2 answers
Nicole
Student
1
Question
Asked
3185 views
Is there a school to become a tattoo artist?
#art I love to draw and paint. I am really good at photography and want to show my work. #fine-art
Login to comment
2 answers
Gannon Belcher
cosmetologist/make-up artist
1
Answer
Redfield, Arkansas
Updated
Gannon’s Answer
Every state is different , so you would probably want to visit the State's Health Department Licensing Board for tattoos/piercing/other body art.
In most states, one does not attend school to become a licensed tattoo artists unless he or she stricly goes for an art dregree.
In order to become a tattoo artist in most states, an apprenticeship is one of the first steps you must take. Doing a formal apprenticeship is like enrolling in a trade school—you do it for the skills and knowledge you will acquire, for the connections you'll make, as a step towards certification, and for your professional résumé.
A tattoo apprenticeship is a way for a student to learn everything they can from an established tattoo artist. It usually starts as a hands-off experience where they are trained on safety, proper sanitation, and how to build a machine. The average apprenticeship takes about 2 years.
In most states, one does not attend school to become a licensed tattoo artists unless he or she stricly goes for an art dregree.
In order to become a tattoo artist in most states, an apprenticeship is one of the first steps you must take. Doing a formal apprenticeship is like enrolling in a trade school—you do it for the skills and knowledge you will acquire, for the connections you'll make, as a step towards certification, and for your professional résumé.
A tattoo apprenticeship is a way for a student to learn everything they can from an established tattoo artist. It usually starts as a hands-off experience where they are trained on safety, proper sanitation, and how to build a machine. The average apprenticeship takes about 2 years.
Margarett Anselmo
2
Answers
Updated
Margarett’s Answer
Hey Nicole,
Great Question! I do know a lot about this as I have 2 children that are currently Tattoo Artists . There are schools for Tattoo artists , when choosing the school you want to make sure they are licensed and bonded. If you do attend a school it is important to remember that this is a career choice just like any other and you only get out of it what you put into it. Taking art courses in high school and college in order to learn various skills is a great first step. The Alliance of Professional tattooists recommend that aspiring tattoo artists complete an apprenticeship of at least 3 years , so if you want to become an tattoo artist , you need to be in it for the long haul.
In most states you will need to be licensed and in order to do that you must have the basic skills , training courses are available in many places all over the country . Tattoo Artist training focuses on skin art, basic art techniques, and the use and sanitation of tattoo equipment like the gun, needles and ink.
When starting out most artist will use fruit like Honeydew Melons and grapefruit for tattoo practice, I have also heard of some people using pigs ears and feet.
In order to get your Health License you will need to work in a State certified and registered Studio. When it comes to taking on an apprentice who has attended a school I hear from the artists in the shops that a lot of them would be reluctant to let them start on a "canvas" until they have apprenticed for them for at least 3 to 6 months.
It can be a very lucrative and rewarding job, you can make money at this but just like hair stylist, it takes time to build a following and for the customers to get to trust you to place art on them that the world will be able to see forever.
Go spend the day with your Parents / Guardians approval at a local reputable shop. Ask Questions, watch the interaction between the artists and the clients
Before committing to any school , do your homework , put the research in , Ask Questions, look to past students reach out and email them, how did they like the classes, were they able to get a good gig out of school.
Be patient , this is a career path will take years to become efficient and even longer to master
Great Question! I do know a lot about this as I have 2 children that are currently Tattoo Artists . There are schools for Tattoo artists , when choosing the school you want to make sure they are licensed and bonded. If you do attend a school it is important to remember that this is a career choice just like any other and you only get out of it what you put into it. Taking art courses in high school and college in order to learn various skills is a great first step. The Alliance of Professional tattooists recommend that aspiring tattoo artists complete an apprenticeship of at least 3 years , so if you want to become an tattoo artist , you need to be in it for the long haul.
In most states you will need to be licensed and in order to do that you must have the basic skills , training courses are available in many places all over the country . Tattoo Artist training focuses on skin art, basic art techniques, and the use and sanitation of tattoo equipment like the gun, needles and ink.
When starting out most artist will use fruit like Honeydew Melons and grapefruit for tattoo practice, I have also heard of some people using pigs ears and feet.
In order to get your Health License you will need to work in a State certified and registered Studio. When it comes to taking on an apprentice who has attended a school I hear from the artists in the shops that a lot of them would be reluctant to let them start on a "canvas" until they have apprenticed for them for at least 3 to 6 months.
It can be a very lucrative and rewarding job, you can make money at this but just like hair stylist, it takes time to build a following and for the customers to get to trust you to place art on them that the world will be able to see forever.
Margarett recommends the following next steps: