4 answers
layy
Student
Rockford, Illinois
1
Question
Asked
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what all is needed to become a tattoo artist and own the building the shop is in?
i am currently 16 but i'm trying to get ahead of the game and be prepared for college i don't know exactly what courses i would need to take but i know something for art and also business education. i know it isn't needed yet but i'm trying to go ahead and get ready and learn as much as possible so i'm ahead when i do get to college.
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4 answers
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
28
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Iayy,
It is awesome to hear that you are looking to get an early start in creating a tattoo studio. It is important to get early knowledge on the artistic and business side of things. Firstly, you will not need to attend a school to become a tattoo artist. Your first step should be working on your art and style and getting an apprenticeship at an exciting studio. Go in person and have some work to show them and tell them why you would want to be at that studio specifically. Then, as you are learning and gaining skills, you can start to observe how they run their business. Show that you are interested in both sides to become a fully independent artist. You do not have to share with them that you will be running your own studio someday, for now just say you want to see what it takes to become independent and are curious as to how they run their studio. You will learn a lot about the business side while you are there, but can also take business courses at a community college. This will save you money and time as you will not need to apply for an entire degree if you do not want to and can just take a couple of courses. I would also start figuring out how to make money off your work now. It will give you good experience with pricing your work and dealing with clients.
Most importantly, keep creating! Best of luck to you!
It is awesome to hear that you are looking to get an early start in creating a tattoo studio. It is important to get early knowledge on the artistic and business side of things. Firstly, you will not need to attend a school to become a tattoo artist. Your first step should be working on your art and style and getting an apprenticeship at an exciting studio. Go in person and have some work to show them and tell them why you would want to be at that studio specifically. Then, as you are learning and gaining skills, you can start to observe how they run their business. Show that you are interested in both sides to become a fully independent artist. You do not have to share with them that you will be running your own studio someday, for now just say you want to see what it takes to become independent and are curious as to how they run their studio. You will learn a lot about the business side while you are there, but can also take business courses at a community college. This will save you money and time as you will not need to apply for an entire degree if you do not want to and can just take a couple of courses. I would also start figuring out how to make money off your work now. It will give you good experience with pricing your work and dealing with clients.
Most importantly, keep creating! Best of luck to you!
Michelle M.
Actress
2660
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, layy !
This is a wonderful question and it is delightful to know that you are making plans for both your education as well as your future career ! That's awesome !
For your career choice, I would suggest that in college you either Major in Art and Minor in Business Management or Major in Business Management and Minor in Art. Whichever path sounds better to you, I think it would be very helpful to you to own your own tattoo shop in the future.
You will not be able to actually do tattoos on people until you are 18 years old. A lot of the information about Tattooing can be found in books from the Library, online or at websites and videos on You Tube. In your State of Illinois, you would not be able to go into or be in a tattoo shop if you are under 18 years old. If you are under 18, you have to be accompanied by your parent.
There are no age restrictions in Illinois for Henna Tattoos, however, so you may want to learn how to do them. They're not permanent tattoos, so that's why there's no age restriction. You will have to learn these very carefully. Explore online to obtain information about the specific henna and how to do these and safety guidelines to follow. Once you become good at doing these, you can do them at fairs and perhaps make some money.
Another endeavor for you before you turn 18 would be to learn temporary transfer tattoos which also have no age restriction to do in your state. You would use tattoo paper and can free draw or print them from the computer - your creations, of course. You'd use skin safe markers to draw with. I advise obtaining more information about this through a search online.
So, even though your can't actually do permanent tattoos yet, doing the temporary ones will give you a foundation and be motivation to keep drawing and coming up with tattoo designs. There are actually tattoo schools in your state that you can learn tattooing at, like Ink Different Tattoo School.
As for the courses you will need to take, you'd need to take General Education requirements of the college you attend . Once you know which college you will go to, read their Art Program and see which courses they offer and which Art courses are required for your Major (or Business if you Major in Business). College websites usually have major Program outlined on their websites.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
This is a wonderful question and it is delightful to know that you are making plans for both your education as well as your future career ! That's awesome !
For your career choice, I would suggest that in college you either Major in Art and Minor in Business Management or Major in Business Management and Minor in Art. Whichever path sounds better to you, I think it would be very helpful to you to own your own tattoo shop in the future.
