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Tattoo Artistry. A look at the industry and what it takes to get there. The Tattoo industry is an art trade that has been around for many thousands of years. It involves applying ink under the skin with a penetrating device, or as we use nowadays, a ‘tattoo gun’.
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Tattoo Artistry A look at the industry and what it takes to get there.
The Tattoo industry is an art trade that has been around for many thousands of years. It involves applying ink under the skin with a penetrating device, or as we use nowadays, a ‘tattoo gun’. The job is divided into three main categories:1) Skill 2) Sanitization 3) Customer Service What is the Tattoo industry?
The first step to realizing your dream of being a tattoo artist is to have artistic skills. A diverse portfolio is an asset to gaining an apprenticeship. You must cover a variety of mediums and subjects. One session you might be doing a simple tribal tattoo, the next might be a scene of koi fish and water lilies so you must be well rounded with colors and textures. You will be at the mercy of the customer when it comes to the artwork, so it pays to be versatile. Skill
Equally as important as skill is proper sanitization practices. Since you will be working with equipment that pierces the skin and comes in contact with blood you will be required to get ‘hardcore’ about cleanliness. The last thing you want is to lose your livelihood because you transferred HIV or Hepatitis to customers. Sanitization is so important that many aspiring tattoo artists will spend years learning to cleanse equipment before ever putting the tattoo gun to flesh. Sanitization
You will need great patience and communication skills to keep customers happy and coming back again.People ARE the industry. Usually customers come in knowing what they will get, having put deep thought into their new tattoo. There will however be times where customers are vague and a bit hard to deal with so people skills and creativity are mandatory. There will even be occasional nervous clients that will require you to create a comforting and reassuring environment. You may even be required to shave an area of a customer before tattooing, and you will likely be in contact with them during the entire session. You need to be very comfortable with strangers and bodily contact. Customer service
Slow down and take a breath. It could be years before you get to ink your friends. There are steps involved to achieving your goal. First of all you’ll need a diverse portfolio to show off. Frequent your favorite tattoo parlors to establish a relationship with some artists, then show them your work and find one that is willing to take you on as an apprentice. Once you’ve got your foot in the door you’ll be doing the grunt work for a few years. That means mopping, sweeping, and learning all the sanitation procedures. Most apprentices spend 2-3 years in this position before they get to do any real tattooing. Now that you are very familiar with the formalities you will begin to tattoo, likely under some supervision at first. Now you will be consulting with clients and working hands on. You are now a tattoo artist. If you choose to stay as a tattooist you can pursue business education and one day open up your own shop. Great! When can I start tattooing!?
I actually chose this career just around the time I entered High School. I have always been very creative, talented, and poses a steady hand. After my experiences in the work force I found that I have a real passion and flare for customer service. I can think of no greater career that would combine both of those passions and still allow me to be 100% myself on the job. The environment is laid back, I can listen to my music, and they’ll never send me home for looking too ‘edgy’! This is also the one artistic career that doesn’t involve digital programs which I can’t afford time-wise and money-wise. Why I chose this career
