6 Steps to Become a Tattoo Artist in Denver

Published by Paul-Anthony Surdi at May 29, 2025

Start your tattoo career in Denver with expert mentorship and hands-on training

So, you want to become a Tattoo Artist, and you’re eyeing Denver as your launchpad? First of all, excellent choice to become a Tattoo Artist in Denver. Denver isn’t just full of mountain views, art walks, and more sunshine than Miami. It’s also a tattoo city on the rise, with deep roots, legendary mentorship, and a thriving creative scene that welcomes newcomers.

Whether you’re pivoting from a corporate job, coming out of art school, or finally answering your lifelong itch to ink, this guide will walk you through six real steps to get started, backed by experience, structure, and one of the best tattoo studios in the country.

Let’s break it down, step by step.

Step 1: Decide That Tattooing Is More Than Just a Hobby

This is where your journey begins—not with a machine, but with a mindset.

Becoming a Tattoo Artist in Denver is about more than loving art. It’s about committing to a professional, skill-based trade that takes time, practice, and a whole lot of passion. If you’ve ever found yourself obsessing over linework, imagining designs on skin, or wishing your sketchbook were a full-time job, this is your sign.

Tattooing is:

A real career with real clients, and REAL MONEY.
A balance of art, discipline, entrepreneurship, and, of course, hygiene.
A chance to make your creativity and your artistic skills permanent (literally).

So take yourself seriously. Because once you do, everyone else will too.

6 Steps to Become a Tattoo Artist in Denver

Step 2: Know What Colorado Requires (No DIY Setups Allowed)

Tattooing is regulated by county health departments in Colorado, and Denver has some of the most robust health and safety expectations in the state.

To tattoo legally, you’ll need:

Certification in bloodborne pathogens training
A tattoo apprenticeship under a licensed Tattoo Artist.
Familiarity with Colorado’s body art safety regulations.
To work in a licensed tattoo facility.

In other words, you need to train in a professional tattoo studio setting, with professional Tattoo Artists who know their stuff. This is about protecting your clients, your reputation, and your future in the tattoo industry.

More on regulations from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Step 3: Find a Tattoo Apprenticeship That Actually Trains You

Finding the perfect tattoo apprenticeship in a tattoo studio can be extremely hard and frustrating. And let’s be honest, tattoo apprenticeships vary wildly in quality. Some offer nothing more than floor mopping and vague feedback. Others, like the Ink Different Tattoo Apprenticeship Program in Denver, are built to train professionals from the ground up.

Here’s what you’ll get with Ink Different:

A clear, structured curriculum.
One-on-one mentorship with licensed Tattoo Artists.
Tattoo-specific drawing instruction.
Hands-on machine training and application.
Sanitation, sterilization, and studio setup protocols.
Client care, education, and confidence-building.
Licensing and safety regulation guidance.

And all of it happens inside a world-class shop (keep reading to meet your mentors).

Step 4: Train at Denver Classic Tattoo, A Studio with a Real Legacy

At the heart of your Denver tattoo apprenticeship is Denver Classic Tattoo, a shop steeped in tattoo history and built on integrity.

Every Tattoo Artist at Denver Classic has been shaped—either directly or through lineage—by Chico Cortez and his legendary “Mark 4 Life” crew. That influence isn’t just surface-level. It’s in every critique, every technique, and every conversation about what it means to earn your place as a Tattoo Artist.

At Denver Classic, you’re not just learning:

You’re being mentored by Tattoo Artists who live and breathe the craft.
You’re exposed to multiple styles, from bold American traditional to fine line to colorful neo-traditional.
You’re training in a space where professionalism and passion go hand in hand.

The tattoo studio is known city-wide for its stylistic excellence and for honoring tattoo tradition while embracing modern technique. Tattoo apprentices become part of a larger story, and that’s something you can’t put a price on.

Step 5: Build a Portfolio That Books Clients, and Learn the Business Side of Tattooing

Tattooing is an art. But it’s also a business. And no matter how beautiful your tattoo designs are, if you can’t price, promote, and manage your career, you’ll struggle to grow.

At Ink Different, we make sure you learn both sides.

During your tattoo apprenticeship, you’ll build a portfolio that actually gets attention. With mentor feedback and real client practice, you’ll sharpen your linework, improve your shading, and discover your personal style.

You’ll also get training on:

Creating a portfolio that showcases your versatility and voice.
Conducting consultations and delivering a great client experience.
Managing bookings, tips, touch-ups, and communication.
Building and promoting your artist brand.
Creating a pricing strategy that supports sustainable income.

