The Steps You Must Follow To Get A Tattoo Apprenticeship

Changing careers can be terribly difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. Sometimes, our social circle and surroundings influence how we view the world and our own capabilities; however, when you want to pursue an artistic career like tattooing: it’s something only you know deep inside! You know, you gotta make a move! You may be working at the office, or the bar, and suddenly something just clicks: you want to start tattooing. We get you! It’s a great time in human history to change careers and become a tattoo artist, yet there is still a lot you need to know before taking the first step – starting your tattoo education. So here is everything you want to know about a tattoo apprenticeship

What Is A Tattoo Apprenticeship? Why Do You Need It? How Do You Get It?

Getting a tattoo apprenticeship is one of the first steps to take to become a Tattoo Artist. Tattoo apprentices watch established Tattoo Artists’ work, learn the business, and learn how to make a career from their art. Their daily routine includes:

• Disinfection and cleaning of a workstations
• Proper handling of disposable tattoo supplies
• Dealing with clients
• Designing tattoos
• Using and maintaining tattoo equipment
• Tattooing (as the apprenticeship goes on)
• Following up with clients and booking appointments

Tattoo apprentices also do their own work, they practice a lot and work on building future client connections. Tattoo apprentices learn tattoo techniques and develop their own styles while the experienced Tattoo Artists share their tips and tricks for tattooing and dealing with clients. 

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Tattoo Apprenticeship?

The average apprenticeship lasts from one year to three years. At Ink Different’s tattoo school we can reduce the time to about a year, given we don’t make you scrub toilets, get us coffee, or wash our cars like you would in a “traditional apprenticeship.” Either way you go, one year or three, this is a lot of time for beginning Tattoo Artists, but in the long run, tattoo apprentices will be rewarded for the time they invest in themselves and their own future. It is 100% worth it to secure a tattoo apprenticeship. 

What Are The Benefits Of Completing A Tattoo Apprenticeship?

Getting and completing a tattoo apprenticeship guarantees the best possible preparation for a Tattoo Artist career, which is why it is super important that you learn absolutely everything you want to know about a tattoo apprenticeship before choosing one for you.

Most Important Business Benefits From A Tattoo Apprenticeship For Future Tattoo Artists:

• Firstly, making valuable business and client connections
• Secondly, learning how to build a professional portfolio
• Thirdly, creating and building a recognizable personal brand
• Then, creating a business and brand strategy
• Also, knowledge of running a tattoo studio
• Sometimes a guaranteed job offer (at Ink Different for sure!)
• Learning about tattoo laws in different states, counties, and cities
• Lastly, learning how to deal with clients

Most Valuable Artistic Benefits Of Being A Tattoo Apprentice:

• Knowledge of tattoo equipment, tattoo tools, and supplies
• Tattoo styles and trends
• Techniques for tattooing like a pro.
• Knowledge of disinfection, sanitization, disposable materials
• How to draw or project a tattoo
• The proper use of stencils
• Learning the most common beginners’ mistakes and how to correct or avoid them
• Developing your own style 
• How to develop your strongest client relationship skills
• Getting better at drawing and tattooing skills
• Improving artistic dexterity 
• Knowing how to maintain your tattoo machine for hours upon hours
• A ton of practice

Are you the parent of a Tattoo Artist in the making and looking for more information on how to support your child on this journey? Continue reading in our article parents who want to help their children become Tattoo Artists. 

Still Not Convinced After Learning Everything You Need To Know About A Tattoo Apprenticeship? Here are 5 Reasons Why Getting A Tattoo Apprenticeship Is So Important

