to all tattoo artists, howd u start!?

Question

i want to become a tatooo artist, and yes i can actually draw, im and art major was in special art scool for 7 years during actually school and i want to get into tatooing, so howd u guys get ur start and like do u suggest buying a gun or what should i do or where can i go to like get started? thanks allot
oh and any bitches who want to say tatooing is evil and the devil, its an art form soo fck u guys lol its art and stuff soo yeah just tatoo artist or ppl in training thanks alot
best answerer 10 points!!!

Answer 1

First off, most tattoo artists got their start by apprenticing at an established shop. That's how I got my start.
There are tons of suggestions out there how to get an apprenticeship...I got mine almost by accident. One thing you want to do is to give the shop or artist a reason to let you apprentice. Some places will want money, some places just want you to work for them for a certain period to work it off. What you want to do is to go to a shop you like and establish a friendship with the artists and even the owner. Get a tattoo or three so that you know what it's like. Talk with the artist before, during, and after the tattoo...show them you have a legitimate interest. If you hit it off with them, you may either ask if they'd like an apprentice, of if you can show them examples of your own artwork that they really like, they may even offer one to you. Everbody's a little different, so you just have to test the waters first hand.

Bear in mind that as the apprentice, you will be the low fish on the totem pole and will have to do all the menial shop tasks in addition to learning the art. You'll take out the trash, make needles, run the autoclave, scrub the toilet, and such things. You'll have to learn the art and techniques in between all these things. However, you'll learn from people who actually do tattoos what equipment they prefer and why. Whether or not they like to call it a "machine" or a "gun"

Spaulding and Rogers is not the only source of professional equimpent available to the individual not associated with a shop. However, once you have it, what do you do with it? What gets put into where, hooked up to what, at what setting, etc. These questions won't be answered by just having the equipment. That's where apprenticing comes in and answers all that and more.

Answer 2

Breaking into the tattoo industry is extremely difficult. My husband has been trying to do it for over 4 years now. He has however gotten a lot of knowledge and experience, which is what you need to build a tattoo portfolio. I'm going to recommend you to do what my husband has done thus far.
Unfortunately, Huck Spaulding is the only company that will send you a tattoo supplies catalog without you being registered to a shop. So first step is to visit the Huck Spaulding website and get a catalog so that you can order a beginners kit. It will come with a gun, a power supply, some needles, some tubes, a manual, some poor quality inks. Read the manual and start practicing on fruit, preferably citrus fruits that are porus like grapefruits. when you think you have that mastered go on to a whole dethawed chicken, tattooing on this will help you practice how you need to stretch the skin and keep it taught to tattoo. Next, if you have the guts start tattooing yourself. My husband tattooed the bottoms of his feet. Yes, it looked painful but the plus side to that is that it isn't permanet. It will eventually wear off as the layers of skin come off your feet. Lastly, get some friends that are willing to be your guinea pigs. Promise them some good art when you have mastered your skills. Keep in mind that just because you can draw doesn't mean you can tattoo. The weight of a tattoo gun is off balance and nothing like holding a pencil. Plus the tattoo gun vibrates and gets hot, it takes TONS AND TONS OF PRACTICE AND PATIENCE!!! Supplies are expensive so I hope you have some $$ to blow on your new found hobby. You're gonna need an autoclave to steralize your equipment and they run a few hundred dollars. You're gonna need decent inks, like Starbrite Ink (just an example) Liner Ink (Black), Several different kinds of needles in different sizes. Liner needles like 3 rounds, and 5 rounds. Shader needles, round or flat. Then every different kind of needle has a different kind of tube that goes with the needle. Since you are starting out I would recommend disposable tubes. They are cheaper than the stainless ones and you don't have to worry about cleaning them, just throw them away when you are done. You'll need a large box of gloves, a gallon or more of Green soap, rubbing alcohol, and vasaline. Start going up to your local shops and ask questions, sit and watch some tattoos get done. it's amazing how much more you will learn sitting and observing someone else get tattooed on. Yo may even get someone wiling to help you out and take you on as an apprentice. (Which is ideal) Most artists won't take on an apprentice until they have some kind of portfolio to show them. Hopefully, you can find someone to order you some decent supplies like from Cam Supply company. Just practice on yourself and on your friends until you can find someone to take you on as an apprentice. Good Luck :)

Answer 3

1. TATTOO MACHINE. Not "Gun."

2. Let's lay off the profanity and name-calling, it's not going to get you anywhere.


Now, to answer your question:

You're going to need to find a tattoo shop, and a tattoo artist, who will let you do an apprenticeship.

You'll learn everything you need to know from them, and eventually you'll practice tattooing, and before you know it you'll be on your way.


Good luck.

Answer 4

you just saw Miami Ink the other night, huh?

You have to do an apprenticeship its a long process.

Answer 5

First learn how to spell TATTOO not tatoo... You can't be one if you can't spell it.

Answer 6

This may be helpful...