Window Tint Training Illinois
The Best Window Tinting Course for Illinois Tinters
Chicago is the third-largest city in America — and the entire state of Illinois has over 12 million people who drive. The earning potential for trained tinters here is massive. Tint School Online gives you the skills and business training to claim your share.
The Illinois Opportunity
Window Tinting in Illinois — Market Overview
Illinois offers one of the largest and most diverse tinting markets in the Midwest, anchored by the Chicago metropolitan area and its 9.5 million residents. Chicago alone has more registered vehicles than many entire states, and the range of work is extraordinary — from beaters and daily drivers in the South Side to six-figure luxury cars in the Gold Coast and North Shore suburbs. Add in the collar counties (DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane) with their sprawling suburban populations, and you have a customer base that stretches as far as you're willing to drive.
Illinois has a distinct advantage that many tinters don't think about: it's a two-market state. Chicagoland is a high-volume, high-competition, premium-pricing market where skilled tinters can earn $15,000–$25,000+ per month if they know how to market themselves. But downstate Illinois — Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, Rockford — is dramatically underserved. Many smaller cities have just one or two tint shops serving populations of 100,000 to 200,000+. For tinters who don't want big-city competition, downstate Illinois offers a clear lane with loyal customers and minimal overhead.
Illinois is also home to a staggering number of corporate headquarters — Caterpillar, John Deere, State Farm, Archer Daniels Midland, Abbott, and dozens more. These companies have fleet vehicles, executive car programs, and employees who drive premium automobiles. Landing even one fleet contract can add $5,000–$10,000+ per month in recurring revenue. That's the kind of business opportunity that a 3-day workshop never teaches you about — but Tint School Online's Business Blueprint covers it in detail.

Illinois Climate & Demand
Hot, humid summers exceeding 90°F and frigid winters dropping below 0°F. The extreme seasonal range creates year-round demand — heat rejection in summer and UV/glare protection in winter. Lake effect weather near Chicago adds unique conditions.
The Truth About Illinois Tint Classes
Why 3-Day In-Person Classes Don't Work
We hear the same story every week. Someone in Illinois pays $2,000-$5,000 for a weekend tint class, gets a basic rundown, goes home, and immediately gets stuck. Here's why.
Typical Illinois In-Person Class
You pay $2,000-$5,000+ for 2-3 days of rushed instruction
You're expected to absorb weeks of knowledge in a single weekend
No recordings — if you miss something, it's gone forever
Zero business training (no pricing, no marketing, no scaling)
No community or ongoing support after you walk out the door
If you hire an employee later, you pay the full price again
Most students forget 70%+ of what they learned within a week
The instructor has one shop — not a proven, scalable system
Tint School Online
One payment of $349 — lifetime access to everything, forever
400+ HD video tutorials you can watch, rewatch, and pause anytime
6 complete courses covering every technique and vehicle type
Full Business Blueprint: pricing, marketing, operations, scaling
3,000+ member private community for daily support and mentorship
Train your employees for free — one account, unlimited team access
Built by the team behind 150+ tint locations worldwide
Certificate of completion + professional website included free
The trade is too vast to master in 3 days. Window tinting has hundreds of techniques, dozens of vehicle shapes, multiple film brands with different properties, and a business side that nobody teaches in person. Our students come back to the tutorials constantly — revisiting techniques as they encounter new challenges on the job. That's the power of lifetime access. You can't get that from a weekend workshop.
Earning Potential
How Much Can You Earn as a Window Tinter in Illinois?
The numbers don't lie. Professional window tinters across Illinois consistently earn between $50,000 and $150,000+ per year. Many Tint School Online graduates report hitting $5,000 to $30,000+ per month within their first year — and some far beyond that.
The average tint job takes 1-2 hours and brings in $200-$500+ depending on the vehicle and film type. Ceramic packages push that to $600-$1,000+. Do the maths on 3-4 cars a day, 5 days a week. It adds up fast — especially in a high-demand market like Illinois.
But here's what the 3-day classes never tell you: technique alone doesn't build income. You need pricing strategy, marketing systems, and business operations. That's why TSO includes a full Business Blueprint — not just tinting skills.
$5K-$30K+
Monthly Income
Reported by TSO graduates
1-2 hrs
Per Job
Average completion time
$200-$1K+
Per Vehicle
Depending on film type
3,000+
Students Trained
And earning worldwide
Real Student Reviews
What Our Students Say About Tint School Online
Over 3,000 students from every state — including Illinois — have trained with Tint School Online. Here's what they have to say.
