You wake up daily, overdose on coffee, and think about becoming a Tattoo Artist, yet sit down for a job you hate. You dream of doing something better and making art for a living but don’t know how to change careers. If this sounds like you, you might be ready for a career change right now…. or even yesterday!
In January 2022 alone, nearly 4.3 million people quit their jobs. Where are they going? Some are just switching desk jobs, but quite a few are stepping away from the desk life entirely to less traditional career paths. Now might be the time to leap into faith and leave your job, choosing a new career.
Many artists are finding success selling their art online on sites like Etsy, yet maybe the most lucrative path for you is becoming a Tattoo Artist. Some Tattoo Artists have made a name for themselves by charging incredibly high prices for their work. So, if you’re looking to leave your job and you’re looking for a career in the arts, consider a new career as a Tattoo Artist.
One of the key ways to be happy in your career is to be intentional about what you’re doing and where you’re going rather than just going with the flow. So, it would help if you started by researching the industry and reflecting on your skills, interests, and hobbies. Then, understand what you are good at and what you want to do all day before making a career change.
Apply for the apprenticeship program at our Tattoo School! Find a tattoo apprenticeship near me
However, becoming a Tattoo Artist may be a great option if you already love art and working with people. A lot of Tattoo Artists started as art students because they love art. However, making a living off of painting can be challenging to achieve. That’s where tattooing comes in; it provides a steady income while allowing artists to practice a craft they love. (It differs from designing on a living, changing canvas, like skin, rather than paper!)
So, if you’re an art lover who wandered off for a high-paying job, it’s not too late to choose a new career in the arts as a Tattoo Artist.
This guide will help you decide if you should become a Tattoo Artist and help connect you with our tattoo apprenticeship to get started.
So, let’s dive in!
Are you asking yourself... "how do I become a Tattoo Artist?" Ink Different's Tattoo Apprenticeships and Tattoo Artist Certification Program can guarantee you a tattoo license and a guaranteed job offer when you complete the full apprenticeship program. Download the 2024 Course Book to learn how to become a Tattoo Artist.
Looking for information for parents of aspiring Tattoo Artists? Go to Parents Corner!
A Tattoo Artist is a skills-based career that requires the artist to have a comprehensive understanding of tattooing. Tattooing is permanently embedding ink into the skin to create designs or images. Tattoo Artists design and apply tattoos to a customer’s body.
However, tattoo artists must manage more than just designing and applying tattoos. Job duties include:
Becoming a successful Tattoo Artist takes a very steady, patient hand. It can take hours or days to complete a single tattoo, so you shouldn’t become a Tattoo Artist unless you are willing to be dedicated to the craft.
Tattoo Artists must also understand sanitation and sterilization to prevent blood-borne pathogens and damaging clients’ skin.
Tattoo artists also need excellent people skills. On top of needing great customer service, sometimes you may feel like a therapist. You will get clients who are getting custom tattoos with deep meaning for them, and they may have some memories or thoughts they share while you’re working on them. This can be an emotional job, so you should leave your stress aside to give clients the quality experience they deserve and create a safe space for them to preserve memories.
Looking for a guaranteed job offer as a Tattoo Artist? Start your tattoo apprenticeship today!
According to ZipRecruiter.com the medium income for a Tattoo Artist is $73,948 / year. When starting your career right after finishing our apprenticeship, you will make a little less because you are building your client base; however, as time goes on and both your skill level and client base grow, your income will grow as well.
The more you build up a thriving, satisfied client base, the more demand for your services will be, and the more you can charge. Clients generally tip from day one, so in addition to the cost of the tattoo, tipping income is a nice reality.
Although a small tattoo costs about $100, you can make the same or more in tips throughout the day. Tattoos range from $100 for small ones to $550 for larger ones. Eventually, you may even be able to charge up to $500 per hour for your work, depending on your skill, experience, and demand.
To become a Tattoo Artist, you must invest upfront in training and equipment to begin and continue pursuing your ability to succeed and exceed as a Tattoo Artist. You will also need to pay the costs of continual license renewal in most states. Additionally, you may work for reduced earnings in the beginning or if you are moving to a new city, so please keep that in mind when starting your career or starting in a new city. Regardless, all the successful Tattoo Artists agree it’s well worth it the time and effort to secure your ability to make a living from your art!
Prepare a portfolio to showcase your work. Your aspiring tattoo artist portfolio should include original designs, drawings, sketches, and/or paintings that represent you and your current skill level as an artist. You’ll also need to prepare some form of a cover letter or opening communication about yourself and your portfolio for the shop or program where you want to apprentice. Once your portfolio is ready, you can take it to a tattoo shop and apply as an apprentice, or in the case of Ink Different Tattoo School- APPLY HERE.
Finding a way to submit your portfolio to a qualified studio is a win in itself, yet now you need to follow up to make sure someone who can make a decision is actually reviewing your portfolio.
At Ink Different, we have a very easy and straightforward tracking system, yet some local shops may just leave your work on a table or in their email inbox unless you follow up constantly to make sure someone sees it.
Let's all be real here, some tattoo apprenticeships are wild, unstable, and only intended to use you for free labor cleaning up the shop and doing administrative work that someone else would be otherwise paid to do. Be careful. If you find yourself in one of these, make a change.
If you decide to take your tattoo apprenticeship at a place like Ink Different Tattoo School, you’ll have a guaranteed job offer the day you finish your apprenticeship. This is the kind of apprenticeship you are looking to find.
States require Tattoo Artists to become licensed to practice. Each state in the United States is different. Research your state here. This may include a fee and a written exam depending on the state. A license is essential to become a Tattoo Artist.
Once you’re licensed, you can begin marketing and selling your services, even during your apprenticeship. One of the best ways to advertise as a Tattoo Artist is with social media. Create an Instagram account or a TikTok to post designs and completed jobs and find prospective clients.
Even after you are successfully selling your work, you need to continue to keep current with trends in the industry and stay updated with the latest requirements for sanitation. In addition, some states require continuing education to maintain your license.
Did you know about our tattoo studio in Brooklyn, New York? Check it out!
At Ink Different Tattoo School, we can help you train with highly successful Tattoo Artists. You can apprentice with one of our professional, experienced artists and get placed with a guaranteed job offer when you complete your apprenticeship.
We recognize the value of giving our students a thorough education and practical training. Every step of your apprenticeship will be overseen by one of our qualified, seasoned tattoo artists, who will ensure you get the instruction you need to succeed in this field.
Maintaining compliance with sanitary standards and industry developments is another priority at our institution. We offer ongoing education to ensure that our students are informed and up to date in this constantly changing field. After attending Ink Different Tattoo School, you will have the information and abilities necessary to succeed as a tattoo artist in the cutthroat tattoo industry.
Make 2023 the year you devote to your artistic love and reinvent your profession. Start producing meaningful art on living canvases immediately to transform your passion into a rewarding and successful job. Don’t wait any longer!