Becoming A Tattoo Artist Can Be Lucrative, Yet The Path Your Choose Will Make All The Difference.
Do you love tattoos? Do you love drawing and being creative? Maybe you’ve thought about becoming a Tattoo Artist before and are wondering what it takes to become a successful Tattoo Artist. It takes effort to become a Tattoo Artist, but the payout can be well worth it.
There isn’t just one path to becoming a Tattoo Artist. However, there are some things that most Tattoo Artists have in common. All Tattoo Artists enjoy art, drawing, and design, but just because you’re good at drawing doesn’t mean you’ll be good at tattooing without a tattoo apprenticeship.
One of the easiest ways to make a career change and become a successful Tattoo Artist is to attend a Tattoo School near you. Our Tattoo Apprenticeship Program at Ink Different Tattoo School secures you a Guaranteed Job Offer when you complete your training. As the only nationwide trade school for aspiring Tattoo Artists, here’s our advice on how to become a Tattoo Artist.
If you have additional questions on what it takes to become a Tattoo Artist, please contact us.
Do You Have to Be Good at Drawing to Be a Tattoo Artist?
A common question for aspiring tattoo artists is, do you have to be good at drawing to be a tattoo artist? While strong drawing skills are a significant advantage, they are not the only factor in becoming a successful tattoo artist. Many tattoo artists refine their artistic abilities through practice and mentorship during their apprenticeships. Tattooing requires not just raw talent but also an understanding of design principles, composition, and how art translates onto skin.
When asking, do you have to be good at drawing to be a tattoo artist? it's important to consider that drawing is a foundational skill in the profession. Tattoo artists frequently work with custom designs, freehand sketches, and client concepts. Developing confidence in drawing can help create unique tattoos and build trust with clients. However, some tattoo styles, like minimalistic or abstract designs, may rely less on traditional drawing skills and more on creativity and precision.
So, do you have to be good at drawing to be a tattoo artist? While it's helpful, the journey to becoming a tattoo artist is about more than just drawing. It's about dedication, learning tattoo techniques, and mastering the craft through hard work and practice. With the right training, even artists with basic drawing skills can evolve into exceptional tattoo professionals.
Why You Should Become a Tattoo Artist – Career Insight
- You do not need a degree
- You can make up to $500 per hour… sometimes more
- You have more flexibility than a 9-to-5
- You can be creative and develop artistic abilities
- You can work with interesting people and help them commemorate moments in their lives
Becoming a Tattoo Artist does not require a degree, and yet you can make as much as people who get into mountains of debt going to college. The average Tattoo Artist makes just over $51,000 a year, and it can go up from there.
Tattoo Artists can choose where and when to work and have more freedom and flexibility than in a 9-to-5 job. Plus, as you progress as a professional, you can define and create your style, allowing you to express yourself creatively and raise your prices.
There is much room for growth in the tattoo industry. As long as we keep making people, and those people see other people who have tattoos, which makes them want tattoos, there will always be demand.
After becoming a Tattoo Artist, you can continue to grow and refine your skills throughout your career. As a Tattoo Artist, you will have the opportunity to work with many diverse people and hear their stories while commemorating milestones in their lives with permanent art. Beware, though – you will need good people skills as a Tattoo Artist because sometimes your shop will turn into storytelling or therapy sessions!
What You Should Know Before Becoming a Tattoo Artist Career
- You should know how or at least love to draw first
- You will need a license
- It will take an upfront investment in equipment, education, and licensing before it pays off.
First, before becoming a Tattoo Artist, you should already be familiar with drawing. If you attend tattoo school expecting to learn how to draw, beginning your apprenticeship will take a while. To learn better illustration and drawing skills, practice drawing in a sketchbook and study art by general artists and famous Tattoo Artists. Learn to develop your style and get creative and comfortable drawing for hours.
While it’s true that you do not need a formal art education before becoming a Tattoo Artist, it doesn’t hurt to indulge in some form of formal art education by taking classes at a community college or a local art center. Most successful Tattoo Artists were art students of some kind first, even if just from taking art classes in high school. That’s because people who become tattoo artists usually can’t stop themselves from creating art. Going to tattoo school or getting a tattoo apprenticeship will help you learn to transfer from drawing on paper with pens to human skin with needles.
What do you Need to Become a Tattoo Artist?
Additionally, you must have a Tattoo Artist license to work as a real tattoo artist and make some decent money in most states. Therefore, we created a Definitive Guide to State-by-State Tattoo Laws if you need to check out the rules in your state or for a state that interests you.
You must invest in equipment, licensing fees, and training costs before becoming a Tattoo Artist. The good news is that the cost of entry in the tattoo industry is way less than in other fields. You can earn back what you put in within a year. After becoming a successful tattoo artist, you will also need to maintain your skills and keep sharp with current trends, so don’t forget that continual education is still needed.
What do I need to Know to Become a Tattoo Artist?
So, you’re looking to become a badass Tattoo Artist, right? Then, it’s all about getting the proper education and training! You must dive into the nitty-gritty, like learning how to use tattoo needles like a pro, keeping things super clean to avoid spreading any germs, and understanding all the tools and pigments for killer designs. Your education will cover everything from safety and sterilization to ethics and client care. You’ll also get the lowdown on different tattoo styles and Photoshop tricks.
To get some awesome clients, just gotta show off your skills and make a name for yourself in the tattoo world. Connect with other cool Tattoo Artists, hit up those tattoo events, and share your rad portfolio on social media to catch the eye of potential clients. Landing a paying gig is super cool for your art and wallet, but it can be challenging with so much competition. There are no guarantees, even if you’re a tattoo wizard, but keep at it, and you’ll find your spot in a studio – paid or not!
