What Is a Tattoo Artist and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Is a Tattoo Artist?
As a tattoo artist, you will use specialized needles and ink to create tattoo art designs on your clients’ skin. Your responsibilities are to capture your client’s vision in your tattoo design and to adhere to best practices for disease prevention. Your job duties include discussing the process with your clients, placing a temporary outline of the design on your client’s skin, inking the tattoo, reviewing aftercare procedures with your client, and collecting payment for your work.
How to Become a Tattoo Artist
To become a tattoo artist, you must complete an apprenticeship with a licensed tattoo artist and, in most states, meet qualifications for state licensure. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) recommends working as a tattoo artist apprentice for at least three years. States have varying requirements, such as a minimum of 360 hours of training and passing a written exam and skills assessment to get your license. Most tattoo shops want to look at your art portfolio before taking you on as an apprentice to see if your designs are a good fit for their style and customer base.
How to Be a Good Tattoo Artist
To be a good tattoo artist, patience, tact, and excellent communication skills are a must. You’re inking a permanent image into your client’s skin, so clarify precisely what your client wants before starting the tattoo job. Conducting consultations before tattoo jobs is an excellent practice. Intricate tattoos take several hours to complete, so you need patience and the ability to sit and operate the tattoo equipment for extended periods of time. Talk to your client throughout the session to get feedback on their comfort level. Satisfied customers are crucial to a successful career as a tattoo artist.
