So you want to know how to become a tattoo artist, huh?

Let me guess – you’ve been drawing since you were a kid.

Maybe you’re tired of your 9-to-5.Tattoo Aftercare and Healing

Or you’re just fascinated by the idea of creating permanent art on human skin.

I get it.

But here’s what nobody tells you about becoming a tattoo artist – it’s not just about being good at art.

There’s a whole world of business, health regulations, and technical skills that separate the dreamers from the professionals who actually make it.

Let me walk you through exactly what it takes.

Quick Summary: Your Path to Becoming a Tattoo Artist

Why Most People Fail at Becoming a Tattoo Artist?

Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about why 80% of people who want to become a tattoo artist never make it past the dreaming stage. tattoos are wildly popular—nearly 50% of people under 40 in the U.S. have at least one—that doesn’t translate into most people wanting to become tattoo artists themselves.

The biggest myths that kill careers before they start:

• You need to be Michelangelo to succeed
• Tattoo apprenticeships are the only “real” way in
• You can’t make good money as a tattoo artist
• It takes 5+ years to get decent

All wrong.

I’ve seen incredible tattoo artists who started with basic drawing skills.

And I’ve watched art school graduates flame out because they couldn’t handle tattoo machines or deal with clients.

The difference?

The ones who make it treat it like a business from day one.

Step 1: Master the Art of Drawing Tattoo Designs

Here’s where most people screw up.

They think learning to draw tattoo designs is the same as regular drawing.

It’s not.

Tattoo designs have to work on curved surfaces.

They have to age well over time.

And they need to translate perfectly from paper to skin using a tattoo machine.

The Smart Way to Learn Tattoo Art

Start by copying the masters:

• Study Sailor Jerry’s classic designs and browse Tattoo Ideas and Inspiration from established artists
• Analyze why certain Tattoo Styles and Techniques work better than others
• Practice on paper first, then move to digital art

Get yourself an iPad and Procreate.

I know old-school tattoo artists hate hearing this.

But digital art lets you work 10x faster.

You can create custom tattoos, fix mistakes instantly, and build your tattoo portfolio without wasting hours on pencil drawings.

The key principles for tattoo-ready designs:

• Leave space between lines (tattoos spread over time)
• Design for the body part it’ll go on
• Think about how it’ll age in 10 years
• Make it bold enough to read from 3 feet away

Step 2: Build a Portfolio That Gets You Hired

Your tattoo portfolio is everything.

Shop owners don’t care about your personality or your dreams.

They want to see if you can create art that people will pay for.

What Goes in a Professional Tattoo Portfolio

Physical portfolio requirements:

• 20-30 of your absolute best pieces
• Variety of Tattoo Styles and Techniques (at least until you’re established)
• Finished artwork only – no sketches or half-done pieces
• Clean presentation in plastic sleeves

Online portfolio strategy:

• Instagram account with consistent posting
• Show your artistic skills and range
• Share Tattoo Ideas and Inspiration to engage followers
• Build a following before you start tattooing
• Prove people want your art style

Pro tip: If you walk into a tattoo shop with 10,000 Instagram followers, you’re not another mouth to feed – you’re bringing clients with you.

Step 3: Get Your Bloodborne Pathogens Certification

This is non-negotiable.

Every professional tattoo artist needs bloodborne pathogens certification.

It’s literally about life and death.

Why BBP certification matters:

• Required by law in most states
• Shows you understand health and safety
• Protects you and your clients
• Shop owners won’t hire you without it

How to get certified:

• Take an OSHA-approved course
• American Red Cross offers online training
• Costs around $50-100
• Takes 2-4 hours to complete
• Valid for 1 year (then you renew)

Don’t skip this step.

I’ve seen talented artists get turned away from tattoo shops because they didn’t have their BBP certification.

Step 4: Choose Your Learning Path

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Everyone tells you there’s only one way to become a tattoo artist.

That’s bullshit.

There are actually three solid paths, and each has pros and cons.

