Do you have to go to college to be a tattoo artist?

Question

Do you have to go to college to be a tattoo artist?

Answer 1

There are tattoo "schools," but they're scams.

The only way to become a quality tattoo artist is to apprentice under a professional who agrees to take you on after you convince them you're serious.

It's sort of a throw-back to the guilded age. You need to be taught by a master.

Answer 2

No, you don't need a college degree, although an art degree can be very helpful. What you should do to become a tattoo artist is find a great artist (one that does high-quality work, someone you really want to learn from, not a "scratcher") at a clean and reputable tattoo studio, and try to get an apprenticeship under him/her. You won't be doing actually tattooing for some time, most likely you'll spend a lot of time drawing, cleaning, etc., but these are imperative skills to have if you want to become a tattoo artist. Don't get discouraged, it can be difficult to land an apprenticeship, but if you're serious about it, it's worth it. (Also be aware that many times you don't get paid for being an apprentice, the knowledge you're gaining is your "payment".) Whatever you do, don't get a home tattoo kit off ebay or something and start trying to "practice". An artist prefers that their apprentice not have any tattoo experience rather than having to try to make them unlearn bad habits. They'd rather have a clean slate to be able to teach you how the proper way to do things.

Answer 3

LOL.... No.... You find somebody that will accept you as an apprentice. They will explain to you what the process is. Every mentor has it's own standards (& sometimes fee). You will do the practicing on fake skin, oranges and those types of items once you complete some stages. Then you might do one on yourself to feel how deep you are going. That's so you will know what your clients feel - as far as your touch goes. When your mentor feels you are ready then you set somebody up that wants to be your first and THERE YA GO...... Just remember that not every artist makes it as a tattooist. The two are very different........

Answer 4

My friend does tattoos and I don't think she went to college. But my other friend, he majored in art or something so he could be a "tattoo artist". I don't think you have to, but you can. You could major in something that has to do with art.

Answer 5

i've never heard of such a class... i was always under the assumption that artists worked thru an appreticship/mentor type training. Learn by doing... mostly on yourself.

Answer 6

No but you do need to get apprenticed by someone and they charge really high. You then need to get all of your license and certifications

Answer 7

nope