Tattoo Apprenticeships: What To Consider Before Hand.

what to expect during a tattoo Apprenticeship.

Nowadays, more and more people want to become tattoo artists and seek tattoo apprenticeships.

It’s a great lifestyle. You can earn a good living if you’re willing to put the work in, travel and work while doing something you love.

Still, while this popularity is great for the tattoo industry and the high level of tattooing that is being produced, it is also allowing a lot of incompetent people to enter this beautiful craft and not show it the respect it deserves whilst damaging people’s bodies in the process.

In this article, I will go over the most important things to consider before searching for a tattoo apprenticeship.

Before I go any further, I just want to say that I’m not trying to be a “Gatekeeper” of tattooing. I’m sure this article will trigger some people ( my intention is not to upset anyone). In my nearly 20 years of tattooing, I’ve been approached countless times about a tattoo apprenticeship.

I have only ever had one apprentice because I knew from the beginning that person would be an asset to tattooing, and I wasn’t wrong.

I am writing this post to share my opinion and give anyone seeking an apprenticeship some food for thought. I’ll also give advice on how best to prepare before approaching tattoo shops.

My opinions can seem very old-school. Times have changed, and I accept this fact as everything does and should.

Still, I believe there are elements of an “old-school” tattoo apprenticeship that should be non-negotiable and passed on for generations to come to uphold the integrity of tattooing.

Anyone considering becoming a tattooer should do a formal tattoo apprenticeship with an established tattoo artist. This subject could be a whole blog post, but I will give a few reasons below…

Do I Even Need A Tattoo Apprenticeship?

I know some great tattoo artists personally who didn’t do a tattoo apprenticeship.

These Folks are few and far between, and it wasn’t by choice. Nearly every one of them wishes they could have done a traditional tattoo apprenticeship. This is not a pass to tattoo from home if you can’t find an apprenticeship.

There are many reasons to work under experienced tattoo artists, but hygiene and cross-contamination are at the top of the list.

For obvious reasons, this is essential and one of the first things to be taught. If you don’t understand this process from the very beginning, you will be spreading potentially harmful pathogens, putting yourself and others at risk of illness. The saying “You don’t know what you don’t know” is a perfect expression in this instance.

There are some things that you will probably never figure out on your own.

All it takes is for a good mentor to show you in seconds something you would have likely never figured out. The very early stages of an apprenticeship involve developing your artistic skills. This can sometimes be teaching people to unlearn bad habits, build a strong foundation, and start with the basics.

The process often takes guidance and critique from people with more experience than yourself.

How To Find A Tattoo Apprenticeship?

It is only in more recent years that tattoo apprenticeships have been easier to come across.

Historically, apprenticeships were nearly impossible to find and were only open to a “select few”. They were not common and you had to prove you had what it takes, even after being rejected time after time. Being relentless in your search was absolutely necessary.

In my case, it meant travelling two hours each way to get to the tattoo studio.

– GET TATTOOED

At the very least, a good studio will generally have a few people working in it.

The shop owner will work hard to ensure that everyone works together well and understands the shop dynamic. It can take only one person to upset this dynamic. For this reason, they can be very selective in who they bring into the mix.

If you have found a potential studio you would like to approach about an apprenticeship, the first step would be getting tattooed in that chosen shop.

This is a great way to show your commitment to tattooing and get to know people.

After a while, you will get to know the artists and staff in the shop and build rapport with them. Doing so will give you a good feel for the shop and help you determine if you would be a good fit. You may also realise that the chosen shop is not the right environment for you and your personality.

In this case, you wouldn’t want to approach them about an apprenticeship.

– PORTFOLIO

This is a huge one and may seem obvious to some, but you MUST have a strong portfolio of artwork to show your prospective mentor.

Many times, we have been asked for an apprenticeship and when asked to see a portfolio, at best, have been presented with a handful of iPad drawings.

No tattoo studio will expect to see a perfect portfolio (although this does happen occasionally). They will want to see a large body of work proving you are serious about getting an apprenticeship and committed to the process.

Having some artistic ability is essential.

Learning to draw ” tattoo style” takes many hours of repetitive practice. This will be the biggest part of your apprenticeship and, in my opinion, your career. To quote a friend, ” You are only as good as your last drawing”

Many people may assume I’ve lived under a rock for a million years.

Building a strong portfolio with a pencil, pen, or brush on real paper will go a very long way toward making a good first impression.

– BE PERSISTENT in your search for a tattoo apprenticeship.

As I mentioned earlier, finding an apprenticeship is much easier these days.

However, it is still challenging if you are seeking a reputable studio to work in. Expect to be rejected A LOT and learn to grow a thick skin. Rejection hurts, but you stand no chance of succeeding if you are defeated at the first hurdle.

You may be asked to go away and work on your portfolio some more and to come back at a later date.

