Window Tint Training in Lakewood
Lakewood Is the Front Door to Joint Base Lewis-McChord — And Its 40,000+ Military Families Need Tinting
Lakewood sits immediately adjacent to JBLM's main gates, making it the most direct access point to the West Coast's largest military installation. With 62,000+ residents and a constant rotation of military personnel and families, Lakewood offers tinters the most concentrated military tinting market in Washington.
Lakewood Market Snapshot
Population
62,254
State
Washington
Avg Successful Business Owner Earnings
$100K – $230K+
Startup Cost
Under $2,000
What's Included
Everything You Need to Start Tinting in Lakewood
Tint School Online is the most complete window tinting training program available — 400+ HD video tutorials across 6 full courses, a complete business blueprint, 44 ready-to-use templates, a professional website, and lifetime access to a 3,000+ member community. Everything you need to go from zero to a profitable tinting business in Lakewood.
400+ HD Video Tutorials
Step-by-step instruction covering every technique, tool, and vehicle type you'll encounter as a professional window tinter.
6 Complete Courses
From flat glass to curved rear windows, sedans to SUVs — master every category of tinting work.
Full Business Blueprint
Pricing, marketing, branding, social media, Google Business, and scaling strategies used by top earners.
Professional Website Included
A done-for-you website ready to book clients from day one. No tech skills needed.
3,000+ Member Community
Get daily support, feedback, and motivation from thousands of tinters at every level.
44 Business Templates
Invoices, contracts, checklists, pricing sheets — everything you need to run a real business.
Certificate of Completion
Boost your credibility with a professional certificate to display in your shop and on your website.
Lifetime Access — Forever
Pay once, learn forever. No subscriptions, no renewals, no hidden fees. The course is yours for life.
The Lakewood Opportunity
Why Lakewood Is a Great Place to Start a Tinting Business
Known as a JBLM front door, military community hub, Pierce County suburban center, Lakewood offers unique advantages for trained window tinters.
Closest City to JBLM's Main Gates
Lakewood is where JBLM's 40,000+ service members live off-base. Military personnel PCSing in need tint immediately and ask their units for recommendations. Being the closest quality option to the base is a massive competitive advantage.
Military Referral Network Is Self-Sustaining
JBLM's unit Facebook groups, spouse networks, and command channels share recommendations at extraordinary speed. One quality installation for a platoon sergeant can generate 20+ referrals within weeks — and the rotation of new personnel refreshes the pipeline constantly.
Pierce County's Lowest Commercial Rent
Shop rent runs $700 to $1,200/month, making Lakewood one of the most affordable locations to launch a tinting business in the Puget Sound region. The low overhead means you can reach profitability faster and weather slow periods without financial stress.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Military Market
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is one of the largest military installations in the western United States, with over 40,000 active-duty personnel and their families. Military service members take pride in their vehicles and frequently invest in tinting — dark privacy film is especially popular. The constant rotation of personnel means a perpetual pipeline of new customers arriving at the base every month.
Local Market Insight
Window Tinting in Lakewood — What You Need to Know
If Tacoma benefits from JBLM's proximity, Lakewood benefits from JBLM's front door. The city literally wraps around the base's main entrance on I-5, and a significant percentage of Lakewood's population consists of active-duty military, military families, veterans, and defense contractors. Military personnel PCSing into JBLM typically live in Lakewood first — the off-base housing areas along Steilacoom Boulevard, the Tillicum neighborhood, and the Gravelly Lake area are where service members and families settle. They need their vehicles tinted within weeks of arrival, and they ask their unit for recommendations immediately.
Lakewood's Bridgeport Way and Pacific Highway corridors provide the commercial infrastructure for a tinting business, with auto-oriented businesses, strip malls, and service shops that attract the military and civilian population alike. Shop rent in Lakewood runs $700 to $1,200/month — among the lowest in Pierce County — making startup costs minimal. The civilian population adds family-oriented suburban demand, and Lakewood's position as a Pierce County commercial hub means you also capture traffic from Joint Base customers, Steilacoom residents, and commuters heading to Tacoma and Olympia. The military market alone can sustain a full-time tinting operation; the civilian market is pure upside.

Local Pro Tip
Get listed in JBLM's off-base business directory and the Newcomers' Guide that incoming service members receive. Offer a visible military discount and make sure it's on your Google Business listing and website. Sponsor a unit event or family readiness group fundraiser — the investment is minimal but the goodwill and referrals are enormous. Bridgeport Way near the JBLM main gate is the highest-traffic location for military customer access.
