional Solutions: DO NOT buy from Amazon. You need pro solutions. You'll want a small range to start, like an 8%, 10%, and 12% DHA level. (We'll cover what that means in a second).
Disposables: Sticky feet (to protect foot bottoms), hair nets, and gloves.
Barrier Cream: A thick cream you apply to "problem areas" like knuckles, elbows, and heels to prevent them from grabbing too much color and looking unnatural.
A good mid-range starter kit with your machine, tent, and solutions can be put together for around $1,100-$1,450. That's it. That's your entire business startup cost.
Step 2: The Science (A.K.A. How NOT to Turn People Orange)
"I don't want to be orange."
You will hear this every single day. The difference between a $20 amateur and a $65+ Master Artist is science. When you understand why a tan works, you can guarantee it never goes wrong.
The Secret Ingredient: What is DHA?
The active ingredient in all spray tan solution is DHA (Dihydroxyacetone). It's a simple, colorless sugar.
When you spray it on the skin, it reacts with the amino acids in the outermost layer of dead skin cells (the stratum corneum). This reaction, called the Maillard Reaction, is what turns the skin brown. It's the same science that browns an apple!
This is why a spray tan is safe and temporary. It only affects the top layer of skin, which naturally sheds every 5-10 days.
Color Theory 101: Green vs. Violet vs. Brown Bases
This is the Holy Grail of professional tanning. The "orange" look doesn't come from DHA itself; it comes from a poor color match.
Pro solutions have a "base" color to counteract your client's natural undertones.
Green-Based Solutions: Green cancels out RED. This is your go-to for fair-skinned clients with pink or red undertones (think Irish or Northern European descent). It results in a natural, golden-brown tan.
Violet-Based Solutions: Violet cancels out YELLOW/GOLD. This is perfect for clients with olive or golden undertones who want that deep, rich, Mediterranean-looking tan.
Red-Based Solutions: Red adds WARMTH. I use this on clients with cooler, olive skin tones to give them a "just back from the beach" glow.
Brown-Based Solutions: This is your "universal" base, great for first-time clients when you're unsure.
Knowing how to look at a client's skin and instantly choose the right base is what separates you from everyone else. This is a massive part of my Master Certification course.
What is the Fitzpatrick Skin Scale?
This is a non-negotiable tool for pros. It's a dermatological scale that classifies how skin reacts to UV light. We use it to predict how skin will react to DHA.
Type I (e.g., fair, red hair, always burns): You would never use a high DHA on this client. You'd use a low DHA (6-8%) with a green base for a subtle, natural glow.
Type IV (e.g., olive skin, tans easily): This client can handle a higher DHA (10-12%) and would look amazing with a violet base.
Using this scale isn't just smart; it protects your clients and your reputation.
Step 3: Mastering the Flawless Application
You've got the gear and the science. Now, let's tan. Your technique is your signature.
The Foundation: Why Skin Prep is 50% of the Tan
A flawless spray tan begins *before* the spray gun is ever turned on. I cannot stress this enough. Poor prep is the #1 cause of a patchy, streaky, or fast-fading tan.
Your clients must follow these rules, and you must educate them (my ebook provides the exact plug-and-play pre-care and aftercare instruction cards).
The Day Before the Tan:
Exfoliate! They must use an oil-free scrub or mitt to remove all dead, dry skin.
Shave or Wax. This must be done at least 24 hours before the tan to allow pores to close.
The Day of the Tan:
Arrive with 100% clean, dry skin. No deodorant, no makeup, no perfume, and absolutely NO lotion or body oil. These create a barrier that blocks the DHA.
The "Pro-Only" Areas: How to Spray Hands, Feet, and Face
Hands and feet are the "dead giveaway" of a bad tan. Here's how to do them like a master.
Barrier Cream: Apply barrier cream to palms, knuckles, cuticles, heels, and in between fingers and toes.
Go Light: These areas need far less solution.
The "Claw Hand": Have your client make a stiff "claw" shape with their hand. This stretches the skin on the knuckles.
The "X" Pattern: From 8-10 inches away, spray a very light "X" pattern over the top of the hand and the top of the foot.
Blend: Immediately after, use a soft blending brush or towel to gently buff the edges and wipe the palms and fingernails.
My Professional Application Sequence
In my course, I teach a 7-step sequence that guarantees a consistent, flawless result every time. Following the same flow is what makes you a pro.
Back of Arms
Back of Body
Females Under the Breast
Front of Body
Right Side & Right Arm
Left Side & Left Arm
Final Touches: Face, Hands & Feet
This repeatable pattern ensures you never miss a spot and that your application is balanced and even.
