Want a Tattoo Apprenticeship? Here’s Where to Start
You’ve made the decision—you want to become a tattoo artist. You have the passion, the creativity, and the drive. But when you start looking for ways to break into the industry, you quickly realize that getting a tattoo apprenticeship isn’t as straightforward as you thought.
Some tattoo shops don’t take tattoo apprentices. Others require years of unpaid work before you even touch a tattoo machine. And if you don’t have the right skills yet, most experienced tattoo artists won’t even consider training you.
So, how do you get a real tattoo apprenticeship that actually teaches you how to tattoo? The answer: You prepare then submit your application to Ink Different Tattoos.
At Ink Different, we believe tattoo apprentices should be given real training, real mentorship, and a real shot at success—without spending years cleaning a shop. If you’re serious about getting an apprenticeship with us, here are the five essential skills you need to develop and how to build a portfolio that gets you accepted into our program.
Apply for the apprenticeship program at our Tattoo School! Find a tattoo apprenticeship near me
5 Essential Skills for an Aspiring Tattoo Artist
1. Artistic Ability: Building the Right Foundation
Tattooing is an art form, and your ability to draw well is one of the most essential factors in getting accepted into a tattoo apprenticeship. But drawing for tattoos isn’t the same as sketching in a notebook.
🎨 What You Need to Work On:
- Line Work – Tattoos need bold, confident lines. Your designs should show clean line weight and flow
- Shading & Contrast – Shading in black and grey or color adds dimension and depth to a tattoo
- Composition – Tattoos aren’t flat images; they must flow with the body. Understanding placement and scale is key
- Tattoo-Specific Design – Some art styles don’t translate well to tattoos. Focus on traditional, neo-traditional, illustrative, or black and grey styles that work on skin.
📌 Pro Tip: Start drawing daily and focus on designs that could work as tattoos. In fact, a strong portfolio will set you apart when you apply for a tattoo apprenticeship.
Looking for a guaranteed job offer as a Tattoo Artist? Start your tattoo apprenticeship today!
2. Portfolio Prep: What You Need to Get Accepted
Your tattoo portfolio is your first impression—showing mentors you’re serious and have potential. However, not just any collection of sketches will do.
📁 What to Include in Your Portfolio:
- 7-10 Tattooable Designs – These should be original and in styles that work well as tattoos (bold lines, strong contrast, clean composition)
- Black and Grey + Color Designs – Show that you can work in both styles (even if you prefer one over the other)
- Drawings on Body Forms – Illustrate how your designs would look on arms, legs, and torsos to show an understanding of placement
- No Random Doodles – Every piece should be intentional and tattoo-ready
- High-Quality Presentation – Whether digital or on paper, your portfolio should be clean, organized, and professional.
Did you know our tattoo school, Ink Different, has locations in several exciting cities across the United States? We do! We have locations in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Tampa, Miami, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Atlanta and Connecticut.
3. Tattoo Industry Knowledge: Understand the Craft
Mentors want to train apprentices who take tattooing seriously. If you don’t understand the industry’s basics, you’ll start from complete scratch. You should get familiar with the vocabulary and show interest in several aspects of the industry.
📚 What You Get Familiar with Before Applying:
- Different Tattoo Machines & Needles – Learn about coil vs. rotary machines, needle groupings, and what each is used for
- Tattoo Styles & Techniques – Be familiar with traditional, black and grey, realism, neo-traditional, fine-line, and other common styles.
- The Healing Process – Know how tattoos heal, what affects healing, and the importance of aftercare.
- Tattoo Placement & Skin Types – Know the differences: certain body areas are more challenging to tattoo.
📌 Pro Tip: Follow professional tattoo artists and watch their process. Therefore, the more you immerse yourself in tattooing, the more confident you’ll be when you start training.
Looking for information for parents of young Tattoo Artists? Continue reading about parents who want to help their children become Tattoo Artists.
4. Professionalism & Work Ethic: Show You’re Ready
Tattooing is a profession, not a hobby. The best tattoo apprentices are reliable, hardworking, and ready to learn.
