How To Become A Professional 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
How hard is it to become a tattoo artist?
How to Become a Tattoo Artist – Becoming a tattoo artist will take an incredible amount of dedication and perseverance. The career path isn’t to be taken lightly, as it will require plenty of hard work and long hours. Being a great artist is just the start. You’ll need to learn the art of tattooing, build up a portfolio, and find an apprenticeship, and get certified before you can land a job in a tattoo shop.
- At first, you likely won’t be paid since you’ll need to find on-the-job-training through an apprenticeship;
- This can take up to a year or longer depending on how quickly you can learn;
- Once you’ve gained enough experience as a tattoo shop apprentice, you can start looking for your first paid gig;
Let’s take a closer look at the five steps to becoming a tattoo artist.
How do you become a licensed tattoo artist in Texas?
About This Article – Article Summary X To become a licensed tattoo artist, complete your high school diploma and be at least 18 years old. Once you’ve built an art portfolio, apply for an apprenticeship with an experienced, reputable tattoo artist, where you will learn the basics of tattooing as well as business and hygienic principles.
How do I get Started in tattooing?
Practice drawing on your own. 1 Get several drawing books to help you learn new techniques and styles. 2 Draw potential tattoo designs in your sketchbook to develop your own personal style. 3 Search for famous tattoo artists online and look to your favorites as inspiration.
Do you need a license to get a tattoo?
How to become a tattoo artist: where do I start?
Apprenticeship – As mentioned previously, the path to becoming a tattoo artist will always include an apprenticeship with an established artist, and most of the learning will take place during this time. Apprenticeships are not only a crucial training period; they are a rite of passage.
Finding a shop with a good reputation is very important, and learning from someone who actually wants to teach you, who has a good educational background, and who will challenge you is equally as important.
The apprenticeship will last for an agreed-upon period of time, usually one to two years. The apprentice will typically spend most of his or her time doing menial tasks around the tattoo shop at first (which may include taking out the trash, setting up and breaking down stations, sweeping up, running errands etc).
Much time will also be spent watching and observing tattoos being done. Eventually, the apprentice will learn how to handle and make needles, mix inks, use the autoclave, and learn how to take health precautions.
During free time (both in and out of the shop), practicing with the machine on fake skins or fruit will be a priority. After much practice and observation, the apprentice will be able to ink living skin. Apprentices typically do 100 tattoos for free during their apprenticeship (free means the apprentice pays the costs for these tattoos).
They may tattoo friends, family, whomever they wish, after which they may also tattoo some clients at the shop. Taking pictures of every tattoo they complete will add to their portfolio and help them get new clients.
After putting in the appropriate time and practice, the apprentice will take their test and become certified. At this point, they will be able to start tattooing and charge money for their artwork. Note: Most states require licensure for tattoo artists, and requirements can vary by state.
- Some states, such as Oregon, require licensees to complete a minimum of 360 hours of training under an approved artist as well as 50 tattoos;
- To get licensing, a written exam and a skills assessment is also typically necessary;
Some states also require a specific number of continuing education credits in order for tattoo artists to renew their license. Continuing education options come in the form of seminars and classes. If an artist would like to open their own tattoo studio, they should enrol in business management courses that focus on small businesses.