Option 1: Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship

The old-school route:

• • Work under an experienced tattoo artist
• Learn in a real tattoo shop environment
• Usually 2-4 years long
• Often unpaid (sometimes you pay them $5,000)

Pros:

• Learn from a seasoned tattoo professional
• Real-world experience
• Built-in job placement
• Learn shop hierarchy and unspoken rules

Cons:

• Hard to find (limited spots available)
• Often comes with hazing and abuse
• No income for years
• Success depends on your mentor

Red flags in bad apprenticeships:

• They want $5,000+ upfront with no milestones
• You’re just cleaning and doing grunt work for months
• No clear timeline or expectations
• Toxic environment with verbal abuse

Option 2: Self-Taught Route

The independent path:

• Learn through books, YouTube, and forums
• Practice on fake skin and friends
• Build skills at your own pace
• Keep your day job while learning

Pros:

• Keep earning money
• Learn at your own speed
• No toxic mentor relationships
• More control over your education

Cons:

• Harder to separate good info from bad
• No built-in job placement
• Takes longer to get comfortable with tattoo equipment
• Easy to develop bad habits

Option 3: Structured Online Learning

The modern approach:

• Comprehensive online courses
• Structured learning with proven systems
• Access to professional instructors
• Community of other students

Programs like the Artist Accelerator Program promise to take you from beginner to professional tattoo artist in 90 days.

Pros:

• Faster than traditional methods
• No hazing or abuse
• Keep your income
• Proven curriculum

Cons:

• Costs money upfront
• Still need hands-on practice
• Less real-shop experience
• Some old-school shops look down on it

Step 5: Master Your Tattoo Machine

Your tattoo machine is your moneymaker.

But here’s what trips up most beginners – they focus on buying expensive gear instead of learning the fundamentals.

The 3 core skills you must master:

1. Lining

• Creating clean, straight lines with a round liner needle.
• This is the foundation of everything.
• If you can’t do clean lining, nothing else matters.

2. Packing

• Filling areas with solid color.
• Sounds simple.
• It’s not.
• Getting even color saturation without overworking the skin takes practice.

3. Shading

• Creating smooth transitions between light and dark.
• This separates amateur work from professional tattoos.

How to practice without ruining people:

• Start with a pencil attached to your machine (get used to the weight)
• Move to synthetic skin or pig skin
• Practice needle depth control
• Experiment with different needle groupings
• Try various machine stroke settings
• Learn proper color application order

Treat practice skin like real clients:

• Wash everything
• Wear gloves
• Follow all sanitary measures
• Build good habits from day one

Step 6: Get Your Tattoo License

Every state has different licensing requirements.

Some want individual artist licenses.

Others just require shop licensing.

Common requirements:

• Bloodborne pathogens certification
• Health department approval
• Background check
• Fees (usually $50-500)
• Continuing education

Important: The license doesn’t test your artistic ability.

That’s up to the tattoo shops to evaluate.

Your license just proves you understand health and safety basics.

Step 7: Land Your First Tattoo Shop Job

This is where your portfolio and networking pay off.

Shop owners want to hire artists who:

• Bring their own clients
• Can handle multiple Tattoo Styles and Techniques
• Understand shop hierarchy
• Won’t cause drama
• Generate revenue from day one

Research Tattoo Shops and Artists in the US to understand different shop cultures and find the right fit for your style.

How to Approach Tattoo Shops?

Always go in person.

Seriously.

Emailing makes you look less committed than someone who shows up with a physical portfolio.

What to bring:

• BBP certification
• Tattoo license (if required in your state)
• Professional tattoo portfolio
• Examples of your social media following

Questions to ask shop owners:

• What’s your commission split? (Should be 60/40 or 50/50 in your favor)
• Do you provide disposables and supplies?
• How do you handle booking and walk-ins?
• What’s the shop culture like?

