How do I ask a tattoo artist if I can apprentice?

Question

I am 17 years old and going into my junior year in high school, and through all this pressure of finding a college and career and crap, I am extremely interested in becoming a tattoo artist.
I believe I'm a good artist and have a lot of accomplishments in art, and a developing portfolio.
So with that being said, how do I become an apprentice? Do I just walk in, and ask "Can I apprentice?"
I can't really "hang out" in my favorite tattoo shop because you have to be 18 to go in there alone (stupid laws.)
Can anyone please give me any advice?
Thanks in advance!

I'm not tattooed at all, I plan to be, but I don't imagine I will be too heavily tattooed. I admire people who are, I'm just kind of a wimp to pain (meaning over bone..I'm fragile lol)

Answer 1

lol stop panicking so much chill you go into the shop yes alone and ask them is they have any vaconcys for an apprentice in few months time (when you hit 18) then they will give you a simple answer yes or no they wont freek on you 4 coming into the shop under age because you havent asked for a tattoo or anything also dont take this bit for granted but to be honest your 17 so they wont no the difference for the sake of a few months anyway you prob look 18 anyway .

also to answer the final bit of your question you say you wouldent be able to take the pain to become heavily tattooed - how do you no ???? you havnt tried it yet 99% of people get a shock at how little being tattooed hurts wen they get there first tattoo i thaught it would realy hurt but now im covered i have 2 full sleves and love my tattooes

so good luck remember a little extra confidence will take you the extra mile you are wanting to go in life

Answer 2

I think the first thing would do is to look around online for tattooing methods and do as much research as possible. then ask around and search for the top 3 or 4 tattooist in your area (if your going to apprentice you might as well do it somewhere good)

After you find a place you are interested in, just go in and ask the tattooist there how you could become an apprentice, tell them why you are interestedand stuff and ask what you would need to do. nowadays there are classes that you can take (and i think you might have to take thme but i'm not sure, i think you do need to take medical classes though) they should be able to tell you how to go about getting an apprenticeship. i will tell you though you will probably need to take a few medical classes.

If you do get accepted on as an apprentice you will most likely start out doing grunt work. meaning cleaning the bathrooms, and general cleaning and a lot of the b*tch work, thats how it used to be anyways and a few places still hold to that. that is to show them you are truly interested in becoming a tattooist. then they will let you watch as they tattoo then after awhile will start letting you do some work.

email me cause i have another suggestion but i know it will start a big controversy make sure i can email you back too :)

Answer 3

Im pretty sure you have to be 18 to become an apprentice.. but make a portfolio of your work and go to a few shops tell them you are interested and have them look at your portfolio.. also you can ask them how they started.. or if you want just come out and say im lookin to apprentice.. but remeber like i said before im pretty sure you have to be 18 so you may have to wait a year to start.. and it is a hard feild to get into .. alot of places dont take people in.. but you may find someone that will

good luck

Answer 4

You have to be 18 to apprentice, too (for insurance purposes, i've been told). But, once you turn 18, definitly try to get buddy-buddy with the artist who is going to be teaching you, and maybe take some art & health classes before you go ahead with this. Not much help, but yeah, you pretty much do just walk in & ask to apprentace. But, don't be discouraged because someone says no, this is a demanding profession to be in. Good luck to you!

Answer 5

This industry can be really lucrative if you are good at what you do. Also, the same ol'saying for any business can make or break you - 'Location, Location, Location.' How much time you put in as an apprentice, in most cases, will be up to you. You will most likely be asked to work as often as possible. You will also be expected to fork over 2k or more for the apprenticeship. Don't expect to jump into to doing any tattoos either. It could easily be a year or more before you do your first tattoo. You will be first expected to learn the ins and outs of the shop and the business in general. You will be taught how to set up each artists work stations and how to break them down. You will gain VAST knowledge in the art of cleaning and sterilizing tubes. You may be trained in making needle groupings. You will be instructed on blood borne pathogens and the prevention of them (cross contamination). You will most likely also be asked to do all sorts of stupid things. Once I had an apprentice come in 5 minutes late. I made him strip to his boxers and duct taped him to light pole in front of the shop with a large sign taped to him, "I was late to work" for an hour for every minute he was late. Was quite funny. You will eventually get to learn all about the tattoo machine. What parts are used and why. What makes it work and how to adjust it. You will begin doing lines and shapes on grapefruits. Then begin to more lines and shapes on pig ears. Then get to do some small piece work on practice skins. Eventually you will get to call one of your unlucky buddies into the shop and get him to sit under your needle. If you make it through all the crap as an apprentice it will pay off in the end. Once I determine that an apprentice is ready I give them there own machines and equipment to use, for free. But I also charge 4k for an apprenticeship and in most cases you remain a free loading apprentice for about 2 years or so. But that all depends on you, you drive, your motivation, your persistence, your talent and your goals. Good luck.

Answer 6

honestly there are very few shops who would be willing to apprentice you. i am assuming you are not tattooed or if you are, you aren't heavily tattooed. and like you said, you don't hang around your favorite tattoo shop. the best thing to do is wait. wait until you are old enough to get tattooed and to have a favorite shop to hang around at. you need to research artists and find one worth learning from. not all tattooers are artists and not all are worth your time if you are truly interested in learning. in the mean time you should think about going to some type of art based school after you graduate.
good luck!

Answer 7

I've learned that flattery can get you far. Find an artist that you really admire, and tell them so. Tell them that you appreciate their work, and that you see they are an expert in what they do. You really want to learn and observe, so would it be ok if you watched them? Tell them you would be willing to help out in any way you can, and you've seen other artists, but this particular one stood out.
That might get your foot in the door.
Or, find a tattoo school.
Good Luck ;-)

Answer 8

age is never a restriction to your dreams.
but you don't always start at 'the top', so to speak.
tell him you are a good artist, show him your work, tell him you are interested in partnering with him and to perhaps do custom designs based on what customers want.
watch his technique, then when you are 18, move 'up'.

Answer 9

well tattooing isnt only about the art but about the ink and the steady hand with the neddle. and how much you want to tattoo. you just walk in show 'em what you got and take it from there. good luck girl!!!

Answer 10

Best off to make a phone call and find out all that you can.