“I went from zero experience to making over $23K a month. TSO gave me everything — the skills, the business plan, and a community that actually helps. Best investment I ever made.”
Joshua
Top Notch Tint — Yulee, FL
“I was working a 9-5 and hated it. Found TSO, went through the courses, and now I'm doing nearly $20K/month with my own shop. The business blueprint alone is worth 10x the price.”
Kenny
Automotive Restyle — Boardman, OH
“I had no background in trades at all. Now I'm making over $4,000 a day. The tutorials are incredibly detailed and you can rewatch them whenever you need. No 3-day class comes close.”
Tom
All American Tinting — Fort Worth, TX
“Hit $100K in revenue in my first 208 days. I was a complete beginner. The community support is what separates TSO from everything else — you're never stuck alone.”
Brandon
Dynamic Tinting — Riverton, UT
“I actually took a 3-day in-person class before finding TSO. Night and day difference. TSO teaches you the business side that nobody else covers. I doubled my revenue in 3 months.”
Marcus
Elite Auto Films — Charlotte, NC
“Living in Arizona, tint demand is insane. TSO trained me right and the business blueprint helped me price correctly from day one. Already booked out 2 weeks in advance.”
Derek
Desert Shade Tinting — Phoenix, AZ
Illinois Regulations
Window Tint Laws in Illinois
Understanding Illinois's tint laws is critical for any professional tinter. Customers trust you to keep them legal. Installing tint that's too dark on the wrong windows leads to fix-it tickets, unhappy customers, and damaged reputation.
A properly trained tinter doesn't just know how to apply film — they know the law, explain the options clearly, and build trust that generates referrals. Tint School Online covers state-specific regulations as part of the Business Blueprint so you always install with confidence.
* Laws are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with your local Illinois DMV or law enforcement agency.
Illinois Tint Law Summary
| Window Position | Legal Limit |
|---|---|
| Front Side Windows | 35% VLT |
| Rear Side Windows | 35% VLT |
| Rear Windshield | Any darkness (with side mirrors) |
| Windshield | Top 6 inches (non-reflective) |
Getting Started
How to Start a Window Tinting Business in Illinois
Starting a window tinting business in Illinois is one of the smartest moves you can make as an entrepreneur. The startup costs are remarkably low compared to most trades — typically under $2,000 for basic equipment and supplies. And unlike a restaurant or retail store, you don't need a physical location to start. Many of the most successful tinters in Illinois began as mobile operations, tinting cars in customers' driveways and parking lots.
The first step is getting properly trained — and that's where most people make their first mistake. They search for “window tint training near me” or “tint classes in Illinois” and find a local shop offering a 2-3 day workshop for $2,000-$5,000. They sign up, learn the absolute basics, and leave without any business knowledge, marketing strategy, or ongoing support. Within a few weeks, they're stuck.
Tint School Online takes a different approach. Instead of cramming everything into a weekend, we give you 400+ HD video tutorials across 6 complete courses that you can access forever. Learn at your pace. Rewatch the tricky techniques. Master every vehicle type from flat side windows to complex curved rear windshields. And when you're ready to launch your business, the Business Blueprint walks you through everything: pricing, marketing, acquiring your first customers, and scaling from a side hustle to a full-time operation.
Here's the reality that the in-person classes don't want you to know: window tinting is a trade that takes months of practice to get truly good at. Not days. Months. You're going to encounter back windows that don't cooperate, customers with unrealistic expectations, and film that just won't lay down the way you want. When that happens — and it will happen — you need a resource to go back to. You need to be able to pull up a tutorial, watch a technique demonstration, and get help from a community of 3,000+ other tinters who have been through the exact same challenges.
That's the difference between a weekend class and a real training system. One gives you a taste. The other gives you a career.

Quick Facts
Serving All of Illinois
Top Cities for Window Tinting in Illinois
Our online training is available everywhere in Illinois. No matter which city you're in, you get the same world-class education and lifetime support.