If this happens, you may have potential interest. Listen carefully and take any criticism on board (remember what I said about growing a thick skin). Go home and draw until you have callouses on your fingers before you’re asked to revisit the studio.

Be prepared to travel.

You may not find the right tattoo studio for you or a studio currently looking for an apprentice in the town or city where you live. To stand a greater chance you must be willing to travel every day.

– IMMERSE YOURSELF

Pursuing tattooing as a career isn’t a good idea unless you love and are obsessed with tattoos.

This sounds harsh, but you need passion to succeed and put in the hours it takes. Immerse yourself in tattooing. Understand the history of tattooing and the people who have paved the way for us.

Attend some tattoo conventions and meet like-minded people who share your passion. Read books like George Burchetts ‘King of Tattooists, ‘ search for tattoo documentaries on YouTube and Vice, and listen to podcasts like Tattoo Tales, and so on.

If you truly love tattooing, this will be no effort.

You will naturally seek any information available to you, but in short, be obsessed. It will further your chances of finding an apprenticeship and give you a better understanding of what it takes to become a successful tattoo artist.

What Skills Do I Need To Get A Tattoo Apprenticeship?

– DON’T I NEED A UNIVERSITY DEGREE IN ART To get a tattoo apprenticeship?

I’m often asked, ‘Did you study art at college or university’?

I attended Art college for six months and then dropped out when I realised it was not for me. Finishing college or boasting a fine arts degree is advantageous but not a prerequisite for getting a tattoo apprenticeship. I know some great tattooers who have Art degrees, but the vast majority don’t.

If you have the time and it will benefit you to attend college first or take some art classes, it can’t hurt.

Don’t let this discourage you from pursuing a career as a tattoo artist.

– BE EXTREMELY HARD WORKING.

Tattooing at any stage of your career and striving to improve takes hard work and dedication.

It can seem relentless at times, especially at the beginning. I don’t think tattooing becomes easier the longer you do it. You just get used to the long hours and hard work.

From the beginning, a lot can be asked of you as an apprentice.

There will be various mundane but important shop tasks. You will be expected to draw in the evenings, on your “days off,” and at any other spare moment.

Very often, you won’t earn money in the tattoo studio for at least a couple of years.

You may have to get an evening job or work a normal job when you’re not in the tattoo studio. It’s hard, but it pays your bills and puts some money in your back pocket. The only way you will get where you want to be is by relentless, teeth-gritting hard work.

– SELF-DRIVE AND MOTIVATION

This ties into the last skill, ‘hard-working’.

You must be extremely self-driven and motivated to keep pushing your career forward. You will have help and guidance, but if your potential mentors and peers see you are not motivated, then no one is going to put the energy into helping you move forward.

– GOOD ATTITUDE AND DRAMA FREE

I’m not sure this is a prerequisite for every shop, but it is for ours and many others.

No one wants someone new to the shop who is always bitching and moaning and has a bad attitude. This can harm the shop dynamic and negatively affect the shop’s reputation with clients. This could damage the shop’s custom and credibility, which they have spent years building up.

– GET COMFORTABLE WITH CRITICISM

This has to be learned, in all honesty.

It can be very hard at first, but it is the fastest way to learn. Sometimes, criticism is not constructive and comes from people whose only intention is to put you down. In time, you learn to ignore those people. Their opinion doesn’t matter.

But listen up when it comes from someone with far more experience. Be sure to listen, take it on board, and apply what you have learned.

What To Expect During Your Tattoo Apprenticeship?

This will vary from shop to shop.

Many shops nowadays are churning out apprentices like a factory conveyor belt. This backwards logic is in the hope that they will be tattooing in six months to earn the shop money. The reality is that nearly every time, this will backfire.

Their “apprentice” will open a shop a few doors down and take potential clients and colleagues.

I’ve seen it happen countless times. THIS IS NOT A PROPER APPRENTICESHIP and more than likely; you will not learn a whole lot.

Tattoo apprenticeships have changed over the years, and in some ways, for the better. However, there are elements of an old-school tattoo apprenticeship that everyone should do.

In the old days, there was not the luxury of the Internet or tattoo supply companies.

Everything had to be made in-house: tattoo needles, inks, and, in some cases, tattoo machines. Things are very different now.

It’s almost certain that no one will ever have to make a tattoo needle or mix their own ink unless they want to. That being said, it’s good practice to know the process of how these things were done.

As I just mentioned, elements of an old-school tattoo apprenticeship are essential to our learning and becoming professional artists.

I hope to cover the most common questions below.

– HOW LONG DOES A TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP TAKE?

This is variable and there is no one answer to this.

Unfortunately, a more infuriating answer would be ‘as long as it takes’. Everyone learns at different rates. If you are worth teaching, this process should not be rushed.