You will not be able to actually do tattoos on people until you are 18 years old. A lot of the information about Tattooing can be found in books from the Library, online or at websites and videos on You Tube. In your State of Illinois, you would not be able to go into or be in a tattoo shop if you are under 18 years old. If you are under 18, you have to be accompanied by your parent.
There are no age restrictions in Illinois for Henna Tattoos, however, so you may want to learn how to do them. They're not permanent tattoos, so that's why there's no age restriction. You will have to learn these very carefully. Explore online to obtain information about the specific henna and how to do these and safety guidelines to follow. Once you become good at doing these, you can do them at fairs and perhaps make some money.
Another endeavor for you before you turn 18 would be to learn temporary transfer tattoos which also have no age restriction to do in your state. You would use tattoo paper and can free draw or print them from the computer - your creations, of course. You'd use skin safe markers to draw with. I advise obtaining more information about this through a search online.
So, even though your can't actually do permanent tattoos yet, doing the temporary ones will give you a foundation and be motivation to keep drawing and coming up with tattoo designs. There are actually tattoo schools in your state that you can learn tattooing at, like Ink Different Tattoo School.
As for the courses you will need to take, you'd need to take General Education requirements of the college you attend . Once you know which college you will go to, read their Art Program and see which courses they offer and which Art courses are required for your Major (or Business if you Major in Business). College websites usually have major Program outlined on their websites.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Nick Cheng
Consultant
7
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Hi layy,
To be a tattoo artist, you won't need schooling. Most artists start off as an apprentice at a shop and are asked to help around with inventory, cleaning, etc. In return you get lessons during slow times on the art of tattooing. They will teach you the techniques and give you practice on practice skin (or each other!).
If you are looking to own a shop and are want to learn the entrepreneurial skills, then yes, you can go to college but you can also pick up a lot of knowledge during the apprenticeship. Deciding to go to college for this is a commitment so decide whether it's worth the time and money if you haven't built the tattooing skills yet.
To be a tattoo artist, you won't need schooling. Most artists start off as an apprentice at a shop and are asked to help around with inventory, cleaning, etc. In return you get lessons during slow times on the art of tattooing. They will teach you the techniques and give you practice on practice skin (or each other!).
If you are looking to own a shop and are want to learn the entrepreneurial skills, then yes, you can go to college but you can also pick up a lot of knowledge during the apprenticeship. Deciding to go to college for this is a commitment so decide whether it's worth the time and money if you haven't built the tattooing skills yet.
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
83
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Layy,
Have you talked to any tattooists in your area? Maybe you could do some job shadowing or an internship to get a feel for the day-to-day experience and all it takes to own a business like that. You might also want to think about cosmetology. While there was a renewed interest in tattoos beginning in the 1980s roughly and they still seem very popular, like anything in fashion (or the arts for that matter), tastes can change. But people will always need haircuts, makeup, and so on--and you could do both, or at least be educated enough to open a full-service salon. Just a thought.
But your instinct to study business with the goal to own your shop building is spot on, I think. Business law would be helpful--learning about intellectual property law, what kind of liability insurance you'd need to carry, what kind of licensure is needed and what overhead costs there would be, and maybe what it would take to own a business with several tattooists or others so you could get rental income as well.
We all need to be very expansive and flexible in our thinking now, and I think that will only become more needed as the pace of change quickens.
Hope this helps and that some tattooists have some solid, practical advice for you.
Have you talked to any tattooists in your area? Maybe you could do some job shadowing or an internship to get a feel for the day-to-day experience and all it takes to own a business like that. You might also want to think about cosmetology. While there was a renewed interest in tattoos beginning in the 1980s roughly and they still seem very popular, like anything in fashion (or the arts for that matter), tastes can change. But people will always need haircuts, makeup, and so on--and you could do both, or at least be educated enough to open a full-service salon. Just a thought.
But your instinct to study business with the goal to own your shop building is spot on, I think. Business law would be helpful--learning about intellectual property law, what kind of liability insurance you'd need to carry, what kind of licensure is needed and what overhead costs there would be, and maybe what it would take to own a business with several tattooists or others so you could get rental income as well.
We all need to be very expansive and flexible in our thinking now, and I think that will only become more needed as the pace of change quickens.
Hope this helps and that some tattooists have some solid, practical advice for you.
thank you!!! advice like this is what i NEED!!!!
layy
Wonderful! You are so welcome. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Kim Matthews