Chicago
Pop. 2.7M
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Aurora
Pop. 181K
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Naperville
Pop. 153K
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Joliet
Pop. 152K
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Rockford
Pop. 147K
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Elgin
Pop. 115K
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Springfield
Pop. 113K
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Peoria
Pop. 112K
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Champaign
Pop. 92K
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Waukegan
Pop. 89K
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Cicero
Pop. 82K
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Bloomington
Pop. 79K
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Schaumburg
Pop. 77K
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Evanston
Pop. 76K
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Arlington Heights
Pop. 76K
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Bolingbrook
Pop. 75K
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Decatur
Pop. 69K
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Palatine
Pop. 66K
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Skokie
Pop. 66K
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Des Plaines
Pop. 59K
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Orland Park
Pop. 58K
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Oak Lawn
Pop. 57K
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Mount Prospect
Pop. 55K
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Berwyn
Pop. 55K
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Tinley Park
Pop. 55K
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Wheaton
Pop. 54K
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Normal
Pop. 53K
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Oak Park
Pop. 53K
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Hoffman Estates
Pop. 51K
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Downers Grove
Pop. 51K
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Plainfield
Pop. 49K
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Glenview
Pop. 48K
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Elmhurst
Pop. 46K
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Lombard
Pop. 44K
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Buffalo Grove
Pop. 43K
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Moline
Pop. 42K
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Crystal Lake
Pop. 42K
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Romeoville
Pop. 41K
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Bartlett
Pop. 41K
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Belleville
Pop. 41K
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DeKalb
Pop. 40K
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Frequently Asked Questions
Window Tint Training in Illinois — FAQ
How much does window tint training in Illinois cost?
In-person tint classes in Illinois typically charge $2,000–$5,000 for just 2-3 days of instruction. Tint School Online costs $349 — a one-time payment for lifetime access to 400+ tutorials, 6 courses, a full business blueprint, a professional website, and a community of 3,000+ students. It's not even close.
Can I learn window tinting online instead of attending a class in Illinois?
Absolutely. In fact, online training is objectively better for a trade as complex as window tinting. You get unlimited replay access (critical for mastering techniques), business training that in-person classes never include, and lifetime community support. Many of our top-earning graduates specifically chose TSO over local Illinois classes for these reasons.
How long does it take to learn window tinting?
Most Tint School Online students feel confident tinting their first vehicles within 2-4 weeks of consistent practice. The course includes over 60 hours of instruction covering everything from basic flat glass to complex curved rear windshields. Because you have lifetime access, you can revisit any technique whenever you need a refresher — something a 3-day class can't offer.
What are the window tint laws in Illinois?
Illinois allows 35% VLT on front side windows, 35% vlt on rear side windows, any darkness (with side mirrors) on the rear windshield, and tint on the windshield strip (top 6 inches (non-reflective)). Knowing these limits is essential — installing tint that's too dark leads to fix-it tickets and unhappy customers. Tint School Online's Business Blueprint covers state-specific tint regulations so you can advise clients confidently and avoid costly mistakes.
Is window tinting a good career in Illinois?
Yes. Professional window tinters in Illinois regularly earn $50,000–$150,000+ per year, with top earners exceeding $200,000. Startup costs are low (under $2,000), profit margins are high (90%+ on materials), and demand is consistent year-round. It's one of the best trades you can enter, especially in Illinois's market.
What if I already took an in-person class and I'm still struggling?
You're not alone — many of our 3,000+ students came to TSO after doing a 3-day in-person class and realising they needed more. The trade is simply too vast to learn in a weekend. With TSO, you can go back to any technique, rewatch at your own pace, get help from the community, and actually master the skills that the in-person class only scratched the surface of.
Do I need a license to tint windows in Illinois?
Most states, including Illinois, do not require a specific "tinting license" to install window film. However, you may need a general business license or contractor registration depending on your local municipality. Some Illinois counties also require sales tax registration. Tint School Online's Business Blueprint walks you through every step of setting up your business legally, from registration to insurance to invoicing.
What equipment do I need to start a window tinting business?
You can start tinting professionally with under $2,000 in equipment. The basics include a heat gun, squeegees, a plotter or utility knife, application solution, and your first rolls of film. Many successful tinters start mobile — meaning you don't need a shop. Tint School Online's Business Blueprint covers exactly what to buy, where to buy it, and how to set up your workspace whether you're working from a garage, a mobile van, or a full shop.
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Read moreWhat's Inside
See Everything You Get with Tint School Online
We didn't build just a course — we built the complete system for launching a window tinting career. 400+ HD tutorials, 6 full courses, a Business Blueprint, a professional website, 44 templates, and a 3,000+ member community. All for a one-time payment with lifetime access.
Watch the 2-min Course Preview
2 min 47 sec — See inside the course platform
Ready to Start Your Window Tinting Career in Illinois?
Join 3,000+ students from across the USA who chose Tint School Online over expensive weekend workshops. Lifetime access. Business training. A community that has your back.