All being well, from the day you start your apprenticeship to the day you start tattooing full-time, it is around three years;

Anything quicker than that would be very quick. Unfortunately, most people are impatient these days. I regularly hear of people quitting tattoo apprenticeships because they were expecting to be tattooing paying clients after six months.

The first thing to remember is In no situation is anyone ready to tattoo full-time after this time period.

– WHAT DUTIES CAN I EXPECT TO BE DOING DURING MY TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP?

Every tattoo apprentice has to learn the inner workings of how a tattoo studios operates.

You will likely start by doing chores like mopping floors and making cups of tea for clients and artists. You will most likely be going on lunch runs and other mundane tasks. This may seem like crappy work, but you need to go through it and prove your worth having around.

After a period of time, you will then be given more important roles.

These will be tasks like taking appointments for artists and answering the phone, learning the process of cleaning in the sterilisation room and breaking down the tattoo station when an artist has finished their appointment. Eventually, this could evolve into tasks like running shop social media accounts, booking tattoo conventions, and other important responsibilities.

You may wonder, ‘ Why must I mop floors to become a tattooer?’ We have all done it and still do. It’s all an essential part of the inner workings of a well-functioning tattoo studio.

– WILL I BE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP MY ARTISTIC ABILITIES?

Absolutely, 100% yes, from day one to the day your career finishes.

I have answered this question previously, but it can’t be stressed enough. You will be drawing relentlessly (and then some!). Many people can apply a flawless, perfectly executed tattoo but don’t keep developing their drawing skills.

As a result, they don’t develop as tattooers and are left behind.

If you don’t think you are driven to keep developing, tattooing may not be for you.

– DO I NEED TO BUY A MACHINE BEFORE I START MY TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP?

This may seem like an obvious ‘no’ to most, but this does come up.

You won’t need to buy any tattoo equipment at the beginning of your apprenticeship. You won’t know what to buy and what will work for you. plus you won’t need a machine for quite some time.

Your first tattoo machine under the careful guidance of your mentor and not before.

– DO I NEED TO PAY FOR A TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP?

In my opinion, absolutely no, but it is heard of.

If you attend a “tattoo school,” you will pay a lot of money, and it is a waste of your time. Again, these schools are factory conveyor belts whose only interest is profit. They do not care about the integrity of tattooing.

In most cases, a good tattoo shop will not accept someone looking for full-time work straight out of tattoo school.

You are better off chucking your cash down the closest drain.

– WILL I BE SPECIALISING IN ONE STYLE OF TATTOOING?

You must be a competent, well-rounded tattoo artist.

When you start tattooing, the best way to learn is to do every little tattoo within your ability. Hold off on doing larger-scale work until you have a lot more experience. In the long run, this will help develop your own style.

It’s very easy to get overexcited, do large-scale work, and try to specialise in one style while not doing anything else. This will not serve you in the long run and teach you to be a well-rounded tattoo artist.

Naturally you will want to gravitate to a specific style of tattooing. I don’t necessarily discourage it as long as you are willing to work in most styles at the beginning of your career.

– WILL I GET PAID DURING MY TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP?

There is not a straight answer to this.

You won’t be given a weekly pay packet or be “employed”. Your payment is the knowledge of tattooing, and you will work hard for that. You may get tipped by an artist at the end of the day. This will be minimal and insufficient to live on.

I advise that you have another job in the evenings or weekends to afford to live during your apprenticeship period.

If you live at home with your family or have the support of someone else, juggling two jobs will not be too stressful. However, if you have a family to support, the situation becomes a lot of hard work.

I’ve seen it happen with determination and an end goal in mind.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON SEARCHING FOR A TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP.

So that’s it in a nutshell.

There is so much to a Tattoo apprenticeship and so many nuances that I couldn’t fit them all in one post. I have tried to lay out the most important aspects of a tattoo apprenticeship and the most commonly asked questions.

My post may sound daunting and off-putting to some, which is fine.

A tattoo apprenticeship and career are life-changing commitments. They’re extremely hard work but also rewarding in many ways. This shouldn’t be taken lightly.

It is not for everyone, even those who think it may be and that is fine.

If you have been considering an apprenticeship, have read my post and then decided it isn’t for you, good on you for being honest with yourself. Also good for me; I’ve done my job right. I just want people to know the realities of a tattoo apprenticeship.

As mentioned, Im obviously not the gatekeeper of tattooing, even though it may come across that way.

I welcome new aspiring tattoo artists, but only those who respect the craft and are willing to put in the work. This is to keep tattooing on its upward trajectory.

Many tattoo artists are taking on apprentices, and their only intention is to have them up and running ASAP so they can earn income for the shop. They never consider the consequences. Their only thought is, ‘What can I get out of this?’.

The reality is that they should not be looking to gain anything out of it apart from the peace of mind that they have given a deserving person an opportunity to be an asset to a trade that they love.

I hope this post was informative and gives you a better idea of what to expect moving forward.