💼 What We Look for in Apprentices
- Commitment – Are you serious about making tattooing your career
- Reliability – Show up on time, take feedback well, and be open to learning
- Positive Attitude – No complaining, no entitlement—just respect and passion for the craft.
- Coachability – You’ll make mistakes. That’s part of learning. Can you take constructive criticism and grow?
📌 Pro Tip: Treat your tattoo apprenticeship application like a job interview—because it is!
Learn more about the profession on our website or read how to change careers and become a Tattoo Artist!
5. Cleanliness & Sterilization: Health & Safety First
Tattooing isn’t just about art—it’s a medical-grade procedure. Therefore, you should get familiar with understanding sterilization, bloodborne pathogens, and cross-contamination.
🧼 What You Need to Know:
- -Why cross-contamination is dangerous and how to prevent it
- How to properly set up and break down a workstation
- The use of gloves and how barriers, and sterilization methods matter
- What an autoclave is and why it’s necessary for sterilization
Why Ink Different Tattoos Is the Best Place to Start Your Tattoo Career
At Ink Different Tattoos, we don’t believe in making aspiring tattoo artists jump through unnecessary hoops or waste years hoping for a chance to learn. We have a tattoo apprenticeship program that gives you real training. It’s hands-on experience, and expert mentorship—all in a structured, professional environment. Additionally, our apprentices train inside real tattoo studios, learning directly from experienced tattoo artists who guide them every step of the way. Instead of cleaning shops for years, our apprentices start working toward actual tattoo mastery from day one.
Our Tattoo Apprenticeship: Learn, Practice, and Grow
Unlike traditional apprenticeships, where learning is unpredictable and based on whether a mentor “feels like” teaching you that day, our program is structured for success. Initially, you’ll get a step-by-step learning process that covers everything from tattoo fundamentals and machine techniques to hygiene, and safety. Secondly, you’ll be taught professional business skills. Then, you’ll work with real clients under professional supervision, ensuring that by the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and technical ability to step into a shop and start tattooing like a pro. Finally, we’ll give you a guaranteed job offer!
A Guaranteed Job Offer: The Best Start to Your Career
One of the biggest fears aspiring tattoo artists have is “What happens after my tattoo apprenticeship?”. Most tattoo apprenticeships don’t guarantee a job They leave you alone to figure out where to work. That’s why at Ink Different Tattoos, we offer a guaranteed job offer upon completing your training. This means that after you graduate, you’ll have a secure place to continue practicing. This opportunity helps you refine your skills, and build your tattoo portfolio. This is done without the stress of job hunting. Instead of worrying about where to go next, you can focus on growing your career and perfecting your craft as a professional tattoo artist.
We Speak Spanish & Portuguese!
At Ink Different Tattoos, we believe that language should never be a barrier to success. That’s why we offer Spanish-speaking support in our New York City, Chicago, Tampa, Greenville, Orlando, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale locations. If you’re more comfortable learning in Spanish, we make sure you get the guidance and training you need.
For those who speak Portuguese, we’ve also got you covered! Our Dallas and Orlando locations provide Portuguese-speaking mentorship. This ensures you can fully engage with your training, ask questions comfortably, and learn from mentors who understand you. Your talent has no language barriers, only opportunities. And we’re here to make sure you have one.
Master Mentorship Program: Learn from the Best in the Industry
Finishing a tattoo apprenticeship is just one option. If you’re serious about taking your skills to the next level, you can enroll in our Master Mentorship Program. Here, you’ll get to train with some of the biggest names in the tattoo industry. Imagine learning advanced techniques, industry secrets, and insider business strategies from tattoo artists like Mat Ryan, Liz Cook, and Joey Tattoo! This is your opportunity to go beyond the basics and refine your craft. More importantly, achieve this under the guidance of master tattoo artists who have built legendary careers. If you’re ready to push your skills further, develop your unique style, and stand out as an elite tattoo artist, our Master Mentorship Program is your next step.
