Can I Tattoo part-time?

Question

Im a college student, and Im a pretty darn good and dedicated artist, so I was thinking of doing Tattoo work part-time. Is that possible? What would be the best way for me to begin doing this?

Answer 1

You can't just walk in and start tattooing. First off, No one is going to want to be tattood by someone who's never tattod anyone before, regardless of your art. Second, you know nothing about the needles, the ink, or the art itself of placing ink under the skin.

Go down to a local tattoo shop and show them a portfolio of your work. (Be warned, if you have no tatt's, then they will laugh you out of the store) If you can get on as an apprentice, expect to do a lot of floor sweeping, lunch getting, station set up and general busy work as the low one on the totem for a long time.

If you want to learn more about the industry, and the people in it, I heartily recommend a couple of shows on TLC and A&E.

Inked - Reality show follows the ownera and crew of one of the most posh tattoo shops in the world, located in the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas.

Miami Ink. - reality show which follows the owner and crew of one of the hottest Tattoo parlors on South Beach. The female in this show, Cat Von D is one of the most spectacular 'reality' artists of tattoos I've ever seen. Her tatts are life like!

Two wildly different groups of people, but you can learn a lot about the history, the types of tattoos and the knowledge needed to make a good tat.

And as for part time, Tattooing is not a hobby. Most if not all of the tattoo artists I've met or known tattoo full time and then some. Tattooing is in their blood, like the ink on their own bodies. It's a life's work, not just a way of earning money. You might start that way, but the good ones will turn their life to it, as that's the only way to get known or get better - and even the best like to better themselves and their art.

Answer 2

Learn from a reputable tattoo shop. Somewhere down the line when you are knowledgeable and skilled from the time spent in the shop, go out and buy your own equipment. My friend has tatto parties traveling to peoples houses on the weekends. The party host must gaurantee at least five people willing to pay for a tattoo. The host then receives a freebie.

Answer 3

You need to start by finding an aprenticeship. From there you will know what to do.

And you can DEFINITALLY tattoo part time. Most of the best Tattoo artists only do it part time.