How does a person become a tattoo artist, and what supplies are needed to start-up?

Question

I would also like to know if there are any kits that contain everything you need to start tattoo-ing including a how-to DVD, and practive skins?

Answer 1

The guy who did some of my tattoos had many apprentices and this is how they worked.

First off you have to be in good with the owner, not being that can make you the grunt around the shop i.e. go take out trash, go get supplies, go get coffee..

Second your training. He had his apprentices start out my sketching tattoos, if you couldn't draw, you were done. Being a tattoo artist requires a great deal of artistic skill. After you sketched for a while, he required them to tattoo a grapefuit, without tearing the skin and have the tat recognizable. After the grapefruit they tattooed a couple other fruits. Then came the big skill test. He had them tattoo a tomato. We all know how soft tomatos are. Again without tearing the skin. IF they got past that they were allowed to do tattoos, BUT they could only do them on themselves. He required his apprentices to do at least one tattoo on themselves before he would put them in for their license.

He may have been tough, but I can trust all of his "graduated" apprentices to do a great tattoo..

IF you would be to scared to give yourself at tattoo.. Keep this in mind, most people, me included will probably walk away from a tattoo artist that has no tattoos. My thinking is, how can you administer the pain if you don't know how it feels?

Have a great day.

Answer 2

I dunno where Lotus Kandi is from, but in North America there are no laws surrounding tattoo shops. You don't need a license, and there are no age restrictions.

That being said, the best way to become a tattoo artist is to go down to a reputable tattoo shop, show off some of your art skills and enthusiasm, and ask them for an apprenticeship. They will teach you proper tattoo techniques, and help you with obtaining supplies - such as a tattoo machine, gloves, ink, power source, cords, etc. They will also encourage you to use pig skin to practice on, which you can order from your local butcher shop.

With all THAT being said, please don't tattoo your friends or anyone else without the proper training and sterilization.

PLEASE.

Answer 3

first you need a starter kit and practice skin, then you need to get a place like a shop and have them appership you for the hours, most places make you pay a lot. then you do that for maybe 1 to 2 years and then take your state test and get licences. not everyone can be a tattoo artist, it not like drawling on paper and you must have pantices. i have been doing it for 6 years now and i love it! alos you must be really artistic, sorry i can't spell.

Answer 4

You could do an apprentiship at a shop. You have to take a bloodborn pathogen class that they can prepare you for. Its ez. Just be a steady hand and a strong stomache. Ask your local shop artist for links for good stuff- you dont want to be directed to anything sleazy in this market!

Answer 5

its sooo easy you can just buy a kit off e-bay for leik 20 bucks! Its usually like a 30 min video or sumthin then u can go and start peircing all ur friends! kewl huh??


....not.

Answer 6

Go to a tattor parlor in your city and ask the owner, your question and pick his brain about supplies,etc.

Answer 7

Uh, that's not how you do it... I believe you have to apprentice yourself for a while to train as one of the main steps...I'm not sure beyond that... I would call a legit shop and ask them what they did.

Answer 8

you have to be an apprentice at a shop first... they practice on melons typically... and there is no instructional DVD... you have to watch, practice, and learn.