What You Get with TSO
One-time payment. No subscriptions. No hidden fees.
Real Student Results
TSO Graduates Are Earning Serious Money
These are real numbers from real Tint School Online students. No fluff. No hypotheticals. Just verified results from people who started exactly where you are now.
$23,233/mo
Joshua
Top Notch Tint — Yulee, FL
“TSO gave me everything I needed. Best investment of my life.”
Before TSO: Zero tinting experience
$19,970/mo
Kenny
Automotive Restyle — Boardman, OH
“The business blueprint alone is worth 10x the price.”
Before TSO: Working a regular 9-5
$4,119/day
Tom
All American Tinting — Fort Worth, TX
“No 3-day class comes close to what TSO offers.”
Before TSO: No background in trades
$100K in 208 days
Brandon
Dynamic Tinting — Riverton, UT
“The community support is what separates TSO from everything else.”
Before TSO: Complete beginner
Washington Regulations
Window Tint Laws in Lakewood
Lakewood follows Washington's statewide tint regulations. Knowing these limits is critical — customers trust you to keep them legal, and a properly trained tinter builds referrals by installing correctly every single time.
* Laws are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with your local DMV or law enforcement.
Washington Tint Law Summary
| Window Position | Legal Limit |
|---|---|
| Front Side Windows | 24% VLT |
| Rear Side Windows | 24% VLT |
| Rear Windshield | 24% VLT |
| Windshield | Top 6 inches (non-reflective) |
Service Areas
Serve Customers Across the Lakewood Area
Our online training prepares you to serve the entire Lakewood metro and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Window Tint Training in Lakewood — FAQ
What tint laws apply in Lakewood, Washington?
Washington requires at least 24% VLT on front side, rear side, and rear windows. The windshield allows a non-reflective strip on the top 6 inches. Lakewood PD, Pierce County Sheriff, and Washington State Patrol enforce tint laws in the area.
How much can a tinter earn in Lakewood?
Tint professionals in Lakewood typically earn $100K to $160K+ annually. The steady military pipeline from JBLM provides a reliable baseline, civilian suburban demand adds volume, and Pierce County's low overhead costs translate to strong margins. No state income tax further boosts take-home.
How do I tap into the JBLM military market from Lakewood?
Visibility and reputation are everything. Get listed in JBLM's newcomer resources, offer a military discount prominently on your Google listing, and engage unit Facebook groups. Military families are fiercely loyal to businesses that support the community. One quality installation generates referrals through the entire chain of command.
Is Lakewood's civilian market significant beyond the military?
Yes. Lakewood has 62,000+ residents including many civilian families, veterans, and defense contractors. The Bridgeport Way commercial corridor draws shoppers from Steilacoom, University Place, and surrounding Pierce County communities. The military market is the foundation, but the civilian market provides meaningful additional revenue.
How does Joint Base Lewis-McChord impact Lakewood's tinting market?
JBLM is one of the largest military installations in the country, with 40,000+ active-duty personnel and their families. Military members are dedicated vehicle enthusiasts who invest in tinting — dark privacy film and ceramic packages are especially popular. The constant rotation of personnel (PCS moves) means a perpetual pipeline of new customers arriving every month who need their vehicles tinted for the Pacific Northwest climate.
What is the vehicle mix like in Lakewood?
Lakewood's proximity to JBLM means muscle cars, lifted trucks, and performance vehicles are disproportionately common — the young military demographic invests heavily in vehicle modification and appearance. Beyond military, Lakewood's diverse civilian population drives family SUVs and sedans. This mix creates demand at every price point, from $200 basic packages on older trucks to $600+ ceramic installations on newer performance vehicles.
What's Inside
See Everything You Get with Tint School Online
We built the most complete window tinting training program on the planet. 400+ HD tutorials across 6 full courses. A complete Business Blueprint that teaches you how to price, market, and scale. A 3,000+ member community. A professional website. And lifetime access to all of it.
Watch the 2-min Course Preview
2 min 47 sec — See inside the course platform
Explore More Training
Ready to Start Tinting in Lakewood?
Lakewood is waiting for trained, professional tinters. Join 3,000+ students who chose Tint School Online over expensive weekend workshops. Lifetime access. Business training. A community that has your back.