Want to open your own studio one day? These business-building skills will get you there.

Step 6: Invest Smartly in Your Training (Without Breaking the Bank)

Let’s talk cost.

The full Tattoo Apprenticeship Program at Ink Different is under $15,000—a fraction of what you’d pay for an art school degree or private academy. Plus, we offer:

💳 Interest-free payment plans.
🧾 Financing through Climb Credit and Affirm.
📅 Flexible schedules for working adults or career changers.

And with neighborhoods like Baker, Congress Park, and RiNo offering affordable housing and creative energy, Denver gives you everything you need to relocate and thrive.

What Makes Denver’s Tattoo Scene Special?

Denver isn’t just where you learn to tattoo—it’s where you build your tattoo life.

Why? Because Denver offers a rare combination of art-forward energy and real community. From RiNo’s warehouse-turned-gallery spaces to local flash days, tattoo conventions, and art walks, the city supports Tattoo Artists at every level.

And because it’s not yet oversaturated, new Tattoo Artists actually have room to grow. You’ll find your style, your client base, and your voice—and you'll be doing it in a place where creative risk is encouraged.

Plus: mountain views, legalized relaxation, 300 days of sunshine, and a thriving young professional population. Enough said.

How Parents in Denver Colorado Can Help Their Child Become a Tattoo Artist

If you’re a parent and your child says they want to be a Tattoo Artist, your first reaction might be confusion, curiosity, or excitement (we hope!).

Tattooing today is a respected, regulated, and profitable profession. Many Tattoo Artists earn between $50,000 and $100,000+ per year, build lasting client relationships, and even open their own tattoo studios. But it starts with the right training.

Here’s how you can help:

Support Their Career Goals
Tattooing is a skilled trade with licensing requirements, safety protocols, and career mobility. Just like you’d support your child going into cosmetology or plumbing, tattooing is a career with structure and growth.
Encourage Professional Tattoo Apprenticeship
Our program at Ink Different Tattoos is safe, supportive, and led by professionals, not an intimidating shop culture with gatekeeping. Tattoo apprentices will get certified, trained, and mentored the right way.
Help With Planning or Financing
We offer interest-free payment plans and affordable tuition, and no crushing student loans are required. Supporting your child during this journey could make all the difference in launching a meaningful, debt-free career.

We Also Speak Spanish and Portuguese

Tattooing is a global language, but we also support your journey in the language you speak at home.

We proudly offer Spanish-language support in our:

New York City
Chicago
Tampa
Orlando
Miami-Fort Lauderdale studios

And Portuguese-language support in:

Dallas
Orlando

Because everyone deserves access to professional tattoo education, no matter their language.

Master Mentorship Program: Elevate Your Skills with the Best in the Industry

For experienced tattoo artists looking to take their skills to the next level, Ink Different offers a Master Mentorship Program. This program connects tattoo artists with some of the best tattoo professionals in the industry for advanced training, specialized techniques, and business strategies. Whether you’re refining your style, exploring new tattooing techniques, or learning how to open your own tattoo studio, our Master Mentorship Program provides the guidance and knowledge needed to succeed at the highest level. Our mentors bring years of experience and a deep passion for the craft, ensuring that participants receive invaluable insights into both the artistic and business sides of tattooing.

The Future of Tattooing

The tattoo industry is constantly evolving, shaped by reality TV and social media. While Ink Master introduced tattooing to mainstream audiences and provided exposure to tattoo artists, social media has now taken over as the dominant force in self-promotion. However, no matter how much technology changes, one thing remains constant: authenticity matters.

For aspiring tattoo artists, the best path forward is a balance of tradition and innovation. Learning the fundamentals, networking with real clients, and staying true to their artistic identity will always be more valuable than chasing viral trends. As the industry moves forward, the most successful artists will be those who can blend old-school craftsmanship with new-school marketing—without losing the soul of the art form.

Build Your Future Mile High

Here’s the truth: to become a Tattoo Artist in Denver isn’t just about mastering a skill. It’s about stepping into a lifestyle, a legacy, and a creative career path that gives back what you put in.

You’re not just learning to tattoo, you’re learning how to build a business, serve clients, and evolve as a Tattoo Artist. And with the mentorship at Denver Classic Tattoo, the structure of Ink Different’s Apprenticeship, and a guaranteed job offer waiting at the end, your path has never been clearer.

Denver is calling. Your future is waiting. The only thing left to do is take that first step.