Becoming a tattoo artist is often a creative vocation, and so many people either have a tattoo or see one being made and not only realise that they want one, but want to bring someone’s body art vision to life.

Unlike other professions, becoming a tattoo artist is a matter of learning by doing, with most artists becoming apprentices in the traditional sense in a studio. Hands-on experience is essential to becoming a tattooist, but how do you get started?

Alongside getting the right starter kit with practice skins to help you build basic skills, here is what you need to do if you have a dream of becoming a tattoo artist but do not have the experience yet.

The Routes To Becoming A Tattoo Artist

There are several routes to becoming a tattoo artist, but what they all have in common is that they are built around structured learning, regular practice and continuing professional development. For many tattooists, they also interlink.

The main pathway to becoming a tattoo artist is to get a job with an existing tattoo studio, either directly as a trainee or in another role such as customer service whilst you shadow, observe and look for an opportunity.

There are dedicated training courses available, from vocational qualifications all the way up to degree-level certificates, which will provide a structured foundation to the artistic, safety and business aspects of being a tattoo artist.

Whilst the entry points can differ, you will usually need both; hygiene, health and safety education often requires some degree of in-class training, and many tattoo artists have qualifications or experience working in fields such as fine art or graphic design.

Conversely, theoretical knowledge requires supervised studio experience with a tattoo artist who is registered and willing to provide you with training and experience.

What Skills Do You Need To Be A Great Tattoo Artist?

Tattooing is not only an art form, but it is a remarkably personal business; after all, the canvas you are using is another person’s body.

This means that there is a broad range of skills you need to excel at in order to become a great tattoo artist, and there are many cases of great artists who have amazing technical abilities but struggle with the business and social side.

Artistic Skills

Whilst you do not need a degree in art, you do need to be able to draw and design tattoos, with the ability to adapt various art styles in order to meet the needs of specific clients.

You also need to adapt to different mediums and know what changes between paper and flesh, as well as have an idea of how tattoo ink will age over time.

Health And Safety Skills

In order to run your own tattooist business, you need a license for yourself and your premises to ensure that your equipment is clean and safe for each client.

This aspect will involve both learning from registered professionals who know and have established systems to ensure compliance with the law, as well as regular courses and learning opportunities to further build your knowledge base.

Communication Skills 

Tattooing is a very personal job, and drawing beautiful art onto a person’s body for many hours, if not days at a time, will naturally require a good chairside manner.

You need to make sure your clients are comfortable, listen to them if they voice otherwise and be there as a confidant.

Tattoos are extremely personal, and not every reason for getting one is connected to positive emotions. At its best, tattooing is therapeutic, but that requires an artist to care for the client at all times during the process.