Step 4: Building Your Business (From 0 to Booked-Solid)
This is the part that separates the hobbyist from the CEO. You can be the best spray tan artist in the world, but if no one knows you exist, you don't have a business.
The Legal "Must-Do's"
This is the non-glamorous part, but it's critical.
Register Your Business: Decide on a structure (a Sole Proprietorship is easiest to start; an LLC offers more protection).
Get Business Insurance: This is non-negotiable. You need liability insurance to protect yourself and your clients.
Get Client Waivers: Every single client must sign a liability waiver and consent form before you spray them. This form should list contraindications (allergies, skin conditions) and set expectations.
This waiver alone is worth the price of my ebook. My course gives you the exact plug-and-play, lawyer-reviewed Client Intake, Consent, & Liability Waiver form that I use in my own spa.
Your 24/7 Sales Machine: Marketing That Works
Don't get overwhelmed. Marketing is just connecting with people. Here's your focus.
Google Business Profile: This is your #1 priority. It's a free profile from Google that lets you show up in "spray tan near me" searches. Fill out every section and get clients to leave reviews.
Social Media (Instagram & TikTok): This is your visual portfolio. Your feed should be filled with amazing before-and-afters, educational tips (like the "claw hand"), and client testimonials.
Local Partnerships: This is your secret weapon. Connect with local bridal boutiques, hair salons, med spas, and photographers. Offer the owner a free tan. When they love your work, they will send you a flood of new clients.
You Have the Blueprint... But Do You Want the "Business-in-a-Box"?
I've just given you a 3,000-word guide—a massive chunk of the "what" and "why" from my full course.
You could absolutely take this information, spend months on trial-and-error, waste hundreds on the wrong solutions, and slowly figure it out.
Or... you could just get the "Business-in-a-Box."
My Advanced Airbrush Artistry Master Certification Ebook isn't just a book. It's a 170+ page system.
It's every single thing I've learned, all the mistakes I've made, and all the tools I use, bundled into one place. You're not just buying information; you're buying speed. You're buying a proven plan.
What's Inside the $499.95 Master Ebook?
When you enroll, you get the entire 15-chapter-plus-appendices guide. This includes:
Chapter 10: Business Management & Client Retention: The A-Z guide to systems, pricing, and getting clients to rebook every time.
Chapter 13: Marketing & Client Attraction: My complete, 30-page marketing plan. Social media scripts, partnership emails, and how to build a 6-figure brand.
Chapter 14: Your Plug-and-Play Business Plan: A fill-in-the-blank template to build your entire business plan in one afternoon.
The "Golden" Appendix: This is the most valuable part. You get all my printable, plug-and-play forms:
- Client Spray Tan Record Card
- Skin Typing Form (Fitzpatrick Scale)
- The Spray Tan Client Intake, Consent, & Liability Waiver
- Pre-Care & Post-Care Instruction Cards (to give your clients)
- Equipment Cleaning Logs & Incident Report Forms
- My personal, vetted Vendors List
Stop Guessing. Start Earning.
The price for the entire Master Certification Ebook and system is $499.95. I know, $500 can feel like a big investment. But let's use the math we just learned. My luxury tans are $65. At that price, you only need 8 tans to pay for this entire course. At a more standard $45/tan, you're profitable after just 12 tans.
This course is designed to get you those first 12 clients, and the 120 after that.
And the best part? You don't even have to pay upfront. We offer financing through Affirm and Klarna on our website. You can get started today for a small monthly payment and easily pay off your entire certification with your first few clients.
BONUS: Want Me to Build Your Client-Attraction-Machine For You?
Look, I get it. You're an artist, not a tech guru. The idea of "Google Ads" might make you want to run for the hills.
But Google is the #1 way new clients will find you.
That's why I offer a service I wish I'd had: a Basic Google AdWords Setup for $499.95. I will personally...
Set up your entire Google Ads campaign.
Find the exact keywords for your city (like "spray tan Eastlake Ohio").
Write the ads that make clients click.
Link it all to your booking page.
...so you can turn it on and watch the appointments roll in. You can add this service right on the course page when you check out.
Your Dream Career is Waiting. Are You Ready?
A year from now, you could be in the exact same place. Or, you could be your own boss, working from your beautiful studio, looking at a fully-booked calendar, and finally living the life of freedom and creativity you deserve.
You have the guide. You have the opportunity. All you have to do is take the first step.
I can't wait to see you inside the course.
Cheers, James
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