Why Has Tattooing Been a Boys’ Club for So Long
For most of tattoo history, walking into a shop meant stepping into an environment dominated by men. Until recently, women in tattooing were rare, often relegated to the role of clients rather than Tattoo Artists. If a woman wanted to be a Tattoo Artist, she had to fight her way in, often through discrimination, skepticism, and an exhausting need to prove herself at every step.
This isn’t just speculation. According to Zippia, only 25% of Tattoo Artists are women, despite tattooing being a growing industry. Things have changed, but not without struggle. Women like Vany Vicious, Taylor Marley, and our own Rina Peseleva didn’t just show up in the industry; they fought tooth and nail to claim their space.
And yet, despite all of this, more women are now entering the industry, opening their shops, and mentoring the next generation. But what’s changed? And what challenges remain?
Apply for the apprenticeship program at our Tattoo School! Find a tattoo apprenticeship near me
What Challenges Do Women Face in the Tattoo Industry?
Tattooing is no longer just a man’s world, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy ride. Women in tattooing still deal with:
- Clients assume they’re the receptionist. Many female Tattoo Artists have countless stories of clients walking in and asking, “When is the artist getting here?” while they stand behind the counter, clearly holding a tattoo machine.
- Shops that don’t want to hire women. Some tattoo shop owners refuse to take on female tattoo apprentices, believing that the job is too physically demanding or that women can’t “handle” the tattoo culture.
- Skepticism about their skill. Female Tattoo Artists often have to prove themselves in ways male Tattoo Artists don’t. A woman with a complete portfolio will still get questioned about her tattoo experience, while a guy with a few decent tattoos gets hired without a second thought.
- Sexual harassment. From inappropriate comments from clients to unprofessional shop environments, many women in tattooing have had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously.
It’s frustrating, but it’s also why so many women are opening their own tattoo studios. If the tattoo industry doesn’t change, they’ll create spaces where female Tattoo Artists are respected and where they call the shots.
Looking for a guaranteed job offer as a Tattoo Artist? Start your tattoo apprenticeship today!
Who Are Vany Vicious and Taylor Marley?
Vany Vicious: The Businesswoman, Model, and Tattoo Entrepreneur
Vany Vicious didn’t just make a name for herself in tattooing—she turned herself into a brand.
She started in the tattoo industry at 18 as a piercer, but breaking into tattooing wasn’t easy. Shops weren’t eager to bring her in as a tattoo apprentice, and clients didn’t trust her knowledge just because she was a woman.
“I never knew what the fuck I was talking about because I was a woman. If I would sell a tattoo to a walk-in client, they’d be like, ‘She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She’s a woman. Where are the men in the shop?’” – Vany Vicious
Instead of waiting for someone to give her a shot, she made her opportunities. She used tattoo modeling to gain visibility, landing multiple magazine covers and growing a social media following of over 700,000 people.
But she didn’t stop there. Vany turned her platform into a multi-business empire, running:
Throwback Garage – A vintage clothing store.
Sacred Mob – An online shop selling witchy, alternative fashion and home goods.
Tattooing & Content Creation – She leveraged her social media to turn followers into paying customers, proving that Tattoo Artists today need more than just ink skills—they need business skills, too.
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.
Taylor Demers: The Tattoo Artist Who Hustled Her Way to Success
Taylor Marley fell in love with tattooing young—so young that she tattooed herself at 12 with Indian ink and a sewing needle.
By 15, she had convinced a Tattoo Artist to take her on as an apprentice, but it wasn’t easy. Unlike today’s structured apprenticeships, she had to fight for every lesson she got.
“I bugged my mentor for like months before he actually brought me on. I would stalk him outside Walmart like, ‘Please teach me!’” – Taylor Marley
Her dedication paid off. At 18, she opened her shop, making her one of the youngest female shop owners in the tattoo industry.
What makes Taylor different? She doesn’t just tattoo—she focuses on client experience, ensuring that each tattoo is deeply personal. She eventually moved to a private studio setting, creating an intimate, one-on-one tattoo experience that keeps clients returning.
Looking for information for parents of young Tattoo Artists? Continue reading about parents who want to help their children become Tattoo Artists.
How Are Women Changing the Tattoo Industry?
Here’s the good news: Women in tattooing are done waiting for permission.
According to Pew Research, 38% of women in the U.S. had at least one tattoo, compared to 27% of men. Women are not just working in the industry—they’re the primary clients keeping it alive.
Also, the percentage of female Tattoo Artists doubled from 14% in 2010 to nearly 25% in 2021, according to Zippia. This indicates a significant rise in female representation within the tattoo industry over the past decade. How are they making this shift happen?
-
More Women-Owned Tattoo Studios
Tired of waiting for the industry to catch up, many female Tattoo Artists are opening their shops. Instead of dealing with unprofessional workspaces, they’re creating safe, inclusive environments where clients and artists alike can thrive.
-
A Rise in Mentorship
More female artists are mentoring the next generation of women in tattooing. Instead of gatekeeping knowledge, they teach apprentices without the hazing, exploitation, or toxic work environments that used to be the industry standard.
-
A Focus on Art, Not Ego
An aggressive, ego-driven culture has long shaped the industry. Many women-led tattoo studios, however, focus instead on collaboration, customer experience, and artistry—and clients love this approach.
Learn more about the profession on our website or read how to change careers and become a Tattoo Artist!
How Ink Different Tattoo School Supports Women in Tattooing
At Ink Different Tattoo School, we believe tattooing should be accessible to everyone, especially women who want to enter the industry without facing unnecessary obstacles. With mentors like Ruby Ghauri in Philadelphia, Shamain Hardy in New Haven or Yandra Passarella in Dallas; we stay true to our mission of ensuring excellence and equal opportunity in the tattoo industry.
- Our tattoo apprenticeship program is structured and supportive. No hazing, unpaid grunt work, or hands-on training from experienced tattoo mentors exist.
- We teach business skills, not just tattooing. Learning how to price tattoos, attract clients, and run a successful studio is just as important as mastering art.
- We guarantee a job offer after a tattoo apprenticeship. No uncertainty. No “hope you find a shop willing to take you.” Our apprentices graduate with genuine job opportunities waiting for them.
If you’re a woman looking to succeed in tattooing, you don’t have to fight alone. We’ve built a program to help you skip the years of struggle and start tattooing the right way.
Our Tattoo Apprenticeship & Guaranteed Job Offer
Unlike traditional tattoo apprenticeships, which require new artists to work for free, our program ensures that you learn without exploitation.
- You’ll tattoo real clients, build your portfolio, and develop skills that make you stand out.
- You’ll learn from top tattoo mentors, including female artists who have built their careers.
- You’ll graduate with a guaranteed job offer, so you never have to wonder what comes next.
If you’re ready to start tattooing, this is the place to do it.
Tattoo Apprenticeships in Spanish & Portuguese
We know that learning in your preferred language makes all the difference. That’s why we offer mentorship in the following ways:
Spanish in New York City, Chicago, Tampa, Greenville, Orlando, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale.
Portuguese in Dallas and Orlando.
Whether you’re learning in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, our goal is the same: to help you become a professional Tattoo Artist with real job opportunities.
