We all know that getting a brand new beautiful tattoo is fantastic! But did you know that the experience of giving someone a great tattoo can be even better? If you love art and are a fan of tattoos, a career as a professional tattoo artist is artistically satisfying and financially empowering. However, if you want to become a good tattoo artist, the internet is overwhelming when you’re looking for advice on how to start, and we know you have questions. How can I learn to tattoo? Will I like being an apprentice? How do I find a tattoo apprenticeship? Will a career as a tattoo artist work for me? That’s why we’ve pulled together our top 5 pieces of advice for aspiring tattoo artists.
The most important advice for aspiring tattoo artists is not to tattoo alone! Whatever you do, don’t buy a (hazardous) tattoo kit online, and start inking up your friends. Not only will you endanger yourself and your friends (bloodborne pathogens are bad news), but those kits aren’t for human use!
Even if you get your hands on professional equipment, which is usually only sold to professional artists or their tattoo apprentices, the skills and techniques necessary to keep yourself safe and create a quality tattoo can’t come from an online video. In-person, hands-on training with experienced professionals is necessary to learn to tattoo safely and effectively. Remember, each state has different tattooing licensing laws. If you want a real career as a tattoo artist, you don’t want to start out violating local health and safety regulations. Don’t endanger yourself or your friends by tattooing without a license or proper instruction. You want to avoid having your first tattoo look like a disaster you’ll regret forever.
Did you know about our Philly location? Check it out!
Now that you’re looking into learning to tattoo from a professional apprenticeship or training program, you’re probably overwhelmed with all the options of where and how to learn to tattoo. While some tattoo artist training seems expensive, other options might seem too good. For example, some options have online components, while others are in-person. Plus, its prophecy options will work for you, especially is probably unclearly if you don’t want to quit your job to start training.
Regardless of which resource you’re looking at, they all require a commitment on your part, and that can be scary. We’ve been there, and the best advice for aspiring tattoo artists is to dive in. Meet the people training you, show them your art, look at their art and tattoos, and ask questions! Try to find out as much as you can about what it will be like to be their apprentice. Make sure it’s a good fit! The only way to be sure that a future as a professional tattoo artist is right for you is to get into a tattoo studio and find out for yourself. Just try not to procrastinate, and you’ll be taking your first steps toward a fantastic new career!
The next most important piece of advice for aspiring tattoo artists is to avoid training programs just out there to take advantage of you. So many “apprenticeships” pretend that tattooing can be taught to you in a few days or weeks. That’s not true. It is impossible to quickly develop the coordination and motor skills you need for tattooing. No matter how experienced an artist you are in other mediums—tattooing on the skin is a very different process. Learning the nuances and techniques required to create professional-quality tattoos takes much longer. Therefore, we always recommend looking for training that allows a reasonable amount of time to teach you everything you need! And remember, from your time as an apprentice through your career as a tattoo artist, you’ll never stop learning and developing.
For decades, the traditional path toward becoming a professional tattoo artist has been to find a local tattoo shop, get tattooed there repeatedly, then show up with a portfolio of tattoo flash paintings and ask for an apprenticeship. This usually led to a years-long process of sitting at the front desk, mopping the floors, and eventually learning the art of tattooing.
This is a time-honored way of learning to tattoo, and we recommend getting a traditional tattoo apprenticeship. That said, if you receive rejections or know you’ll just get tons of busy work, we encourage you to check out our tattoo apprenticeship. We’ll never waste your time with busy work. We also have a curriculum that you can work through at your own pace to learn everything you’ll need to become a successful tattoo artist. The good news is that our tattoo apprenticeships are based on the traditional model updated to meet the needs of the digital age.
You can start online in a live virtual classroom in the early phases of your apprenticeship and will work one-on-one with a dedicated trainer. Once you pass the requirements of the virtual training, you’ll be ready to complete your apprenticeship in one of our physical locations. You’ll learn how to implement impeccable tattoos on clients when you are in the studio. You will learn how to keep yourself and your clients safe with disinfecting and sanitizing practices to prevent cross-contamination. And through this process, you will get real work experience and professional development so you are ready to launch your career as a tattoo artist. And the best part? We hire every artist that completes their training with us! Once you finish your apprenticeship with Ink Different Tattoo School, we’ll have a job offer ready and waiting for you so you can work in our studio!
Whether you find a traditional apprenticeship or learn the art of tattooing with us, the final advice for aspiring tattoo artists is never to give up! Tattooing is a complicated but rewarding art form; persistence and patience are crucial to success. We take the time to ensure that our artists are well-prepared to apply a needle to their clients. We have you covered, from lining and shading tattooing techniques to studio safety. Remember, developing your skills takes time. From the early stages of your apprenticeship and your career as a professional, a focus and dedication to your craft are crucial. This ensures you’re doing your best work and avoiding mistakes. So keep your head up and press forward, knowing that you’re bringing beautiful art into this world and helping your clients to express themselves!
As an aspiring tattoo artist, it’s important to embrace the mindset of continuous growth and learning. Tattooing is an art form that constantly evolves, and there’s always something new to learn and explore. Stay open to feedback and constructive criticism from experienced artists, as it can help you refine your skills and improve your techniques. Seek out opportunities for professional development, such as attending tattoo conventions, workshops, and seminars. Engage with the tattoo community, both online and offline, to connect with fellow artists and stay up to date with the latest trends and innovations in the industry. Remember, your journey as a tattoo artist is a lifelong process of growth and improvement, so embrace it with passion and dedication.
We hope this advice for aspiring tattoo artists helps you as you journey to become a professional tattoo artist! While this career isn’t easy, it’s tremendously rewarding, and we love to help artists achieve their dreams! If you have any questions about your future as a tattoo artist, please contact us!