How to Become a Tattoo Artist in Florida?

The process of becoming a tattoo artist can be a little different depending on the where you want to make a living as a tattoo artists. While there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing, there are various state and local laws that deal with tattoo studios and tattoo artists around the United States. In order to find out 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.

Tattoo Laws Florida 2022

For the purposes of this article, let’s focus on tattoo regulations in Florida and on basic knowledge about tattoos. First of all, you need to know everything about tattoo styles, tattoo techniques, disinfecting tattoo tools and the workplace, as well how to use disposable equipment like, for example, rubber gloves and disposable needles. A tattoo artist benefits from having certain other skills, such as high social skills needed to deal with clients, creativity and a 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:

How to become a Tattoo Artist in Florida – A Step-by-Step Guide:

1. First of all, 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 learn how to draw in general, which absolutely 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 your way through 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. Get started with simpler tattoos and focus on perfecting those early in your career. American traditional and black work are good places to start. First, learn how to draw these designs with impeccable line work, color shading and negative space. Mastering that will get you started on your way to becoming a very good tattoo artist. There are several graphic programs available, with PhotoShop and ProCreate being the most well-known brands, that may help you on your journey. A good tattoo artist should be able to design a tattoo using physical and digital tools. Aside from enrolling for classes that are specific to creating tattoo designs, like Body Art and Soul Tattoo’s Florida tattoo school, you can also sign up for courses such as Digital Art at your community college.
2. If you already 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 an online versions of the portfolio. As you make progress in your career, you will need to have a  tattoo portfolio that should include pictures of finished tattoos. It is important to put your best foot forward and only include really good 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.
3. Go to a Tattoo school to avoid the hassles of an apprenticeship, and complete an your training in a studio. Only tattoo schools that oversee the development of your career with your early clients, can really help you succeed.

What will you need to learn to become a tattoo artist?

• Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases Prevention
• First Aid and CPR
• Drawing for Tattoos
• Graphic Programs (Such as PhotoShop and ProCreate)
• Control and Maintainence of Tattoo Equipment
• Basic business and management skills
• After care
• Tattoo laws and regulations
• And of course, mastery over the Lining and  shading techniques necessary to create impeccable tattoos on your clients.

How to choose a tattoo apprenticeship or a tattoo school in Florida?

If you want to become a successful tattoo artist, it is vitally important that get your training from qualified and experienced instructors or established tattoo artist 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/

4. Master Your Tools – This will come naturally as part of your tattoo apprenticeship or tattoo school training, yet one way or another, you need to become extremely effective with your tattoo machines, foot switch and a power supply.

Other supplies you’ll need:

• Needles, tubes, tips, and grips
• Selections of ink colors
• Products for disinfection
• Multiple needle configurations
• Ink caps and Vaseline
• Spray bottles
• Aftercare products
• Stencil paper
• Disposable rubber gloves

5. It is very important to know your rights and responsibilities and to know the tattoo laws, legislation and regulations valid in your area.

Tattooing and body piercings in Florida are governed by the following Florida Statutes:

Fla. Stat. §381.075 regulates operations of body-piercing salons.

Fla. Stat. §381.0775 et seq. All Tattoo Establishments require licensing . 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. Conventional tattooing and cosmetic tattooing, including permanent makeup and microblading, may only be practiced at a licensed tattoo establishment.

Are minors allowed to get a tattoo in the state of Florida?

Minors of the age 16 through 17 may get a tattoo in the state of Florida as long as:

The minor child is accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian

or the parent or legal guardian submits his or her 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

6. Get a tattoo license.

How to get a tattoo business licence 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. In order to obtain a tattoo license in Florida you need:

• Complete an Application for Tattoo Artist License in its entirety, including the name of the Tattoo Establishment where you will work or intend to work.
• Complete a Department approved Bloodborne Pathogen and Communicable Diseases training course with a passing score of at least 70% on the examination.
• Submit completed Application for Tattoo Artist License. A state license fee is 60 dollars, copy of certificate of completion from a Department approved bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases course, and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the local Department of Health office in the county having jurisdiction of the tattooing program in the county in which you reside.  It is also recommended that you contact the local Department of Health office to learn if there are any additional local fees to pay for the license.

You may need to be certified in performing first aid and CPR. You can obtain certification in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation through the American Heart Association.

7. Start working in a tattoo studio.

Working as a Tattoo Artist – What does a Tattoo Artist do?

Tattooing as an occupation can appear unpredictable, yet 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:

• Cleaning, sterilizing and protecting tattoo equipment & work areas
• Designing new tattoo projects according to client’s ideas and chosen techniques
• Daily sketching and drawing practice
• Practicing designs digitally using iPads and other innovations
• Staying current with the newest tattoo industry developments, styles and trends
• Booking appointments and communicating with clients
• Tattooing clients
• Educating clients on aftercare routines, safety and possible complications
• Continued education relating to current health and safety practices, for example: reading latest CDC announcements.

Key Skills of a Tattoo Artist: What skills are needed to be a tattoo artist?

Everyone has predispositions to do something or to become someone. Do you think you have been born to be a tattoo artist? Do you have what it takes to become a tattoo artist?

The most important skills and responsibilities of a good tattoo artist:

• Creativity – this is probably even more important than inherent skills, as it is necessary to make your clients’ dreams come!
• Manual dexterity – this is your ability to use your hands and operate tools and an ability to execute controlled movements using hand-eye coordination under specific conditions
• High-level social skills – a tattoo artist has to deal with clients face-to-face, listen to them, know their fears and their bodies’ weak points during the process of getting a tattoo
• Cleanliness – a tattoo artist has to pay attention to potential germs, spreading and prevention of diseases, clean work areas, proper hands washing, using disposable gloves and changing them as necessary
• Patience – making a tattoo is a long process performed on a living body, sessions can last even up to 10 hours!

 

Contact our Tampa Tattoo School

Sign up for a Tattoo Apprenticeship and Start your Journey to Become a Tattoo Artist – Contact a tattoo school in Tampa, Florida.

(844) 882-8866