How to Become a Tattoo Artist
So, if you love art and design, like drawing or painting, and do not mind touching people, you can become a tattoo artist. A tattooing career is not easy; becoming a tattoo artist takes about four years of hard work and commitment. Being aware of the measures that can be taken to be qualified for this position will assist you in deciding whether to become a tattoo artist.
Here, we explain what tattoo artists do, how these professionals are paid, and what you must do to pursue this career.
Key Takeaways
- Tattoo artists design and paint on human skin using a needle to fill it with ink; this profession needs artistic skill, measures, and a standard level of expertise.
- Some of the ways the pay of a tattoo artist may be determined are their experience, popularity, where they work, the kind of work they produce, and if they own the studio or work under someone.
- To become a tattoo artist, one has to know something about art and design, practice drawing and defining one’s contour, find a master, create a portfolio, and work as an apprentice.
What do Tattoo Artists do?
The primary activity of tattoo artists is to give out tattoos on clients’ bodies to make them unique.
A tattoo artist is a person who designs, draws, and paints body art on their clientele in the form of custom work, flash, or lettering. In turning their bodies into artworks, they use these specialized machines to inject ink into their skin or sometimes a normal needle occasionally. Every tattooist has their method; however, most follow the method that begins with sketching the desired concept on paper, making a stencil if required, and applying it on the skin. Tattoo artists show a good level of skill, artistic work, drawing skills, and the ability to think out of the box.
Tattooists interact with their customers regarding tattoo ideas that may be as basic as simple images, patterned words, or even complex designs they put on their customers. Tattoo clients come to the tattooist with an idea or even with some design and continue working with the artist creating the artwork. Clients may also ask tattoo artists for design books that usually contain a portfolio of tattoo designs within the style of choice of the tattoo artist if the client has no design to bring to the artist. Depending on the design, the process can take several hours and sometimes in cases involving more than one session.
How Much Does a Tattoo Artist Make?
That is why the popular question of how much a tattoo artist makes is worth both the effort and time.
According to the national average, a tattoo artist earns $ 58,975 annually. These rising tattoo artists will begin their careers initially apprenticed in existing tattoo studios. After some time, they may decide to go into business and establish additional tattooing studios. Experience, geographical location, and the number of clients one serves are some of the factors that affect the income one earns. Also, how much they get to make per tattoo depends on the reputation of the artist, the size of the tattoo, and the location and complexity of the particular design.
How to Become a Tattoo Artist
Follow these steps to start your career as a tattoo artist:
Consider Studying Art
However, considering the obvious fact that tattooing is a topically unregulated industry, some tattooists get professional experience at a university by obtaining a fine arts degree, taking a number of classes, or enrolling in relevant workshops. Education also has benefits in that it can give one broad information on design ideas and offer one the chance to exercise making art for numerous purposes. For instance, by going through a training program, you also get a chance to improve your drawing skills and thus be a developed artist.
Learn the Basic Elements of Art and Design
In this case, you can proceed with a basic understanding of certain artistic rules to appreciate how the different design features are affected by one another. It is especially helpful, so it is important to know when designing complicated patterns and when tattooing a person with an existing tattoo. Tattooing involves several design aspects of different degrees, and the more acquainted with these aspects, the more it will be possible to apply these theories and improve yourself and your skill in creating outstanding tattoos. Important elements of design include: Important aspects of design include:
- Lines
- Shape
- Color
- Texture
- Value
- Balance
- Alignment
- Repetition
- Proximity
- Contrast
- Space
Develop your Drawing Skills and Style
If you are blessed with a natural talent for drawing, you will find this very useful. Still, like any craft or skill, practice makes perfect regarding tattooing—often influenced by creating various designs and modes of artwork where they design and draw many vast styles of artwork.
Most people use a pencil first, honing their sketching skills before—they feel ready to draw with a pen, an ink pen in particular. It probably also takes time before you realize what you are good at and what doesn’t mean pencil you can put ink to skin and paint. It is particularly important if you are new at practicing designs, as this helps you apply simple procedures at first.
Find a Mentor
A good way to get real-life experience by applying what you have learned is to seek the services of a mentor. You are likely to look for a tattooist employed by a well-established parlour; one who has been practicing tattooing for several years and one who practices the tattooing you prefer. You may take your portfolio to the studios near you or to certain artists whose work you like and ask if they would be willing to teach you.
Build a Portfolio
The portfolio is very important when you are at the beginning of your career as a tattoo artist because it will help employers or masters look at your works and see if they are interested in your style or not. Your portfolio should contain your best clean drawings and tattoo designs and must look professional. Social media sites have become platforms where many artists post their work to make sales to clients. As mentioned earlier, some tattoo artists also use binders with sheet protectors for this purpose. Also, ensure you present your work in a way that combines black and colorful artwork.
Secure an Apprenticeship
Everyone who wants to tattoo professionally needs to do their first apprenticeship. You can start your apprenticeship with any previous experience with your previous employers or the shops that offer apprenticeships. It would help if you took the time to check the specific shop you want to apprentice for; this involves checking each artist’s portfolio and the shop’s primary details.
Tattoo apprenticeships enable one to learn how to create the design of the tattoos, how to use the tattoo machine, how to clean the tattoo equipment, and the necessity of cleanliness, among other aspects. They can also help you better understand the business of operating and owning a tattoo parlor.
Get Certified
Every state has its own requirements that are mandatory to enroll in some particular courses. And attain particular licenses to apply for licensure. Since practicing as a tattoo artist, one has to observe the health standards strictly. Most probably any course required to practice may involve details on disease control and health and safety measures.
It is different from one state to another. But whatever the case may be, there are always set laws. Or regulations that must be followed to acquire a license for this business. Each state sets the number of hours of apprenticeship necessary for you and which certifications. And/or health and safety classes you need to apply for the license. Other states also have provisions for first aid and CPR certification. As well as other aspects that might be unique to a particular state. For licensure, one is required to sit for the exam; a fee must be paid.
Obtain Licensure
Some places expect their workers to buy their own tattoo guns, needles, ink sets, tubes. And skin pens used in tattooing. It is also important to know that you will likely be responsible for buying some hygienic products. Such as gloves, alcohol wipes, antiseptic solutions, bandages, and cling wrap. These costs should be taken into consideration when one is entering into the workforce.
Buy Tattooing Equipment
As noted previously, regular practice is the key to the growth of your design. And tattoo careers and learning new trends. Some advise seeking the ‘real life’ targets such as oranges. While others advise practicing on plastic skin since it creates better results on shading, cutting clean lines, and steadiness.
Continue Developing Your Skills
All practice is good for the experience. However, there is nothing like practicing on people and being able to tattoo them. If you want to start practicing on real skin. It is also one of the best ways. Especially if you have friends or relatives who can agree to be painted on it.