1. Completing a tattoo apprenticeship is one of the prerequisites for becoming a Tattoo Artist in the United States. It is the main requirement for getting a job in a tattoo studio. 
2. Tattoo apprentices create their portfolio and the beginning of their client base while in their apprenticeship. This is how you secure work in a new studio, or a new town.
3. Aside from all the knowledge you get from it, a tattoo apprenticeship gives you real-life experience. Every established Tattoo Artist knows that theory and practice are not the same! Therefore practice and experience are the most crucial for Tattoo Artists. Thanks to an apprenticeship you can be more prepared for unpredictable situations in your future career.
4. Proof of completing a tattoo apprenticeship is required to secure a tattoo license in some states like Connecticut and New Jersey. Tattoo Artists need certificates from the governing states, counties, and sometimes local towns, and many want details on your tattoo apprenticeship. A tattoo apprenticeship is a necessary step to take to become a professional licensed Tattoo Artist, period. Tattooing clients without a tattoo license or with an expired license is illegal. Check out our State by State Guide to Tattoo Laws to understand the requirements in your state.
5. A tattoo apprenticeship is literally the all-in-one path to success. There is no other road to follow where future Tattoo Artists can get all the required training, learn the craft, and ensure they have a career. Just to put it in perspective, gaining all the knowledge from an apprenticeship is nearly impossible anywhere else, especially online (don’t do this!).

Are you looking for a Tattoo School to start your tattoo apprenticeship right away? Find a tattoo apprenticeship near me! 

How To Get A Tattoo Apprenticeship?

It’s not easy to secure a tattoo apprentice but it is possible. Tattoo apprenticeships are in limited supply and hard to come by, yet they make your dreams about becoming a Tattoo Artist come true. Ink Different can help! Not only are we the only nationwide tattoo apprenticeship program, we also provide every graduate of our full tattoo apprenticeship program and Guaranteed Job Offer. Yep, it’s the real deal. If you are looking for a Tattoo Apprenticeship near you, feel free to connect with our team.

Also, you must be wondering what personality traits create a good Tattoo Artist. Your apprenticeship and later work in the tattoo industry require patience, determination, flexibility, accuracy, and personality. As a Tattoo Artist, you must be ready for hard work and never give up. You must also always be learning, growing, and improving.

• Learn How To Draw And Practice. 

You are probably thinking: “Can I become a Tattoo Artist without drawing skills?” Technically, the answer is yes, but only in theory. Practically all Tattoo Artists start by sketching and drawing. Art skills are absolutely required to become a tattoo apprentice and a Tattoo Artist. 

Have you always thought about being a Tattoo Artist? If the answer is yes, you have to learn how to draw first. You can develop your skills by drawing and sketching regularly and pushing yourself to keep practicing! Remember as a Beginning Tattoo Artist, you need to develop the ability to draw in a variety of styles that can actually become tattoos.

Firstly, you must get in the habit of drawing for at least 1 hour daily. You can work from a variety of source materials to practice sketching realistic, surreal, American traditional, neo-traditional, and minimalistic images. If as a beginner you learn the most popular possible styles, then over time you can develop your unique style. 

• Find A Tattoo School Near You To Get All the Required Courses And Pass All Licensing Exams. 

Look, before getting a tattoo apprenticeship and a tattoo license you have to gain basic knowledge of Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases Prevention, First Aid, and sometimes CPR… Sounds a little too medical? Yep, but you still need to know these things and pass exams. In addition to disease prevention test results, beginning tattoo apprentices should highly consider bringing Hepatitis B vaccine certificates with them to show they are very serious about the seriousness of tattooing. We are serious and we hope you are too!

• Learn The Basics Of Graphic Design. There Are Lots Of Different Applications Of Modern Technology In The Tattoo Industry. 

Knowing how to create digital graphic tattoo designs for realistic or surreal tattoos has become a modern requirement. All visual art skills increase your chances of getting a tattoo apprenticeship and a dream job in the future.  Think about it! This is just another aspect of everything you want to know about a tattoo apprenticeship.

• Learn Tattoo Laws In Your Area. 

It is crucial that tattoo apprentices understand personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to get it. Also,  there are different age requirements for getting a tattoo in different states and cities. As a Tattoo Artist, you are committing a crime when a minor, as defined by the state you are in, gets a tattoo without their parent’s or legal guardian’s written consent form. It is your duty to check an ID and inform clients about the contraindications and potential risks of getting a tattoo. Being a Tattoo Artist is not just a regular, predictable job. It is a huge responsibility to mark other people’s bodies permanently. As a Tattoo Artist, you are in charge of keeping the entire tattooing process safe for clients and for yourself. You are a spokesperson for the whole industry. 

Feeling INKSPIRED? Call or Text 1-310-413-0709 to move to the front of the line and interview for an apprenticeship today.