My husband is a tattoo apprentice, who is doing amazingly well with a tattoo gun :-) His shop has just 'promoted' him sort of in telling him that he can make his own appointments, but they're still apprentice tattoos, so he would just get tips if they're given. He's trying to get customers to come in and be willing to give him 'practice skin' but not getting very far. He's been handing out cards and talking to people on the street outside his shop and I've put an ad on craigslist, but we're not getting the turnout we had hoped for. Any other ideas? Are any of you tattoo artists that had problems getting practice? How did you overcome that obstacle? And if any of you are in Hollywood and wouldn't mind a free tattoo, call 323-465-7869, Atomic Tattoo (Hollywood Blvd & Bronson) and set up an appointment to meet with Kenny.
Thanks in advance!
2007-02-14 09:10:54 · 8 answers · asked by jpiglet86 4 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
Our apprentices are not turned loose until they have a pretty extensive portfolio. By then, they are already getting word of mouth referrals. That is the name of the game. People need to SEE what they are going to be in for. He needs a mySpace page with all his artwork and tattoos and start inviting "friends" in the area, etc.
Our new guys cut deals with their buddies to bring in new business to them. Lots of business cards - leave them all over the place...bars, etc. If his website or mySpace address is listed, they can check him out to decide if they like his style, etc.
Good luck to him!
2007-02-14 13:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by tatt_bratt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pig roasts work good, and practice skins are okay, but they don't have the same drag as live human skin. But if you have a pretty good art background, an apprenticship works best. Tattoo instructional DVD's are out there, but they are expensive, and won't answer a lot of questions that a good mentor would.
2016-03-29 06:38:50 · answer #2 · answered by Lynne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats just how it works honey. we've all been there and until you get your clientele base up and running its a slow start. One of our guys stuck up signs in local stores and restaurants offering "quality work in a licensed studio for low cost" That part was in big letters, the smaller ones underneath said he was an apprentice and blah blh blah, he got quite a few pieces from those and its a good way to get known locally. Also see if the local paper will give him a spot. My first break was the local paper doing an article on "young people with interesting careers". Look for publicity and promotion openings.
And i hope your husband "brains" you if you ever call it a "gun" again.
2007-02-14 15:36:13 · answer #3 · answered by Deb P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he can't get people to come into the shop then he should try to get some Pigs skin to practice on, I know it is gross but it is as close as you can get to Human skin... When he gets good enough people will start to come, just have some peasants... Good Luck...
2007-02-14 10:28:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am learning myself to tattoo anf fact is you practice on yourself 1st and formost to get your feel for the gun , learn outline , shading ... then you get into tatting other people when you can display your work is when people will come for you to work on them. They want to see your work on actual skin hearing that you are learning gives NO one a desire to be tatted by you in the respect they dont want a mistake ... so if you can present completed work ( being yourself ) then you will pick up on willing people ... good luck !!
2007-02-14 15:39:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
how about your friends? it seems like most tattoo artists get their start with tattooing friends. i wouldn't let an apprentice tattoo me. sorry, my skin is way too valuable. even tho he may be good... he's not my artist and i just don't trust him. why don't you let him practice on you? you presumably have lots of free space. or he can tattoo himself. good luck!
2007-02-14 09:23:15 · answer #6 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have the same problem, heres a question I asked yesterday, dont worry its fake lol.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsI9zwT_bxlnwO_UTD9fxLfsy6IX?qid=20070213181242AALSXnp
You can also try to get a homeless person to do it, like that other guy said, or you could try it on some kind of fruit like a watermelon or apple.
2007-02-14 10:14:11 · answer #7 · answered by this Mike guy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell a bum that if he wants a free tattoo you'll buy him lunch and dinner its not illegal because your his freind........after you meet him
2007-02-14 10:08:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