What does a tattoo artist do?

It's important not to jump into this career blindly because you think it’s cool, as the mastering of this art takes years to perfect. Do not think you will make a quick buck either, as tattoo artists aren't considered professional (and won't be able to demand a certain amount of money) until they have five to ten years experience under their belt. Tattooing is an art form that demands respect when it's done right. It entails tons of hard work, and only years of experience can give an artist confidence in their ability. This is the result of tiny bits of knowledge piling up, and of all the lessons that setbacks and mistakes have taught them.

Most states require licensure for tattoo artists, and requirements can vary by state. Some states, such as Oregon, require licensees to complete a minimum of 360 hours of training under an approved artist as well as 50 tattoos. To get licensing, a written exam and a skills assessment is also typically necessary.

Some states also require a specific number of continuing education credits in order for tattoo artists to renew their license. Continuing education options come in the form of seminars and classes. If an artist would like to open their own tattoo studio, they should enrol in business management courses that focus on small businesses. They'll need to write a business plan, find a location, buy software to track their money, and check with their state regarding the necessary licenses and health codes for tattoo studios.

Tattooing can be a wonderful career choice for the right type of person. Tattooists have freedom - they can dress any way they want, and once they master specific skills they can work pretty much anywhere in the world. Tattoo artists also put their artwork on people's bodies and can have it be displayed for the rest of those people's lives. They may also have the privilege to do therapeutic tattoos that cover up scars (such as mastectomy scars) and give people a new sense of confidence and self-love during their recovery and rehabilitation.

On the other hand, it's hard work, it's tiring, and it can be frustrating. Tattooing full-time can give you a bad back, neck and shoulder problems and damaged wrists (tendonitis). Tattoo artists also spend hours in intimate contact with people who at times have questionable hygiene. Tattooing also requires a lot of stamina and patience, because tattoos take a long time to do, and also because it requires working with the general public.

If you are creative and motivated, it can be one of the better careers out there. Being content in this type of work comes from being inquisitive and mastering new skills, and having the determination and tenacity to keep going and seeing progress. You've got to be like a dog that won't let go of a bone. There's a great sense of achievement when you've finished a design and see it on a client. And especially when a client is in awe and can't wait to show off their new piece of art to the world.

Tattooing can be a wonderful career choice for the right type of person. Tattooists can dress any way they want. Once they have the contacts and skills they can work pretty much anywhere in the world. The job is very creative. Tattoo artists have the ability and the outlet to put their artwork on people's bodies and have it displayed 24/7/365 for the rest of those people's lives. They may also have the privilege to do therapeutic tattoos that cover up scars (such as masectomy scars) and give people a new sense of confidence and self-love during their recovery and rehabilitation.

On the other hand, it's hard work, it's tiring, and it can be frustrating. Tattooing full time can give you a bad back, neck and shoulder problems and damaged wrists. Tattoo artists also spend hours in intimate contact with people who have questionable hygiene. It also requires a lot of patience, because tattoos take a long time to do, and also because you're working with the general public.

If you are creative and motivated (it is a demanding job that requires absolute dedication), it can be one of the better careers out there. Happiness in this type of work comes from being inquisitive and eager to master new skills, and the determination and tenacity to keep going. You've got to be like a dog that won't let go of a bone. There's a great sense of achievement when you've finished a design and see it on a client. And especially when a client is in awe and can't wait to show off their new piece of art.

Tattoos are becoming progressively more mainstream and demand for great ink continues to rise. This line of work demands more out of a person than most people can imagine, and it's good to know what's involved before taking the plunge and choosing this career path.

Are You Good at Drawing?

• Being good at drawing doesn't necessarily mean you can instantly become a good tattoo artist. Although it most definitely helps to have a gift for drawing, it takes a long time to understand and differentiate between what you can draw and what you can tattoo. It's critical to start out with very simple designs and let your tattoo drawings develop and get better over a period of time.

Are You Willing To Work for Free?

• Plan to work for free for at least a year (or two, or three), as you have to start as an apprentice first. Unless you have some money stashed away somewhere, you will have to work a second job for the first couple of years. A good way to look at this is like unpaid training. Some people start out slowly by practicing on oranges, grapefruits, or honeydew melons, but fruit isn't even remotely similar to tattooing a real human being. You need a lot of practice tattooing flesh - it's surprising how many clients you can get when you're offering your services for free.

Be Aware of the Upfront Equipment Costs

• In order to get started as a tattoo artist, there's quite a big upfront investment in equipment. This can cost upwards of $4,000 which includes at least two tattoo machines, an ink set and tubes, needles, gloves, rubber bands, thermofax paper (thin sheets of heat sensitive copy paper), skin pens, etc. Also, apprenticeships cost approximately $10,000 in states where tattoo schools are regulated, on top of state licensure fees.

Are You Good With People?

• People often want the most painful or happiest times in their life symbolized and transformed into a tattoo, and will talk through their memories and feelings during their appointment. It will often feel like you are a therapist during these times, and will come to understand how inherently therapeutic this process can be for people. Therefore, as a tattoo artist, it doesn't matter if you yourself are stressed; you need to learn how to separate yourself from personal issues and be completely there for that person at that moment.

What Type of Work Do You Want To Do?

• There are two traditional types of tattoo parlours that you can choose to work in: There are walk-in shops, where clients are mainly asking to get a tattoo on the spot and choose from pre-drawn (or flash) designs in the studio. In these types of shops, tattoo artists simply put ink on clients and invest very little time in creating the tattoo. Then there are shops where tattoo artists work with clients ahead of time (sometimes weeks/months ahead) to design custom work. Special relationships are often formed with clients when doing custom work, and it can be incredibly rewarding.

Providing Guidance & Feedback

• Clients don't know what makes a good tattoo; that's something that can only be understood from years of tattooing experience. It's the artist's job to provide guidance and feedback to the client about the tattoo they want to get. If the tattoo is a bad idea, the artist has to be confident enough to express this to the client and suggest other options that will work. However, people can be stubborn about what they want, and if there is no compromising, they may need to be turned away.

Are You Good At Focusing For Long Periods of Time?

• You have to develop a zen-like ability to concentrate on nothing other than what is right in front of you. You can easily start to panic if you look at the amount of work there is left to do (especially if it's a big piece), therefore it is key to your sanity to be in the moment and develop a laser-like focus on the millimetre of skin that you're working on.

Your Body Will Eventually Break Down

• Tattoo artists basically sit hunched over, holding a static (and often awkward) position for upwards of eight to ten hours a day. It's only a matter of time before the body gives out - and very common for tattoo artists to have tendonitis and/or back problems. Since this is a repetitive motion injury, artists can't really prevent flare-ups unless they stop doing that motion. Many artists reach a point where they can't tattoo full-time anymore.