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Tattoo and Body Artist

What To Learn

High School

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There are many studios offering courses in tattooing, but many tattoo artists say it's better to start as an apprentice. There's only so much you can learn in a classroom.

"The APT (Alliance of Professional Tattooists) does not recognize any school as a viable means to learn how to tattoo," says Pat Sinatra. She has been tattooing for more than 30 years, and is president of the APT. "Tattooing traditionally has been about master/apprentice and we strongly believe that is still the best [approach]."

Sinatra says there's no way that a two-week or even a six-month course can prepare someone to be a tattooist. "Three years is what we recognize as the minimum duration for an apprenticeship." She says this works out to about 1,200 hours of hands-on, supervised experience.

Kevin L. started as an apprentice more than 15 years ago.

"I would [recommend] an apprenticeship rather than sitting in a classroom because you're actually in a shop doing it," he says.

Eric Gaudet, who runs a tattoo and piercing studio, says you can enter the profession by simply finding a shop where you can apprentice. "Usually someone gets into a shop and learns how by being an apprentice."

A big obstacle to becoming a tattooist can be paying your bills while learning the trade. "In a lot of instances, they (apprentices) are not paid," says Sinatra. "In lieu of payment for schooling, you work while you're learning.

"That's sometimes a problem because of state and/or federal regulations requiring people to be paid during their apprenticeship. It's really up to the master tattooist's discretion." You should check your state rules regarding licensing and apprenticing, and then negotiate your own apprenticeship agreement with an experienced tattooist. You may or may not get paid while apprenticing.

"Some states require you to be licensed, some don't, [and] sometimes there are requirements at the local or county level," says Sinatra. "Nowhere is anyone requiring them to take particular courses, but they are requiring apprenticeships, so someone has to vouch for them.

"We're starting to see certain schools popping up, but the minimum time is way below standard," Sinatra adds. "Our biggest concern is the apprentice's knowledge of health and safety issues. Before you lay a needle to skin, you better know the universal standards for infection control."

As an apprentice, you will learn about customer service, etiquette, running a business and dealing with emergencies. Spending time under a well-established artist's wings can help you to learn what's involved in being a professional tattooist, as well as how to run your own small business.

The hardest part of apprenticing may be finding someone who takes you seriously enough to take you in. You'll end up knocking on a lot of doors. Show people you're serious by putting together a professional portfolio of your artwork.

You should join the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT). APT works to maintain high standards of professionalism and health awareness in the industry. Your membership can help you to earn the trust and respect of your clients and colleagues.