How To Be A Tattoo Artist?
By TACP Staff on July 28, 2019 
If you love art and design and have a passion for tattoos, becoming a tattoo artist can be a rewarding career. Like many creative trades, pursuing a career in tattooing isn’t easy. The cost and time commitment to get a job as a tattoo artist is significant, but the payoff has the potential to be so much more. There’s more than one path to become a tattoo artist – the one you choose depends greatly on what type of artist you want to be, your finances, talent, and the opportunities available in your area.
- However, there are some common steps all aspiring artists must follow to improve your skill level, acquire knowledge of the trade, and master the art of tattooing;
- Here’s how to get started;
- The key to creating a great tattoo begins with a visually appealing drawing, so it’s essential that you focus on improving your drawing skills and illustration techniques before you even think about designing tattoos or attempting to practice tattooing;
Here’s how you can get started.
Contents
Can you be a tattoo artist without knowing how do you draw?
How to become a tattoo artist: where do I start?
Do You Need To Be Good At Drawing To Be A Tattoo Artist? – Yes, but the great news is if you aren’t, you can learn. Some people may have more established artistic talent, but anyone can learn to draw. Take a look at our Drawing Tutorials and you will see how easy it can be.
Drawing doesnt have to be complicated and a lot of the flash tattoo designs most tattooists make a living from are fairly basic line drawings. Flash designs in general will be made up of a basic line drawing that you can then add colour to.
You will need a steady hand though and there is no better way to learn than from a good tattooist. Most tattooists dont want the extra work of teaching an apprentice. To impress them enough to give you a chance is more likely if they can see evidence of your artistic talent.
Can you teach yourself to tattoo?
Conclusion – It is possible to teach yourself how to tattoo but you need to put the hours in and practice as much as possible. Speak to reputable tattoo artists for their advice and understand exactly what is required to become successful. If you’re committed and passionate about this career path, you will succeed..
Is there good money in tattooing?
How much do tattoo artists make? – You may have a passion for body art, but before pursuing this career it helps to know, ‘How much do tattoo artists make?’ The national average tattoo artist salary is £36,582 per year. The average tattoo artist salary in London can rise to over £50,000 per year.
- Tattoo artists usually charge clients by the hour;
- Their hourly rate typically increases as they become more experienced and well-established;
- How much a tattoo artist earns often varies depending on how many customers they have;
Artists earn more money when they have many appointments. Tattoo artists also consider the cost of their equipment, like needles and inks, which can affect their income. Related: 8 of the best high paying art jobs (with duties and salary).
How long does it take to learn tattooing?
How long does a Tattoo Apprenticeship last? – A tattoo apprenticeship can last anywhere between 1-3 years. Some have been known to last even longer depending on what speed your mentor chooses to teach you at. Some apprenticeships are even paid and working apprenticeships.
How many machines does a tattoo artist use?
However, most artists need at least three machines. Depending on your setup, you may need over ten machines, which adds up quickly. Each needle you use needs an entire machine to run it, so if you need to use ten needles in a tattoo, you need ten machines.
