Becoming a tattoo artist can be a little different depending on where you want to make a living as a tattoo artist. However, even if there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing, various state and local laws deal with tattoo studios and tattoo artists around the United States. To learn about statutes and other laws regulating the tattoo industry in your state, please refer to the Tattoo Laws Across the United States white paper released by our tattoo school last year.
For this article, let’s focus on tattoo regulations in Florida and basic knowledge about tattoos. Firstly, you need to know everything about tattoo styles, tattoo techniques, disinfecting tattoo tools, and the workplace, as well as how to use disposable equipment like, for example, rubber gloves and disposable needles. For this reason, a tattoo artist benefits from having specific other skills, such as high social skills needed to deal with clients, creativity, and manual dexterity to operate the tools of your trade to make a piece of art on the client’s skin.
Are you ready to start your adventure of becoming a tattoo artist? If so, here you go:
You need to learn how to draw a tattoo design – you need to find out what makes a good tattoo design work as a tattoo that can last a lifetime.
This is not to say that learning how to draw generally helps, yet you will need to understand how negative space, shading, and line work will help you at the beginning of your career. One day you will be navigating the differences between neo-traditional and neo-realism tattoos, with possible watercolor tattoos in your portfolio. Before you get there, though, you need to start somewhere.
Firstly, start with more superficial tattoos and focus on perfecting those early in your career. American traditional and black work are good places to start. Secondly, learn to draw these designs with impeccable line work, color shading, and negative space. Thirdly, mastering that will start you on your way to becoming an excellent tattoo artist. Several graphic programs are available, with PhotoShop and ProCreate being the most well-known brands that may help you on your journey. Lastly, don’t forget that a good tattoo artist should be able to design a tattoo using physical and digital tools.
Aside from enrolling for classes specific to creating tattoo designs, like Ink Different’s Florida tattoo school, you can also sign up for courses such as Digital Art at your community college.
If you know how to create tattoo designs, you can collect them and make a professional portfolio. You can print out your designs for your physical portfolio, but you also have to create online versions of the portfolio.
As you progress in your career, you must have a tattoo portfolio that should include pictures of finished tattoos. It is vital to put your best foot forward and only include outstanding photos in the portfolio.
For the sake of quality, you should buy a good quality camera, learn how to make great pictures using your phone, hire a professional photographer, or all of the above to help you with the photos for your portfolio.
Lastly, go to a Tattoo school to avoid the hassles of an apprenticeship, and complete your training in a studio. Only tattoo schools that oversee your career development with your early clients can help you succeed.
To become a successful tattoo artist, you must get your training from qualified, experienced instructors or established tattoo artists willing to apprentice you. A good tattoo school offers the most comprehensive knowledge. Visit our website and sign up for the newest Tattoo School in Tampa, Florida, at https://tattooschool.com/florida-tattoo-school/
Master Your Tools – This will come naturally as part of your tattoo apprenticeship or tattoo school training. Yet, one way or another, you must become highly effective with your tattoo machines, foot switch, and power supply.
Other supplies you’ll need:
Minors the age 16 through 17 may get a tattoo in the state of Florida as long as:
Their parent or legal guardian accompanies the minor child Or the parent or legal guardian submits their written notarized consent in the format prescribed by the Florida Health Department.
You can fill out this form at the FHD website:
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/tattooing/_documents/Notarized_Minor_Consent.pdf
Knowing your rights and responsibilities and the tattoo laws, legislation, and regulations valid in your area is imperative.
The following Florida Statutes govern tattooing and body piercings in Florida:
Fla. Stat. §381.075 regulates operations of body-piercing salons.
Fla. Stat. §381.0775 et seq. All Tattoo Establishments require licensing.
Therefore, a person may not operate a Tattoo Establishment in this state without a license.
Effective January 1, 2013, any person operating an unlicensed tattoo establishment will be subject to administrative penalties.
Is tattooing from home illegal in Florida?
Yes, it is prohibited to do body modifications at home.
Therefore, conventional tattooing and cosmetic tattooing, including permanent makeup and microblading, may only be practiced at a licensed tattoo establishment.
How to get a tattoo business license in Florida?
While there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing in the United States, there are various state and local laws that you need to be aware of. For example, to obtain a tattoo license in Florida, you need the following:
You may need to be certified in performing first aid and CPR. Therefore, you can obtain certification in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation through the American Heart Association.
Essential Skills of a Tattoo Artist: What skills are needed to be a tattoo artist?
Everyone has the predisposition to do something or to become someone. So, do you think you were born to be a tattoo artist? Also, do you have what it takes to become a tattoo artist?
The essential skills and responsibilities of a good tattoo artist:
Working as a Tattoo Artist – What does a Tattoo Artist do?
Tattooing as an occupation can appear unpredictable. However, tattoo artists have their everyday routines like everyone else.
The duties of a tattoo artist may include – but do not necessarily need to be limited to:
If you’re considering a career as a tattoo artist in Florida, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the state’s tattoo regulations. While there is no federal law governing tattooing, individual states have their own laws and regulations in place. In Florida, tattoo establishments require licensing, and operating without a license can lead to penalties. Tattooing from home is strictly prohibited, and conventional tattooing and cosmetic tattooing must be conducted in a licensed tattoo establishment. Additionally, there are specific regulations regarding tattooing minors, with parental consent or accompaniment required for individuals aged 16 to 17.
To become a licensed tattoo artist in Florida, you’ll need to complete an application, a bloodborne pathogens training course, and obtain certification in first aid and CPR. Once licensed, you can start working in a tattoo studio, where you’ll perform various duties such as equipment sterilization, designing tattoo projects, tattooing clients, and educating them on aftercare. As a tattoo artist, essential skills include creativity, manual dexterity, high-level social skills, cleanliness, and patience. If you’re ready to embark on this career path, consider signing up for an apprenticeship or training program to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a professional tattoo artist in Florida
Ink Different Tattoo School prides itself on offering a comprehensive tattoo apprenticeship program that sets aspiring Tattoo Artists on the path to success. Our program is designed to provide hands-on training, guidance, and support to help our apprentices develop their skills and artistic vision. With experienced Tattoo Artists as mentors, apprentices at Ink Different learn the art of tattooing in a creative and inspiring environment.
Enrolling in a tattoo apprenticeship with Ink Different Tattoos can be highly beneficial for aspiring tattoo artists looking to break into this vibrant industry. Ink Different Tattoos is renowned for its commitment to excellence and its dedication to nurturing emerging talent. Under the guidance of experienced artists, apprentices at Ink Different Tattoos can learn not just the technical skills of tattooing but also gain insights into client interactions, design principles, and studio management. This comprehensive training prepares apprentices not only to create beautiful tattoos but also to thrive in the competitive world of tattooing.
One unique aspect of our apprenticeship program is our guaranteed job offer upon successful completion. We are committed to helping our apprentices transition from apprentices to professional Tattoo Artists, and our job offer ensures that they have a place to begin their careers. This commitment sets us apart from other tattoo schools. It reflects our dedication to supporting the next generation of Tattoo Artists.
At Ink Different Tattoo School, we understand the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the tattoo industry. That's why we are proud to offer our program in multiple locations across the United States, including Brooklyn, Chicago, Tampa, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale. Our commitment to diversity is also reflected in our staff, many of whom are bilingual and speak Spanish, ensuring that our apprentices feel welcome and supported regardless of their background.