Is Becoming a Tattoo Artist Really This Hard?
You’ve got the passion. You’ve got the talent. You’ve been sketching tattoo designs for years, maybe even experimenting with digital art, painting, or working in another creative field. But every time you try to take the next step into tattooing, it feels like you’re hitting an invisible wall.
You walk into a tattoo shop with your portfolio, nervous but excited, hoping someone will see your potential—only to get brushed off with a “We’re not taking tattoo apprentices right now.” You scroll through Instagram, admiring artists living the dream, wondering how they got there when every door seems to be closed for you. Sucks, right?
Maybe you reached out to tattoo artists for guidance, only to be met with silence. Maybe you’ve already applied to multiple tattoo apprenticeships and been rejected. Or perhaps you were accepted under conditions that would have you working for free. Working for free for years before even touching a tattoo machine.
So you ask yourself: Is this even possible? Or is the tattoo industry just lonot open to newcomers?
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Why Do Most People Struggle to Become Tattoo Artists?
The truth is, it’s not your fault. The traditional path to becoming a tattoo artist is broken.
Tattooing is a skill-based trade, yet the tattoo industry makes it unnecessarily hard for talented people to enter the field. If you don’t already have connections, you must navigate an outdated system that favors exclusivity over mentorship. Here’s why most aspiring tattoo artists feel stuck:
🚫 Traditional apprenticeships require unpaid labor for years – Tattoo shops expect you to clean, run errands, and be a shop assistant before you ever hold a tattoo machine. And there’s no guarantee that they’ll train you when the time comes.
🚫 No clear roadmap for success – Unlike other skilled trades (plumbing, cosmetology, mechanics), there’s no structured learning path to becoming a tattoo artist—so you’re left guessing what to do next.
🚫 Self-teaching doesn’t work – Many aspiring tattoo artists try to learn tattooing independently, but watching YouTube tutorials and practicing on fake skin doesn’t replace professional mentorship. Without expert feedback, developing bad habits that are hard to unlearn is easy.
🚫 Tattoo shops aren’t obligated to train you – Unlike universities or trade schools that have to provide structured education, tattoo shops don’t have to train their tattoo apprentices—so many tattoo apprenticeships turn into unpaid shop labor instead of actual learning experiences.
🚫 No industry standard for tattoo apprenticeships – Every shop has its own way of doing things, so even if you find a tattoo apprenticeship, there’s no guarantee it will prepare you for a real tattoo career.
All of this makes getting into tattooing feel impossible—but it doesn’t have to be.
Looking for a guaranteed job offer as a Tattoo Artist? Start your tattoo apprenticeship today!
What If There Was a Faster, Smarter Way to Start Tattooing?
Instead of spending years cleaning a shop hoping for a chance to learn, what if you could follow a proven, structured path that guarantees real training?
At Ink Different Tattoos, we’ve taken the best parts of traditional apprenticeships—mentorship, hands-on experience, and real-world training—and removed all the unnecessary obstacles that hold people back.
✔ Hands-on tattoo training from day one – No endless cleaning or waiting. You start learning real techniques under professional guidance from the beginning.
✔ A structured curriculum designed for real success – Unlike traditional apprenticeships where you learn “whenever your mentor decides to teach you,” we provide a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you’re never left guessing.
✔ Mentorship from experienced tattoo artists – Our mentors don’t just teach you how to tattoo—they guide you through the business side of tattooing, helping you build the skills you need to thrive in a competitive industry.
✔ A guaranteed job offer upon completion – No stressing about “what’s next” after training. We have a guaranteed job offer, so you don’t have to search for work alone.
Instead of waiting years for an opportunity, you can start your tattoo career in a proven way—without the wasted time, unpaid labor, and uncertainty.
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.
What About the Common Objections? Let’s Address Your Doubts
🙋 “Isn’t tattoo school a scam?”
Some tattoo schools do exist just to take your money. That’s why we’re not a traditional “tattoo school.” We’re a tattoo apprenticeship program with professional tattoo artists, offering real, hands-on training in an actual shop environment. Our graduates are working in tattoo studios across the country because our training works.
🙋 “Will I actually be ready to tattoo after this?”
Absolutely. Unlike traditional tattoo apprenticeships that leave you waiting for years, our training ensures you gain experience tattooing real clients under professional supervision. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and technical skill to start your career as a tattoo artist.
🙋 “What if tattoo shops don’t respect my training?”
Tattoo shops respect tattoo artists who have real skills. Many traditional apprenticeships fail to provide structured learning, so our graduates often come out better prepared than those who went through unpaid shop apprenticeships. We also help you build a strong portfolio so tattoo shops take your work seriously.
🙋 “I don’t know if I can afford this.”
