So you want to be a tattoo artist? Joining the exciting world of body adornment offers many exciting opportunities, and can be very prolific. Indeed, an estimated 14% of the American population has at least one tattoo. You can immerse yourself in a world of people dedicated to a unique form of self expression, self-made artists, and other people involved in the creative world. making a name and a place for yourself in the industry is a guarantee to be part of a thriving culture and community.
But for beginners, the real question is: How do I get there? Indeed, sometimes it can seem like a secret club. Check out this basic guide for how to begin your career as a tattoo artist today.
Go To School
Yes, there are in fact schools for tattoo art and piercing. While your art will always be your own, there are design principals, trade standards, and state mandated saftey protocols that you must master before you can go on to working on actual people and in a shop. Think about how the security of your clients will help you build a reputation and a career — people will trust someone who is certified by a tattoo school and knows what they are doing.
Network for an Apprenticeship
Once you are out of school, it is time to gain some real life experience. That means getting an apprenticeship at a shop that you know and respect. How to become a tattoo apprentice, you ask? The answer is simple: networking. Try to be friendly and inquisitive when you attend body adornment events or visit shops — there are an estimated 21,000 tattoo parlors in the States, and chances are that you will be able to find one that will allow you to learn the craft.
Becoming a tattoo apprentice is the first real step to establishing your own unique mark as an artist and a clientele base of your own. Indeed, now that tattoos are more common and expected, it seems that those who love getting inked are pushing the envelope farther to set themselves apart from others. As an emerging tattoo artist, fresh from tattoo college and a tattoo apprenticeship, don’t be afraid to push the envelope.
So, how to become a tattoo apprentice? The honest answer is through hard work and a passion for the art of body adornment.
