How To Become A Tattoo Apprentice?
- Finding a job
- How To Get a Tattoo Apprenticeship To Start Your Career
By Indeed Editorial Team Published October 26, 2021 Training as an apprentice is a traditional step in the process of becoming a tattoo artist. Tattoo apprenticeships give you the opportunity to learn from an experienced mentor who can show you safe methods to permanently tattoo artwork onto your clients. Learning how to get a tattoo apprenticeship is an important aspect of getting started in the tattoo industry and becoming a licensed tattoo artist yourself.
- In this article, we explain what a tattoo apprenticeship is, discuss why they’re important for starting your career as a tattoo artist and share advice on finding an apprenticeship where you can begin learning your craft;
Related: Your Guide to Tattoos in the Workplace.
Contents
How do I approach a tattoo artist about an apprenticeship?
Practice common tattoo art styles – Look at pictures of tattoos and research common tattoo styles to learn how to apply your knowledge of art to the tattoo industry. When you approach a tattoo artist about an apprenticeship, it’s useful to have pieces in your portfolio that emulate popular styles of tattoo art to show that you can provide clients with pieces that interest them. Examples of art styles to research include:
- American traditional
- Neotraditional
- Japanese
- New school
- Realism
- Dotwork
- Geometric
Related: How To Become a Tattoo Artist.
How long does a tattoo apprenticeship last?
Will I Be Tattooing During My Apprenticeship? – You will do around 100 free tattoos during your apprenticeship. But in fact, “free tattoos” means that you pay the cost, so make sure to have a lot of money saved up for supplies. You can tattoo friends, family, or whomever you wish.
How do you become a tattoo artist without being an artist?
How Do I Become a Tattoo Artist? What Steps Do I Take? –
- Be an artist. This is the first and most important step. You can’t become a tattoo artist without first being an artist.
- Build a portfolio. I mean a tattoo apprenticeship portfolio, not a tattoo artist’s portfolio. They’re different. Learn more below.
- Find a certified tattoo artist-mentor who will take you on as an apprentice. This might be tricky. Learn how to approach a shop below.
- Learn the trade. During your apprenticeship, you’ll do a lot of menial tasks, but you’ll also learn professional business skills, best hygienic work practices, and tattoo design.
- Get certified. Every state has its own requirements; learn more and find links below.
- Find a shop to work in. After your apprenticeship and certification, you’ll be ready to start getting paid! But first, you’ll have to find a shop to work in.
Each of these steps is described in detail below, including answers to all the most frequently asked questions about the process. 
The first thing you need to do is practice your art and build a diverse portfolio. Festival Bananada via Flickr Commons.
How long does it take to become an apprenticeship?
Will I Be Tattooing During My Apprenticeship? – You will do around 100 free tattoos during your apprenticeship. But in fact, “free tattoos” means that you pay the cost, so make sure to have a lot of money saved up for supplies. You can tattoo friends, family, or whomever you wish.