A traditional tattoo apprenticeship can cost you years of unpaid labor. Our program helps you fast-track your career, so you can start tattooing professionally much sooner. We also offer financing options to make training accessible.
Looking for information for parents of young Tattoo Artists? Continue reading about parents who want to help their children become Tattoo Artists.
Stop Waiting—Start Apprenticing with us today!
If you’re serious about tattooing, stop wasting time waiting for an opportunity that may never come. There’s a smarter way to become a tattoo artist, and it starts here.
✔ No unpaid labor
✔ No waiting years to start tattooing
✔ Structured learning that makes you shop-ready
✔ A guaranteed job offer when you graduate
Your dream of becoming a tattoo artist isn’t impossible—you just need the right path to get there. And that path starts with us.
Learn more about the profession on our website or read how to change careers and become a Tattoo Artist!
Why Ink Different Tattoos Is the Best Place to Start Your Tattoo Career
At Ink Different Tattoos, we’re not just teaching people how to tattoo—we’re helping them build real careers. Unlike traditional tattoo apprenticeships, where you’re waiting for years to pick up a tattoo machine, our program is designed to get you tattooing sooner, learn from real professionals, and confidently walk into the industry. Our mentors are working tattoo artists who have been exactly where you are now! They’re here to ensure you avoid the mistakes that keep most aspiring artists stuck. Have you even checked our Master Mentorship Program?
We also understand that becoming a tattoo artist isn’t just about technique—it’s about knowing how to thrive in the tattoo industry. That’s why we go beyond just teaching you how to tattoo. You’ll learn everything from sterilization and hygiene to how to build your brand, attract clients, and create a portfolio that gets you out there. Our goal isn’t just to train tattoo artists—it’s to launch successful careers.
A Tattoo Apprenticeship That Actually Teaches You How to Tattoo
Most apprenticeships require you to “earn” your way to training by working unpaid for months or even years. Not here. At Ink Different Tattoos, our tattoo apprenticeship is structured and designed to actually teach you. Before moving into shading, color packing, and advanced techniques, you’ll start with foundational skills like skin anatomy, stencil preparation, and linework. And you won’t just be watching from the sidelines—you’ll be tattooing real clients under expert supervision so you can build skill and confidence along the way.
Best of all, you’ll learn in a real tattoo studio, not a classroom. We train our apprentices in working tattoo shops, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be comfortable in a real shop environment and ready to confidently step into your career.
Our Guaranteed Job Offer: The Security You Need to Succeed
One of the biggest fears aspiring tattoo artists have is “What happens after I finish my training?”. Unlike other programs that leave you to figure it out independently, we offer a guaranteed job offer upon completing your apprenticeship. That means you won’t have to worry about finding a shop willing to take a chance on you. You’ll already have a place to start with us.
This isn’t just about security—it’s about giving you the time and experience you need to become a great tattoo artist. Starting in a shop where mentors, surrounded by other artists, support you. Somewhere, you actively work with clients to get the best possible start to your career. Instead of struggling to find work or feeling unprepared, you’ll graduate with confidence, skill, and a place to put it all to use.
We Speak Spanish & Portuguese—Because Everyone Deserves a Shot at Their Dream
At Ink Different Tattoo School, we believe that language should never be a barrier to success. That’s why we offer Spanish-speaking support in New York City, Chicago, Tampa, Greenville, Orlando, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale locations. Is Spanish is your first language? Or do you just feel more comfortable learning in it? We’re here to make sure you get the best training possible.
We also offer Portuguese-speaking mentorship in Dallas and Orlando. If you want to start your tattoo career and feel more confident learning in Portuguese, we’ve got you! Talent has no language barriers, only opportunities. And we’re here to make sure you have one.
Choosing a Master Mentor: Take Your Tattoo Career to the Next Level
Completing your tattoo apprenticeship is just the beginning. You can also level up your skills by enrolling in a Master Mentorship with some of the most respected tattoo artists in the industry. Imagine learning directly from Robbie Ripoll, Liz Cook, or Joey Tattoo. These tattoo artists who have made their mark on the industry and are ready to pass down their knowledge. Are you a dedicated tattoo apprentice prepared to thrive?
A Master Mentorship is your chance to refine your techniques. It will help you explore advanced tattoo styles, and work with a top-tier artist who can help you carve out your niche. Whether you want to specialize in black-and-grey realism, color work, or fine-line tattooing, a Master Mentor can help you push your craft further than you ever thought possible!
So if you’re serious about becoming one of the best, this is your next step. The journey doesn’t end with an apprenticeship. It’s just the start of a career where you can continue learning, improving, and making a name for yourself in the industry.
Submit your art today and start your journey toward becoming a professional Tattoo Artist! Call/Text 1-917-227-2842