If you’re ready to dive into tattooing, getting yourself an apprenticeship is the way to go. It’s like being taken under the wing of a seasoned pro, learning the ropes, and picking up all those sweet tattooing skills. It’s not just a gig—it’s a journey. Remember, most places want you to be at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent. Get ready to unleash your creativity and bring those ink dreams to life!
The 3 Paths to Become a Tattoo Artist:
Once you know why you want to become a Tattoo Artist and what it takes, you can dive into how to become a Tattoo Artist.
You have three options for becoming a Tattoo Artist:
- Self-taught
- Find a Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship
- Attend a Tattoo School
1. Become a Tattoo Artist: Be Self-Taught
The first and absolute worst option to learning to tattoo is to be self-taught. Several years ago, before we created Ink Different Tattoo School, this was one of the only ways to become a Tattoo Artist in some cities, as few apprenticeships were available. However, teaching yourself is slow and peppered with all kinds of potential disasters. Not only can you teach yourself the worst habits that will become permanent, but you also risk spreading and GETTING infectious diseases. It is entirely NOT SAFE.
It will also be challenging to find clients if you are self-taught because, in all likelihood, you won’t be that good, and clients do not, and should not, trust a self-taught newbie to do their tattoos.
Pros:
- None
Cons:
- Extremely slow path to becoming a Tattoo Artist
- Difficulty to find clients
- You’ll develop terrible habits
- Your reputation will be tarnished
- You’ll probably spread infectious diseases
- You’ll probably catch infectious diseases
- You won’t have anyone to mentor your tattoo skills.
2. Become a Tattoo Artist: Find a Traditional Apprenticeship
If you are in a city where Ink Different Tattoo School does not exist, and there is no way to relocate to us for your training, then seeking a traditional apprenticeship to become a Tattoo Artist is your second best approach. If you can secure a local tattoo apprenticeship, you will gain real-world experience in a shop and can become a tattoo artist more responsibly than if you try to learn on your own. Like an internship, once your apprenticeship is over, you can usually transition to working at the same shop, assuming your apprenticeship went well. However, apprenticeships are coveted positions that are difficult to get, and most artists take on one apprentice at a time, if that. Of course, you must purchase your equipment, and most tattoo apprenticeships cost money. You are never paid for the apprenticeship. Rather, in reality, you have to pay for the apprenticeship. Even if it costs you $15,000, comparing it to the cost of a college degree is a steal!
Make sure when choosing a mentor that they are at a reputable shop and have experience guiding people through an apprenticeship. Spend time familiarizing yourself with the shop and the artists there. If some are hostile… no bueno.
Pros:
- Learn from a seasoned mentor if you can find one
- Better learning on your own from online courses or destroying yourself and your friends
- More likely to get a full-time offer after completion
- You’ll learn to tattoo in the style or ways of your mentor, which makes it challenging to develop your own or learn from others.
Cons:
- It can be challenging to get an apprenticeship where you are not exploited for free labor and then told to leave if you don’t kiss the right butts
- You may need to pay for tattoos from the artists in the shops, whether you want their tattoos or not.
- There is never a job offer guarantee
- You may be required to buy your equipment from the shop at marked-up prices
Looking for information for parents of young Tattoo Artists? Continue reading about parents who want to help their children become Tattoo Artists.
3. Become a Tattoo Artist: Tattoo School
Finally! Now that we are out of the dark ages, you can become a Tattoo Artist by attending a Tattoo School. A Tattoo School in Oregon, or at one of Ink Different Tattoo School’s Tattoo School locations, is a great way to learn from experts in a structured and proven program.
If accepted at Ink Different Tattoo School, you will start one-on-one in a virtual classroom and move on to the in-studio phases of your apprenticeship once you pass the initial requirements. You will end with a guaranteed job offer after your apprenticeship.
The right Tattoo School, either at Ink Different Tattoo School or in Oregon, is highly effective because they have been proven to work for hundreds of Tattoo Artists and remove the indentured servitude and harassment phases that often come with a traditional apprenticeship.
At the right Tattoo School, you will simply learn how to tattoo. That’s not. Not how to scrub toilets and order the perfect latte. That you can do on your own.
Pros:
- Receive formal training in a training designed to accelerate your learning
- Train to pass the local licensing requirements
- Certification from Ink Different Tattoo School is recognized nationwide
- Professional oversight on the pacing of your career expansion
- Guaranteed portfolio development
- Network with established and developing Tattoo Artists
- Learn sanitation and cross-contamination prevention at the highest standards
- Exit with the ability to secure a position at a local tattoo studio
- Guaranteed Job Offer if you attend Ink Different Tattoo School’s Tattoo School
- Opportunity to run your shop with Ink Different Tattoo School
Cons:
- It’s not free.
Tattoo Apprenticeship at Ink Different
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.
Guaranteed Job Offer
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Learn to Tattoo – Start Your Training Today
At Ink Different Tattoo School, we can help you train to become a highly successful Tattoo Artist. You can apprentice with our professional and experienced team of Tattoo Artists and secure a guaranteed job offer when you complete your apprenticeship.
Take the pressure off yourself to fail on those first two paths of either teaching yourself or begging for an apprenticeship, and learn how to become a successful Tattoo Artist right now.
If you are serious about a career as a Tattoo Artist, let us help you make the career change into a career you love right now.
Submit your art today for enrollment consideration and start your journey toward becoming a professional Tattoo Artist! Call/Text 1-917-227-2842
