Every fall, we experience a wind-up of activity and pressure we call “back to school,” yet with the insane cost of a four-year college degree, many artists and their families ask, “is college worth it?” Choosing apprenticeships over college has become a wise decision for many. For people considering how to become a Tattoo Artist as a way to make a living from their art, choosing a Tattoo Apprenticeship as an alternative to a college education is a fast track to success.
Let’s face it. You’re a talented artist. You have been ever since you can remember. From time to time, your friends and family bring out or bring up, your childhood artwork (of course, your parents saved all of it). So it was no surprise to anyone when you announced you wanted to make a living from your art. However, it was a cause of concern for your parents, and here’s why…
Back in the day, unless you were a famous artist, you were considered a “struggling artist.” Lucky for you, times have changed. Who is an artist? The list goes on: a graphic designer, a makeup artist, an art therapist, an illustrator, a floral designer. However, you will need to attend a pricey college just to get an entry-level position in almost all these careers.
According to Admissionsly, in 2022, the average cost of a four-year college degree was roughly $122,000. And that’s just for an undergrad degree. Most careers and companies will require Master’s degrees, which according to Admissionsly, cost on average, a whopping $42,920 per year for an additional degree that takes another two years. Since most of us don’t have rich relatives handing out college funds, perhaps your parents would consider taking out a second mortgage on their house to help you avoid the crushing debt of a college degree? It seems like a huge, unrealistic ask, especially since you have no clue where your Art Degree will lead you.
We’ve already established, you are a born artist. Which means art makes you happy? But how happy will you be with an art degree and no career? Unless you have connections, it’s really tough to get your foot in the door for many of the careers that you are a candidate for with your art degree. You don’t want to spend 4 long years studying at university, drowning in student loan debt, just to serve up lattes at your local coffee shop; do you?
Your parents will remember back in the day. It was assumed that any tattoo artist or anyone with tattoos who did not serve in the military was in a biker gang. WOW, how times have changed! Did you know that 40% of U.S. citizens under 35 years old have at least one tattoo!? Tattoos seem to be more popular with people who attained higher levels of education (32%) compared to those with lower education levels (26%). That’s right! Doctors, attorneys, and CEOs are all donning tattoos under those suits! According to the market research firm IBISWorld, the tattoo industry generates an estimated $1.6 billion in revenue. Tattooing is the 6th fastest growing American industry. We’re no rocket scientists, but according to these statistics, becoming a tattoo artist seems like the best way to make a living from your art!
There are three options to become a tattoo artist; a traditional apprenticeship, self-taught, and a Ink Different Tattoo School Apprenticeship.
If you know anything about traditional apprenticeships, you are already shaking your head NO and we don’t blame you! If you find a seasoned tattoo artist willing to give you an apprenticeship, it’s more than likely he (or she) needs help in their tattoo shop. What type of help? More than likely, cleaning the shop, taking out the trash, shop errands, and possibly shop inventory. If you get lucky, you may learn how to set up and/or break down a tattoo station. But that’s about all the tattoo education you’ll receive from a “traditional apprenticeship.”
Looking for an apprenticeship right now? Call/Text 1-917-227-2842
Being Self-taught is absolutely NOT the way to go. Teaching yourself is a long, tedious process of trial and error. We emphasize error because SO much could go so wrong in tattooing if you aren’t studying under the guidance of a professional tattoo artist.
We’ll remind you that you are working with blood-borne pathogens, and cross-contamination is very likely if not done correctly. Tattooing should never be done by anyone who doesn’t hold a state-issued tattoo license, has not been appropriately trained in by expert tattoo artists, and is not in a controlled sanitary environment.
At Ink Different Tattoo School, our mission is to ensure every artist from every walk of life can make a living from their art. We want to say goodbye to the days of being stuck behind a desk or living in a stock room (miserable) just to make ends meet to pay your rent or feed your family.
A tattoo apprenticeship at Ink Different Tattoo School is a great way to work with seasoned tattoo artists who can offer you their time and experience while you learn the art of tattooing and much more. Our clients’ safety, as well as the safety of our tattoo artists, are our main priorities. You will learn the importance of sanitation and cleanliness while providing your clients with the safest environment. As well as…
So let’s get to it…
You read those astronomical numbers (above) on the cost of a degree from a 4-year university. Realistically, your relatives can’t take on that financial burden, nor would you want them to. Which means you’d need to take out student loans. When you graduate, if you’re lucky, you’d find an entry-level position with your art degree, making about 45k annually. You do the math; it would take you about 30 years to pay off $122,000 in student loan debt. No thanks!
Did you know that in nearly all colleges, you must take about 30 – 40 credits of general credit or a core curriculum? The definition of “core curriculum” is a set of courses that are considered basic and essential for future class work and graduation. This means you’ll be taking an entire one to two years of classes that aren’t in your major, classes you have zero interest in (WTF!). At most colleges and universities, the core curriculum is necessary in order to graduate with your degree, so there’s no way out of paying for classes you’ll never use (double WTF!)
Looking for a tattoo apprenticeship right now? Call/Text 1-917-227-2842
In an Ink Different Tattoo School Apprenticeship, you’ll only learn what’s pertinent to becoming a professional tattoo artist. Our apprenticeship generally takes 1 year to complete.
Yup, you didn’t read that wrong! Upon completing your tattoo apprenticeship with Ink Different Tattoo School, you will receive a Guaranteed Job Offer at any of our tattoo studios.
We are currently located in New York – Los Angeles – Philadelphia – Connecticut – Florida.
And the best part is we are utterly obsessed with expanding! We are always scouting our following location in a new city and state, and if you are the kind of person interested in learning how to run a tattoo studio, then we may have a shop for you to run soon.
Now show me a 4-year college that offers aspiring artists a guaranteed job offer at graduation and the potential to run their own business… (we won’t hold our breath).
Feeling ink-spired? We had a feeling you would be. Chat with an Enrollment Advisor today. Don’t wait, seats are limited, and we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
We don’t want you wasting 4 years (or more) stuck in a 4-year college just to graduate drowning in debt. Start your career with a guaranteed job offer instead! Good luck and Happy Tattooing!