Red flags to avoid:

• Shops that take 60%+ of your earnings
• Drug use or constant drama
• No clear policies
• Poor health and safety practices

Understanding Tattoo Shop Economics

Standard commission splits:

• 60/40 split – You keep 60%, shop gets 40% (ideal for experienced artists)
• 50/50 split – Standard for new artists or when shop provides everything
• Anything worse than 50/50 – Time to look elsewhere

What shops should provide for 50% commission:

• All disposables and supplies
• Marketing and advertising
• Booking system
• Clean, professional environment

Step 8: Consider Starting Your Own Studio

The ultimate goal for many tattoo artists is opening their own tattoo studio.

Benefits of shop ownership:

• Keep 100% of your earnings
• Earn commission from other artists
• Complete creative control
• Build long-term wealth

What you need beyond tattooing basics:

• Understanding of Tattoo Aftercare and Healing processes
• Knowledge of Tattoo Removal and Cover-Ups for client consultations
• Client consultation skills
• Proper sanitary measures and health code compliance

Additional responsibilities:

• Marketing and client acquisition
• Hiring and managing staff
• Health code compliance
• Business licensing and taxes
• Equipment and supply management
• Understanding Tattoo Aftercare and Healing to guide clients properly

Skills you’ll need beyond tattooing:

• Basic business management
• Marketing (especially social media)
• Customer service
• Financial planning
• Legal compliance
• Knowledge of different Tattoo Shops and Artists in the US for networking

Common Mistakes That Kill Tattoo Careers

Let me save you some pain.

These are the mistakes I see over and over:

Mistake #1: Focusing Only on Art

• Tattooing is 50% art, 50% business.
• If you can’t handle clients, manage time, or market yourself, your artistic skills won’t matter.

Mistake #2: Getting Stuck in Bad Apprenticeships

• Not all apprenticeships are created equal.
• If you’re being abused or not learning after 6 months, leave.
• Your mental health isn’t worth it.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Social Media

• Instagram is your best friend.
• Post consistently.
• Show your process.
• Build a following before you need clients.

Mistake #4: Accepting Terrible Commission Splits

• Know your worth.
• Don’t let shop owners take advantage because you’re new.
• 50/50 is the minimum acceptable split.

Mistake #5: Skipping the Business Side

• Learn about taxes, contracts, and client management from day one.
• The tattoo artists who make real money treat it like a business.

How Long Does It Really Take to Become a Tattoo Artist?

Realistic timelines:

• Traditional apprenticeship: 6 months to 4 years
• Self-taught route: 1-3 years
• Structured online learning: 90 days to 6 months
• Art school: 4 years (but doesn’t directly help with tattooing)

Factors that speed up your progress:

• Previous artistic experience
• Time dedicated to practice
• Quality of instruction
• Networking and mentorship
• Business mindset from the start

The Real Talk About Tattoo Artist Income

Let’s talk money.

Because that’s probably part of why you want to become a tattoo artist.

Entry-level earnings:

• $30,000-50,000 per year
• Depends heavily on location and shop traffic

Experienced artist earnings:

• $50,000-100,000+ per year
• Top artists in major cities make $200,000+

Factors that affect income:

• Your art style and reputation
• Location (big cities pay more)
• Social media following
• Commission split with shop
• Number of custom tattoos vs walk-ins

Income streams for tattoo artists:

• Hourly tattooing rates ($100-300+ per hour)
• Flash sheets and design sales
• Tattoo conventions and guest spots
• Teaching and mentoring
• Product endorsements
• Tattoo Removal and Cover-Ups consultations (higher-end service)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line on How to Become a Tattoo Artist

Becoming a tattoo artist isn’t just about drawing cool pictures.

• It’s about building a business.
• It’s about understanding people.
• It’s about mastering technical skills that take years to perfect.

But here’s the thing – if you’re willing to put in the work, treat it professionally, and never stop learning, you can build an incredible career.

The tattoo industry needs more professionals who understand both the art and business sides.

If that’s you, there’s never been a better time to become a tattoo artist.

• Start with your drawings.
• Build your portfolio.
• Get your certifications.

And most importantly – treat it like the business it is from day one.

Your journey to becoming a tattoo artist starts with the first line you draw.